Sophia Sullivan had just stepped into the Civil Affairs Bureau when Chloe Evans approached her.
The pomegranate-red dress Chloe wore was blindingly bright.
"Sophia, I know you only mentioned divorce out of anger." Chloe bit her lip, her voice soft. "Liam and I truly love each other. I don't even need official recognition."
Sophia paused, giving her a cool glance.
"I know this isn't fair to you, but..." Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. "Love follows the principle of first come, first served. I met Liam first."
Sophia suddenly raised her hand to stop her.
"Wait. I haven't had breakfast yet." Her tone was calm. "Hearing this might make me sick."
Chloe's face stiffened.
"If you want me to step aside, you should show some sincerity." A faint smile touched Sophia's lips. "Why don't you kneel and kowtow to me? Then I'll give him to you."
Her gaze swept over Chloe's suddenly pale face.
"After all, helping your love story would make me like your second parent."
"You—" Chloe trembled with anger.
Liam Winston stepped forward, shielding Chloe behind him.
"Sophia, is this necessary?" His voice was icy. "Do you think this will get my attention?"
Sophia chuckled and turned toward the service counter.
"Just joking." She didn't look back. "Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about the divorce, Liam."
Liam was left speechless.
Watching her retreating figure, he felt inexplicably irritated.
The clerk was reviewing their documents.
"Would you like mediation?" The question was routine.
Sophia glanced behind her.
Liam and Chloe stood nearly pressed together.
The clerk followed her gaze, sympathy flashing in their eyes.
The official seal came down, finalizing the dissolution of their marriage.
When handing Sophia the divorce certificate, the clerk whispered, "I wish you happiness."
Chloe stood nearby, her nails digging into her palms.
She could feel the judgmental stares around her.
—If not for Sophia, she would have been Mrs. Winston long ago.
The moment they stepped outside, Chloe clung to Liam's arm.
"Liam, it's all my fault for being forced to go abroad back then..." Her voice choked up. "These three years of tension between you two weigh on my conscience."
Sophia acted as if she hadn't heard.
"Even though you're divorced, you can still be friends." Chloe feigned concern. "You should comfort Sophia. She must be heartbroken."
Liam scoffed.
He saw no trace of sorrow in Sophia.
"Women often say the opposite of what they feel." Chloe murmured sweetly. "No matter how strong someone seems, divorce is painful."
Her eyes lingered on Sophia's neck, and she suddenly lowered her voice.
"Sophia must have had a rough night. Those dark circles... And that red mark on her collarbone looks like a mosquito bite."
Liam froze.
His gaze snapped to Sophia's collar.
Beneath the shirt's edge, a faint red mark was visible.
"Sophia seemed upset on the Royal Princess Cruise last night." Chloe continued fueling the fire. "She stayed in her cabin the whole time. Probably needed space."
The gentler her tone, the more venomous her eyes became.
Liam's expression darkened as he strode after Sophia.
"What's that mark on your collarbone?" He grabbed her wrist. "Who were you with last night?"