The Years We Took for Granted

Chapter 4

I spent the entire sleepless night arranging the transfer of my overseas holdings.

I withdrew my heart from the relationship completely and poured all my attention into work.

At dawn the next day, as pale light touched the sky, the villa door opened again.

Derek had returned, his rage and hostility from the previous day gone.

He carried a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers in one hand and an elegant black jewelry box in the other.

He came to me and softened his voice as he looked down. "Honey, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive yesterday, and I misjudged you.

"Vivian has been found. She turned off her phone because she was upset. It had nothing to do with you, and I shouldn't have accused you without knowing the facts."

He held the jewelry box out to me, apology and entreaty in his eyes. "This is for you—an apology gift. Don't be angry anymore, okay?"

I recognized the piece. It was a one-of-a-kind commission from a celebrated master, worth more than 15 million dollars.

In the past, I might have softened.

I might have yielded and forgiven him again because he had lowered his head and tried to make peace.

Now, I found it unbearably ridiculous.

I said nothing. I didn't take the sunflowers or open the expensive box.

When I remained cold and silent throughout, refusing even to look at him, Derek's expression gradually darkened. The tenderness left his eyes, replaced by displeasure and wounded pride.

His low voice carried a hint of reproach. "Honey, you were never this cold to me before. You could never bear to look at me like that."

I turned and went straight upstairs, avoiding his gaze as I continued reviewing plans for expanding my overseas operations.

The transfer process was complicated and tedious, while much of the overseas business infrastructure still needed to be put in place.

I had far too much work to do. I had neither the time nor the energy to keep entangling myself in questions of love, resentment, right, and wrong.

From that day on, Derek began giving me the silent treatment.

He brazenly paraded Vivian through the city, taking her to major shopping districts and cocktail parties until everyone knew about them.

He lavished money on her without restraint—designer goods, luxury cars, and mansions.

They walked hand in hand and indulged in every intimate, romantic gesture.

Countless people in Larkhaven assumed Vivian was the woman who had truly captured Derek's heart.

They believed she would soon replace me as the new Mrs. Lockwood.

My employees and friends were furious and hurt on my behalf.

But from beginning to end, I turned a blind eye.

I devoted all my time and energy to work.

I waited quietly for the divorce papers to be finalized so I could leave completely.

One evening, after finishing an international video conference, I entered the underground garage.

I had just reached my car and hadn't yet opened the door when several dark figures burst from the shadows.

They moved fast. Before I could react, someone clamped a damp cloth over my mouth and nose.

A pungent odor flooded my nostrils, and dizziness overwhelmed me at once.

Before I could struggle, my vision went black and I lost consciousness.