Chapter 4
The days without Theo flew by, and before I knew it, I only had a few days left before my departure.
Even though we hadn’t crossed paths, I still caught wind of his situation with Astrid through Camilla.
Apparently, he and Astrid had a massive fight–so bad that he stormed out of some gala without caring about embarrassing her.
The gossip mill was even saying they fought because of me.
I just laughed it off when I heard.
I wasn’t that obsessed lovesick warrior anymore, constantly refreshing social media feeds, hunting for any scrap of information about Theo, Astrid, or anyone in their circle.
Ready to rush to Theo’s side the second there was even a crack in their relationship to remind him that I was the one
who truly loved him.
Young couples in love–they fight, then make up in bed.
What difference would it make anyway?
Wasn’t I always just part of their little damn trick?
But after that, Theo started calling me more and more each day.
Too bad for him, I either hung up immediately or found excuses to avoid meeting him.
Until the day before my departure, when Theo asked me to go to a concert with him.
“I already got the tickets. Tonight, no backing out, okay?”
“It’s our wedding anniversary today–you won’t refuse me again, will you?”
He’d never begged me for anything like this before.
Usually, he’d just casually bring something up, take one tiny step toward me, and I’d sprint the remaining 99 steps to please him–only to discover that even that one step, he’d pull back for Astrid’s sake.
But I honestly didn’t know what to say.
Because today wasn’t our wedding anniversary.
It was the day of our fourth remarriage.
Through all those breakups and makeups, I was the only one who bothered to remember every single detail about
- us.
12:08
Seven Times Divorced by My Ex Husband–Now I’m Back as the Empire’s Untouchable Heiress!
2.7%
Chapter a
But I agreed anyway.
I really did want to see Jason Miller’s concert.
That evening, I waited and waited outside the concert venue, but Theo never showed up.
I played the voice message he’d just sent me–his guilt–ridden voice mixed with the chaotic background noise from inside the concert hall, with Astrid’s soft laughter.
“Sorry, Marina. Astrid suddenly wasn’t feeling well, so I took her to the hospital.”
“We’ll have countless more anniversaries to celebrate together. Once Astrid leaves tomorrow, I’ll do whatever you
want, okay?”
The concert finally started, and beautiful music drifted out from the venue.
I closed the chat and opened my social media for the first time in a month.
Astrid’s post from just minutes ago hit me like a punch to the gut–a photo of her and Theo together at the concert.
The song continued, as if mocking the tiny sliver of hope I’d somehow still harbored for Theo when I agreed to come
tonight.
Now, that last bit of hope was finally, completely dead.
Seven divorces later, I should have learned by now, shouldn’t I?
At least this was truly the last time.
Without a trace of regret, I turned around and headed to the airport, where I sat all night.
At 7 AM, I checked in for my flight.
Theo texted asking when we’d remarry. I didn’t reply–just deleted him from my contacts.
At 8 AM, I was in line to board.
Theo called. I didn’t answer–blocked his number instead.
At 9 AM, I was sitting on the plane.
The flight attendant announced that all devices should be switched to airplane mode, but just then, Camilla’s call
came through.
Theo’s panicked voice came through the phone“Marina, where are you?”
