“Callista, are you closing your bank account?” Alexander asked, confused.

Her heart jumped to her throat, but just as quickly, she forced it down.

“Spam message,” she said coolly. “Don’t worry. I’ve signed the papers. I won’t bother you two again.”

She turned and walked away without looking back.

For some reason, her final words unsettled him. Alexander had only asked her to stop coming to the office, so why did it feel like she was saying goodbye to more than just the company?

Why did she sounded so serious?

***

Once Callista got home, she began packing right away.

Her professor had just called to say her senior research fellow was on the way to pick her up. She needed to be ready to leave at any time.

She’d never owned much to begin with. Everything expensive in the house had been gifts from Alexander. So, she left them behind without a second thought.

She packed only the essentials: her ID, a few changes of clothes and a single suitcase.

As she stepped outside the estate, suitcase rolling behind her, Dimitri appeared, limping toward her on a cane—and without saying a word, he slapped her across the face.

“Did you leak the photos of Vanessa and Alexander online?” he snapped, his voice shaking with anger.

Callista stood stunned. Her brother had always been gentle with her. This was only the second time in her life he’d ever hit her and both times had been because of Vanessa.

She couldn’t understand it. What was it about Vanessa that turned the two men she loved most into people she didn’t recognize?

“Now the whole internet is flooded with private videos of them. Her reputation’s ruined. Is that what you wanted?” he shouted.

Callista’s eyes were bloodshot. She clenched her fists, her voice trembling but steady. “I didn’t post them. If there are intimate videos floating around, the only people who had access to them are the ones who made them.”

Alexander cared too much about appearances to ever release anything like that. Which meant the only other possible source was Vanessa.

But Dimitri didn’t believe her. His voice turned colder. “Don’t lie to me. I looked into it before I came. Vanessa was assaulted at work today. She got slapped. You were banned from the company. You had motive. You wanted revenge.”

“Vanessa has never treated anyone unkindly except you. You’re the only one who keeps trying to destroy her.”

Whatever explanations Callista had prepared fell apart in her throat. He’d already made up his mind. No matter what she said, it would only sound like an excuse to him.

She looked up at her brother with tired eyes. “So what now? What do you plan to do, Brother?”

For a split second, the sight of tears in her eyes made Dimitri falter.

But then he steeled himself. She’s not the same Callista anymore, he told himself. She’s turning vicious. She needs to learn a lesson.

“I uploaded the private videos of you and Alexander. That seemed fair,” he said flatly.

Callista’s breath caught. She stared at him in shock. The brother who used to protect her no matter what was gone. All that remained was a stranger who now hurt her for the sake of the woman who’d ruined their family.

She went pale. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, broken, “I should’ve let Alexander kill you that night.”

Dimitri flinched, just for a moment. Then several of Alexander’s security guards rushed out of the villa and grabbed her.

They dragged her back into the house and locked her in the basement.

The bodyguard said this was Alexander's order and asked her to reflect.

***

The basement was cold, damp and dark. Rats scurried in the corners. Then they turned off the lights.

Callista screamed. “Let me out! Please, let me out!”

She had claustrophobia. It was something that had started after her parents died suddenly years ago. During the first year of their marriage, Alexander had installed soft lights in every room of the house so she’d never be in complete darkness.

He knew. He had known exactly what this would do to her. All this was for Vanessa.

Callista screamed until her voice gave out. No one came. Eventually, her tears dried. She curled up in the corner, clutching her arms around herself like a shield.

Hours passed. Then, without warning, her stomach started to cramp. unfotunately, she had no strength left to cry out. She collapsed onto the cold floor.

From the crack beneath the basement door, she saw a sliver of light.

Callista didn’t know if she’d live to see the morning sun.

She had no idea how much time had passed when the basement door finally creaked open. The guards came in and unlocked her chains.

“Madam, you’re free to go,” one of them said. “Mr. Throne said this was just a lesson. He hopes you’ll behave yourself from now on and stop causing trouble for Miss Delacroix.”

Callista slumped against the nearest sofa, laughing and crying at the same time.

Alexander hadn’t even come to ask her side of the story. He’d simply declared her guilty.

None of that matter though. She reminded herself that it was almost over. She’d be gone soon. She would never have to see him again.

Steadying herself against the armrest, she stood slowly. And just as she turned to grab her suitcase, she saw Vanessa walking in.

Polished. Perfect. Not a hair out of place. The contrast between them was stark contrast to Callista's disheveled and pale appearance.

“I told you before, I’ve never been interested in being the other woman. I’m only here for one thing: to be Mrs. Throne.” She only ever let her mask slip when no one else was around.

Yet, Callista didn’t care anymore. If Vanessa wanted the title so badly, she could have it.

Callista turned to leave, but then her gaze locked onto the necklace around Vanessa’s neck.

A simple good luck charm: an obsidian stone necklace her father had given her. She had passed it to Alexander during their first year of marriage, when he kept falling sick.

No. Anyone could’ve ended up with it, but not her!

Callista’s voice went cold. “Give me that necklace. It’s mine!”

She reached for it, but before she could grab it, Vanessa pulled back—and immediately turned toward the sound of footsteps behind them.

“Mr. Throne,” Vanessa called out, just as Alexander approached. “Your wife attacked me again. She already spread those videos earlier today and now she’s trying to steal my things.”

“If I’m really not welcome here, then maybe I should just leave.” She turned, ready to walk away.

Alexander rushed forward and grabbed her wrist, stopping her. He then turned and struck Callista's face.

“Enough! Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” He’d assumed she’d calmed down by now, learned her lesson. But clearly, she hadn’t.

Callista slowly raised her head, laughing bitterly. Then, without hesitation, she slapped Vanessa hard across the face.

Her voice was clear and firm. “Now that’s what it looks like when I actually fight back.”

If Alexander had already made up his mind that she was the villain, then fine, she’d play the part.

Stunned, Alexander grabbed her by the throat. The woman in front of him didn’t resemble the gentle, soft-spoken Callista he used to know.

Vanessa gasped beside him, pressing her hand to her cheek. “Mr. Throne… I think she scratched me. Please, take me to the hospital.”

A faint red line had appeared on Vanessa’s skin, Callista’s nail had barely grazed her.

Still, Alexander looked panicked. He shoved Callista aside and scooped Vanessa into his arms, carrying her out without another word.

Callista hit the floor hard. Her abdomen slammed against the sharp corner of the table and a sharp, searing pain tore through her stomach.

She doubled over, breathless, as something warm and red began to spread beneath her.

At the hospital, the doctors said it was likely a threatened miscarriage.

The physician standing across from her was her own brother, Dimitri.

Callista bit down on her lip, fighting through wave after wave of stabbing pain, tears slipping down her face as she pleaded with him, “Dimitri… please, save my baby.”

Dimitri held her trembling hand and nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Just as he was about to begin the procedure, a nurse came in and called him out of the emergency room.

Before leaving, he turned back to her and said, “Calli… Alexander just brought Vanessa in. He says she might be permanently disfigured. He told me you did it.”

“You made this mess. Now you need to live with the consequences.” He didn’t wait for her to respond. He left, taking the surgical team with him.

Alone on the operating table, Callista lay there in silence, tears falling without sound. Her heart didn’t even ache anymore.

Everyone kept telling her she owed Vanessa something, but no one could explain what.

Maybe this was for the best. The divorce was final. This child didn’t deserve to be born into this life anyway.

When Callista woke up again, a nurse was by her side. She gently told her that her baby was gone.

Callista nodded without emotion.

Dimitri came in shortly after. Seeing the once-vibrant sister he used to protect looking so hollow and frail made his chest tighten.

“Calli, the baby’s gone. I’m sorry.”

“But I have a favor to ask. Don’t tell Alexander you lost the baby. Vanessa would blame herself and I don’t want that for her.”

“It was just a child. You can always have another.”

She had already given up on him, but hearing those words still stung more than she expected.

That was the last straw. As far as she was concerned, from this moment on, her brother no longer existed.

Her voice was hoarse, her eyes shut. “Get out.”

Dimitri obeyed and left without another word.

Callista stayed in the hospital for two more days. She was supposed to remain for three, but she couldn’t wait any longer. Her professor had told her that her senior colleague had arrived and was ready to take her away—for good.

Once the discharge papers were signed, she returned to her room to collect her things, only to find Alexander and Vanessa waiting inside.

It had only been two days, but she already looked noticeably thinner, her face pale and jaw more defined.

Alexander frowned, guilt flickering across his face. “I didn’t know you were in the hospital. I’ve been busy. I’m… sorry.”

Callista looked at him, her expression unreadable. “It’s fine.”

She was leaving anyway. Whether he knew or cared didn’t matter anymore.

Her indifference unsettled him more than any outburst ever could.

Then Vanessa stepped forward, holding a container of chicken soup. “Ms. Katsaros… this is for you. It’ll help you recover.”

Callista’s voice remained flat. “No, thank you.”

Vanessa’s eyes reddened at the rejection.

Alexander immediately snapped, his remorse replaced by irritation. “Callista, if you want to take your anger out on me, fine. But don’t go too far.”

Callista paused mid-motion, then let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

She refused a bowl of soup from the woman who’d helped destroy her life—and that was "too far"?

Then what about the pain she’d endured two days ago in the ER? That didn’t matter for him, huh?

So, she said nothing.

Alexander grabbed Vanessa’s hand and stormed out, furious.

***

Three hours later, after packing up her belongings, Callista received a text from her senior colleague:

[I’m in the parking garage. Come down when you’re ready.]

She made her way there. But just as she stepped into the underground garage, someone struck her from behind.

Everything went black.

***

When Callista woke up, she was tied to a post in an abandoned warehouse. Vanessa was right next to her, also restrained.

She soon recognized that their kidnaper was one of Alexander’s longtime enemies.

Soon after, Alexander and Dimitri arrived, but the first words out of their mouths weren’t directed at her.

“Vee! Are you okay?” Alexander rushed forward.

Dimitri echoed, tension in his voice. “Vee, are you hurt?”

A knife pressed to both women’s throats, the kidnapper sneered. “Well, well, Alexander. Two women, both yours. You really don’t disappoint.”

Alexander’s voice was cold. “You asked for seven and a half million crowns. I wired it already. Now let them go.”

The man chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, I’ll release one. But only one. The other comes with me.”

Callista felt all the blood drain from her face.

Before she could speak, Vanessa spoke up, pretending to be noble. “Mr. Throne, you don’t have to save me.”

Alexander didn’t hesitate. “No. I can’t live without you!”

Callista’s heart clenched.

Dimitri stiffened beside him. “Alexander, Save Vee!”

Even after everything, hearing her own brother choose Vanessa over her still made her eyes well with tears.

Dimitri avoided her gaze, his fists clenched tightly. “Vee’s fragile. She can’t handle this kind of fear.”

Then he leaned in closer to Alexander and whispered, “I already called the police. They’re on their way. Just get Vee out first.”

Alexander stared at Callista. His eyes flickered with conflict, but she had already shut hers.

The kidnapper growled, “Tick-tock. You don’t choose, they both die.”

Seconds later, Alexander shouted, “I’ll take Vee!”

Callista’s body went slack, like a balloon losing air.

True to his word, the man released Vanessa. She collapsed into Alexander’s arms, sobbing hysterically. Alexander and Dimitri hovered over her, panicking, trying to comfort her—completely forgetting the woman still tied to the post.

The kidnapper barked, “You got what you came for. Now get out! What? You wanna stick around and watch the show?”

Dimitri tugged on Alexander’s arm. “We need to leave. Now. The cops are close. If he thinks we tipped them off, he might kill her before they get here.”

Vanessa’s expression darkened.

The police?

Now, that wasn’t part of the plan. If they got involved, everything she’d arranged with the kidnapper would unravel.

Alexander hesitated, eyes fixed on Callista, silently pleading with her to understand they wouldn’t abandon her.

But Callista never looked back. She kept her eyes shut—because she couldn’t bear the sight of them anymore.

As they turned to leave, Vanessa "accidentally" knocked over a nearby barrel of ethanol, then slipped a lighter from her pocket and tossed it in behind her.

The warehouse exploded in flames. Metal shards tore through the air. A deafening blast rang out.

Alexander and Dimitri went pale.

They turned to run back inside, but Vanessa threw herself in front of them.

“It’s too late! If you go in there now, you’ll die!”