The night breeze was cool. I stood on the balcony, staring blankly into the distance.
Behind me came Leandro’s familiar footsteps, and a jacket was gently draped over my shoulders.
“Alina, your health has never been good. Don’t catch a chill, I’ll feel distressed.”
I didn’t turn around, only sneered. “Mr. Rousseau, you really are busy. After sending your mistress home, you suddenly remembered to care for your ex-wife?”
Leandro sighed, his chest pressing against my back, the same posture as the countless embraces we had shared over the past ten years.
“My mom really went too far today. I apologize on her behalf.”
“Alina, but you have to understand me. Do you know how hard it is for me?”
“Every time I see others showing off their children, every time I hear my mom crying on the phone, Alina, I just couldn’t help it. If there were even the slightest chance, I would never have…”
“Never what? Never cheat? Never divorce?” I finally turned, meeting his reddened eyes.
“So all the fault for not having a child lies with me? Leandro, can’t you stop making excuses for yourself?”
A flicker of embarrassment crossed his eyes, yet he still struggled to make me believe him.
“Alina, I’m not making excuses. The one I truly love is you. I really can’t let you go.”
My gaze dropped to his left hand, and his wedding ring was already gone. And now he wanted me to believe that a man who cheated had his reasons? The thought was laughable.
“This house,” Leandro suddenly shifted the subject, “has a really good school district. Kieran is about to start elementary school.”
“I want to exchange this house for the seaside villa I bought for you before. I can pay you the difference.”
Of course. The mask had slipped at last; his late-night performance of tenderness was nothing but a ploy for the school district house.
I tore off the jacket and flung it back at him. "So this was your true purpose all along?"
His face stiffened. "I’m thinking of you! That seaside villa will rise in value."
"Leandro." My voice cut through his words, faint and fragile, like a whisper swept away by the night breeze.
"Do you still remember the day we went through the third round of IVF?"
His eyes darkened, pupils shrinking.
"The doctor warned that my body had already suffered too much, that another attempt might cause heavy bleeding."
I slowly lifted my shirt, revealing the scar etched across my stomach.
"Back then, I put my life on the line to try again. Do you remember what you said, kneeling at my hospital bed? You said that just having me in this life was enough."
"And now?"
The color drained from Leandro’s face.
"That’s enough, Leandro. Get out."
I pressed the speed dial on my phone. "Security will be here in three minutes."
"Alina." He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his voice desperate. "We’ve been married ten years. You have to think about my descendants too, I beg you."
"Seven years." I peeled his fingers away, one by one. "The rest of the time, you were in Azalea’s bed."
"Alina!" he gritted his teeth. "Don’t you regret this!"
I sneered and locked the balcony door right in front of him.
He stood outside, his face twisted with rage as he shouted at me, then finally kicked the door hard before storming away.
The next morning, I left for my studio as usual. But just as I reached the entrance, my vision went black.
"Alina?!" The last thing I saw was Nikolai’s anxious figure rushing toward me.
