Chapter 704: How Could He Let Her Go?

Annabelle recalled her wedding night with Alpha over thirty years ago. He had discovered her with Marcus, threatened him, and then taken her away. Back in their room, he coldly commanded, "Go wash yourself clean." She remained motionless. He dragged her into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and the icy water cascaded over her head. She struggled, but he overpowered her, pushing her against the wall and tearing off her clothes. Young and frail, she was stripped not only of her clothing but also her dignity. He took her forcefully.

The dream felt intensely real; he was domineering and cruel. Yet, within the dream, she remained trapped, unable to escape his imprisonment. All these years, she'd believed she'd forgotten him, but Alpha's mark on her body and soul remained indelible. This explained her discomfort when he'd held her in Liam's palace.

Frustrated by the vivid dream, she turned to Olive. "It's just a nightmare, Olive. I haven't slept well lately." Olive, her heart pounding, hesitated before saying, "Alright, Aunt, let me check your pulse."

Annabelle offered her wrist. Olive examined her pulse, then remarked, "Aunty Annabelle, your pulse is weak. Have you been overtired?"

"No," Annabelle shook her head. "I've been home, just drawing designs." The dream's intensity, and Olive's assessment of her weak pulse, puzzled her.

"Your pulse is weak," Olive said. "I'll give you an injection and prescribe some medication. You'll be fine soon."

"Thank you, Olive."

After the injection, Olive left. As Annabelle gathered her art supplies, her phone rang. A familiar voice greeted her, "Sister, you're finally back." It was Lily, whom she hadn't seen in years—Lily, who had learned of her return and contacted her from Imperial.

"Why did you call?" Annabelle responded coolly.

"You should get a divorce from Alpha as soon as possible. Or is my little sister planning a reconciliation?" Lily's words stung. "Alpha personally killed your daughter, refusing a Cesarean section, essentially throwing her away. How could you still be with him?"

Annabelle knew Lily was provoking her, but the memory of her daughter's death still caused her pain. "I'm going to divorce Alpha. Don't call me again."

After hanging up, Annabelle found Alpha's number and dialed. He answered immediately. His deep voice said, "Hello."

"It's me. Are you free tomorrow? Let's get the divorce certificate."

Silence. His silence always foreshadowed anger.

Finally, he said, "Okay, I'm free tomorrow."

Relief washed over her. "Let's meet outside the Civil Affairs Bureau at eight."

"I'll pick you up," he offered.

"No need…"

"I informed you, not asked for your opinion," he interrupted, ending the call. Annabelle stared at her phone, then scoffed.

The next morning, at breakfast with Olive, Annabelle announced, "I'm getting a divorce from Alpha today."

Olive paused. Then Alpha called. His low, magnetic voice cut through the phone, "Come out, I'm outside."

Annabelle hung up, grabbed her bag, and said goodbye to Olive. "Olive, I'm leaving."

"Aunty Annabelle, may I accompany you?" Olive found Alpha's willingness to let Annabelle go after all these years unsettling.

"No need, Olive. I'll be fine," Annabelle said, turning to leave.

Olive, still worried, called Elvis. He was in the villa's dining room, bathed in sunlight, a picture of composed handsomeness.