Chapter 4
1157 Words
Victor's POV
I did not answer immediately. My eyes remained locked on Rose’s pale, anxious face. The phone in her pocket vibrated for the third time, creating a rhythm of anxiety that I could read all too clearly. This woman was breaking apart in front of me, yet she was fighting hard to keep her voice from cracking.
How fascinating.
Without a word, I snatched the original document from my briefcase and held it out, baiting her. As her trembling fingers reached for it, I pulled it back.
Rose gasped. Her gaze sharpened with fury.
I simply offered a faint smile.
"Remember one thing," I said coldly. "Once you sign this, you have sold the rest of your life to me."
I paused, ensuring she heard me.
"There is no way out. There is no regret. And do not ever expect to change your mind once this ink is dry."
She did not reply. This time, however, her expression shifted. It was still sharp, but there was a flicker of desperation she could no longer hide. Without hesitation, she snatched the document and signed it quickly, almost violently.
"Done," she said curtly, tossing the pen onto the table. "Now, may I go?"
I did not stop her. I walked to the door, turned the key, and pulled it wide open. I watched her tense back as she hurried down the corridor.
I chuckled softly in the doorway.
I had not expected my night to be anything more than an excuse to blow off some steam at the club, but fate had served up a far more exquisite entertainment. Meeting my fake ex-wife again—the woman I had once thought vanished from the face of the earth.
I was fortunate that the document had always been in my briefcase. I had sworn years ago that if I ever found her again, I would make her pay for every loss and every humiliation I had suffered because of her.
The woman had never changed. Still annoying. Still talkative. Still daring to defy me. But now, I could see it clearly: that fear, hidden neatly behind her stubborn facade.
I returned to my desk and sipped the remainder of my drink. It was strange. During the time I had lived with Rose, at least she never made irrational demands or filled the house with cheap intrigue.
Unlike Joana.
My legal wife.
Joana was always demanding. Always complicated. Always loud. Everything had to be about her. For some reason, every time she opened her mouth, my head felt heavier.
Seven years ago, I hated Rose because she played me. Because she dared to take something that did not belong to her.
But tonight, seeing Rose back in my grasp, I realized one thing: the game had only just begun. And this time, I would not let her leave as easily as she imagined.
A knock at the door broke my trance.
"Come in," I said flatly.
Julian entered, his expression strained. "Sir, there is a problem."
I did not ask what the problem was. I already knew. Joana must have called him repeatedly because I did not show up at her party tonight.
I should have been by Joana’s side, accompanying her to the birthday party she had spent days preparing. She had invited everyone we knew just to flaunt the wealth and status she possessed.
To me, it was nothing but a trashy, boring party, filled with people who only wanted to profit from the Halston name. I had zero interest in it.
That was the reason I stayed away and skipped the event. I chose to go to the club, drink, and sleep in the VIP hotel suite connected to the venue. But that plan had changed the moment Rose resurfaced.
I rose from my chair, smoothing out my slightly wrinkled suit.
"Prepare the car," I said shortly to Julian.
"Are we heading straight home, sir?"
"Yes. Before Joana causes a bigger scene."
I walked out without looking back. I had to get home before Joana embarrassed herself, or worse, embarrassed the Halston name in front of her guests. I did not care about Joana, but I cared about the reputation I had built.
Inside the car, I remained silent. Yet my thoughts kept drifting back to Rose. Our brief encounter tonight felt more entertaining than any party Joana had ever thrown. At the very least, Rose knew how to keep me on my toes, something my boring wife could never do.
The car stopped in front of my main gate. The house was magnificent, the lights shining bright, but the atmosphere felt suffocating. The music from inside was already making my head throb.
As soon as I stepped inside, Joana approached me. Her expensive gown trailed behind her, her face caked in makeup, yet her eyes held a rage she struggled to hide.
"Victor? Where have you been?" she whispered sharply. "Everyone has been asking. It is my birthday, and you just vanished."
I ignored her, taking off my jacket and handing it to a servant.
"I had urgent business. Do not start a scene in front of the guests, Joana."
"Urgent business? You did not even answer my calls!"
I stopped and stared at her blankly.
"Never manage my personal schedule."
My tone was low enough to go unnoticed by others, but sharp enough to silence her.
I walked past her. But as I headed toward the stairs, I noticed Julian give a small signal. There was something.
I immediately turned and walked into my study.
Julian closed the door tightly.
"Sir, I have tracked that woman’s background as you requested."
I sat down, loosening my tie. "And?"
"As you suspected, Rose lives in hardship. Moving around, working menial jobs, and she has no financial support."
I swirled the empty glass in my hand.
Just as I suspected.
"How is her private life?"
"She is reclusive. There are no men. But there are routine medical bills every month."
I paused. Medical bills? And that fear from earlier. I smirked.
So that was it.
That was her weak point.
"Watch her," I ordered. "Make sure she cannot run anywhere tomorrow morning. And do not let anyone know she works for me."
"Very well, sir." Julian nodded, but his face looked uneasy.
"You may go."
Yet Julian remained standing stiffly before me. "There is one more thing, sir."
"What?" I asked softly.
"She has been living with a little boy. He is about six years old."
I went silent.
My jaw tightened.
A child?
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD