Chapter 5

I don't like eating beef, but Alec loves it, so I'm always finding new ways to prepare it for him.

I watch the three people playing games in the living room, and my heart aches.

We bought this motion-sensing game system five years ago, but Lily and Alec never wanted to play with me.

They said it was too tiring.

But now they're having a blast playing with another woman.

Through the glass door, my eyes meet Alec's.

I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but there's a hint of anticipation in his gaze, as if he's trying to provoke a reaction from me with this scene.

But I give him a cold look and then look away.

"Ah! Teacher Channing, you're amazing!"

Melody just unlocked an achievement. She hugs Lily and kisses her enthusiastically, then leans down to kiss Alec.

The whole sequence flows smoothly.

I stand there, unable to snap out of my daze for a long time.

Melody links arms with Alec, her eyes full of challenge:

"I just kissed Alec because I got caught up in the game. Elowen, you're not mad, are you?"

"As a dying person, I have no reason to be angry."

I bring out the beef and set it on the table:

"You all eat first. I need to go out for a bit."

Alec grabs my hand, his eyes full of reluctance.

He asks where I'm going. I pulled away his hand without answering him.

For some reason, Alec's eyes looked a bit hurt.

I sat in the car, watching the surveillance footage from home on my phone. Those two were rolling around together again, oblivious to everything else.

"I agree to the company acquisition you mentioned last time."

I was grateful that when we started the business, Alec had put my name as the legal representative and owner to show his loyalty.

I returned to the company and prepared all the contracts, waiting for the other company to come for the acquisition.

However, the financial manager, who had always been on good terms with Alec, was dragging his feet on giving me the liquidation list.

"Elowen, have you told Alec about the acquisition?"

"I know you're still angry about Alec and Melody, but he's always cared about you. It's just a phase of novelty, it'll pass soon."

I laughed coldly to myself, thinking this phase might just outlast me.

"Prepare the asset liquidation list and bring it to me in ten minutes."

"By making this decision on your own, aren't you destroying your family? Have you thought about what will happen to Lily?"

Hearing Lily's name, my heart ached a little more.

In the eyes of a cheating man, what family was there to speak of?

And why should I care about a daughter who had long since become estranged from me? Walking out of the Finance Department, I saw the financial manager making several calls to Alec.

What he didn't know was that the man was currently busy unleashing his true nature.

Ten minutes later, I took the settlement statement and rushed to the other company to sign the acquisition agreement.

At that moment, I completely severed all ties between Alec and me.

The assets he wanted, I wouldn't give him a penny, and the company wouldn't be left to him either.

When I got home, Melody had just finished putting on her clothes.

As I pushed open the door, the mess on the floor and the unpleasant odor hit me.

"Where did you go?"

Alec straightened his clothes, his neck covered in red marks.

"Went out to buy some things."

Melody looked at me, her eyes full of defiance.

As I passed by her, I smirked and said, "Remember to clean up the battlefield after the act. Alec is prone to allergies."

With that, I went back to my room and closed the door.

From outside, I could hear Alec's angry roar.

"Elowen, what do you mean? If you don't want to stay married, just divorce me already!"

I didn't respond.

Outside, I could hear Melody's voice comforting him.

I don't know how long it took, but eventually, the noise outside stopped.

After that day, Alec and Lily didn't come home, and I packed up my things.

I shipped all my belongings directly overseas to Lorne's place.

Before leaving, I took one last look at the home I had lived in for ten years.

This was the house Alec bought after making money from his startup. Back then, he worked himself to the bone trying to provide a home for me.

But now he wants to have a home with another woman.

Sitting in the car on the way to the airport, I received a message about the will notarization.

"Alec, I've cancelled the will notarization."

"Let's get divorced. I don't want the kid either."

After sending the messages, I completely blocked Alec.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Lorne, whom I hadn't seen in ten years.

He was still so handsome, exuding stability and elegance in every move.

"Long time no see, Elowen."