"I'm not coming. I'm going to my room," Violette replied, walking straight to her room.
She heard Irene ask Hans worriedly behind her. "Hans, is Violette angry because we didn't invite her?"
"It's okay. Violette never liked going to the movies. She always gets a headache from looking at the big screen."
"Thank goodness. I feel so guilty that the three of us went to see the movie without inviting her," Irene said.
Violette clenched her fists, a bitter smile on her lips. In her heart, she said, 'Hans, do you know that I always like watching movies at the cinema?
Every time Violette asked Hans to watch a movie, he would just buy her a ticket and reserve the entire cinema for Violette.
However, Violette always watched alone and felt lonely. After watching alone several times, Violette finally gave up inviting Hans to watch movies and began to hate movies.
Hans had the money and power to appease his wife, but he was never there for her. However, for another woman, he was willing to cancel all his schedules and fly across the world to be by Irene's side.
***
Irene sent him a video of the three of them having dinner and playing at an amusement park. The video showed their closeness, like a family, with Damien calling Hans “Daddy” and Irene “Mommy,” showing them as his parents.
Violette saved the video and sent the divorce papers signed by Hans to Mr. Smith.
"Mr. Smith, I have sent the documents. I will pay whatever it costs to speed up the divorce."
"Okay, Mrs. Lombardi. I will let you know as soon as the divorce is finalized. It will take a month."
"All right, thank you, Mr. Smith."
Violette ended the phone call with Mr. Smith. Next, she prepared the documents she needed to take with her when she left the villa.
The villa, which they had built together during their fifteen years of marriage, was now meaningless. She threw away all the gifts and diamond jewelry, even the first preserved flowers Hans had given her when they got engaged.
There was nothing she needed to take. All the property and businesses Hans had given her over the years were in this country.
Violette would leave all that behind to free herself from her ties to Hans Lombardi.
Violette has not told her family that she is divorcing Hans. They think Violette is happily married to Hans, and Hans is a good son-in-law in their eyes.
If her parents knew Violette wanted a divorce, they would try to talk her out of it and tell Hans.
Then the divorce would never have happened, preserving the friendship between the two families.
Violette will tell them after the divorce is finalized. At that point, there will be nothing they can do to prevent her from divorcing.
Hans, Irene, and Damien have returned home. Violette does not greet them and goes to the bathroom to freshen up.
When she came out of the bathroom wearing a nightgown, Hans was already in the room and had unbuttoned his shirt. Calmly, Violette went to the dressing table and began her facial routine.
Hans stood behind her and gently squeezed her shoulders.
"Sorry I'm home late. Damien insisted on going to the amusement park and lost track of time."
"Hm. It's okay."
Hans leaned down, resting his chin on Violette's shoulder and kissing her neck.
The scent of Hans's expensive perfume mixed with the pungent scent of roses made Violette's stomach churn. Her lips smiled bitterly as she remembered who the owner of that rose perfume was.
"Vio, just be quiet today," Hans whispered, kissing her earlobe. "Are you uncomfortable with Irene being here?"
"No," Violette replied with a fake smile.
"Irene is just our sister-in-law. She's also part of the Lombardi family."
"I know.”
"Is it because Damien is too close to Irene that you're upset?"
"No. They should be close because they are mother and son."
Hans stared at Violette through the reflection in the dressing table mirror, sensing Irene's unusual change. He had felt it since Irene moved into their house. He thought it was because Violette didn't like Damien being close to his biological mother.
Violette stared back calmly, trying not to appear cold in front of him.
"Don't be too angry with Damien for being close to his mother. We have to raise him because he is the heir to the Lombardi family since we cannot have children."
"Hm," Violette replied indifferently.
"If only you could have..." Hans stopped himself before he finished the sentence that would hurt Violette.
They had been childless for fifteen years. Hans had never made an issue of it because Violette was the daughter of the Renault family. Their marriage was intended to maintain the alliance between the two powerful mafia families.
"Don't give up, we'll try again," Hans whispered in Violette's ear.
Violette's body tensed as Hans' lips kissed the corner of her mouth and his hand pulled down her nightgown. She immediately pushed Hans' hand away before he could see the scar on her chest.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not feeling well. I got my period today," Violette said coldly.
Suddenly, the cell phone on the bedside table rang.
"Your phone is ringing." Violette turned her face away.
Hans grumbled, picking up his phone without moving away from Violette's body.
"Hello..."
"Hans, can you come here?" Irene's voice sounded frightened on the phone.
"What's going on?" Hans' voice was full of concern.
"I think I heard an intruder in my room. I'm really scared, Hans."
"Don't be afraid. I'll be right there." He hurriedly moved away from Violette and took the gun from the desk drawer.
"Wait here, I'll check what's going on," he said without looking at Violette and rushed out of the room.
Violette scoffed, knowing what drama Irene was creating. She heard from the maid that Irene was terrified to find her bedroom window open while she was bathing, and she had seen a shadow pass by outside the window.
However, shortly after, Hans and Irene appeared at her door.
"What?" Violette stood in front of them.
"Vio, Irene's room isn't safe, and we haven't found the intruder yet. Irene is scared and doesn't dare to stay in her room. So, for the time being, Irene will stay in this room."
Violette's face paled as she stared at Hans in disbelief.
“ Hans, have you lost your mind?"
Hans's expression immediately turned stern. "This room has the highest security. Irene will be safe here. You can move to the next room."
"This is our room, Hans! How dare you bring another woman into our room!" Violette refused, her chest felt hot, and her tears blurred her vision.
This was the private room they had shared for years since they got married, even before Irene came and destroyed their marriage.
Every detail of this room's decor was engraved in her heart. She had spent her thoughts and time tracking down the right fabric and furniture to decorate the bridal chamber. She and Hans had shared many beautiful memories in this room over the years.
How could Hans bring another woman into their room and kick her out without a shred of guilt?
Irene pretended to tremble with fear, hiding behind Hans while clutching his hand.
"Hans, it's okay. I can be placed in any room. It's better if I just move out of this house.”
Hans's face softened as he looked at Irene and stroked her arm. "It's not safe for you to go out in the middle of the night like this. That intruder is definitely after you. Of all the people in this villa, you're the only one being terrorized. I have to protect you because it's my responsibility."
"But what about Violette...?"
Hans shifted his gaze to Violette indifferently. "Violette, as someone older than Irene, you have to give in. Give this room to Irene."
"You're worried about Irene being attacked, but what about me? What if the intruder hurts me—"
Hans interrupted her. "You grew up in a mafia family. You've faced dangerous situations many times, but you've always been safe all these years. You're different from Irene, who is weak and unable to fight back."
Not wanting to hear Violette's refusal, Hans called a servant to move Violette's belongings to another room.
Violette clenched her hands tightly. Pain pierced her chest. Tears threatened to fall.
Since Irene returned a year ago, Hans's attitude had changed. He cared more about Irene and no longer cared about the image of a caring husband that he had always projected.
"I'm sorry, Violette. I didn't mean to make you move out of this room..." Irene whispered weakly, looking at her with an apologetic gaze. But the corners of her lips curled into a sly smile.
"Don't apologize, it's not your fault," Hans said, glancing indifferently at Violette. "Don't blame Irene."
"I didn't say anything," Violette replied coldly.
"Hans, can you stay with me for a while? I'm afraid to be alone. "Irene leaned weakly on Hans as if she were about to faint.
" Okay, I'll keep you company."
Ignoring Violette's reaction, Hans took Irene into their room and closed the door right in front of her face.
Violette took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her chest feeling tight.
