That night, back in our bedroom, the air was thick with unspoken tension.

Xander was pacing. He had finally checked his phone, and whatever Ria had sent him had clearly put him in a foul mood. But he couldn’t show it. Not to me. Not tonight.

He needed me to be pliable. He needed me pregnant.

He walked over to where I was sitting at the vanity, brushing my hair.

“Lyanna,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. He placed his hands on my shoulders. He leaned down, kissing the curve of my neck.

“I really am sorry about today,” he whispered. “Let me make it up to you. Let’s… let’s start trying. Right now.”

His hands slid down my arms. My skin crawled.

I stood up abruptly, breaking his hold.

“I’m tired, Xander,” I said, walking toward the bed and pulling the duvet up to my chin. “The doctor said I need rest. The dengue… I’m still weak.”

Xander’s jaw tightened. I saw the flash of anger in his eyes—the annoyance of a man denied what he felt he was owed.

“Fine,” he snapped.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

“Well, okay. I will wait. You rest.”

He grabbed his phone from the nightstand.

“I’m going to the study. I have some… emails to catch up on.”

“Okay,” I murmured, closing my eyes.

I waited until I heard the door click shut. I waited until I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway. I knew he wasn’t going to the study. He was going to call her. Or worse, he was going to leave to see her.

I opened my eyes.

I reached for the burner phone I had hidden inside my pillowcase.

I dialed a number I had saved years ago, just in case.

“Hello?” A deep, gravelly voice answered.

“It’s Lyanna,” I whispered. “I need a favor. A big one.”

It was the family’s head butler. The man who had raised me more than my own parents had. The man who saw everything.

“Anything, Miss Lyanna.”

“Follow him,” I said, my voice turning to steel. “He’s leaving the house. I want you to follow him. Record everything. Take photos. Audio. Video. I want to know where he goes, who he sees, and what he says.”

“Consider it done.”

I hung up.

I lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

I wasn’t just leaving him.

I was going to ruin him.

The next morning, the sun streamed through the sheer curtains, mocking the gloom in my heart. Xander was gone. His side of the bed was cold, the sheets barely disturbed. He hadn’t come back to sleep.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my burner phone pressed to my ear.

“I want it done quietly,” I said, my voice low. “Discreetly. I don’t want a single whisper of this to reach the press or the family until I am gone.”

On the other end of the line was Arthur, the family lawyer. He had served the Millers and the Vancouvers for forty years. He knew where all the bodies were buried.

“Lyanna,” Arthur sighed, the sound crackling with static. “Are you absolutely sure about this? A divorce? It’s… extreme. I’m pretty sure your grandfather and his grandfather will not agree. You know the merger depends on this union. You’ve always been the power couple.”

Power couple.

The phrase tasted like ash in my mouth.

My mind drifted back.

I was twelve years old. Standing in the grand library, my patent leather shoes pinching my toes.

“This is Xander,” my grandfather had said, pushing me toward a boy with messy hair and an arrogant smirk. “He is going to be your husband one day.”

I had hated him instantly. He had pulled my pigtails and called me a doll.

I didn’t want him. I wanted… someone else.

I remembered a boy with gentle eyes and calloused hands. A boy who taught me how to skip stones on the lake. A boy I had to reject because my grandfather said he wasn’t “suitable.” He wasn’t an heir. He was nothing.

I had cried for weeks. But eventually, I had dried my tears. I had looked at Xander, the playboy prince, and thought, I can fix him. I can make this work.

I thought I could tame the storm.

I was so stupid.

“Lyanna?” Arthur’s voice snapped me back to the present. “Are you still there?”

“I’m here,” I said. The memory faded, replaced by the cold, hard reality of my empty bedroom. “And I don’t care about the merger, Arthur. I don’t care about the grandfathers. I regret ever listening to them.”

I took a deep breath.

“Process it. I just sent you the proof of the affair. The photos. The audio recordings from last night. It’s all there. That should make the infidelity clause in the prenup enforceable. Everything is void.”

There was a long silence on the other end. The sound of a man realizing the empire was about to crumble.

“I see,” Arthur said finally, his tone professional. “If the evidence is as substantial as you say… then yes. We can proceed.”

“Good,” I said. “Send the papers to me in four days. Not a day sooner. Not a day later.”

“Understood.”

I hung up.

My hands were trembling. Not from fear, but from adrenaline. It was happening. The wheels were in motion.

I looked at the phone in my hand. There was one more call to make.

One number I had never deleted. One number I had memorized by heart, even though I hadn’t dialed it in ten years.

My thumb hovered over the keypad.

If I did this, there was really no turning back. If I did this, I was burning the bridge and the entire kingdom along with it.

I pressed call.

It rang once. Twice.

“Hello?”

The voice was deeper than I remembered. rougher. But it still had that same gentle cadence that used to calm my storms.

“Van?” I whispered.

Silence.

“Lyanna?” he breathed. Disbelief colored his tone. “Is that… is that you?”

Tears pricked my eyes. Just hearing his voice broke something inside me that I didn’t know was still holding on.

“It’s me,” I said, my voice cracking.

“Are you okay? Why are you calling? Is everything—”

“Do you still love me?” I interrupted.

The question hung in the air, heavy and desperate.

Whatever he was doing on the other side of the world, whatever life he had built, I needed to know. I needed to know if the boy who skipped stones still existed.

There was a pause. A pause that lasted an eternity.

“You know I do,” Van said softly. “I never stopped. Not for a single day.”

A sob escaped my throat.

“Then…” I took a shaky breath, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “Can you pick me up? In five days? And… marry me?”

The next morning, I walked into the Miller Corporation headquarters dressed not as a patient, but as a queen.

I wore a tailored white suit that cost more than Ria’s annual salary. My hair was blown out to perfection, my makeup flawless, hiding the dark circles and the hollowness in my cheeks. I was the picture of the doting, supportive wife. The perfect Mrs. Miller.

“Good morning, Mrs. Lyanna,” the receptionist chirped, eyes widening as I swept past.

“Good morning,” I smiled, sweet and vacant.

I went straight to the boardroom. As a majority shareholder, I had my own office, though I rarely used it. Today, however, I had work to do.

I summoned Ria within minutes of arriving.

She walked in, looking wary. She was wearing a tight pencil skirt that left little to the imagination, clearly dressed for Xander’s eyes, not for work.

“You called, Mrs. Lyanna?” she asked, her tone bordering on insolent.

“Yes, Ria,” I said, not looking up from the documents I was pretending to read. “I need coffee. A specific blend. From the café on 5th and Main.”

Ria blinked. “5th and Main? That’s… that’s a mile away. We have a machine right here.”

“I don’t drink machine coffee,” I said, finally looking at her. I smiled. “And since you’re the most reliable secretary, surely a coffee run isn’t too much to ask? Or should I ask Xander if his secretary is incapable of simple tasks?”

Her jaw tightened. She knew she couldn’t say no. Not when I was playing the role of the demanding shareholder.

“Of course not,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’ll go.”

That was just the beginning.

When she returned, sweating slightly, I took one sip and frowned.

“It’s cold,” I said, pushing the cup away. “Go get another one. And this time, run.”

For the next three hours, I ran her ragged.

I made her reorganize the filing cabinet by color, then by date, then back by color because I “changed my mind.” I sent her to buy a specific type of pen that I knew was out of stock at the nearest supply store. I made her stand by the photocopier for forty-five minutes copying blank pages just to “test the toner levels.”

By noon, her hair was frizzy, her makeup was smudged, and the veneer of the composed seductress was cracking.

She came into my office with the third cup of coffee, her hands shaking with rage.

“Here,” she slammed the cup down on my desk. Coffee sloshed over the rim, staining the pristine white wood.

“Oops,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I looked at the stain. Then I looked at her.

“You dare do that?” I asked quietly. “You know you are just a secretary, right?”

“A secretary that you can’t fire,” she spat. She leaned over the desk, her eyes wild. “You think you’re so high and mighty, Lyanna? You know, you’re just a decorative wife. A trophy. As for me? I have a use. Xander needs me. The company needs me.”

She straightened up, crossing her arms.

“And honestly,” she sneered, “I am the kind of person that won’t steal someone. But if that someone tries to get me… if that someone cares for me… then I’ll return the favor.”

I stood up. I walked around the desk slowly. Ria didn’t move. She held her ground, thinking she was untouchable.

The sound of my hand connecting with her cheek echoed through the room.

Ria stumbled back, her hand flying to her face, eyes wide with shock.

“I don’t care if you can seduce my husband,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “Or what lies you tell yourself to sleep at night. Just remember—I am the wife. And you? You’re just nothing. A trash.”

I didn’t wait for her response. I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving her stunned and red-faced in my office.

Later on, as I was about to go home, I heard voices toward the emergency exit stairwell.

“She hurt me! She humiliated me in front of everyone!”

It was Ria. I stopped, pressing myself against the wall next to the door.

“I don’t want this anymore, Xander!” she wailed. “I can’t take it! I don’t want to be your mistress! Either you make me your legal wife, or you will never see your child again! Because I am pregnant!”

My breath hitched. The word hung in the dusty air of the stairwell.

“Calm down, will you?” Xander’s voice was hushed, frantic. “Please, Ria. You know we can’t just… be like this right now. Not here.”

“Then when?!” she screamed. “When will you get rid of her?”

“Just wait for the merger,” Xander pleaded. “Two days. That’s all I need. Once the papers are signed, once the investors are locked in… then we will kill her.”

My blood turned to ice.

“We’ll make it look like an accident,” Xander continued, his voice soothing now, terrifyingly calm. “A relapse of the dengue. Or a car crash. I don’t care. But we need her shares for the merger. Once that’s done, she’s gone. And we can be a family. You, me, and the baby.”

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle the laugh that was bubbling up in my throat.

They wanted to kill me? It was almost funny. It was pathetic.

I composed myself. I smoothed my skirt.

So, I thought. You want to play that game?

I pushed the door open. Both of them jumped apart. Ria was wiping her eyes, Xander looked like he had seen a ghost.

“Oh,” I said, feigning surprise. “Here you are. I was looking for you, Xander.”

I looked at Ria, then at him. I let my gaze linger on her tear-streaked face.

“Is everything okay?” I asked innocently. “Ria looks upset. Did I… push her too hard today?”

Xander swallowed hard. He looked at Ria, his eyes pleading with her to keep it together.

“No,” Xander said quickly. “No, everything is fine. Ria was just… feeling unwell. Hormones, maybe.”

He laughed nervously.

“Actually, Lyanna,” he said, stepping toward me. “Ria wanted to apologize. For the coffee. For everything.”

He turned to Ria, his eyes hardening.

“Right, Ria?”

It was a command. Say sorry for now. Otherwise, she might tell Grandpa and it’s chaos again.

Ria glared at me. The hatred in her eyes was palpable. But she looked at Xander, at the desperation in his face, and she swallowed her pride.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered, looking at the floor. “It won’t happen again. I know… I know you’re the wife.”

“Good,” I said simply.

I didn’t accept it. I didn’t say it was okay. I just acknowledged it.

Xander let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for an hour. He walked over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“See?” he said, smiling that fake, charming smile. “We’re all good. Actually, honey, I was thinking…”

He looked down at me, his eyes searching mine.

“How about we go on a trip? A honeymoon? After the merger? Just the two of us. To try for a baby?”

I looked at him.

“Sure,” I said softly. “That sounds lovely.”

He kissed my forehead.

I closed my eyes, counting down the seconds he’d begged on bended knees because I was gone.

The morning of the merger arrived with a gray, overcast sky. It was perfect.

I lay in bed, the blankets pulled up to my chin, shivering theatrically.

“Lyanna, get up,” Xander said, his voice tight with impatience. He was already dressed in his finest navy suit, checking his watch every five seconds. “We have to be there in an hour. The investors are waiting.”

“I… I can’t,” I moaned, clutching my stomach. “I feel terrible, Xander. I think the dengue… maybe a relapse. I’m so dizzy.”

Xander threw his hands up.

“Are you kidding me? Today? Of all days, you get sick today?”

He paced the room, running a hand through his gelled hair.

“Why won’t you just get it together? This is the biggest day of my life! Of our lives! And you’re lying here—”

The door creaked open.

“Is everything alright in here?”

Jonathan stood in the doorway, leaning on his cane, his sharp eyes assessing the scene.

Xander’s demeanor flipped like a switch. The anger vanished, replaced instantly by concern. He rushed to the bedside, sitting down and stroking my hair.

“Grandpa,” he said, his voice dripping with worry. “Lyanna isn’t feeling well. I’m so worried about her. She says she’s dizzy.”

“I’m so sorry, Grandpa,” I whispered, making my voice weak. “I really wanted to go.”

Jonathan frowned, walking over to the bed. He placed a hand on my forehead.

“She’s burning up,” he muttered. He looked at Xander sternly. “She stays here. Health comes first. You can handle the signing alone, can’t you?”

“I… well, her signature is required for the final transfer of shares,” Xander said, panic flashing in his eyes. “But… maybe we can bring the papers here later?”

“No, we can’t. They want to have it in the office, so we need to postpone it. I will just talk to them,” Jonathan said. “Take care of your wife, boy. Get her some food.”

“Yes, of course.”

Xander ran downstairs. Ten minutes later, he returned with a tray.

“Here,” he said, forcing a smile. “I brought you some soup. It’s your favorite. Shrimp bisque.”

I stared at the bowl. The pink, creamy liquid swirled ominously.

“Shrimp,” I said flatly.

“Yes, you love it,” he said, bringing a spoon to my lips. “Eat up. You need your strength.”

I pushed the spoon away.

“I’m allergic to shrimp, Xander.”

He froze. The spoon hovered in mid-air.

“What? No, you’re not. You order it all the time.”

“That’s Ria,” I said quietly. “Ria loves shrimp. I went into anaphylactic shock the last time, and you left me, remember?”

Silence stretched between us. He looked at the soup, then at me, realization dawning on his face. He didn’t even know what could kill me.

“Do you really love me?” I asked.

I looked him dead in the eye. I wanted to see it. I wanted to see the lie one last time.

“Of course,” he said quickly, putting the bowl down on the nightstand with a clatter. “Of course I do. I just… I’m stressed. I forgot. I’m sorry.”

I smiled. It was a sad, final smile.

“Well, yeah. Good to know.”

He checked his watch again. He was vibrating with anxiety.

“Look, I… I can’t stay,” he said, standing up. “I need to do something business… related. Before the merger meeting. Some last-minute details.”

“Business,” I repeated.

“Yes. But tomorrow… or later today… you need to meet them and get those papers signed. Got it?” He pointed a finger at me, his mask slipping. “You need to be ready.”

“I will be,” I nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“Fine.”

He grabbed his jacket and stormed out.

The moment the front door slammed, I sat up. The sickness vanished.

My burner phone buzzed. It was the butler.

“He picked her up, Miss Lyanna,” the gravelly voice said. “They are at the OB-GYN clinic on 4th Street. He’s holding her hand.”

“Okay,” I said. “Thank you.”

Another buzz. A text from Van: Everything is ready. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Tomorrow. Yes. I closed my eyes and took a rest. Xander didn’t even bother coming back, just texted me to come to the merger tomorrow. When I asked my butler, he told me Xander was buying baby clothes for his child with Ria. They didn’t even know the gender yet.

It was to my advantage because I easily left the house.

The next day, I was standing on the deck of a private yacht, the wind whipping my hair across my face. The coastline was fading into the distance.

I was heading to a private island in the Maldives. Van was waiting there.

My phone rang.

I looked at the screen. Hubby.

I answered.

“Where are you?!” Xander’s voice was frantic. I could hear the murmur of a crowd in the background. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago.The investors will come in an hour. You already postponed yesterday and you promised today!”

I leaned against the railing, watching the white foam of the waves.

“I’m sorry, Xander,” I said, my voice light and breezy. “I can’t make it. I’m feeling really… detached.”

“Detached? What the hell does that mean? Get in the car! I’ll send a driver!”

“No need,” I said. “But if you want… how about you come home now? And get the signed papers there?”

“Home?” He sounded confused. “You signed them?”

“Yes,” I lied. “Your grandpa sent the papers and said I can just sign it without coming. They’re on the vanity. Along with a surprise gift for the merger and advance anniversary. Why don’t you go get them? And then… maybe we can go on our honeymoon after?”

“Oh! Oh, sure! Sure, honey! Great. I’m leaving now! I’ll be there in twenty minutes! You’re the best, Lyanna! I knew I could count on you!”

“I’ll be waiting,” I said. “Bring me a strawberry cake, please.”

“Okay, bye! Love you!”

“Sure,” I said. “Bye… forever.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear.

I looked at it one last time.

Then, I wound up my arm and threw it as hard as I could.

It spun through the air, glinting in the sunlight, before splashing silently into the deep blue sea.