Fake Vows & Forbidden Flames

Chapter 14: Kicked to the Curb

Keith froze, caught off guard by her quick, uncomplaining agreement.

A strange, unwelcome twinge of disappointment stirred in his chest before he replied,

his voice softer than intended: “Good girl.”

The divorce papers were in his study—he could have handed them to her then and there.

But changing his mind twice in one night was unheard of for Keith Fu.

Doubt crept in, tangled with guilt; he found himself wanting to rewrite the agreement, to give her more compensation, more security—anything to ease the tightness in his chest.

He bent down, rubbing her hair habitually, and kissed her lips. Dora leaned up, responding instinctively—their passion felt more intense than that of lovers, not a couple on the verge of breaking up. Before leaving, Keith gently wiped the trace of ambiguity from her lips.

“Honey…” The word slipped out before she could stop herself. Dora froze—this might be the last time she could call him that. For the first time, she’d said it from the bottom of her heart.

Keith turned back, his eyes calm, his voice flat: “Yes?” His brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

She’d wanted to ask if she still needed to go to the housewarming party that weekend.

But on second thought, even if she went, it would be her last time.

Dora shook her head, waving with a smile: “Bye.”

Keith stared at her for two seconds, his lips tightening into a thin line.

“Goodbye.” He hated that word—it felt like a final farewell.

As Keith left, the sound of the car engine echoed. Tears finally spilled down Dora’s face, her heart feeling as if it had been torn out. She’d known the end from the start, guarded her heart fiercely—but why did it hurt so much?

She sat motionless, exhausted yet wide awake. By the time her tears went cold against her cheeks, she picked up her phone, her voice trembling: “Maggie, he’s ending things with me.”

Maggie’s voice exploded over the line, still rough from sleep: “So what? It’s not the end of the world!” The call cut off abruptly, leaving Dora feeling both amused and exasperated.

Seconds later, Maggie called back, her tone softening—with a hint of excitement: “You got kicked out?”

If Dora didn’t know Maggie’s personality, she’d have thought she was gloating. “Yeah… just now…” She sighed involuntarily.

“Wow! Congratulations! You’re finally free! I’ll treat you to dinner tomorrow to celebrate!”

“Maggie! Do you even have a heart?” Dora groaned.

“I’m heartbroken, and you’re rubbing salt in the wound?”

“Sweetie, do you want me to get drunk with you and sob into my wine? Grow up. You knew this was a dead end from the start—giving him your heart was foolish! He’s one of Vancity’s Four Tycoon Heirs, wrapped in gold and diamonds—you think you can ever truly belong there? Three years of being his convenient wife isn’t enough? Snap out of it! Do you want to be his secret forever? Being alone is better than being someone’s afterthought!”

“Maggie…”

Dora knew Maggie was right. She’d vowed to guard her heart, but that didn’t stop the pain.

“You… you didn’t actually fall in love with him, did you?” Maggie’s voice turned serious. “You loved Simon, not Keith—right? Did you really fall for him just from… being together?”

“I don’t know…” Dora whispered. She’d prepared for this breakup every day for three years, yet now her mind was blank, her heart aching terribly.

“Dora, remember what you told me?” Maggie mimicked her voice: “Dora is worse than Duo Duo. A man this cold—he’s not worth it. Where’s that spunk? This breakup is a good thing! You’re young—you can start over! Oh, and I heard Simon is coming back!”

Dora’s heart twisted. She bit her lip: “It’s impossible. You know our situation—even if Simon could forgive me, his mom never will.”