Jocelyn went back to the Sanchez estate after her discharge to pack her things.
The moment she pushed the door open, Nellie walked toward her wearing one of Jocelyn's silk loungewear sets.
"You're back? Ivor said you wouldn't be out for a few more days, so he brought me over early to take care of you."
She stepped closer and dropped her voice to a whisper.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not going to fight you for anything. After all... it's already mine."
Before Jocelyn could respond, Nellie's eyes turned red in an instant and she crumpled to the floor, just as Ivor descended the staircase and caught the whole scene.
"Ivor, I only wanted to apologize to Jocelyn, but she... she called me a cheap whore. Said I wasn't fit to touch her things. I don't want the gallery anymore. I don't even need a title. I just want to stay by your side!"
Ivor crossed the room in three strides and helped Nellie to her feet. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes burned with fury. He couldn't understand why, even after handing Nellie over for Jocelyn to deal with as she pleased, she still wasn't satisfied. Wasn't that already the biggest concession he could make?
"I've bent over backwards trying to make you happy. I've laid the finest things in all of Harbor City at your feet, and all you can see is the man who gave you that gallery!"
"Nellie doesn't even ask for a title. All she wants is to stay quietly by my side. So fine. From now on, I won't waste another ounce of effort trying to please you."
He pulled out the private seal that should have been mailed to the lawyer and held it up in front of Jocelyn's face.
"Still waiting for Daddy to come save you? He settled with me a long time ago. I gave him shipping rights to three of Harbor City's docks, and he told me himself he would never help you file for divorce."
"Or did you forget? You were the one who humiliated him in the first place. You really think he still cares about you? I'm the only one left who's willing to protect you."
As he spoke, he unlocked his phone. Every major outlet in Harbor City was running the same headline, accompanied by photos of him and Nellie at high-profile events. The banner read: MRS. SANCHEZ JR. BASKS IN CEO'S FAVOR — MISS HENSON REPORTEDLY COMMITTED TO PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY AFTER FALLING FROM GRACE.
Jocelyn's pupils contracted, but she kept silent.
Ivor's voice softened, edged with something almost like pleading.
"Jocelyn. Just give in. Is that so hard?"
"Just give in, and I'll send Nellie back where she belongs. You're Mrs. Sanchez. You'll always be Mrs. Sanchez."
Jocelyn stared at him for a long moment, then lowered her head and laughed.
"You really do make me regret it more every day."
The color drained from Ivor's face. "What did you just say?"
"I said I look down on you."
"You know Nellie framed me, and you still played along with her little performance. You know exactly what she is, and you still hold her like she's made of glass. You know what I wanted, and you handed my things to her one by one."
"You're not stupid. You're a coward."
"Ivor Sanchez, you make me sick."
Ivor's chest heaved. His features twisted, and his hand rose to strike her across the face. But slowly, it dropped back to his side.
"Fine. Just fine."
"Jocelyn Henson, let's see how long that spine of yours holds up."
He spun toward the door and bellowed down the stairs. "Jasper James! Starting today, she gets nothing but water. Not a single thing. Let's see how many days she lasts."
The old butler glanced at Jocelyn with hesitation in his eyes but didn't dare defy the order.
Ivor turned back one last time and looked at her.
"When I get back from Switzerland with Nellie, I hope you still have the strength to beg."
Three days later. Switzerland.
Ivor stood at the summit of Jungfrau Peak, gazing out over the vast white expanse below. His chest felt hollow.
Nellie clung to his arm, her smile coy and sweet. "I like it so much better here. Can we stay a few more days?"
Ivor said nothing. All he could see was the way Jocelyn had looked at him that last time.
Calm. Distant. Like she was looking at a stranger.
No. Worse than a stranger. She had looked at him the way someone looks at garbage.
"Ivor? What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
He pulled his gaze from the horizon and was about to walk on when his phone rang.
His heart skipped a beat.
He answered. On the other end came Jasper's voice, old and trembling.
"Sir... Harbor City... a magnitude-seven earthquake. The estate collapsed completely. Your wife... they couldn't get her out."
