Chapter 2
Just as Lucian Sullivan finished signing his name, his phone rang.
His assistant, Connor’s voice came through the phone speaker. “Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Clarke twisted her ankle. She’s in a lot of pain and can’t walk…”
Lucian’s expression shifted slightly. “I’ll be right there.”
He put the phone away and looked at Celeste. “Vanessa got hurt. I need to go check on her. Rain check on dinner.”
“Don’t bother.” Celeste clenched the divorce papers in her hand. “I don’t need you to keep me company anymore.”
Lucian frowned like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he turned and left.
Celeste headed straight to a law office. The attorney flipped through the document carefully, then nodded. “It’s valid. The divorce will be finalized after the mandatory 30-day waiting period..”
“Thank you.”
Leaving the firm, Celeste went back to Ashbourne University. In the Dean’s office, she handed in her resignation letter.
“Celeste?” Dean Walker looked up in surprise. “You’re one of our best instructors. Why are you suddenly quitting?”
“I’m getting divorced,” Celeste replied calmly. “I want to leave this city.”
Dean Walker sighed. “Alright… finish the last few classes this semester, then you can go.”
“Thank you.”
Celeste stepped out of the office and took a deep breath.
For her final class, she pulled herself together and walked into the lecture hall—only to spot Lucian and Vanessa sitting in the back corner.
Lucian, dressed in a crisp suit, lounged in the last row. Vanessa leaned against his shoulder. The two of them whispered and giggled, fingers entwined.
Celeste felt a sharp pain in her chest.
Lucian used to be a complete workaholic—he had cut their honeymoon short after just three days to rush back to the office. And now, he was skipping billion-dollar deals just to sit in on a random elective class with Vanessa?
She took another breath, walked to the front of the class, and began. “Today we’re reading Shakespeare’s Sonnets…”
Throughout the entire lecture, laughter kept floating from the back row.
Lucian’s low chuckles. Vanessa’s coquettish replies. Each sound stabbed Celeste like a knife.
The second the class ended, she practically bolted out of the classroom.
In the restroom, she splashed cold water on her face. She was just about to leave when she heard Vanessa’s voice coming from one of the stalls.
“Lucian gave up a billion-dollar contract just to chase after me—and even sat through class with me!” she bragged on the phone. “You should’ve seen the way he was looking at me—like he wanted to devour me.”
A girl on the other end asked, “If he likes you that much, why haven’t you said yes yet?”
“Are you dumb?” Vanessa scoffed. “Guys like him? They’re surrounded by women. The only way to keep them hooked is to string them along—hot and cold.”
She lowered her voice. “I’m not looking to be some kept woman. I want to be Mrs. Sullivan.”
Celeste stood rooted in place, nails digging into her palm.
Expressionless, she walked out of the restroom and passed right by Vanessa.
“Professor Adams!” Vanessa scrambled to hang up and rushed after her, grabbing her arm. “What did you hear?”
“Nothing.” Celeste jerked her hand away. “Whatever it is, it’s none of my business.”
Vanessa still wanted to follow up, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Lucian approaching.
Her eyes flickered, and without warning, she grabbed Celeste’s wrist and slapped herself—hard.
Smack!
The sharp crack of a slap echoed harshly down the hallway.
“Professor…” Vanessa covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice trembling with grievance. “I swear I’ll stay far away from Mr. Sullivan from now on… Please don’t be mad at me…”
Lucian stormed over, his face thunderous. “Celeste! You signed the damn agreement! Why are you still bullying Vanessa?!”
“I didn’t.” Celeste looked at him calmly. “She slapped herself.”
“Mr. Sullivan…” Vanessa whimpered, shrinking into his arms. “Maybe… maybe you should stop pursuing me. Professor Adams is so angry. I’m scared…”
Lucian immediately pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be. She doesn’t get to decide what I do.”
Vanessa’s eyes were red and watery as she whispered, “But she’s still your wife. She forced me to stay away from you… and she slapped me…”
Her voice broke, “I’ve never been treated like this before…”
Lucian’s eyes darkened. He gently touched her cheek where it had turned red, his voice soft.
“Don’t be upset. I’ll let you get back at her tenfold, okay?”
