Chapter 3

And me? I didn't even own a single red item in my wardrobe.

"Alex Thorne, I called out to you that day, you know."

The injustice churning inside me forced the words out.

"And then?"

Alex lifted an eyebrow.

"Do you want me to apologize for my psychological condition?"

"Scarlett, you knew I had this issue before we even got married."

Looking at his unconcerned face, I suddenly felt so tired.

Yes, it was all my own doing.

"Fine. I'll go to the press conference."

But Alex's mind had drifted. His gaze was fixed on my bag.

Half an airline magazine was peeking out.

Following his gaze, I looked down, realizing the open page featured a group photo of an orchestra.

Dozens of people were packed together, and in the most unassuming corner of the photo, sat a girl playing the cello.

It was the same girl Alex had hugged at the airport.

The photo was so blurry her features were almost indistinguishable.

Yet Alex, with just one glance, had seen her.

So, it wasn't that he couldn't recognize women's faces.

He just couldn't recognize the face of someone he didn't love.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight, every breath ached.

But I still managed a strained smile, pulled the magazine out, and handed it to Alex.

"Here. I don't want it anymore."

This title of Mrs. Thorne.

And these three years of being ignored.

I didn't want any of it anymore.

The next day, I arrived at the press conference on time.

The spotlights felt like countless sharp knives, all aimed at me.

I wore a rose-colored gown, directly contradicting Alex's demand for white.

Taking the microphone from the host, I began to speak calmly.

"I was mistakenly arrested because my husband, Mr. Alexander Thorne, told the police he didn't know me, right to their faces."

The entire room erupted in gasps.

I paused, looking directly into one of the cameras, as if looking through it straight at Alex.

"I imagine being trapped in a marriage where your spouse of three years can't even recognize you must be incredibly painful."

"So, I've decided to grant him his freedom."

"Mr. Thorne and I will be getting a divorce."

As I got into the car, I noticed my hands were trembling.

Not from fear, but from a rush of liberation, finally breaking free from shackles.

My phone vibrated madly. "Alex Thorne" flashed across the screen.

I simply switched it off.

My car hadn't gone far when Alex's vehicle blocked it.

Alex got out of his car, his face was thunderous, dark enough to curdle milk.

"Scarlett, are you insane?!"

He yanked me out of the car, his grip so strong it felt like he might crush my wrist.

"Who gave you the guts to spout such nonsense at a press conference?!"

I stared coldly at his furious face.

"Which part of what I said wasn't the truth?"

My question choked him, fueling his rage even more.

"Do you have any idea how much harm this will cause others?"

"What if they dig up the airport surveillance footage? What if Sera gets dragged into this? She just barely got into the Vienna Orchestra!"

He *could* distinguish her.

A fresh wave of pain spread through my chest, almost driving me mad.

"Alex Thorne, you recognized *her*."

Alex’s face was etched with undisguised irritation.

"So what? She means something different to me, but I still married *you*."

"Don't forget, you were the one who pushed for this marriage."

Yes, it was all my own obsession.

Alex couldn't even remember my face, so how could he remember a promise made twenty years ago?

I wiped the tears from my face. "Alex Thorne, I regret it. Let's get a divorce."