Chapter 2

I had returned home with the divorce agreement. As long as he signed it, we were even.

When Nikolai finally came home, I saw the new post on Rosalind’s social media. It was a photo of her and Nikolai. In their arms was the baby Rosalind had borne for him.

Since taking the reins, Nikolai who used to be stern and unyielding would make funny faces under Rosalind’s camera now and then, revealing his childish side I had never seen.

Rosalind had claimed she was enjoying a supreme treatment. I have to admit that she hit the nail on the head. Witnessing Nikolai’s affection, I felt as if a knife were twisting violently inside my chest.

I had stayed up until dawn before falling asleep, only to be forcibly yanked awake by Nikolai. His grip was incredibly tight, laced with fury. He pulled so hard that pain shot through my arm, and tears instantly spilled from my eyes.

“Vivienne Thorne, did you spread baby’s photo and information? Do you have any idea how many business rivals I have? This could get the baby kidnapped and put his life in danger!”

I attempted to clarify, but I couldn't even cut in.

“If you’re throwing a tantrum, take it out on me! Why drag an innocent baby into this mess!”

“I didn’t…”

As much as I despised Rosalind, I would never stoop so low as to take my anger out on a baby. But Nikolai was utterly convinced of my guilt.

“Rosalind said that only you would harbor such malice toward her baby, deliberately seeking revenge! Who else would do such a thing?”

Nikolai had never once lost his composure. Yet for Rosalind’s sake, he had lost his reason and tacitly admitted the baby’s existence. It was the first time in his life he had ever acted on such impulse.

I broke free from his grasp and let out a bitter laugh.

“So you’re admitting that the baby in the photo is yours?”

Nikolai froze for a second. He clearly didn’t want to expose the truth to me, but he seemed to have no other choice now. His tone softened, tinged with compromise and helplessness.

“Rosalind hid it from me at first. By the time I found out, it was too late. But I swear there was only once.”

He tried to talk me into raising the baby.

“Vivienne, I will bring this baby back. We’ll treat him as your own, and you can raise him by your side.”

My body went ice cold. I wanted to ask why, but I fell silent once again at the thought that I would be leaving him soon.

After a long pause, I wiped tears on my face and spoke calmly.

“Fine. But you need to sign this contract for my compensation.”

The divorce agreement was crumpled from being clutched in my hand all night. I concealed the key terms, my hand trembling slightly as I handed him the document. Nikolai took the pen and signed without even glancing at it. Then, he pulled me into his arms.

“Buy whatever you want. Vivienne, I’m sorry. You’ve had a hard time.”

His hug was saturated with Rosalind’s scent, the very fragrance I loathed the most. I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to think about it.

The ink on the agreement was still fresh, a binding seal on our broken marriage. As his arms tightened around me, I felt only a suffocating nausea. I stood rigid in his embrace, counting the seconds until he would let go. This wasn't a reconciliation but my final, silent goodbye. With his signature secured, the man who had once been my entire world was now nothing more than a stranger I would soon forget.