"Sign it."
Liam Winston tossed the divorce papers onto the table.
The sharp edges of the documents sliced through the warm aroma of home-cooked food lingering in the air.
Sophia Sullivan's fingers trembled slightly, a drop of broth still clinging to the corner of her apron.
"Today is our third anniversary," she said softly, as if afraid to disturb something sacred. "At least... finish this meal?"
The man scoffed, his gaze skimming over the loose strands of hair framing her forehead.
A shark clip barely held her disheveled locks in place, the faint scent of cooking smoke softening her features into something docile.
It was a look he had grown tired of over three years.
"Chloe is back," he said, his tone deliberately measured. "She has her pride. She won’t tolerate any complications."
When he spoke that name, something flickered in his eyes.
A tenderness Sophia had never earned, no matter how many midnight soups she brewed or sickbeds she tended.
Three years ago, Chloe Evans had fled their wedding and vanished overseas. Now, with just a beckoning finger, she had Liam ready to tear up their vows.
"Does your grandfather know?" Sophia's nails dug into her palms.
"Don’t drag the old man into this," Liam snapped. "My parents have already given their blessing. Chloe just had dinner with them."
A chill ran down Sophia’s spine.
Once, she had been a world-renowned perfumer, the genius behind legendary fragrances. In the shadows, she was "Aurora," the elite hacker who made governments tremble. A single chip from her could make world leaders offer cities in exchange.
Yet she had willingly dulled her brilliance to play the dutiful housewife for the Winston family.
Just days ago, she had stolen classified documents from The Decagon, securing a billion-dollar deal for Winston Corporation.
Now, it all felt like a cruel joke.
"Is Chloe at the estate right now?"
"Obviously." Liam’s lips curled. "My parents adore her. Said she’s a thousand times better than some dull, unremarkable wife."
Sophia laughed.
Three years ago, those same in-laws had clutched her hands, calling her the most perfect daughter-in-law in the world.
"The staff forgot to inform you," Liam added, noticing the sheen in her eyes. "Don’t make a scene."
He studied her with detached scrutiny.
Porcelain skin, delicate features—a face meant for bold beauty, now worn down by mundane chores.
Every day, the same routine: ironing clothes, cooking meals, behaving exactly as expected.
As predictable as a dog-eared novel.
"You’re leaving tonight." He tossed her a set of keys. "The villa at Blue Whale Bay is yours. More than enough for someone like you."
He had done his research. A country girl who dropped out of high school, only marrying into the Winstons because she happened to save his grandfather.
But Sophia merely lifted her gaze. "She’s that eager to take my place?"
Three million? She could hack into Swiss banks in seconds.
What stung was three years of devotion, repaid with eviction.
"The second floor was always Chloe’s space," Liam said, checking his watch. "Your presence would make her uncomfortable."
When she remained silent, his patience snapped. "Know your limits. Don’t push your luck."
"Enough."
A wave of nausea hit Sophia.
Memories surfaced—a blind child rescued from kidnappers, carried on a boy’s back through three blood-soaked days. That boy had sworn with feverish intensity: I’ll never betray you.
He said his name was Liam Winston.
Now, three years later, he was throwing her out.
Time truly was the cruelest poison.
"I’ll go."
The pen tore through paper like a guillotine severing the past.
"We’re strangers from now on."
Liam exhaled in relief.
Then—a crash from the staircase.
Housekeeper Lily Lowell stumbled, sending a suitcase tumbling down. The latch burst open, scattering clothes like broken butterfly wings.
"Sir! The estate insisted on hurrying Miss Sullivan’s departure—" She feigned a clumsy fall, but triumph flashed in her eyes.