Chapter 7

Vivian POV

In extreme pain, I dreamed of Ethan from three years ago.

Back then, because I was afraid of the dark, I had to leave a light on when sleeping.

Once during a power outage, Ethan ran through the pouring rain across three streets to buy candles to fill the room. He held me in his arms, kissing my forehead over and over.

"Don't be afraid, Vivian. I'm here. I'll never let you stay in the dark again."

How ridiculous.

The person who said he'd never let me stay in the dark personally pushed me into the deepest abyss.

On the third day, my fever broke.

Fear and despair were exhausted. What remained was only the calm of stagnant water.

I felt around in the dark for a sharp stone and carved marks on the wall.

Each mark was a piece of my dying love for Ethan.

When the iron door opened again, the blinding light made me instinctively close my eyes.

Ethan stood in the doorway, looking down at me.

I slowly stood up, brushed the dust off myself. My heart was as calm as a pool of dead water. No hate, no love.

"Have you calmed down?"

Ethan frowned.

"I've calmed down."

My voice was hoarse but unusually steady.

"Ethan, let's get divorced."

Ethan paused, then sneered.

"Divorce? Vivian, what game are you playing now to get my attention? You think threatening me with divorce will make me forgive you for attacking someone with a knife?"

I didn't argue. I simply walked past him and went upstairs.

I returned to the master bedroom, took out a divorce agreement I'd drafted long ago, signed my name, and handed it to Ethan who had followed.

"I'll leave with nothing. Just sign it."

Ethan looked at the agreement, his expression instantly darkening.

He snatched it away, tore it to shreds, and threw the pieces in my face.

"Vivian, get this straight. When this marriage begins and ends is my decision! You want a divorce? Dream on!"

I looked at the scattered paper on the floor. I wasn't angry. I just said calmly.

"Whatever you say."

I turned and walked into the bathroom, washing away the blood and grime.

When I came out, I picked up my phone and dialed an encrypted number.

"Mr. Yale, it's me."

"The 'fake death rescue' service I booked, can we move it up? I don't want to stay another day."

On the other end, Adrian Yale's deep voice came through.

"Yes. In a month, at Stella's yacht party. That's a good opportunity. I'll arrange everything."

"Thank you."

I hung up and looked at myself in the mirror.

Ethan, since you don't want a divorce, I'll just have to become a widow.

For the following days, I was abnormally quiet.

I no longer argued with Stella, no longer questioned Ethan. Like nothing had happened, I ate and slept on schedule every day.

"Ethan, Vivian's been so strange lately."

I heard Stella lean against Ethan, saying coquettishly.

"Is she plotting something? Why don't you make her move out of the master bedroom? I'm scared looking at her."

Ethan frowned. Looking at Stella's aggrieved expression, he still nodded.

That night, Ethan entered the master bedroom and told me coldly.

"Move to the guest room. Stella hasn't been sleeping well lately. The master bedroom mattress suits her better."

I nodded calmly.

"Okay."

I opened the closet and only took a few changes of clothes. I didn't even glance at the expensive jewelry and designer dresses Ethan once gave me.

At the door, I stopped, removed my wedding ring, and casually tossed it in the nearby trash can.

"What are you doing?!"

Ethan rushed over and looked at the diamond ring in the trash, furious.

"It's dirty. Don't want it anymore."

My tone was flat.

Not just the wedding ring. The trash also contained love letters he once wrote me, dried flowers he gave me, even all our photos together.

I threw away everything about him.

"Vivian!"

Ethan grabbed my wrist, his eyes churning with anger and panic.

"What tantrum are you throwing now? I already compensated you for your grandmother. What more do you want?!"

"Compensation?"

I laughed until tears came.

"Ethan, can human life be compensated? Let go of me. You disgust me."

I shook off his hand and walked into the guest room without looking back.

Final countdown. Three days.

To celebrate her engagement, Stella rented a luxury yacht for a party.

She specifically had someone send me an invitation, saying the reason was "the family should be together."

I looked at the invitation and smiled.

I'd been waiting for this day for a long time.

The night of the yacht party, the sea breeze was cool.

I wore a simple black dress, standing in the shadows on the deck.

I watched Stella, the center of attention in the banquet hall, with Ethan beside her, looking distracted.

I touched the mini voice recorder and camera hidden in my dress.

Tonight, I'd make Stella admit she killed Derek and caused Grandma's death.

Then I would jump from this yacht and completely disappear from Ethan's world.

Ethan, get ready for your personal hell.