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Vivienne’s POV

At the far end, Dominic Hanasta, my brother's voice, sounded completely shocked.

“You want a divorce? Why so suddenly? Did you and Julian fight?”.

I gripped the phone tightly. My voice sounded low pitched, "No! I'm just tired. My wish is to no longer reside with Julian.”

Only Dominic had received good news from me in the last seven years. Despite everything, I refrained from saying anything negative about him. Perhaps it was because I wanted to appear strong and make others feel happy.

However, the reality was significantly different.

Even though Julian was always unfriendly, and my son Maximilian was a difficult child to raise, I never raised any concerns with Dominic. Why? It was only logical that he would be taken aback by what I had just mentioned.

Our siblings' relationship has always been a secret, perhaps due to our closeness. Dominic remained silent for several minutes after I spoke to him. He didn't ask me why I suddenly wanted a divorce.

Finally, he said, “Okay. When are you coming home? Pick up Maximilian, pick him up."

I briefly paused before responding, "Justin will remain in our company. I'm not taking Maximilian, he will be with his father.”

Dominic was clearly stunned. He paused and said, "You're not interested in that. Don't be afraid, Vivienne. If you're serious about the divorce, I'll be there to help you fight for custody.”

"No, Dominic, don't," I muttered in a low voice. “Following my settlement here, I will be back in touch with you.”

It made me anxious that he would inquire further. My fingers trembled as I attempted to end the call without delay.

I fell on the sofa after the call ended. My whole body felt weak. Julian and I never considered breaking up after giving birth.

It was never inconceivable that my own son would be the one to crush my last bit of hope.

I advised Dominic that it was necessary for me to manage things here.

Nonetheless, there was no more to do except what I had been instructed to.

Julian's marriage certificate was a forgery, and my name wasn't registered on the Fitzgerald Family Registry.

I simply packed my suitcase. It was finally possible for me to disconnect from Julian and Maximilian completely.

Taking deep breaths, I went up so I could cool down and started packing. The bedroom door suddenly opened.

Maximilian entered while holding his toys. He looked surprised as he saw me fold my clothes and put them into the suitcase.

“Why are you packing, Mom? What is your destination?” He inquired.

To look at him, I turned around. He was my soulmate, but at that point in time, he seemed like an unfamiliar person to me.

“The distance is far,” I finally replied.

To my surprise, Maximilian's face grew brighter. He exclaimed happily, “Really? When are you leaving?”.

Children can't hide their feelings. He was elated.

My heart sank even deeper.

I whispered: "In a few days. My absence will last for an extended period.”

Maximilian's smile widened. Cheerfully, he said, “Okay! Have a safe trip, Mom!”

After that he joyfully left the room. I was aware that he would likely call Ophelia right away to inform her of the news.

As he exited, his small back caught my eye and I couldn't help but feel it. Instinctually, I called him and said, "It's already past seven. Your homework—”

Despite my eagerness, Maximilian cut me off and said, "You're so annoying! Are you okay with me doing my homework at eight? It's not too late to begin! Stop nagging me!”

I pressed my lips tightly, then gave a small bitter smile.

I muttered, "Sorry, that's not what you wanted."

He stared at me, confused. He must have thought my attitude tonight was strange. I used to chastise him repeatedly for doing his homework. This was unusual? My habit was to remind him that his teacher would check it the next day and put him to sleep early.

I chose not to say anything about it tonight. Maximilian didn't care, though.

His bedroom door was shut with a grumbling sound before he left.

Slowly, I walked over to the desk and removed the reference books I usually used for Maximilian. And I shoved them to one side. Almost all the significant aspects of those books were highlighted. First-graders were given practice problems that were marked with great care.

Maximilian had never received any education from Julian? I handled everything myself.

However, ultimately I was viewed as just an inconvenience by my own son.

For six years, I grew Maximilian and ensured that he performed exceptionally well in school, learned piano and guitar, and maintained his health and strength.

Ophelia's toys were nothing more than a token of gratitude for her sacrifice, or the small freedoms she granted him.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I immediately wiped them away, then carefully labeled everything in Maximilian's possession.

The clock struck eight. I'd usually go into his room to make sure he's done with his homework. But not tonight.

Maximilian must have been overjoyed, thinking he had forgotten, so a peaceful game could be played until slumbering on his bed.

He didn't go upstairs to check on him, probably because the head maid assumed I was looking after him. Why?

I heard the door open downstairs when the clock hit nine.. Julian had returned from work. His footsteps caused my hands to shake.

I smacked at my doctor after I'd finished typing, and now I can't take it.

[Doctor, I'm sorry. Please cancel my surgery schedule. I've opted for conservative therapy and will be receiving treatment in a foreign country.]

I glanced at the dining table as soon as Julian entered the house.

No bowl of instant noodles, the meal I always made for him every night, was available.

It was common for Julian to work late, and his eating habits were disordered. His stomach was weak because of that. Every evening, I ensured that he had a bowl of warm noodles waiting for him.

The dining table's emptiness left Julian looking puzzled. His expression softened as soon as his eyes matched mine.

"Where can I get some instant noodles?" he inquired.

I glanced at him and calmly replied, "I didn't cook because I wasn't, not feeling too bad.”

The tie was being relaxed by Julian.? When I replied, his fingers froze.

“Are you experiencing symptoms of illness?”

He stated that your face appears paler than usual due to your frequent nosebleeds. "If he's correct, I'll employ two more housekeepers." He followed up. “Despite your efforts, you must be feeling tired.”

After placing the things he was carrying in front of me, a warm and dry palm was gently placed on my forehead by him.

Instead of responding, I allowed him to touch me. Upon thinking of that strange night, I realized Julian was not one to be easily bothered by me. Despite this, the drug made him appear like a wild creature that had just woken up, leaving bruises all over my body.

Upon awakening the next day, his pale face was left with shame as he lost all his composure. But he tried to be calm. Julian prevented me from leaving, insisting that I accepted responsibility for the incident.

Following that day, his attitude underwent a significant shift. Although he was not very friendly towards others, a sign of concern appeared when I approached him.

His voice resurfaced above me. Anew.

“You don't have a fever. Why do you appear so fair? Do you want some yogurt?”

I ceased my thoughts and looked at the pink container held by him, which was yogurt with a sakura flavor that I enjoyed. In the northwest, there were no sakura trees, and the land where Andros was located was not yet in bloom. Only in the capital, Imperial, was able to secure limited quantities of sakura yogurt on Wednesdays.

After trying it five years ago, I never forgot the taste. It was delicious. Ever since, Julian had bought it for me every Wednesday. He spent five years in a row without missing ten days or weeks.

I felt a sensation of warmth on my chest. His coldness had not stopped him from paying attention to me.

My thoughts were consumed by the fact that it had all been meaningless. Even our marriage was fake. The weightiness in my chest resurfaced, and my eyes shrunk.

After my inactivity, Julian asked, "Are you going to eat?"

Upon returning, I replied softly, "I have lost interest in food."

He was about to speak again when his gaze was drawn to a bag in the corner of the sofa. The zipper was slightly unzipped, revealing my medical test results.

He instantly transformed his expression. "Are you admitted to the hospital?" he inquired, reaching for the papers.

Immediately, I grabbed the edge of his shirt and stopped him. I forced myself to smile broadly and declared, "I'm fine. Just a bit of heatiness.”

His face relaxed again. He patted me on the head and said: “Let’s go for herbal soup.“.

I held my hands together and whispered, "Julian, what would you do if you were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness?"

His steps faltered. I could feel the panic in his eyes.

He said, ‘Don't say that, do not think that way. If you are feeling down I will take you to the doctor. Not well. You cannot have anything serious to show.”

Upon seeing you in person, I asked myself the same question again, "haven't you been hiding anything from me during this seven-year marriage? Let me know if you're right, and I can accept everything.”

His physique became restless, his face darkened. "I'm not concealing anything from you," he said. What's wrong with you tonight?”

"I halted my pace and looked away. There wasn't anything. I'm not sure if my mind is overanalyzing it. To be honest, I don't like to be lied to. Your deceit will lead to my disappearance and our family will never be united again.”

Instead, he went silently, staring at me for an eternity. We were under the impression that something was wrong with us. All of a sudden, he smiled again with reassurance and reassured me.

“Vivienne, our family will never be separated.”

Don't say things like that. I plan to keep tabs on Maximilian.

Julian entered Maximilian's room and closed the door behind him.

With a sense of pure dismay, I watched his back slip away. I had no more to hold onto this time.

I calmly removed the car and house keys I had prepared, as well as a letter of farewell.

There was no need for divorce papers or any settlement agreements since we were never in a legal marriage. Julian gifted him the house and the Rolls-Royce situated in the garage as a gift.

I was giving them back all together. It was clear that nothing would remain between us after this.

Place the keys and the letter on his desk, then carried my suitcase with me and walked towards her door. It was perfect.

My body slowly faded away as the darkness of the night grew deep and dark.