Chapter 3

Nico was too furious to speak.

He glared at me, his chest heaving, his fists pale.

A second later, he saw my shattered, hollow eyes. He softened for a moment.

He took a half-step forward, like he wanted to touch my swollen cheek.

But the softness vanished as fast as it came.

"Since you refuse to see reason," he said coldly, "go to your room. Think about what you've done. You're not leaving without my permission."

He turned away, dropping one last line: "Don't come out until you've thought it through."

The bedroom door slammed shut, followed by the click of the lock.

I was locked in.

Soon, the maids were whispering outside in the hall.

"Miss Bianca swallowed a lot of water. The Boss called the best private doctor in the city."

"I heard she needs to be admitted for observation in a VIP suite."

"The Boss is so good to her, panicking like that..."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

Two hours later, the door unlocked.

Nico walked in with a first-aid kit. His face looked softer.

"Let me see your face." He sat on the bed and reached for my cheek.

I turned my head, dodging his touch.

"Stop acting out, Scarlett." He sounded tired and patronizing. "Just apologize to Bianca, and we can forget this."

I stayed quiet.

He waited. When I didn't speak, his tone turned cold again.

"Keep throwing this tantrum, and I might just call off the wedding."

Call off the wedding?

I turned my head slowly and looked at him.

"I'll clear everything out of the study," I said, my voice dead calm. "She can have the room. Since she needs to curate, she can have my drafts too."

Surprise flashed in Nico's eyes.

"I just want one thing." I pulled a document from my nightstand drawer and flipped to the last page. "Your signature."

He snatched it from my hand. His eyes scanned the title.

Property Division Agreement.

"So this is what it's about? Money?" He smirked. "Fine. You get your cash. Then you go apologize like a good girl."

"I'm transferring my art foundation to Bianca too," I added. "You've always wanted it for money laundering, right? It's yours now."

The foundation was worth hundreds of millions. It was my father's last legacy.

And the cash cow Nico had been eyeing forever.

His eyes widened in shock.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I nodded. "Think of it as an investment in Bianca. She needs exhibition funds anyway."

A satisfied grin spread across Nico's face.

He thought I had given in, that this was my twisted way of making amends to his mistress.

"See? Was that so hard?" He picked up a pen and signed the last page without a second glance.

Divorce papers, signed.

I put the papers away, keeping my voice light. "After the dress fitting, I want to stay at my old house for a few days to get some peace."

"Sure." He stood up, in a great mood now. "Women always need a way to step down."

The second he left, I started clearing out my study.

I spent the whole afternoon methodically erasing myself from this house.

Every photo with Nico, every gift he ever bought me, every piece of proof of our "sweet memories."

I destroyed everything.

I tore the photos to shreds, burned the love letters, and chucked the jewelry into garbage bags.

Erasing my entire existence from this place.

Nico walked by and frowned when he saw the mess.

He looked at the bare walls and empty desk. A hollow look hit his eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he tugged at his tie, suddenly restless.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice tighter than he realized.

"The study needs to look ready for its new owner," I said evenly. "Out with the old, in with the new."

He didn't reply. He just stared darkly into my dead eyes before turning away. His footsteps seemed rushed.

At dinner, Bianca shamelessly took the head of the table.

She was in a tight black dress, wearing the real blue diamond necklace. It sparkled blindingly.

"Thanks to Nico for investing a hundred million in my new exhibit." She raised her champagne, smiling like a winner. "With this cash, I'll throw an art gala that shocks the world."

She turned to me, eyes dripping with mockery.

"And of course, thank you for your generosity, Scarlett. Even though we all know that without the Russo family backing, you're just a useless trophy wife."

Nico chuckled. "It's true. Without the Family's money, her little hobby wouldn't be worth shit."

I put down my fork and slowly looked up.

Their smiles froze.

My gaze was ice-cold. I stared straight at Bianca.

"Deep down," I said, word by word, "you're actually jealous of me, aren't you?"