Hans picked up Violette and left the hospital. Violette tried not to think about Irene's newly discovered pregnancy.
Hans drove her back to the villa. Throughout the trip, there was no conversation between them. Hans glanced back several times to check on her because it was unusual to see Violette so quiet.
"Are you still in pain?"
"No," Violette replied indifferently.
"Then why are you so quiet?"
"Ah, I'm just thinking, it's been so long since I've been home to my family," Violette replied.
Hans' expression softened.
"If you want to see your family, I'll arrange for you to visit them. I'll accompany you."
"You don't need to accompany me. I can go alone."
"How could I let you go alone? I'm going with you."
Violette looked at him indifferently, knowing it was just a false promise from Hans.
"I'm worried you'll leave Irene and Damien alone. You can't bear to leave them even for a day."
Hans's face stiffened.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'll book a ticket to France tomorrow and accompany you. It's been a long time since I visited the Renault family. I miss the Renault family's vineyard." Hans smiled slightly as he looked at her. "Remember the first time we met? You were hiding from language class and secretly eating grapes in the garden. You were so cute then."
Violette looked at him, her eyes closed as memories of their childhood flooded her mind. She first met Hans during the Lombardi family's first visit to the Renault family to discuss their engagement.
"You were crying because you wanted the grapes on the high branch, but you couldn't reach them because you were too short. You ran up to me and asked me to get the grapes for you." Hans continued his sentence nostalgically.
From that moment on, fate intertwined between them. They grew up together and eventually got married.
Violette believed that she was the only woman in Hans's life until Irene appeared and slapped her with the cruel reality. Violette closed her eyes, erasing the memory from her mind.
At that moment, her phone rang. She glanced at it and saw a message notification from Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: Ma'am, the divorce was approved earlier today. I will send the documents to you.
Violette smiled, looking pleased and happy. Hans glanced at her and tried to peek at Violette's phone.
"Did you receive some good news today?"
Violette immediately closed her phone screen and smiled as if nothing had happened.
"Yes. I just received happy news—one of my friends finally divorced her husband."
"Your friend got divorced, but why are you happy?"
“Because my friend has suffered so much. Her husband cheated on her and even had a child with his mistress. Do you think a man like that should be left?” Violette looked at Hans meaningfully.
Hans chuckled and replied, “Not only left, but also destroyed. They are a disgrace to all men.”
Violette sneered inwardly, but in front of Hans, she only smiled and looked ahead.
***
The next day, their flight was scheduled for five in the afternoon.
Before leaving, Violette went into her old room and placed the divorce papers, the miscarriage report, and all the intimate photos and videos that Irene had sent her into Hans's safe in the wardrobe.
While they were waiting at the airport, Hans's phone rang, and Violette saw Irene's name appear on the screen. Hans stepped away to answer the call and then returned.
"Honey, I'm sorry... it looks like I can't accompany you to the Renault family. The Lombardi family elders have suddenly called an emergency meeting, and I have to be there immediately." He looked at Violette with a guilty and regretful expression.
"It's okay. I already told you I can go by myself." Violette smiled calmly. She knew it was a lie because Irene had told her that her mother-in-law was hosting a Lombardi family dinner to acknowledge Damien as Hans's son and the child in Irene's womb.
"All right, call me when you arrive in France. I'll follow you later. The guards will escort you safely."
Hans was about to kiss Violette on the forehead, but she turned her face away with a look of disgust.
Hans froze for a moment, his brow furrowed, then turned and walked away hurriedly. Several guards followed behind him. The others remained at Violette's side.
Violette crossed her legs gracefully and glanced at the guards. "You don't need to escort me. People from the Renault family will pick me up."
They looked at each other hesitantly, then obeyed her, leaving Violette alone in the waiting room.
A few moments later, Violette received a message notification from Irene.
[Hotel Eclipse. Come, I will prove to you that Damien is Hans's biological son and that the entire Lombardi family will acknowledge me.]
Violette stared at her phone screen for a while, then calmly closed it and stood up. She wasn't going to leave; that would only be insulting to herself.
She looked around one last time. A smile spread across her face; for the first time, she felt a strange sense of freedom.
Violette tore up the plane ticket Hans had given her.
"Goodbye, Hans Lombardi. We won't meet again.."
She turned and walked away without looking back.
