"I want a divorce. Please take care of my divorce papers," Violette said to Mr. Joshua Smith, the best divorce lawyer in town, as she sat in front of him.

The man raised his glasses and looked at Violette seriously, as if he couldn't believe that the woman in front of him was Violette Lombardi, who had declared that she wanted to divorce Hans Lombardi, a CEO and famous underground Don in the country.

They had been married for 15 years, and everyone agreed they were the perfect couple.

Every anniversary of their marriage was reported almost nationwide. However, Mrs. Lombardi now asked for divorce papers without hesitation and with an expressionless face, wanting to divorce Hans Lombardi.

"Mrs. Lombardi, for a divorce, you need reasons and supporting evidence," the lawyer explained.

"Yes, I've prepared it," Violette replied calmly as she handed over everything needed to divorce her husband.

She had collected photos and videos sent by Irene over the past five years, showing that Hans spent his time abroad—disguised as business trips—only to meet Irene. There were even photos of Hans and Irene sleeping in the same place. And finally, a photo of Hans with Irene in an apartment, while Violette herself was held captive by a murderer and stabbed in the chest.

The lawyer was silent as he watched the video showing Violette being wounded by the killer and treating her own wounds. The file would be sent to Hans once the divorce was finalized.

"Okay, I'll process your divorce," Mr. Smith said.

"Yes, please take care of it as soon as possible," Violette asked, smiling bitterly as she rubbed the still-wet stab wound on her left chest.

A week earlier, on the eve of their 15th wedding anniversary, Hans had arranged a luxurious private party at a five-star hotel, making Violette the center of attention in the whole city.

However, as in previous years, Hans was nowhere to be found. That night, he was at Irene's apartment, keeping her company as she battled a mild fever, not even answering a single phone call from his enemy, who was holding Violette hostage.

Overcome with rage, the killer stabbed Violette in the chest, intending to end her life. Fortunately, Violette had a special feature—her heart was located on the right side of her chest—which saved her life. As the daughter of a mafia boss, she had been trained to deal with such situations and managed to save herself.

As Violette treated the bleeding wound on her chest, Hans finally answered his phone.

"Honey, I'm sorry I didn't answer your call. Irene has a fever and is complaining of a headache, I can't leave her and have to take her to the hospital."

Hearing this, Violette finally realized that during their fifteen years of marriage, Hans had never loved her.

Their marriage was arranged as part of a business partnership between the Renault and Lombardi families, two of the largest mafia families. Although they were married through an arranged marriage, she and Hans still respected each other. Hans devoted all his attention to her, and they were praised as the perfect couple.

However, all the warmth and attention he showed her was just a facade and a formality, a charade that Hans put on to convince the Renault family that he was treating their daughter well.

Violette woke up from her fantasy, feeling that her entire life devoted to loving Hans Lombardi had been exhausting. Now, she just wanted to pursue her freedom.

"Mrs. Lombardi, the documents are ready. You just need to get Mr. Lombardi's signature." Mr. Smith placed the divorce papers in front of Violette.

"I understand. I will get my husband's signature," Violette said calmly.

She left the lawyer's office and returned to the villa.

Upon arriving at the villa, she found several movers bringing furniture into the house.

In the living room, Irene sat next to Hans, pointing at the people who were moving her belongings.

"Those are the bed and sofa made by my late mother. I really can't leave them behind. I can't sleep without them."

Hans sat leaning back on the sofa, his arms stretched out behind Irene as if hugging her. He then stroked Irene's hair.

"It's okay, just move your things into this house. Consider this your home. "

" Thank you, Hans. I know you've always been good to me," Irene smiled sweetly, hugging Hans's neck and kissing his cheek. Hans responded by gently stroking Irene's head.

Violette cleared her throat, drawing their attention. The two immediately turned their heads and quickly separated, as if to hide their relationship.

"Violette, you're home! I've been waiting for you! I'm sorry I moved into your house without asking your permission. You're not angry, are you?" Irene looked at Violette anxiously, wringing her hands in front of her chest.

"Vio, let Irene stay at our house. Her apartment has a gas leak. She's traumatized from living alone. We'll take care of her because we're still her family and she's Damien's biological mother," Hans explained.

"It's okay, right, Violette? If you don't like it, I'll find another place to live," Irene said, her eyes starting to well up, making her look pitiful.

"You've already moved your things into this house, why do you need to ask my permission? You're talking as if I'm kicking you out," Violette replied with a flat smile.

Irene's face reddened; she pursed her lips, then looked at Hans with an expression as if she had been mistreated. She was petite and ten years younger, so her appearance really supported her sad acting.

"Hans, I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry for giving Violette the wrong impression," Irene said to Hans.

Hans's face tensed, and he frowned at Violette. "Don't scare Irene like that. She didn't mean to misunderstand you."

"Don't worry, I'm just kidding. She can stay as long as she wants," Violette replied with a fake smile.

"Hans, there's something I want to talk about. I need your signature to change the ownership of the island you bought for our wedding anniversary," she said as she placed the documents on the table, right in front of them.

She sat in front of Hans and Irene, who didn't even move and remained seated side by side.

That position made it seem as if Violette were an outsider in her own home.

"It's already yours. No need to change anything," said Hans, reaching for the document to look at it.

However, Violette held the document back so Hans couldn't see its contents.

"Hans, I just need your signature and the island will be mine so I can feel comfortable."

Irene laughed softly and seductively. "Violette, are you worried that Hans is lying about giving you the island? Don't worry, I also got a private island in Hawaii as a gift for my birthday last week. If you don't believe me, I'll show you the original documents."

"A private island in Hawaii?" Violette smiled meaningfully, but a sharp pain pierced her chest, far more agonizing than the stab wound she had received from the killer.

It was the island Hans had originally given her, but for some reason, within just a few hours, Hans had changed his gift, replacing it with another island.

Now she understood. Hans was giving the island to Irene.

"What's wrong with the island?" Irene smiled innocently.

"Nothing," Hans replied without explanation, avoiding Violette's gaze. He turned the document to the last page and signed it immediately.

Violette stared at Hans's fingers as he signed the divorce papers.

Fifteen years of marriage, the love of her life ended like this.

Violette had known Hans almost her entire life. They were set up when she was five, engaged at 10, and married at 18. They had been married for fifteen years.

However, their entire life together was nothing compared to the brief presence of Irene, who immediately stole Hans's heart and became his first love.

Irene was his brother's wife. Hans was even willing to adopt Damien, Irene's child and his brother, as the heir to the Lombardi family, while Irene went abroad to pursue her dreams after her husband's death.

"That's enough, right?" Hans said indifferently without glancing at the document. If he had paid attention, he would have seen that it was divorce papers.

"Daddy! Mommy!"

The little five-year-old ran and jumped into Hans and Irene's arms, hugging them tightly as if they were his best parents.

Violette looked at Damien with sadness in her heart. She had raised the child since he was a baby, but Damien never considered her his mother.

Ever since Damien began to remember, Hans repeatedly took him abroad to meet his biological mother, Irene, which ultimately led Damien not to consider Violette his mother.

He called Hans "Daddy" and Irene "Mommy," but to Violette, he only called her by her name.

Hans let it be. When Violette protested, he always said, "Irene went through the pain of giving birth to him, so Damien must not forget his mother."

Now she realized that Damien was just a painful reminder that her husband loved Irene.

"Daddy, Mommy! Let's go watch a movie!"

"Watch a movie? Sure, let's go before dinner." Hans rubbed Damien's head and then stood up, holding his small hand.

"Mommy, let's go. I can't wait to watch Spiderman!" Damien excitedly grabbed Hans and Irene's hands and pulled them to hurry up and leave.

"Yes, baby. There's no need to rush," Irene said.

As they were about to leave, Violette stood up and walked behind them. Damien, as if realizing Violette's presence, immediately snapped and pushed her away.

"Why are you coming? I don't want you to come with us!"

"I'm not coming. I'm going to my room," Violette replied, walking straight to her room.

She heard Irene ask Hans worriedly behind her. "Hans, is Violette angry because we didn't invite her?"

"It's okay. Violette never liked going to the movies. She always gets a headache from looking at the big screen."

"Thank goodness. I feel so guilty that the three of us went to see the movie without inviting her," Irene said.

Violette clenched her fists, a bitter smile on her lips. In her heart, she said, 'Hans, do you know that I always like watching movies at the cinema?

Every time Violette asked Hans to watch a movie, he would just buy her a ticket and reserve the entire cinema for Violette.

However, Violette always watched alone and felt lonely. After watching alone several times, Violette finally gave up inviting Hans to watch movies and began to hate movies.

Hans had the money and power to appease his wife, but he was never there for her. However, for another woman, he was willing to cancel all his schedules and fly across the world to be by Irene's side.

***

Irene sent him a video of the three of them having dinner and playing at an amusement park. The video showed their closeness, like a family, with Damien calling Hans “Daddy” and Irene “Mommy,” showing them as his parents.

Violette saved the video and sent the divorce papers signed by Hans to Mr. Smith.

"Mr. Smith, I have sent the documents. I will pay whatever it costs to speed up the divorce."

"Okay, Mrs. Lombardi. I will let you know as soon as the divorce is finalized. It will take a month."

"All right, thank you, Mr. Smith."

Violette ended the phone call with Mr. Smith. Next, she prepared the documents she needed to take with her when she left the villa.

The villa, which they had built together during their fifteen years of marriage, was now meaningless. She threw away all the gifts and diamond jewelry, even the first preserved flowers Hans had given her when they got engaged.

There was nothing she needed to take. All the property and businesses Hans had given her over the years were in this country.

Violette would leave all that behind to free herself from her ties to Hans Lombardi.

Violette has not told her family that she is divorcing Hans. They think Violette is happily married to Hans, and Hans is a good son-in-law in their eyes.

If her parents knew Violette wanted a divorce, they would try to talk her out of it and tell Hans.

Then the divorce would never have happened, preserving the friendship between the two families.

Violette will tell them after the divorce is finalized. At that point, there will be nothing they can do to prevent her from divorcing.

Hans, Irene, and Damien have returned home. Violette does not greet them and goes to the bathroom to freshen up.

When she came out of the bathroom wearing a nightgown, Hans was already in the room and had unbuttoned his shirt. Calmly, Violette went to the dressing table and began her facial routine.

Hans stood behind her and gently squeezed her shoulders.

"Sorry I'm home late. Damien insisted on going to the amusement park and lost track of time."

"Hm. It's okay."

Hans leaned down, resting his chin on Violette's shoulder and kissing her neck.

The scent of Hans's expensive perfume mixed with the pungent scent of roses made Violette's stomach churn. Her lips smiled bitterly as she remembered who the owner of that rose perfume was.

"Vio, just be quiet today," Hans whispered, kissing her earlobe. "Are you uncomfortable with Irene being here?"

"No," Violette replied with a fake smile.

"Irene is just our sister-in-law. She's also part of the Lombardi family."

"I know.”

"Is it because Damien is too close to Irene that you're upset?"

"No. They should be close because they are mother and son."

Hans stared at Violette through the reflection in the dressing table mirror, sensing Irene's unusual change. He had felt it since Irene moved into their house. He thought it was because Violette didn't like Damien being close to his biological mother.

Violette stared back calmly, trying not to appear cold in front of him.

"Don't be too angry with Damien for being close to his mother. We have to raise him because he is the heir to the Lombardi family since we cannot have children."

"Hm," Violette replied indifferently.

"If only you could have..." Hans stopped himself before he finished the sentence that would hurt Violette.

They had been childless for fifteen years. Hans had never made an issue of it because Violette was the daughter of the Renault family. Their marriage was intended to maintain the alliance between the two powerful mafia families.

"Don't give up, we'll try again," Hans whispered in Violette's ear.

Violette's body tensed as Hans' lips kissed the corner of her mouth and his hand pulled down her nightgown. She immediately pushed Hans' hand away before he could see the scar on her chest.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not feeling well. I got my period today," Violette said coldly.

Suddenly, the cell phone on the bedside table rang.

"Your phone is ringing." Violette turned her face away.

Hans grumbled, picking up his phone without moving away from Violette's body.

"Hello..."

"Hans, can you come here?" Irene's voice sounded frightened on the phone.

"What's going on?" Hans' voice was full of concern.

"I think I heard an intruder in my room. I'm really scared, Hans."

"Don't be afraid. I'll be right there." He hurriedly moved away from Violette and took the gun from the desk drawer.

"Wait here, I'll check what's going on," he said without looking at Violette and rushed out of the room.

Violette scoffed, knowing what drama Irene was creating. She heard from the maid that Irene was terrified to find her bedroom window open while she was bathing, and she had seen a shadow pass by outside the window.

However, shortly after, Hans and Irene appeared at her door.

"What?" Violette stood in front of them.

"Vio, Irene's room isn't safe, and we haven't found the intruder yet. Irene is scared and doesn't dare to stay in her room. So, for the time being, Irene will stay in this room."

Violette's face paled as she stared at Hans in disbelief.

“ Hans, have you lost your mind?"

Hans's expression immediately turned stern. "This room has the highest security. Irene will be safe here. You can move to the next room."

"This is our room, Hans! How dare you bring another woman into our room!" Violette refused, her chest felt hot, and her tears blurred her vision.

This was the private room they had shared for years since they got married, even before Irene came and destroyed their marriage.

Every detail of this room's decor was engraved in her heart. She had spent her thoughts and time tracking down the right fabric and furniture to decorate the bridal chamber. She and Hans had shared many beautiful memories in this room over the years.

How could Hans bring another woman into their room and kick her out without a shred of guilt?

Irene pretended to tremble with fear, hiding behind Hans while clutching his hand.

"Hans, it's okay. I can be placed in any room. It's better if I just move out of this house.”

Hans's face softened as he looked at Irene and stroked her arm. "It's not safe for you to go out in the middle of the night like this. That intruder is definitely after you. Of all the people in this villa, you're the only one being terrorized. I have to protect you because it's my responsibility."

"But what about Violette...?"

Hans shifted his gaze to Violette indifferently. "Violette, as someone older than Irene, you have to give in. Give this room to Irene."

"You're worried about Irene being attacked, but what about me? What if the intruder hurts me—"

Hans interrupted her. "You grew up in a mafia family. You've faced dangerous situations many times, but you've always been safe all these years. You're different from Irene, who is weak and unable to fight back."

Not wanting to hear Violette's refusal, Hans called a servant to move Violette's belongings to another room.

Violette clenched her hands tightly. Pain pierced her chest. Tears threatened to fall.

Since Irene returned a year ago, Hans's attitude had changed. He cared more about Irene and no longer cared about the image of a caring husband that he had always projected.

"I'm sorry, Violette. I didn't mean to make you move out of this room..." Irene whispered weakly, looking at her with an apologetic gaze. But the corners of her lips curled into a sly smile.

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault," Hans said, glancing indifferently at Violette. "Don't blame Irene."

"I didn't say anything," Violette replied coldly.

"Hans, can you stay with me for a while? I'm afraid to be alone. "Irene leaned weakly on Hans as if she were about to faint.

" Okay, I'll keep you company."

Ignoring Violette's reaction, Hans took Irene into their room and closed the door right in front of her face.

Violette took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her chest feeling tight.

The events of that night quickly spread among the servants. They witnessed Violette being kicked out of the main bedroom while Hans accompanied Irene there.

All the servants could clearly see that Hans had shown how important Irene was to him. At that moment, Violette lost face in her own home and became the subject of ridicule by the servants.

Hans did not attempt to remedy the situation or apologize to Violette.

A phone call from Violette's family came, as if they had heard the news. Her mother, Anna, in particular, immediately reprimanded Violette.

["Vio, how could you let another woman treat you like that? Where is your pride as a daughter of the Renault family?"]

"Mom, what happened was..."

["Forget it. Don't get into a conflict with Hans over a mistress. After all, you are still Mrs. Lombardi. You have to maintain that status."]

"Mom, your daughter was humiliated like this, how can you say that to me?" Violette said in disbelief on the phone.

["Violette, how old are you now? You are a woman who has been married for a long time but have yet to bear children for the Lombardi family. Don't make Hans unhappy and cause him to fight with you because of a mistress. If you divorce Hans, the Renault family will not accept you anymore."]

Violette did not answer. Her hands clenched tightly as she listened to her mother, Anna's, indifferent words. She understood that she was useless in the eyes of her family because she had not given the Lombardi family any children.

["Vio, are you listening to me? There's no need to fight with Hans over a mistress. He will get bored eventually and you will remain Mrs. Lombardi. It's better to think about how you can get pregnant."]

Violette's heart was so tired that she didn't argue with her mother.

"I understand, Mom." She hung up the phone.

Her family's attitude made Violette even more determined to keep her divorce a secret, and she would not return to the Renault family.

Hans came home early that day and found Violette in their main bedroom, packing some of her belongings into cardboard boxes.

"What did you tell your family?" His expression looked unhappy.

"Nothing," Violette replied briefly and wearily, continuing to pack her clothes into a box.

"Then why did your father call me and bring up Irene?"

"I don't know, but my mother called me today. She also talked about Irene. It seems they heard the news last night from a servant. You know, in a mafia family like ours, there are always spies everywhere. "

Hans paused for a moment and then exhaled." Don't worry too much about what happened last night. Irene wasn't raised like us, growing up in a mafia family. She was very frightened by the intruder last night."

"Yes. I know." Violette bowed her head, busy packing her belongings into cardboard boxes.

"Why are you packing so many things into that box? You don't need to pack so much. Once Irene calms down, you can come back to this room."

"It's okay. She can stay in this room as long as she wants. And these things are for me to donate to the orphanage."

Hans stared at her for a moment, his brow furrowed. He felt that Violette was indifferent and was even giving up their bedroom just like that. She was not the type of person who would give away her belongings to anyone, and she was stubborn.

Hans looked at the items packed in the boxes. They were valuable to Violette because they were gifts from him. The dolls were gifts Hans had given Violette from the ages of 10 to 18, along with a few other items.

"Those things… don't you really like them? Do really need to throw them away?"

"Oh, I feel like I'm too old to keep these things. There must be lots of children in orphanages who would love these dolls." Violette smiled gently at Hans.

Hans didn't think about it any further. He placed an invitation and a gift box on Violette's lap.

"An invitation to the Lombardi family party tomorrow night. We both have to attend and show everyone that we're doing well."

"Okay." Violette stroked the gift box Hans had given her.

When she opened it, the contents were stunning: a delicate silk dress and the latest diamonds from a famous brand.

Despite their recent argument, Hans still knew her taste and favorite brands. Her heart wavered for a moment. At least Hans still respected her.

"Wear that dress tomorrow night."

Violette looked up and nodded, smiling.

The next day at seven in the evening, Violette checked the dress she had asked the maid to wash and iron. However, she found Irene ironing her dress. The iron was emitting steam, and there was a burning smell. Next to her, Damien was busy playing with Violette's broken jewelry set on the floor.

"Irene, what are you doing?!" Violette rushed to save her dress and pushed Irene aside.

The dress was beyond saving. There were burn marks and a gaping hole in the middle of the dress.

"Oops, sorry Violette... I accidentally burned your dress. You're not going to blame me, right?" Irene said with a cynical smile on her lips, not attempting to hide that it was intentional.