I never expected the night to end like this. One minute the garden was full of laughter and music, the next it was Beatrix’s scream cutting through the air.

People rushed toward the lakeshore as she flailed in the dark water. Walter didn’t hesitate—he ripped off his suit and plunged into the lake like some hero in a story. He held her tight, his arms around her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding. By the time he dragged her out onto the damp bank, Beatrix was trembling in his arms, water streaming from her gown. She looked like a doll, so pitiful, and her eyes wide with tears.

“W-walter…” her voice shook. “Why did she do that to me? If I upset you, Rosine, you could’ve just said something. You… you know I’m terrified of water because of those kidnappers who once left me drowning in a pool for fun. Why did you push me?”

The crowd gasped. My lips parted to defend myself, but before I could speak, my father’s sharp voice tore through the night.

“Rosine! How dare you lay a hand on your sister?”

He shoved me hard. My heels slipped against the slick grass at the edge of the lake, and the next thing I knew, the freezing black water swallowed me whole.

I can’t swim.

The cold was merciless, clawing at my chest, dragging me down into the heavy dark. I kicked and thrashed, but the lake pulled me deeper, panic ripping through me. Above, voices blurred together… gasps, whispers, maybe even laughter.

I forced myself upward, coughing as I broke the surface, choking on water. My eyes burned, my chest screamed for air.

And through the blur, I saw her. My father and mother, standing on the bank with their arms folded, glaring at me like I was filth.

“Stop the act, Rosine,” his voice was hard as stone. “You’ve always been a curse on this family. Letting Beatrix be kidnapped wasn’t enough? Now you try to drown her too? We should’ve left you the day you were born.”

The words hit harder than the freezing water.

My gaze darted back to Walter. Surely… surely he wouldn’t just let me die. He knew I couldn’t swim. He might not love me, but I wanted to believe he wasn’t heartless.

But then he opened his mouth.

“Do you even know Beatrix is pregnant?” His voice dripped with anger. “You could’ve killed her and my child. How could you?”

I shook my head frantically, trying to speak, but the lake stole my words. My body shook from the cold, my lungs screamed for air.

Walter’s jaw tightened. “Stay in there tonight. Maybe then you’ll realize what you’ve done.”

And just like that, he carried Beatrix away, her wet hair plastered to his shoulder. She clung to him like she belonged there, casting me one last look of triumph.

The guests drifted off. My parents left without a backward glance. Soon the garden was empty, the night air heavy with silence, broken only by the slow lapping of the lake against the shore.

I kicked weakly, but my arms felt like lead. The water was too heavy, too cold. My body wanted to give up until the darkness crept closer, slow and steady.

And then, suddenly, a splash. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me up through the black water.

Who was it? Who saved me?

***

When I finally opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the ceiling of a private hospital room. Everything felt heavy, like my body was made of stone. Even breathing hurts.

I turned my head slowly and froze when I saw Walter sitting right there beside me. His hair was a mess, shirt wrinkled, like he hadn’t slept at all.

The second our eyes met, his whole face brightened like he was the most devoted husband alive.

“Rosine, thank God you’re awake,” he said quickly, squeezing my hand. “I’m so sorry I left you last night. I didn’t want to, you know that. But Beatrix wasn’t feeling well and Cali was out of town. I had no choice but to rush her to the hospital. She’s carrying our future heir, sweetheart. I couldn’t risk anything happening to her baby.”

He sighed, lowering his voice like he was being kind. “You understand, don’t you? The family would blame you if something happened to that child. Even your parents wouldn’t forgive you. I did it to protect you too.”

His eyes softened, almost pleading, like he wanted me to nod and accept it all.

I just stared at him. My chest hurt, but I forced myself to keep quiet. I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of my tears anymore.

For a second, his smile faltered. Then he tried again, brushing his thumb over my hand. “Please don’t stay upset with me. You’re my wife. I care about you. I really do.”

I didn’t answer. I just turned my head toward the window, watching the sky, letting the silence swallow us both.

That night, my hospital room was too quiet. I sat on the bed, staring at the photo Beatrix had just sent me. My hands were shaking as I opened it.

It was Walter. He was leaning over her hospital bed, pen in hand, looking so tender and serious, like he was writing something that mattered. The caption under it burned into me:

“Your husband is the sweetest. He wrote me hundreds of love letters and stayed up all night for me. The maids said he only left when they told him you were finally waking up.”

My chest hurt so much I thought I couldn’t breathe. Before I could even put the phone down, another message arrived.

“Rosine, you will never beat me. Do yourself a favor and give up already.”

I bit my lip until I tasted blood. I wanted to reply, but my fingers froze. Before I could type a word, my hospital door opened.

A tall man in a sharp black suit walked in. He didn’t even look at me. He looked straight at Walter, who was standing by the window like he owned the whole world.

“Mr. Rutherford,” the man said politely. “Everything is ready. The press conference is set. Rutherford Crown Holdings will be transferred to Miss Beatrix tonight.”

My whole body went cold. I turned to Walter slowly, praying I had heard wrong.

But Walter smiled, calm and satisfied, like it was all part of a plan. “Good,” he said smoothly. “If my wife asks about this, just tell her the company went bankrupt. She does not need to know the details.”

Then he finally turned to me. His face softened instantly, his voice sickly sweet. He came close, and touched my hand lightly. “Baby, I just got news. The company is in trouble. I have to go fix it right away. Wait here for me, alright? Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of everything.”

If I hadn’t regained my hearing, I would have believed him. He looked so convincing, like a loving husband under pressure. But I had heard it all. I know the truth now.

I only nodded, too tired to argue, and watched him leave without looking back. The door clicked shut. The silence after was heavier than anything I had ever felt.

I stared at the empty space where he had stood, my hands curling into fists. That was the moment I understood. There was no love left. No trust. Nothing to save.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the divorce papers I had been keeping for weeks. They were folded and worn, but still there, still waiting. I placed them on the table beside me, neat and ready.

Then I picked up my phone. I deleted everything. Walter. Beatrix. Even my parents. Each name disappeared one by one, like cutting strings that had been choking me.

For the first time in years, I felt a little lighter.

***

The press conference looked like a celebration instead of a business meeting. Reporters filled the hall, cameras flashing everywhere while Walter stood on stage with Beatrix right beside him. His smile was wide, proud, almost too perfect.

I was standing at the far end of the hall, half-hidden behind the crowd. Mask on. My eyes stayed on them even when it hurt, even when Alyssa clung to Dillon like she belonged there. I told myself not to care anymore, but my heart still betrayed me.

“This is the start of something bigger for our family,” he said into the microphone.

Everyone clapped. The applause went on and on, like the whole world was cheering for him. My parents were even in the front row, smiling and clapping so hard as if Beatrix’s victory was theirs too.

When it was over, Walter came down from the stage and immediately offered to drive Beatrix home himself. She held onto his arm, glowing like a bride on her wedding day. The sight should have broken me, but I just stood still, too numb to feel anything.

They were almost out the door when someone blocked their way. Aaron. His eyes flicked from Walter to Beatrix, then back.

“Been a while, Walter,” Aaron said with a half-smile. “Taking your sister-in-law out again? Strange you didn’t invite your wife. I was curious to ask her… about her ears. I wanted to see if she’s still struggling to hear.”

The words cut through the room sharper than any blade. Walter’s whole body stiffened. The smile slipped off his face, replaced by something darker.

“What are you talking about?” Walter’s voice was quiet but tense, like he already knew the answer. His eyes darted around nervously. “Rosine… she can hear?”

Aaron looked confused. “Yes. Didn’t she tell you? Her hearing came back yesterday and she was excited to tell you about it.”

That was it. That was the moment.

I turned slowly, not wanting anyone to see the tears already filling my eyes. My hand clutched my bag tighter, fingers brushing against the edge of my passport inside. It felt like the only thing I had left—my escape, my proof I could still leave this cage.

I walked out without looking back. My footsteps were shaky, but they carried me all the way to the airport. My tears kept falling, no matter how much I tried to hold them back.

At the counter, when I finally booked the flight, my voice cracked. “One ticket, please. First available. Paris.”

I pressed my passport into the clerk’s hands, clutching the strap of my bag so tightly it almost hurt.

And in my heart, I whispered the words that burned inside me.

“You will regret everything, Walter.”

WALTER'S POV

Aaron’s words kept echoing in my head, but I forced myself to laugh it off. “Rosine’s hearing back? Impossible,” I muttered under my breath as I guided Beatrix into the car. “If she could hear, she would’ve told me. She’s too obedient to hide something like that.”

Beatrix shifted closer, her perfume thick and sweet, filling the car. She leaned her head against my shoulder with a sigh. “Walter, only you make me feel safe.”

I glanced at her, my chest swelling with pride. Finally, finally she was mine again. “And you’ll stay safe with me. Everything I own, everything I built, soon it will all be yours.”

She smiled faintly, her fingers tracing patterns along my arm. “By the way, my divorce with Colt was already finalized.”

For a second I froze, then I broke into a grin. “Are you serious? Beatrix, that’s the best news I’ve heard all year. Congratulations, love.” I reached over, touching her stomach gently, reverently.

Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “You’re too excited. I’m just four weeks pregnant.”

I chuckled, still staring at her belly as if it was the crown of my empire. “I don’t care if it’s four weeks or four days. That child is ours. Rosine doesn’t matter. Why would she be mad? She’ll never know we have a baby. She’s deaf, and besides… I’ve only ever loved you. If only you never chose Colt, we would’ve been married long ago.”

Her eyes softened as she looked at me. She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. That small touch nearly undid me. I would give her the world. I already was.

After I dropped her at the Charles estate, I drove back to my villa, the night colder without her in the seat beside me. By the time I stepped inside, I was already impatient.

“Rosine!” I called out, loosening my tie. “Make me coffee. The strong one. Don’t water it down tonight.”

I sank onto the couch, waiting. Minutes passed. Finally the maid appeared with a tray. I picked up the cup, took a sip, and spat it back into the saucer with a curse.

“This isn’t Rosine’s coffee,” I snapped, slamming the cup down. “Do it again. And tell her to do it properly this time.”

The maid hesitated, her hands shaking. “Sir… Madam already left. She told me to give you this.”

She held out an envelope. My brows furrowed as I snatched it from her. The second I saw what was inside, the blood drained from my face.

Divorce papers. Signed.

For a long moment I just stared, unable to process it. My chest tightened, rage rising sharp and hot. “She wouldn’t dare,” I whispered, my hands trembling as I crumpled the paper in my fist. “She wouldn’t dare leave me.”

But the signature was real. The empty villa around me was real.

And for the first time in years, I felt something I never thought I would. Not control. Not pride. Fear.

Her number would not ring. No matter how many times I hit redial, it was like she had vanished from the world. Disconnected, blocked, wiped. I threw my phone on the desk, chest burning.

“She’s bluffing,” I muttered, and throw the damn paper, “She’ll crawl back! She loves me. She can’t live without me.”

But the silence after my own words mocked me. The room felt too big, too empty. My phone kept buzzing, and it wasn’t her. It was Beatrix. Again. Her name lit up the screen over and over until I wanted to smash it.

When I finally picked up, her voice came through sweet but demanding. “Walter, why didn’t you answer? I can’t sleep without hearing you.”

I rubbed my temple. “I’m busy, Beatrix. Don’t call me ten times in one hour. I’m not a damn teenager with free time.”

She pouted through the line, I could hear it. “You always sound annoyed. I just need you. You promised me everything.”

I forced my voice lower, softer, because I knew if I pushed too hard, she’d sulk again. “I’ll give you everything. Just don’t smother me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The moment I ended the call, I felt no relief. Instead, irritation lingered. Her voice grated in my head. Always wanting, always pulling. And in that second, I thought of Rosine. Quiet. Obedient. Never asking for anything. She endured without a word, without a fight. And that thought unsettled me.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, sat in the dark, staring at Beatrix’s framed photo on my desk. She was smiling in that picture, the one I loved before. I should’ve felt warmth. Pride. But staring at it now, all I felt was emptiness pressing down on me.

I shut my eyes and for no reason at all, Rosine’s face came back. Her soft laugh, the one she made when she still thought I cared. That sound, fragile, blind trust wrapped around it. Something twisted in my chest before I shoved it down with another drink.

By dawn, my shirt was unbuttoned, tie loose, and I was drowning in whiskey. I slammed the glass down and muttered, “She’s at her parents’ house. She has to be.”

But then Aaron’s words cut through the fog in my skull.

Rosine can hear now.

My heart pounded so loud I thought I was losing it. I grabbed my phone, called Aaron. He picked up groggy, annoyed, but I didn’t care.

“Send me the CCTV footage of the day Rosine visited you. Now.”

He sighed like he wanted to argue, but I growled low, “Do not test me, Aaron. Send it.”

A minute later, the file arrived. I opened it, hands shaking even though I tried to steady them.

There she was. My wife. Sitting across from him. Her lips moving. Talking. Laughing lightly.

She was speaking. She wasn’t deaf anymore.

And she never told me.

My chest locked up. I leaned back in my chair, eyes glued to the screen. All those years I thought she depended on me, helpless without me…

For the first time in my life, I couldn’t tell if I was more furious… or terrified.

Fuck!