Chapter 9

On the last day of the divorce waiting period, Alexandra tore the final page from her calendar.

Her phone buzzed beside her. She checked it and found a photo Melissa had sent a few minutes earlier.

It was the pocket watch her late grandmother had given her.

"Mrs. Drennan, I spotted this watch at your house the other day. It was so pretty, I couldn't resist taking it. I've had my fun with it now. Come get it yourself."

Furious, Alexandra checked the address Melissa had sent and hurried over.

The car pulled up near Central Bridge.

Melissa stood by the river, holding the watch high above her head with a smug little smile.

"Alexandra, I brought you here to find out one thing. Who does Ron care about more, you or me?"

Alexandra had a bad feeling about where this was going.

But with her grandmother's watch dangling from Melissa's fingers, she wasn't about to stand there and argue. She stepped forward and reached to snatch it back.

Alexandra's indifference only made Melissa angrier. She hated how Alexandra always seemed so composed, as though nothing could touch her.

Everything she had was thanks to Ron, wasn't it? Who was she to look down on anyone?

Overcome with jealousy and resentment, Melissa hurled the watch into the river.

Alexandra snapped. She took one look at Melissa's smug face and slapped her hard.

"Melissa!"

Melissa pressed a hand to her cheek, about to say something, when she spotted a sports car speeding toward them. Without warning, she shoved Alexandra into the river.

The moment Ron stepped out of the car, Melissa jumped in after her.

The cold water swallowed Alexandra, pulling her deeper. She struggled to remember where the watch had fallen, feeling around until her fingers finally closed around it.

Desperate for air, she kicked toward the surface, but Melissa's frantic thrashing kept her from rising. Her strength was fading fast. Her head spun, and she felt herself slipping out of consciousness.

Just as both women were about to sink, another splash broke the surface.

Ron had jumped in.

On the verge of blacking out, Alexandra forced her eyes open. Through her blurred vision, she saw Ron swim straight toward Melissa without a second thought.

He pulled Melissa ashore, cradled her unconscious body, and called her name over and over, his face etched with worry.

He never once looked Alexandra's way.

Barely conscious, Alexandra felt tears fill her eyes. With the last of her strength, she fought her way to the surface.

She broke through into the afternoon sunlight and hauled herself onto the riverbank. Drenched and gasping, she struggled to her feet.

Near the bridge, Ron was giving Melissa mouth-to-mouth.

Clutching her grandmother's pocket watch, Alexandra staggered toward the road. She was about to walk past Ron when he finally called after her.

"Lexi, I knew you could swim. That's why I went for Melissa first. Are you okay?"

Alexandra paused. "I'm fine."

Ron kept his eyes on Melissa until she began to stir. Only when her eyes fluttered open did he relax. Then he went over to Alexandra and took her hand.

"Lexi, I'll take you home—"

Before he could finish, Melissa called out from behind him, her voice thick with tears.

"Ron, my head hurts..."

Ron hesitated, but before he could make up his mind, Alexandra spoke, her voice hoarse.

"Go take care of her. Don't worry about me."

"I'll take her to the hospital, then come right back. I'll stay with you," he promised.

Alexandra turned away and shook her head, her eyes red.

She hadn't meant just for now. He never had to worry about her again. As of today, they were no longer husband and wife. Their marriage was over, and there was nothing left between them.

Five years of misery had finally come to an end.

She was done holding on. And now, just as Ron had wanted, she was leaving him for another man.

Still unsteady on her feet, Alexandra made her way to the roadside and opened the car door.

As Ron watched her go, a sudden panic seized him.

"Lexi!"

He called after her without thinking, but she didn't even turn around. He could only watch as her car disappeared from sight.

When Alexandra arrived home, Edwin Spaulding, the butler, was already expecting her. He had a steaming mug of tea and a full set of diamond jewelry ready.

"Mrs. Drennan, Mr. Drennan asked me to prepare these for you. He also said he'd be home for dinner tonight."

Dinner? When they were already divorced?

Alexandra shook her head and went upstairs to change. Then she finished packing the last of her belongings.

When she came downstairs with her luggage, Edwin stared at her in shock and began asking questions.

She ignored him.

Her voice still hoarse, she said, "When Ron gets home, tell him to read the papers he signed a month ago. And tell him he's out of my life for good."

With that, she walked out, slipped off her wedding ring, and dropped it into the trash can by the entrance. She took her luggage and climbed into one of the waiting cars.

The dark-purple sports car sped south, disappearing into the night.