CHAPTER 02

Livienne didn't go down the stairs again. She went upstairs and pushed open the door to a private lounge.

The moment the door closed behind her, the music and laughter from the party became distant.

She leaned against the door. For a few seconds, she simply stood there.

Then she went to the bed and moved the pillow aside. The divorce papers were still there. And so was one of the gifts she had prepared for Regan.

A small black box.

Livienne stared at it.

She had spent three years imagining the moment she could tell everything to Regan, but now, all her efforts felt ridiculous.

After a minute, she took out a second phone from the hidden compartment of her handbag.

This mobile had no photographs, no social media, no personal contacts, except one number.

She called it.

The call connected almost instantly.

“Are you safe, Miss?” a warm voice hit her ear.

“... Yes, Alfred.”

“If you’re calling me, it means you’re ready to return. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Livienne looked at her reflection in the dark window.

The woman staring back at her was still dressed in the simple cream-colored gown her mother-in-law had chosen for Regan's birthday. She did not wear any diamonds or expensive necklaces.

“Your father called me,” Livienne said. “How did he get my number?”

“... I don’t know, Miss.”

“He may look after my father, but there are only two people I trust in this world, Alfred. One is you, and the other is my uncle. If it weren’t for you two, I’d have long been buried next to my mother.”

A few seconds of silence passed.

“Did you find anything at the Cross family?” Alfred asked.

“I couldn't find anything connecting them to what happened fifteen years ago,” she replied.

“Then why did you stay there for three years, Miss? Don’t tell me… you really fell for Regan Cross?”

Livienne looked down at the divorce papers. “Get things ready for me. Prepare a gift as well. I want to surprise my uncle.”

Saying that, she ended the call.

For a long moment, she remained still. Then she reluctantly signed the divorce papers.

A knock came at the door.

Livienne immediately put the second phone away. “Who is it?”

“It's me.” Regan opened the door.

Her heart gave an involuntary beat.

Regan stepped inside.

For the first time that evening, they were alone.

He loosened his tie slightly. “Whew…” His eyes fell on her face. “Why did you leave? I haven’t even cut the cake yet.”

Livienne gave a faint smile. “I didn’t feel required… since you have Selena now.”

“She’s lost her brother and boyfriend in the same accident,” Regan said in a soft voice but a slightly serious face. “Her parents are countries apart. I was the only friend she had.”

Livienne almost laughed. “Yeah. A friend close enough to put her hand on your bum, and you let it slide.”

“It’s not what it looks like,” Regan said, stepping closer, but Livienne stepped back, making him stop.

“In the three years, I swallowed a lot of criticism from your family,” Livienne’s voice thickened a bit, “even though you’re the one who proposed to me, despite knowing that I had no background or family.”

“I did defend you before my parents, did I not?” Regan tried to reason with her. “Selena is only going to stay here for a few days. Once her mind becomes clear, she will leave.”

“Huh, yeah,” Livienne picked the papers from the bed and put them in his hands.

He seemed puzzled, but after a quick glance, he was surprised. “Are you…”

“Your mother gave them to me. She wants us divorced,” Livienne said. “I’m sure she’s already planning to get you and Selena married. Both of you are from billionaire families, and she isn’t sick like me, so you can have a great life.”

Regan walked closer, his eyes moving over her face. “You don't look well.”

“Don’t divert the topic,” Livienne's expression stiffened.

“Just tell me what you want,” he said firmly.

“Send Selena away right now, or I’ll leave,” Livienne said without hesitation.

Regan’s brows knitted together. “But I gave her my word that I’ll let her stay here until she-”

“Then keep her here,” Livienne walked past him.

He held her hand and stopped her. “Don’t do this. I’m not going to divorce you just because of your health issues. I thought you knew me better.”

Selena’s eyes teared up, but she didn’t turn back. “If Selena isn’t gone before twelve tonight, then I’ll be gone. Take this as a threat or however you want. Since I’ve signed a prenuptial agreement before, you don’t have to pay me anything after divorce. You have nothing to lose.”

Regan’s grip on her weakened. “What? You’re my wife. How can you talk like that to me?”

“Yeah. Regan’s Wife. I’m not Livienne. I’m Regan’s wife,” she said, looking toward the door. “I have done nothing more than accompany you for public events. That’s what your family always said no matter how much I tried to do my best to please them. And now you’re acting the same as them. I hate to say it, but the distance between us has only increased lately.” Her fingers curled into her palms. “I don’t think I can bear to watch my husband with another woman. So, I’ll leave the choice to you.”

She left the room, but Regan remained frozen.

After marriage, Livienne was always there with him. At every banquet, every family dinner, every important business event, and every celebration. She had never demanded anything from him and never embarrassed him, never complained when he came home late, never demanded expensive gifts, never made a scene even when his parents put pressure on her.

Now, for the first time, she opened up and spoke her mind.

Regan lowered his head and looked at the divorce papers. His jaw hardened.