After doing all this, I called my best friend.
“Emily, can you help me draft a divorce agreement?”
“And also a lawsuit to recover marital property.”
A rotten man, I would never keep.
And neither Adrian nor Isabella would ever touch my share of the assets.
After hanging up, I turned off my phone.
The next morning, sharp pain in my abdomen jolted me awake.
Then came frantic pounding on the door.
“Baby, are you okay?”
“Claire, please let me in. I can explain!”
Projected by the smart butler Lily, Adrian stood outside the villa, exhausted, disheveled, and panicked.
I rose and opened the door. Immediately, he pulled me tightly into his arms.
“Baby, those messages were all fake!”
“Please believe me, okay?”
The scent of youthful perfume clung to him, so sickly sweet it made me gag.
I retched, stepping back.
“Adrian, where is the emerald necklace my mother gave me?”
My voice was calm.
Adrian’s body stiffened instantly.
“I sent it for maintenance a few days ago. It’ll be back tomorrow.”
I stared at him silently, recalling last night’s obscene entanglement in the car.
That same necklace, sullied by filth.
“Adrian, I want to see that necklace today.”
Tilting my head, I didn’t mention Isabella’s texts.
Relief flickered in Adrian’s eyes as he relaxed.
“Alright, I’ll contact them right away. Just wait for me, baby!”
He didn’t step inside, rushing instead to his car and driving off.
At that moment, my phone buzzed.
[Mrs. Walker, let’s meet!]
Attached was a photo of the emerald necklace.
From Isabella.
Following the address she gave, I arrived at a newly opened café in New York.
As soon as I walked in, I saw Isabella’s pale, tired face.
She held a bouquet of Calla Lilies.
“Mrs. Walker, Adrian said you liked Calla Lilies. I bought these just for you—I hope you like them.”
With forced humility, Isabella offered the flowers, lowering her head as if apologizing.
“Mrs. Walker, I truly love Adrian. Please, I beg you, let me be with him!”
“For him, I’m willing to give everything!”
After speaking, she covered her face and cried softly.
People nearby turned their heads toward us.
I held my stomach and glanced at the camera she had hidden under the table. My lips curved into a mocking smile.
“Fine!”
“I’ll grant you what you want!”
I snatched the flowers from her hand and slammed them against her face.
The Calla Lily petals scattered to the floor.
Red rashes spread quickly across Isabella’s face.
“Boss, are you alright?!”
A waiter carrying hot coffee hurried over.
Clutching her face, Isabella spoke pitifully.
“I’m fine. As long as she vents her anger, I’d even kneel and apologize today.”
“What the hell?!”
“In this day and age, who kneels to apologize? Who do you think you are?!”
“Do you know who our boss’s boyfriend is?!”
“Believe it or not, one call and you’ll regret ever stepping foot here!”
Several waiters cursed and shoved at my shoulder.
I lowered my head, glancing at their brown uniforms.
[Pearl Café]
“Heh…”
Adrian, you even opened a café for your mistress right near our home.
My hand tightened into a fist, and I slapped Isabella hard across the face.
Smack!
The crisp sound echoed.
Then, suddenly, one of the waiters kicked me in the stomach.
