As we made our way back, I broke the silence. "If I ever disappeared for real, would you be this worried?"

Clayton pulled me closer, his tone sickeningly tender. "Of course, Irene. You’re my whole world."

But three days later, I had a surprise waiting for him.

"Sign here."

I handed Clayton a document with a calm expression.

"This is a donation letter. You know, I’ve been supporting children in impoverished mountain areas for years. This time, it’s a two-million-dollar donation."

"Alright."

Without a second glance, Clayton grabbed the pen and scribbled his name, his trust in me unwavering.

I tilted my head and smiled faintly. "You don’t even read it before signing. Aren’t you afraid I might hand you a divorce agreement instead?"

Clayton chuckled, ruffling my hair with his usual casual affection. "Even if it were a contract to sell myself, as long as it’s from you, Irene, I’d sign it."

When he disappeared into the study, I looked at the freshly signed divorce papers in my hand, and a slow smile crept across my face.

Clayton, from this moment on, we’re done.

As you said, you’ll leave with nothing.

That night, he retired early to bed. "Good girl," he said, his tone soft and reassuring. "I have a business trip tomorrow, probably for three days. I’ll check in with you every day."

I sat lazily on the couch, flipping through a book, and nodded indifferently. "Alright."

Moments later, Odessa’s message lit up my phone.

[Irene, as a woman, you’ve probably figured it out by now. I’ve been seeing your husband.]

[Do you believe he’ll tell you tonight he’s leaving on a three-day business trip?]

[Actually, he’s taking me to a newly opened seaside guesthouse to spice things up…]

I stared at the message without emotion, then calmly took a screenshot and forwarded it to my lawyer.

Clayton would never see it coming.

While he was heading off to his seaside rendezvous with Odessa, I was on my way there, too, with Matias.

He congratulated me on regaining my single status, and that night, we shared wine and naturally ended up in each other’s arms.

After being single for eight years, Matias was far more intense than Clayton had ever been.

He treated me like a rare treasure, and we spent night after night lost in each other.

We turned off our phones and stayed at the seaside guesthouse, indulging in three uninterrupted days together.