"You—!"
Daryl was so furious he could barely form words. His hand rose again, but when his eyes met my shattered gaze, a flicker of guilt crossed his face.
"Josephine, you've been too spoiled." He lowered his hand and turned to the bodyguard nearby. "Take her to her room. She can stay there and think about what she's done until she's ready to apologize."
He scooped Sarah into his arms and drove away without a backward glance.
In the bedroom, I packed my bags while the staff gossiped in the hallway outside.
"Honestly, she doesn't know what's good for her. Picking fights with Ms. Simmons when everyone knows she's his first love."
"Did you hear? Every top specialist in the hospital was summoned to the VIP ward just for a minor burn on Ms. Simmons's arm. No one can compete with that kind of devotion."
"Everyone in this house knows it was Mr. Sanchez sitting with Ms. Simmons on the sofa this morning. She's the only one who's been kept in the dark all these years. And last night, the noise coming from their room was something else. But then again, can you blame him? She's so dull. What man could stand it?"
I gripped the hem of my sleeve until my knuckles ached. Darkness filled the room before the door finally opened.
"Do you really have to be this stubborn?"
Daryl walked in, picked up a cotton swab, and began dabbing at my wounds.
"Josephine, Sarah is like a sister to me. You'll always be Mrs. Sanchez. All you have to do is go apologize."
When I just sat there with my eyes lowered, saying nothing, he lost his patience.
"So you're just going to give me the silent treatment? Fine. Then don't speak for the rest of your life! Stay in here! And forget about the wedding!"
The thought of the wedding, the thought of what came next, loosened my tongue.
"I'll clear out whatever's left in the study."
"And the last piece of property my parents left me is a plot of land. Since you want to support Ms. Simmons's career, it'll be useful for building a jewelry gallery and retail center."
I produced the divorce agreement and flipped to the last page.
"I've already reviewed the transfer documents. Just sign here, and I'll have my attorney handle the title transfer."
Daryl looked puzzled. He'd been trying to get his hands on that land for years, and I had never budged.
"Daryl, let's go ahead with the wedding as planned." I smiled lightly. "Once the ceremony's done, I'll officially have a new identity. It's time to let go of the past."
"I'm glad you've come around, Josephine." He signed without reading a single line. "Sarah's already forgiven you. The burn was nothing serious. Tomorrow I'll take you to try on dresses, I promise."
"Okay."
I tucked the divorce agreement away, keeping my voice bright.
"After the dress fitting, I'd like to go home for a few days and visit my parents. It's been a while."
The termination was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. I couldn't miss it.
"Want me to come with you?"
"No, I'll be fine on my own. Ms. Simmons needs you more right now."
Daryl took in my gentle, considerate smile and left, satisfied.
I spent the rest of the afternoon clearing out the study.
"Why did you take down all our photos from the wall?"
Daryl came to call me for dinner. Seeing the bare room, displeasure flickered across his face.
"Sarah's only borrowing the space for a while. She'll give it back soon. You didn't have to strip it this clean."
"A workspace should feel like a workspace. The photos didn't belong. I've put them away separately."
I answered calmly, my hands never pausing as I erased every trace of myself from the room.
"Fine. But stop for now." He carried a box out for me. "Come eat. I had the kitchen make your favorites tonight."
He walked back over, reaching out to ruffle my hair.
I stepped aside and gave him a soft smile.
"I'm all dusty. Go ahead and start without me. I'll be right down."
"I'll wait for you."
At the dinner table, Sarah had taken my seat. She raised a glass to Daryl.
"Daryl, thanks to the hundred million you invested, my personal jewelry brand is officially off the ground. I'd say our relationship just leveled up!"
They clinked glasses and celebrated, looking every bit the loving couple.
I kept my head down, chewing food that tasted like cardboard.
"I heard you used to be quite talented in jewelry design yourself. How come you never continued?"
Sarah's smile was pure provocation. Daryl answered blandly:
"She just doodled for fun. Nothing like what you do."
"I see. Well, at least she's lucky she found you. Set for life without lifting a finger."
I set down my chopsticks, my gaze cold and level.
"You really do envy me, don't you."
