A crisp winter dawn infiltrated the penthouse study, painting Lucian Shen's mahogany desk in pale light. Ivy Shen sat opposite him, contract in hand—this time, not her binding agreement, but documents of her own design. Her fingers trembled as she slid the divorce papers across the gleaming surface.
Lucian looked up from his morning briefing, expression cool. He set aside his tablet, eyes narrowing as he recognized the papers' notarized seals. “What is this?"
Ivy inhaled, chest tight. “My divorce petition."
He leaned back, steepling his fingers. “I thought you'd left that behind."
She held his gaze. “Three months ago, I promised: survive one year, repay debts, disappear. My brother is stable. The Meridian program awaits. It's time."
Lucian's jaw clenched. “You need me to sign?"
She n
