Chapter 3

Audrey's POV

The next morning, Julian's private driver was waiting promptly downstairs for me.

The VIP process at the courthouse went quickly.

When he received the divorce certificate, Julian didn't even glance at it, casually stuffing it into his suit pocket.

He put his arm around my shoulder as usual, his voice as tender as if we had just gotten married. "We'll remarry next month, once Stella goes abroad."

I lowered my head and softly hummed in agreement.

I could feel a few glances lingering on us, probably wondering why this newly divorced couple was still so intimate.

Julian seemed pleased with my attitude.

We parted ways at the courthouse entrance.

I took a taxi alone back to my apartment.

Over the next few days, my father occasionally sent encrypted emails, concise and to the point.

"Mr. Harrison has almost finished liquidating your assets back home, no need to worry."

"Offshore accounts and passport are all set. The private jet route has also been approved. You can leave anytime."

I looked at the screen, calculating a specific departure date.

After dealing with these, I casually opened Instagram, and immediately, Julian and Stella's usual public displays of affection popped up.

In the morning, Julian personally cooked, making not only brunch but also plating it exquisitely.

In the evening, the two went to see that contemporary art exhibition-the one I had begged him for a long time to go to, but he always claimed to be too busy.

I scoffed, a self-deprecating smile on my face, and closed the app.

Images that once easily pained me now left my heart completely undisturbed.

Two days later, I submitted my resignation to the company.

I completed all the formalities, returned my access card, cleared my computer, and bid farewell to my colleagues, whose smiles rarely reached their eyes.

The moment I stepped out of the towering office building, I felt another thread connecting me to this city snap.

That night, Julian sent a FaceTime request.

It was the first time he had contacted me since our divorce.

I looked at the name on the screen, hesitated for a few seconds, then switched to audio-only.

I didn't want to see his face next to another woman.

His displeasure was immediate from the other end. "Why no video?"

"Just got out of the shower, no makeup," I casually brushed him off.

Julian chuckled on the other end, his tone smug, clearly thinking I was still the meticulous woman who tried to maintain a perfect image for him.

"What look of yours haven't I seen?" His voice carried an uncomfortable familiarity.

I didn't respond.

He probably found it boring, so he changed the subject and asked about my resignation.

"You quit? Good. You only got that internship at the company through my connections anyway. There wasn't much of a future there."

My impatience reached its peak.

"Don't you need to go accompany Stella?" I interrupted him, just wanting to end the conversation quickly.

On the other end, Julian fell silent for a moment at my words, then let out a cold laugh.

"Audrey, your temper is getting worse." His voice was full of the arrogance and warning of a man accustomed to power. "Stella isn't well. If you dare to say anything to upset her, you know the consequences."

I couldn't even be bothered to argue with him anymore. I just hung up.

Two days later was Julian's birthday.

In previous years, no matter how busy I was, I would personally bake him a fondant cake and prepare a table full of his favorite dishes.

And he, like a perfect husband, would cancel all business engagements to spend the day only with me.

This had been one of the few rituals in our marriage.

This year, I hadn't prepared anything; I had almost forgotten the date.

Then my phone rang. It was Dylan, a friend from Julian's circle.

"Audrey, did you and Julian have a fight?" Dylan's voice was boisterous. "It's his birthday today, why aren't you here? Stella, though, she's here, running around the mansion like the hostess."

I held my phone, my fingertips icy cold.

"Oh, really?"

"You should come quick, Julian's had a lot to drink," Dylan continued, adding fuel to the fire. "If you don't come soon, your husband might really be snatched away."

I let out a soft laugh, tinged with a bone-chilling coldness.

"Dylan, Julian and I are already divorced."

With that, I didn't bother waiting for his reaction and just hung up.

Not long after, Stella posted a series of photos on Instagram.

In the pictures, she held a custom cake, smiling sweetly and shyly.

Another picture showed Stella playfully smearing cream on Julian's face, with the caption: "Hope you're as happy every day as you are today, @JulianHayes."

Julian replied with a simple "Okay."

I exited the social media app and took out a document from my safe.

It was the title deed for a commercial property I owned in a prime downtown location.

It had been gifted to me upon our marriage.

I sent a message to Mr. Harrison, "Mr. Harrison, please anonymously list this asset for sale. A lower price is fine; I need cash, as quickly as possible."

Then, I pulled out the dusty box from under the bed and took out a heavy wedding photo album.

In every picture in the album, I smiled so brightly.

Back then, I naively thought I was the happiest woman in the world.

I turned to the third page. In the photo, Julian, with a rare gentle smile, was bending down to adjust my veil.

I pulled out my lighter.

A pale blue flame lit up a corner of the photo. I watched it hungrily consume the image, then tore off the half-burnt piece.

Ashy black scraps fluttered onto the desk.

I scooped up the remnants, walked into the bathroom, and flushed them all down the toilet.

I pressed the flush button.

Watching the swirling water carry everything away, I closed the album and put it back in its place.

I looked at my empty hands and whispered to myself, "This is it."

The day this wedding album was completely burned, everything between us would truly be over.