hapter 5
I packed my things and went straight back to my family home.
When my father learned I’d returned, he didn’t ask questions–he simply had the housekeeper prepare my bedroom.
My mother, however, immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Vega, did you and Knox have a fight?” she asked softly, sitting on the edge of my bed.
I shook my head without answering.
The bruises on my wrist–from falling at the hospital–became visible.
“What happened here?” Mother grabbed my wrist, her brows furrowing.
“It’s nothing. I just bumped into something,” I replied.
I didn’t tell them about Knox hitting me or mention Bailey.
I simply said I wanted to come home for a few days to recharge.
But my parents discovered everything with minimal investigation.
In the two weeks I stayed away, Knox didn’t call or text once.
Our cold war and mutual silence eroded what little warmth remained between us.
On Tik Tok, I saw Bailey flaunting photos of herself and Knox attending various events together.
Every angle she carefully selected seemed designed to announce that she was about to become the next Mrs. Blackstone.
[Mr. Blackstone took me to the International Business Summit today. So many people thought I was his wife!]
[Thank you for the Hermès handbag, Mr. Blackstone. Only someone who truly understands me knows what I like.]
[Mr. Blackstone says I’m his lucky charm–we closed another big deal today!]
Each post was accompanied by intimate photos of her with Knox.
She was doing this deliberately, knowing I would see them.
I laughed softly and put my phone away.
Just let her enjoy her little victory for a while. After all, her days in the sun were about to come to an end.
Two weeks later, under my arrangement, my father led a coalition of major shareholders to withdraw their investments from Blackstone Holdings.
Their stock plummeted for several consecutive days.
On the third day of the market freefall, Knox’s parents showed up at my family’s door.
“Vega, dear, how have you been?” Mrs. Blackstone took my hand, her face full of concern.
Mistress in My Mansion? Not for Long!
44.4%
Chapter 8
“I’m fine,” I replied flatly, pouring them some coffee.
“Why did you suddenly move back to your parents‘ home? Knox said you weren’t feeling well. We’ve all been worried about you.”
Mrs. Blackstone probed cautiously.
Knox hadn’t called me once, but now he was sending his parents to gather intelligence.
“My precious daughter is in perfect physical health. It’s just her mood that’s been off lately,” my father suddenly interjected, his tone ice–cold.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone exchanged surprised glances.
“What happened? Did Knox upset Vega?” Mr. Blackstone asked with a frown.
My father laughed coldly, slamming his cup on the table.
“The manners of the Blackstone family are truly… remarkable.”
The Blackstones‘ faces changed instantly.
My father recounted everything that had happened recently, word by word.
How Knox had installed Bailey in my beach villa, how he had enabled her provocations against me.
And finally, how Knox had blindly blamed me for everything at the hospital.
“Your son has now fired everyone at the company who ever had any conflict with that woman,” my father stated coldly.
“This is how the Blackstone heir treats his lawfully wedded wife.”
Hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone’s faces instantly turned white.
“This… this can’t be true,” Mrs. Blackstone looked at me in disbelief.
“Knox wouldn’t do something like this.”
“Facts speak louder than words,” I said quietly.
Mr. Blackstone angrily dialed Knox’s number.
“Get over here NOW!” he shouted.
“You ungrateful son! You’ve brought nothing but shame to the Blackstone name with your behavior!”
With that, Mr. Blackstone hung up abruptly, then turned to my father and me with profuse apologies.
“We’re deeply sorry. We’ve failed as parents. We promise Vega will get the explanation she deserves.”
What explanation could Knox possibly give me?
Would he falsely claim that I meant more to him than Bailey did?
Or would he honestly admit that he had long regretted our marriage of convenience?
Chapter 5
Either way, I didn’t need it,
I returned to my room and retrieved the divorce papers I had prepared.
Today, this farce would finally come to an end.
Chapter 6
– N
