Chapter 6

Vienna's POV

On discharge day, the sky was terribly overcast, much like my current mood.

My phone vibrated. It was an automated text from the marriage registration system:

[Your divorce application has been successfully submitted.]

Looking at that message, I even found it somewhat ironic.

Four years of marriage, ending so quickly.

I didn't hesitate. I opened the ticket booking app and purchased a one-way ticket to Manhattan for a month from now.

The timing was perfect-the early morning of the day after the divorce would be finalized.

This time, I was truly leaving. Clean and thorough, leaving no retreat.

Dragging simple luggage back to the villa, I just wanted to pack the last of my personal belongings and take them with me.

However, the moment I pushed open the door, that familiar suffocating feeling hit me again.

The living room was brightly lit. Grace, wearing a silk robe, was directing servants to change the carpet colors like a mistress of the house.

Hayden sat on the nearby sofa reviewing documents. Though fatigue showed on his face, he didn't stop Grace from ordering everyone around.

When she saw me enter, Grace froze for a moment. Then she immediately put on a timid look and scurried behind Hayden in small steps, hiding like a mouse that had spotted a cat.

"You're back."

Hayden set down the documents. Seeing me, a trace of concern flashed in his eyes. He instinctively stood to help me.

"Vienna, why didn't you call me to pick you up from the hospital? Are you feeling better?"

I sidestepped his hand and headed upstairs.

"No need. I'm just back to pack my things."

"Pack your things?"

Hayden's expression darkened.

"Where are you going? This is your home. How long are you going to keep this up?"

"Home?"

My steps paused slightly. Looking at Grace in her robe, I smiled.

"Since another woman lives here, this isn't my home."

"Don't misunderstand..."

Grace suddenly emerged from behind Hayden, her eyes red-rimmed, looking like she'd suffered great injustice but still had to consider the bigger picture.

"I know I was wrong before. I shouldn't have touched your brother's belongings, and I shouldn't have accidentally pushed you... I've felt terrible about it these days. I've been staying in the guest room, waiting for you to come back so I could apologize to you in person."

As she spoke, she observed Hayden's expression.

"Hayden told me it's your birthday at the end of the month. I thought, to express my apology, why don't I organize a big, lively birthday party for you at the villa? How about that?"

Grace stepped forward and continued.

"I'll invite all of Hayden's circle of friends. That way, I can formally apologize to you in front of everyone and help you calm down."

A birthday party? An apology?

I found it absurd.

How could someone like Grace ever sincerely apologize?

She just wanted to use the birthday party as an excuse to assert her dominance in front of everyone again, or she was plotting some nasty scheme to humiliate me.

"Not interested."

After saying this, I lifted my foot to leave.

"Vienna!"

But Hayden called out to me, his tone carrying helplessness and persuasion.

"Grace means well. She knows she was wrong and has been trying to make amends these past few days. Your birthday is coming up. Everyone gathering together, having fun, clearing up past misunderstandings-wouldn't that be good?"

He paused, walked a few steps closer, his voice low.

"Besides, I want to give you a proper birthday. Too much has happened recently. We both need a fresh start."

Looking at the man's matter-of-fact expression before me, I only felt my stomach churn.

A chance? Where was there any chance left between us?

In another month, we'd be strangers.

I really wanted to throw that divorce application in his face, wanted to loudly tell him Grace's true nature.

But seeing the provocative gleam in Grace's eyes, and then Hayden's attitude, I suddenly felt exhausted.

If I refused now or made a scene, Hayden would just call me "unreasonable" again. "Petty." Then came the endless arguments, the dragging on.

Only a month left.

I didn't want to waste my last days on fights that didn't matter.

"Do whatever you want."

I lowered my eyes. "I'll show up. That's it."

With that, I didn't spare them another glance. I went straight upstairs and closed the door.

From downstairs came Grace's delighted squeal.

"Wonderful, Hayden! She's finally willing to forgive me! I'm going to make this party absolutely spectacular!"

I leaned against the door, listening to that grating laughter, and slowly closed my eyes.

Go ahead and plan it.

Consider it the final act of this absurd marriage.