02

Rain had started to spit lightly on the marble balcony, but Andriana didn’t move on the cold tiles. Her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her eyes were swollen from the storm of tears that had finally run dry.

She could still hear Antonio’s voice from hours ago, seeping through her ears. It was cold and final, and there was no space for love or second chances.

Just when she was starting to rise, footsteps echoed down the staircase. She looked up, and there they were—Antonio and his scandalous woman.

Adriana swallowed hard, with her fingers dug into her palms, grounding her against the tremble that threatened to take over.

“Well, look at that. Just when I thought you were growing a spine, your head drops right back where it belongs.” Antonio sneered, and the woman beside him—his mistress—laughed softly.

Adriana simply said nothing. She kept her eyes on the floor, even as shame scorched her skin.

Then the mistress spoke, her voice honeyed with cruelty. “We’ve changed our minds. Well... I have. You don’t need to wait until morning. You should leave. Now.”

Instantly, Adriana’s gaze shot to Antonio for any flicker of hesitation or even guilt.

But there was only a calm smile on his face.

“I… I can’t, Antonio.” “It’s past midnight,” Adriana whispered, her voice thin and cracking. As her whole body trembled, she forced herself up, reaching for Antonio’s hand.

But before she could touch him, the mistress slipped between them with snake-like grace. Her eyes sparkled with triumph as she blocked the gesture, letting Adriana’s hand dangle awkwardly in the air.

Right then, a thunderclap split the air like a warning shot.

“Oh, even nature hates you, ex-wife,” the mistress hissed with a smirk.

“I want you gone in ten minutes,” Antonio added flatly.

For a moment, Adriana stopped breathing. The weight of the words pressed down on her chest, crushing her.

Then suddenly, something inside her snapped. Without a word, she spun around and bolted up the stairs.

When she reached their once-shared bedroom, she slammed the door and collapsed against it. Her sobs broke free again, her whole body shaking.

She wanted to weep more, but there was no time left for grief.

Staggering to the closet, she dragged out her suitcase and threw her clothes in it blindly.

By the time eight minutes had passed, her soul was already cracking. She slowly walked to the mirror and made herself a silent vow:

No more tears. No more begging.

Clutching her car keys tightly, she straightened her spine and descended the stairs.

There, she found them downstairs still waiting—like statues or curses.

With her mind made up, she walked right past them in silence.

Right by the door, she suddenly stopped cold and turned, her gaze meeting Antonio’s.

“Mark my words, Antonio. I will return. And you’ll regret every second of this.” Her voice came out sharp, and without waiting for a response, she marched out the door.

Behind the mistress, Antonio bluntly stood frozen, like her words were nothing more than white noise.

The mistress let out a mocking laugh. “Since she still has the mouth to litter the ground,” she said, glancing at Antonio with a pout, “don’t you think it’s time we taught her her final lesson?”

Antonio raised a brow, mildly curious. “How?”

“You said you got her all the cars, didn’t you?”

“I did…” Antonio replied.

“Then I’m coming,” the mistress purred, dragging a finger down his chest before strutting after Adriana like a predator.

Outside, Adriana reached for her car door, but just as her fingers touched the handle, it slammed shut—hard in her face.

She spun around, eyes blazing. “What the hell do you want now?” Her voice came hoarse from everything she’d swallowed tonight.

The mistress stood grinning. “Oops. Someone’s finally catching…that fire.”

Adriana’s breath came short. “I’m begging you. Just leave me the hell alone.”

“Oh, I will. Right after I take…”

In a flash, the mistress snatched the car keys from her hand. “These.”

“After all, he bought you your cars, didn’t he? Guess that means they belong to him now.” She added with a wicked smile and sauntered back inside.

At that moment, the sky opened even wider, and the rain poured harder—angrier.

Adriana stood frozen, her chest tightening. Her world had caved in, and now even the heavens seemed to turn against her.

Inside the penthouse, Antonio looked up at his mistress.

“What did you do, Abby?” he asked quietly.

“Just collected what’s ours,” she replied, raising the keys with a smug smile.

“It’s pouring out there,” Antonio replied, frowning.

“What?” Abby scoffed. “Don’t tell me you care now?”

“It’s just…inhumane, Abby.”

His response made her step close, her breath hot. “Don’t lecture me, Antonio. You’re the most inhumane man I know.” She uttered, and then kissed him hard and possessively.

Meanwhile, outside, Adriana trudged down the pavement of Sierra Towers Drive, with her designer luggage dragged behind her.

Soaked in the rain, her whole body trembled, and her tears became invisible in the storm.

She didn’t know where she was going. Only that she had to keep moving.

Through the thick mist and rain, headlights suddenly cut through the dark, and a black SUV slowed beside her.

She stopped, and right then, the back window rolled down, revealing a man with sculpted features and glacial blue eyes. It was Eros—her ex-husband’s fiercest business rival.

His chauffeur stepped out instantly, holding an umbrella. “Please, ma’am,” he said gently, already taking her bag.

Adriana stood there, drenched and stunned. She looked at Eros, then at the open door.

Without hesitation, she slipped in and collapsed into the leather seat beside him.

“Thank you, Mr Eros. I’ll just be stopping by a nearby lodge,” she trembled out.

Eros simply gave her a quiet nod, then looked back toward the road.

Adriana could barely look at him, unsure of what this unexpected kindness meant.

After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and sharp. “You shouldn’t have been out there like that. He always was reckless with things he didn’t deserve.”

Adriana blinked, startled by the heat in his tone. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight,” she muttered.

Eros turned to face her, his gaze cutting through the dim lighting. “I never show up without a reason, Adriana.”

“What do you mean?” Adriana asked, her stomach tightening.

Eros paused… then leaned in, just enough to make her heart stutter.

“I didn’t just come to pick you up. I came to collect what Antonio lost,” he whispered