The Cartier Necklace He Bought With My Card

Chapter 2 A Delusional Countdown

The villa was quiet when I returned. I stood in the marble foyer and listened to the refrigerator hum in the next room. After the hospital and the office, even that sounded good.

All the furniture was still in place. The house looked exactly as it had that morning, but I no longer saw a reason to stay in it.

Julian sent a message before I reached the stairs.

*I’m being generous, Evelyn. Three days. Apologize for your scene and I’ll consider making you Chloe’s deputy. Don’t throw away your career over a petty grudge.*

I blocked his number, then his social media accounts.

The three-carat diamond on my left hand caught the light from the foyer. I took it off and carried it into the home office.

I sealed the platinum-and-diamond ring in an evidence envelope beside the divorce file. I had no interest in staging a scene with a paper shredder.

My lawyer could return it with the formal service packet.

Then I called my private broker.

“Marcus, I need to sell the Aspen Heights villa.”

“Evelyn. Good to hear from you. Are you sure? That’s your primary residence.”

“It’s my premarital property, and the title is still held solely in my trust. Open an off-market sale. Cash offers only.”

“How fast?”

“Start this week. No shortcuts on disclosure or escrow, and Julian’s temporary occupancy rights stay intact. Coordinate everything with my family lawyer.”

“Understood. I’ll route any offer through your lawyer and trustee.”

After the call, an encrypted message appeared from A.S.

*Your voluntary voting suspension has been lifted. Legal team is standing by. Welcome home, Ms. Vance.*

Three years earlier, I had accepted the suspension under the family charter. While I worked beside Julian, I stayed out of Consortium governance and kept Vance votes away from his company.

My economic interests were still mine. With the conflict over, I could return to the role I had postponed.

I replied with one word.

*Tomorrow.*

Julian had given me three days. I set my phone beside the sealed ring and left his countdown running.