Chapter 5

In the end, I said nothing. After all, Julian was blind and deaf; any further explanation would only add to my list of accusations.

My phone vibrated. It was an insider tip about shipments, revealed by the Mayor.

The last bit of value from this marriage had been squeezed dry. I wiped away my tears and took one step at a time towards my freedom.

“Anya, immediately send a pack of feminine hygiene products to The Nightfall Club. Seraphina started her period, and you’re familiar with those brands.”

Julian and I hadn't seen each other for days.

He was busy coaxing Seraphina, and I was busy packing my bags to make room for her.

When I received the message, I hesitated, but eventually delivered it to him.

After all, I had a divorce settlement agreement for him to sign.

“Three years are up. You never touched me once.”

Hearing this, Julian froze, flicking cigarette ash onto the floor.

“What do you mean?”

I smiled faintly.

“I mean, you can finally ask for your love’s forgiveness. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!”

Despite my blessings, Julian’s face showed no joy; instead, he said angrily,

“What are you blabbering about? Are you deliberately dragging your feet, making Seraphina wait for you?”

Unable to refute, I handed him the divorce settlement agreement, urging him to sign it and be done with it.

He didn't even look, scrawling his signature impatiently.

“Aren’t you going to deliver the items to Seraphina?”

I said nothing more, took the bag, and headed to the restroom.

Everything went smoothly, and I left, filled with anticipation.

But just then, two bodyguards suddenly blocked the exit and dragged me back inside.

The restroom was in chaos. Four shady-looking men were subdued on the floor by Julian’s bodyguards.

Seraphina was nestled in Julian’s arms, her face unusually pale, and an unlabeled bottle of liquid lay on the floor.

Julian looked up, his eyes so cold they sent shivers down my spine.

At his command, a bodyguard mercilessly kicked the back of my knee, and I fell straight to my knees.

The sudden pain stole my breath, and I almost couldn't suppress my rage.

“Julian! What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me? If I had been a moment later, Seraphina would have been assaulted!” Julian’s voice was chilling. “You gave Seraphina this dangerous substance and hired four men to assault her! Anya, when did you become so vicious?”

“No, I should say, when did you stop even pretending to be gentle?”

He ordered Seraphina to be rushed to the hospital, then walked directly towards me, holding the bottle of liquid.

I froze, and realizing his intent, I recoiled sharply.

“Julian, calm down! There’s security footage here; check it, and you’ll know it wasn’t me!”

“Miss Hayes, we don’t want your money anymore, but please, beg Mr. Sterling for mercy! We don’t want to go to jail!” the four men whimpered, their faces drawn.

Julian sneered, reaching out to grip my neck, then pinching my jaw, forcing my mouth open.

“Julian! No! You know I have that condition! If I take this, I’ll die!”

He didn't stop, pouring the remaining two-thirds of the liquid into my mouth.

I couldn’t stop coughing. By the time I regained my senses, he had already led everyone out of the restroom.

“Go on, enjoy the torment of craving release but finding none!”

Almost instantly, my body began to boil.

“Please, let me out…I’ll die…”

The only response was the fading sound of footsteps.

Before my consciousness completely faded, a familiar figure burst through the door.

“Why do I always see you looking so pathetic?”