Chapter 22
Calista’s decision to back out of the divorce was far from a trivial matter. After all, Lucien was always in the public eye, attracting as much attention as a top–tier celebrity.
Moreover, secrets never stayed hidden for long. Even if they tried to keep it quiet, word would still get out. With so many people ready to gossip, there was no way to stop the rumors.
Lucien didn’t take Calista seriously, and in their eyes, she was even more insignificant.
Once Jason made the first move, everyone piled on, tagging Calista one after another and mercilessly poking fun at her.
But no matter how many insults they threw, Calista never responded.
“If I were her, I wouldn’t have the guts to reply either.”
“Jason, didn’t you use to be close with her? Why don’t you invite her out so we can have a proper chat?”
“Exactly! I really want to learn how to be a good little lapdog!”
Meanwhile, Calista read the messages. However, she felt that none of them mattered anymore. She was done caring about their ridicule or judgment, and she didn’t care about Lucien either.
With a blank expression, she left the group chat again and cleared out her entire friends list.
“I knew that she was online. She’s just pretending not to see any of it,” Jason texted.
Someone tried adding her back and texted, “Damn. She deleted me and blocked all friend requests! Look at this, guys!”
Back then, Calista had gone out of her way to please the people around Lucien. Anyone remotely connected to him had made it into her contacts. Now, they all got the same result when they tried to add her again.
“Hey, she deleted me, too.”
“Yeah! I can’t even send her a friend request anymore.”
Ophelia couldn’t help but catch snippets of their conversation.
She had a lot to drink that night, and her hazy gaze fell on Lucien, who was beside her. His sharp features were etched in the shadow under the colorful lights. She could never guess what was hidden behind those indifferent eyes of his.
Ophelia wanted to ask him why he never went through with the divorce. She wondered if it was because he couldn’t let Calista go. This wasn’t the Lucien she knew.
She smiled bitterly and took another sip. They were all busy with their own things, and no one spared her a glance.
Lucien and Ophelia had come to discuss a joint venture with another company, but they happened to run into Jason, who dragged them
over to join the party.
As time passed, Lucien couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
He picked up his phone and checked the time. It was nearly 11:00 pm. The unsettling thought quickly faded away.
Lucien stood up and grabbed his suit jacket. “It’s getting late. Put everything on my tab tonight,” he said.
Jason glanced at the woman passed out on the couch. “Uncle Lucien, how about giving Ophelia a ride home?”
Ophelia got into Lucien’s car and slumped drowsily against the passenger seat.
Lucien drove to the Juniville estate, and even after an hour later, she still hadn’t woken up.
He sat in the car, smoking. The cigarette rested between his fingers by the open window as he drifted into thought.
The living room that should have been lit up was pitch black that night.
The smell of smoke stirred Ophelia awake. She rolled down the window, letting in the night breeze that cleared her head slightly. “I thought you were going to divorce Calista.”
“If you’re awake, get out.”
Lucien flicked away the cigarette butt and was about to get out of the car when Ophelia suddenly climbed onto his lap. She had never been this bold with him before.
“I love you. I really, really love you!” she said.
His dark eyes narrowed as he quietly watched her every move.
Ophelia cupped his face. “Aside from being prettier than me, what does she have over me? Don’t tell me you don’t understand.
“Lucien, I love you! Don’t you know that? Ever since I was a girl, I swore I would marry no one but you.”
Tears streamed down her face, smudging her eyeliner. “I don’t believe that
er all these years, you never felt anything for me!” Just as she was about to lean forward and kiss him, a sharp crash came from inside the mansion. Something had shattered.
