His Sweetheart Leaked My Nude, He Called It Trivial, I Divorced

Chapter 4

Robin froze for a second.

I smiled calmly. "I think you've misunderstood me. This isn't because I'm having second thoughts. I just don't want people who aren't worth it to affect my peace of mind anymore. I've already booked a flight overseas for tomorrow."

I continued. "First thing tomorrow morning, please release this statement to the public. And recover every dollar of my brother's investment through the proper legal channels."

Only then did Robin smile. "Of course. Everything has already been taken care of."

"Thank you."

I picked up the divorce agreement, disguised as a real estate purchase contract, and headed home.

The moment I pushed open the front door, the rich scent of incense drifted toward me.

The once minimalist living room had been transformed with countless red roses.

Candles flickered on the elegantly set dining table beside a carefully prepared dinner.

Jeffrey was wearing the custom three-piece suit I'd had tailored for him. Looking every bit the gentleman, he walked over to me.

Taking my hand, he pressed a gentle kiss against the back of it.

"Mirabelle, I'm sorry. You've been through so much these past few weeks. It won't happen again."

His eyes were filled with sincerity. "I'll make it up to you."

Make it up to me?

From the moment the painting was exposed until now, nearly a month had passed. Jeffrey had countless chances to speak up for me, to explain the truth, to protect me.

He did none of those things.

And now all he could offer was, "I'll make it up to you." Ironically, compensation was the one thing I didn't need.

Jeffrey lifted me onto the edge of the dining table. Resting his chin against my hair, he inhaled deeply as though he'd finally found a place to relax.

"Mirabelle... I've missed you so much."

Once upon a time, those few words would've melted my heart. Now...

I simply stopped him before his lips could reach mine. Taking the document from my bag, I handed it to him.

"Sign this."

"What is it?" His burning gaze stayed fixed on my lips without sparing the paperwork a single glance.

"A real estate contract."

"You're selling the house?" He frowned slightly.

"No." I deliberately opened the contract so he could see it. "I'm buying a bigger one."

"You don't like this house anymore?" He lifted my hand and covered the back of it with soft kisses.

"I do." I nodded. "But I want something even better. You wouldn't say no to me, would you?"

"Of course not," He answered almost immediately.

I watched expressionlessly as he signed page after page. My heart remained completely still. Of course he wouldn't refuse.

As long as I remained Mrs. Miller, the entire Stone family would continue to be his strongest support.

After signing every page, Jeffrey tossed the pen aside and leaned toward me again.

Suppressing the nausea rising inside me, I turned my head away.

"You put so much effort into tonight." I deliberately softened my voice into something sweet and inviting. "Aren't we going to have a drink? We've got all night."

His Adam's apple bobbed. The desire in his eyes deepened. Still, he released me.

Jeffrey handed me a glass of red wine and picked up another for himself.

Our glasses clinked together. He emptied his in one swallow.

The night really was long. I kept refilling his glass, coaxing him into drinking more and more. Until I watched him collapse drunkenly right in front of me.

He murmured someone's name under his breath. I no longer cared whose.

I picked up the stack of papers he'd casually tossed aside. Carefully, I pulled the divorce agreement from the middle.

A faint smile curved my lips.

Just before sunrise, I wheeled out the suitcase I'd packed long ago.

Its wheels rolled over the scattered red rose petals, crushing them into streaks of crimson across the floor.

Jeffrey was still asleep.

I stepped outside and looked back one last time at the home I'd poured my heart into building. It all felt laughable now.

I tossed the house key into the air. It landed with a splash in the fountain outside the front door.

Then I turned around and kept walking. For the first time in years, I felt nothing but freedom.

From now on, I was simply Mirabelle Stone.