Chapter 4

My phone rang. I glanced at the time before answering.

"Donna, still awake at this hour?"

Before I could reply, she added in a leisurely voice, "Waiting for the Boss? He's still here with me, you know."

I leaned back in my chair, my expression unchanged.

When I failed to react, the woman on the other end of the line began to lose patience. She let out a mocking laugh.

"Actually, I've always found something rather strange. Everyone says the Boss loves you so much."

She chuckled softly.

"However, why is it that whenever he has to make a real choice, he always ends up choosing me?

"The Guardia was one example. Your mother's brooch was another.

"Now that something has happened to me, he's suspended your authority over family affairs before he's even finished investigating."

She paused.

"Donna, I honestly can't see how much he supposedly loves you."

Her attempt to drive a wedge between Rhett and me was painfully obvious.

She and Rhett had grown up together, and she had been in love with him for more than a decade. She had always believed I had stolen him from her. In her mind, if I were out of the picture, she and Rhett would finally be together.

When she finished speaking, I let out a cold laugh and hung up.

My suitcase lay open beside the bed. I had less to pack than I expected: a few photographs my parents had left behind, my essential documents, several books I often read, and a handgun for self-defense.

As for the jewelry, gowns, and accessories Rhett had given me over the years, I left every last piece behind.

At the very bottom of my vanity drawer sat the box containing my wedding ring. I sat there for a while, staring at it.

Seven years ago, Rhett had slipped that ring onto my finger himself. Holding my hand in front of everyone, he had declared,

"From this day forward, her orders carry the same authority as mine."

Now, in that very same estate, I could not even issue a single order under Donna's name without his approval.

I removed the ring and placed it back in its box.

On the desk in my study, I laid out everything connected to the family, one item after another. At the very bottom lay the divorce papers.

At five in the morning, the car my assistant had arranged pulled up to the back entrance right on time. The driver loaded my suitcase into the trunk.

"Donna."

I turned and glanced at the estate one last time.

"Don't call me that anymore."

He stared at me in surprise, but I was already getting into the car.

At nine that morning, Rhett was still in the South District.

His underboss, Felix, hurried into the room carrying a stack of documents. Rhett was listening to a report about the previous night's accident when Felix approached him.

"Boss, all the personal accounts under Donna's name have been completely separated from the family's finances."

Rhett looked up.

"What?"

"The paperwork was finalized this morning." Felix handed him the documents. "Her personal accounts have also been completely removed from the family financial system."

Rhett slowed as he flipped through the papers.

"When was this arranged?"

"Three days ago."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then Rhett suddenly looked up.

"Where is Nancy now?"

He pulled out his phone and called me. My number was switched off.

Rhett shot to his feet.

"Get the car ready."

His underboss hurried after him.

"Boss, what about Miss Lauren?"

"Let the doctors look after her."

The car sped all the way back to the estate. The moment Rhett arrived, he headed straight upstairs.

"Nancy!"

No one answered.

He pushed open the bedroom door. The bed had been neatly made, and dozens of gowns still hung in the closet. Not a single piece of jewelry was missing from the vanity.

He stood in the doorway for several seconds. Perhaps, even then, he still believed I had simply gone out.

Then he walked into the study, only to stop short when he spotted Donna's seal lying on the desk. He walked over and picked it up.

Beneath it were the keys and access cards that had once given me authority within the family.

At the very bottom lay a document.

[MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION AGREEMENT]

His fingers stiffened, and the color drained from his face.