Chapter 13

That song—its melody, its heartfelt lyrics, the soulful voice—had instantly captivated the world. Lilliana became an overnight sensation. For a moment, it seemed like the beginning of her ascent to stardom, but it proved to be the zenith of her fame. Since then, her career had stagnated.

Caden said indifferently, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Alicia immediately tried to arrange a meeting with Joshua to finalize their divorce. Hours later, Joshua responded: "I'll see you tonight at nine. Let's talk at home."

At nine o'clock, Alicia returned to the marital home. Upon entering, she found a pair of women's shoes carelessly discarded near the door, as if flung off in anger. Her gaze swept the room, landing on a man's suit and a woman's dress strewn across the floor, evidence of recent intimacy. Her eyes rose to the partially open door of the upstairs bedroom; she could hear labored breathing—undoubtedly Joshua's.

Alice smiled wryly. “Amazing,” she thought. “Just a couple of months pregnant and already back to such reckless abandonment.”

Moments later, her phone buzzed with a message from Joshua: "Where are you?"

Alice took a deep breath, bracing herself, and re-entered the house. Joshua was already in the living room, composed as if nothing were amiss. His eyes, still glazed with desire, assessed her with a calculating gaze.

“Where’s that bag you always carry?” His voice was sharp, his eyes narrowed.

Alice hesitated, unsure of his game. Then, calmly, she retrieved the ring from her bag and showed it to him. "Let's sign the agreement."

He stated evenly, "I don't want anything more than what I brought to this marriage. You can have everything else."

His expression darkened. “Nothing at all?” His laugh was bitter. “Stop acting so important, Alice.”

His firm stance only fueled his anger. “Before we got married, you gave me everything. Now, for two years, you haven't worked a day, living off of me. Are you sure you can bear to lose this comfortable life after the divorce?”

“Live off of you?” Alice’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “What exactly have you given me these past two years?”

He had provided a meager monthly allowance and occasional gifts. Even the jewelry she once treasured had likely been discarded by Lilliana first. Fortunately, Alice hadn't been entirely idle during her marriage; she had worked sporadically and saved money. She wasn't as helpless as he believed.

Without further ado, Alice picked up the pen and firmly signed the agreement. She slid the papers across the table. "Go ahead," she said calmly. "Sign it. I know someone is waiting for you upstairs."

Joshua’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Jealous, aren’t you?” His voice dripped with mockery. “Her skills far surpass yours. Even though she’s pregnant, she knows exactly how to keep me satisfied.”

Alice didn't flinch. Her disgust for him had long since overshadowed any sting his words might inflict. She shrugged lightly. "Well, you're so lucky. Congratulations."

He clenched his jaw and fists. He grabbed the pen and signed with a cold look, the scratching of the pen on the paper seeming to tear the air. Then he practically threw the pen on the floor. “Alice,” he growled, “don't come crying to me later.”

Alicia looked at the signed agreement; her heart felt light for the first time in years. A huge weight had been lifted. She looked at Joshua. The tenderness she once felt was gone; their past seemed a distant dream.

He said quietly, his tone determined, “I won't.” His voice, devoid of malice, cut deeper than any insult.

A painful tightness gripped Joshua's chest. The sting of his words was sharp, like an ice-coated dagger. Alice rose to leave.

Joshua sprang to his feet, his hand instinctively grasping Alicia's wrist. "Alice, wait!"

His voice caught in his throat as his eyes fell upon a hickey on her neck, hidden beneath her collar. The confusion vanished, replaced by fierce anger. “What the hell is that?” he demanded. “Have you slept with someone?”

Alice shrugged off his hand, her expression icy. "You've known me too long to ask such a stupid question," she said, her voice filled with silent disdain.

His response ignited her rage. Joshua's eyes darkened; he grabbed her shoulders, pulling her close. He cupped her face, as if to force a confession. “Who?” he hissed. “Who have you slept with and since when?”

Revulsion twisted Alice's features; she pushed him away. "You have no right to ask about my private life," she snapped. "Let me go!"

Joshua's temper flared. "Now it makes sense. That's why you're so eager to divorce me: you've already found someone else."

His anger deepened, his voice venomous as he roughly tore at his clothes. "If you wanted more, you could have come to me. I'm more than capable of satisfying you, too."

Alice, her patience exhausted, slapped him. The sharp crack echoed. Joshua's world spun, not from the force of the blow, but from the shock. He had never been slapped before. The rage inside him roared uncontrollably. The thought of Alice with another man drove him to the brink of madness. She was his. Always had been.

With a guttural growl, he pushed her onto the couch, his fingers tearing at her robe, his intentions vicious.

At that moment, Lilliana's voice rang out from upstairs. "Joshua, what the hell do you think you're doing?"