Chapter 3

I followed the tracker's signal all the way to the estate on the south outskirts.

The moment I parked in the shadows, I felt a suffocating wave hit me.

The fountain at the front gate was identical to the one at my estate.

When Rose Manor was finished, Alexander had held me by the waist and told me he'd designed that fountain himself. One of a kind in the world. A symbol that I was his one and only.

But now that "one of a kind" was sitting at Elena's front gate too.

A few minutes later, a red sports car roared up to the entrance. Elena's car.

I put on my bluetooth earbuds. The tracker's built-in microphone picked up their voices loud and clear.

"I didn't want to wish you two anything tonight!"

Elena's voice came through, pouty and whiny.

"Fireworks, helicopters, Olivia has everything. I just want you. Why can't that be enough?"

Alexander's low, indulgent chuckle followed.

"Don't be so spoiled. As long as you don't make a scene in front of Olivia, whatever she has, I'll give you."

I felt the cold spread from my chest outward.

"Fine. You're the great Don, after all."

Elena's voice turned syrupy sweet, then shifted to a mocking laugh.

"That tie you're wearing is such outdated taste, Don. You should fire your secretary."

A beat of silence on the other end.

Alexander just let out a low chuckle. No argument.

Then came the sound of fabric ripping and buttons coming undone.

He yanked the tie off without hesitation and tossed it out the window.

After that, the car filled with breathy sounds and soft moans.

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

When I first got together with Alexander, I was nothing but a broke student.

To get him a decent gift for his birthday, I worked multiple part-time jobs and bought that tie with my first paycheck.

He was thrilled when he got it. I asked him nervously:

"Do you think it's too cheap?"

He pulled me into a tight hug.

"As long as it's from you, even a blade of grass is the most precious thing in the world to me."

How sweet those memories were. How cruel the present felt.

I bit down hard on my lip, letting the tears blur my vision.

I breathed in and out, forcing myself to stay calm through the crushing pain.

Don't cry, Olivia.

Just three more days. Hold on a little longer. It'll all be over.

By the time I got back to the main house, it was late.

Worse, my eyes were swollen red from crying.

I hid in the bathroom with a cold compress and ended up dozing off. Then suddenly, furious pounding on the door and Alexander's voice shouting:

"Olivia! Olivia, are you in there?!"

I opened the door. The next second, Alexander rushed in and crushed me against his chest so hard I could barely breathe.

He sounded terrified.

"You weren't in bed. I couldn't find you. No one knew where you were. I thought something happened."

He loosened his grip, cupped my face, and saw my red, puffy eyes. He froze.

"What happened to your eyes? They're so red. Were you crying?"

I forced a smile, keeping my face calm and gentle.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about the fireworks and the helicopters tonight. I got too emotional. Couldn't help it."

Alexander let out a visible sigh of relief. He smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"You're my Donna. Every year from now on, I'll make you feel this way."

I looked at him quietly, my gaze drifting to his open shirt collar.

He was only wearing the shirt. The tie was gone.

"Where's your tie?"

I asked.

Alexander paused, then smiled.

"Oh, it felt a little tight when I came in. I loosened it and left it in the car."

I gave a small nod and smiled.

Alexander leaned in to kiss me, his voice low and rough.

"Don't overthink it, darling. Get some rest."

I turned my head to avoid his deep kiss, just brushed my lips against his cheek, and said softly:

"In a couple of days, I'll get you a better gift."

I didn't sleep that night.

The next morning, I prepared the divorce papers and the raven rings we'd exchanged at our engagement. They were supposed to stand for love and duty.

Now they meant nothing.

I put them in a box and headed for Alexander's study.

Passing through the living room, I saw the door was open. Alexander stood at the entrance, his face serious.

Through the gap, I saw who was inside.

It was my sister, Elena.