Chapter 5

Lucas’s voice thundered through the walls of his office.

“You changed the PIN on your card? Why?” Maria stood with her arms folded, seething. “I went to get some designer pieces today and your card declined. What the hell, Lucas?”

He didn’t even glance at her. He kept scribbling in the notepad on his desk, calmly but coldly. “You spend like money grows on trees. I work for every penny, Maria. You waste it like it's candy. Scarlet never did that.”

Maria froze.

Her tone sharpened, laced with disbelief. “You’re comparing me to Scarlet now?”

“She never asked for anything. Never used my cards without asking. She respected the effort behind every dime.”

“Oh, please!” Maria scoffed, her voice rising. “Scarlet ran off and left you, remember? Don’t go romanticizing her like she’s some goddess. You’re only saying this because you’re mad she walked out. She’ll come crawling back once she’s broke. Probably drained your accounts before leaving anyway.”

Lucas’s head shot up, his eyes blazing. “Enough.”

“She’s still my wife. And she never stole from me. Don't you ever talk about her like that again.”

Maria’s lips curled in a bitter smile. “Wife? You mean that parasite who couldn’t give you peace for a single day?”

“I said, get out,” Lucas growled.

Maria blinked in shock. “Lucas, I didn’t—”

“OUT!”

The moment the door shut behind her, Lucas leaned back in his chair and exhaled heavily. He grabbed his phone and texted his secretary: No one enters my office unless it’s business. No interruptions.

His hands trembled slightly as he pulled open the brown envelope that had arrived earlier.

The contents gutted him.

Inside was a copy of the divorce papers—signed. His black credit cards were also enclosed. Scarlet had returned everything. She wasn’t bluffing.

She didn’t want his money.

Lucas stared at the signature for a long time, as if it would fade if he stared hard enough.

A message buzzed in from Maria: I’m sorry, Lucas. I didn’t mean to upset you. Forgive me?

He blocked her number immediately — for the time being so he could have some peace.

His mind spiraled with memories: Scarlet smiling as she set the dinner table, Scarlet in that red lingerie that clung to her like silk, Scarlet trying to hold back tears when he humiliated her.

She’d loved him. And he’d crushed her spirit.

He grabbed his phone and typed, Are you really serious about the divorce? Can we talk—maybe over tea? I’ll send the driver. Just tell me where you are.

He paced restlessly, tapping his pen against the desk, waiting.

A ping.

I’m sure you’ve seen the papers. My signature is on them. Put yours so we can begin the proceedings quickly.

Bang!

Lucas slammed his fist on the desk. His jaw clenched. He immediately dialed her number.

“Scarlet,” he said when she picked up, his voice low and shaking. “Are you really serious?”

She didn’t flinch. “Does it look like I’m joking? Just sign the papers, Lucas. Let’s finally be free.”

He was stunned. “You’re saying this to me?”

“You’ve got Maria,” she said coolly. “Live your life with her.”

The call disconnected.

Lucas’s rage boiled over. He tore everything off his desk, overturning it in a fit of fury. The crashing echoed through the office.

“She can’t do this,” he whispered hoarsely, breath ragged.

He called again, desperation beginning to creep into his tone.

“Scarlet,” he snapped when she answered, “you’re doing this because of Maria, aren’t you? We can fix this! Divorce doesn’t have to be the answer!”

Her voice was calm, detached. “You and Maria disgust me. I want my freedom.”

Lucas gritted his teeth. He couldn’t believe the woman who once trembled under his voice was now rejecting him without a second thought.

“Fine,” he spat. “But don’t come back begging. It'll be too late.”

“We’ll see about that,” Scarlet replied—and ended the call.

Silence fell over the office like a shroud.

Lucas sat, motionless, staring at the phone.

Then, after a long moment, he picked up a pen.

And signed.

---

The days blurred together. With both parties in agreement, the divorce was fast-tracked. Lucas kept telling himself she would change her mind. That this was just a game. A punishment.

But the final day came, and Scarlet didn’t back down.

Instead, she was calm. Graceful. Unbothered.

Lucas wasn’t.

He called her one last time. Not in anger—this time, there was something almost like pleading in his voice.

“Scarlet,” he said softly, “Are you still going through with this?”

“Yes, Lucas,” her voice was resolute. “And don’t worry—I’m not coming after your money. I just want peace. I want to breathe again, without you… or Maria.”

Lucas clenched the phone tighter.

His pride was bleeding.

He was Lucas Watson. Women begged to stay. They fought for him. Not the other way around.

And now here she was—walking away from him like he was worthless.

His reputation. His control. Everything was crumbling in his hands.

He gritted his teeth as he gave the final nod to his lawyer.

It was done.

---

The divorce was finalized.

Their marriage: dissolved.

And yet… the echo of her voice lingered.

Scarlet hadn’t fought him.

She hadn’t begged.

She hadn't even cried.

She had walked away—with her dignity intact.

And Lucas? He was left behind, surrounded by power, women, and wealth—but none of it filled the hole she left behind.

For the first time in his life, Lucas tasted loss.

And it was bitter.