Mrs. Lewis froze for a moment and instinctively said, “Mr. Sullivan, ma’am left early this morning. She hasn’t been home all day. She didn’t even ask me to prepare any meals.”
“What?” Lucian kept checking the time, glancing between his watch and the darkening sky outside.
Evening already. Where the hell could Celeste be, if not at home for dinner?
Don’t tell me she’s still at City Hall waiting on purpose–trying to get under his skin so he’d chase after her, beg, and
shower her with attention?
Annoyed, he rubbed his temples and changed his question.
“Did Celeste have anything delivered to the house today? That ‘big surprise‘–did it show up?”
“One moment, sir. I’ll ask Alfred at the front gate.”
When Mrs. Lewis returned, her hands were visibly trembling as she held a manila envelope.
“Alfred, are you absolutely sure you didn’t mix something up? How could these divorce papers be the gift ma’am sent
home for Mr. Sullivan? You must’ve made a mistake. Check again–maybe there’s something else?”
Alfred’s face darkened at the doubt, but still gave it another check.
“Mrs. Lewis, I’m telling you–I didn’t mess up. A courier came earlier today, just one guy, dropped off only this. There was
no one else, and nothing else delivered. No mistake.”
Mrs. Lewis didn’t want to believe it–but the truth was in her hands. Her phone nearly slipped from her trembling grip.
On the other end of the call, Lucian stood in stunned silence, as if struck by lightning. His mind went completely blank.
“What… Celeste’s gift for our anniversary is… the divorce decree?” he murmured, disbelief heavy in his voice.
A thousand questions clouded his mind in that moment. A wave of panic rushed over him.
He took several deep breaths before he could pull himself together and snapped, “Mrs. Lewis, read that decree carefully. Are you absolutely certain it’s our divorce? Is this a joke she’s playing?”
“I know she’s mad I didn’t show up today for our anniversary–but divorce? That’s crossing the line! I told her more than
once–she’s my wife. That hasn’t changed. What the hell is she trying to prove?”
Mrs. Lewis nodded nervously and carefully opened the divorce papers. Just to be sure, she even took a photo and sent it
to him.
The official court seal. The signatures. The case number. Lucian’s heart dropped like a stone.
He froze, unable to look away from the proof on his screen.
“Celeste! You really did it. You went behind my back and filed for divorce. Who gave you permission?!”
He hissed, slamming a fist down on the table.
The crystal vase on the table toppled over from the force, shattering into a dozen pieces on the floor.
A few sharp shards cut across Vanessa’s skin. They were shallow, but enough to sting. Her eyes welled up almost
Chanter 10
instantly. “Lucian…
She was ready to play the victim, but before she could get another word out, Lucian was already on his feet, his face dark
with urgency.
“Finish your meal, Vanessa. Someone will drive you home. I have something I need to deal with–can’t stay.”
Without another word, he stormed out, not sparing her a second glance.
Watching his retreating figure, Vanessa’s face went pale, resentment flickering in her eyes.
Clutching her wounded hand, she pressed down on the cut, watching the blood seep out a little more. Then she snapped a photo and sent it to Lucian.
No reply came.
The elegant meal on the table suddenly lost all flavor.
Still, recalling the conversation she’d overheard earlier on the phone, she managed to compose herself.
The powder she’d prepared hadn’t been used–but it didn’t matter. She’d achieved what she came for.
evx
