There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line—followed by a low,steady voice.

"Give me five minutes."

I ended the call,wiped the tears from my cheeks and walked back into the auction room.

Lennon’s face had soured,clearly had not expected my firm resistance.

"Meredith,do you really think a phone call can save you?"he sneered."Tonight,you're destined to become the whole city’s biggest joke."

Laughter flickered around the room.The crowd’s faces glowed with smug delight.

"Look at her face,crying like a baby.The Evans Family can’t even afford a decent dinner,so how could she afford something as extravagant in an auction?You should just accept your fate.”

Even Winona joined in with a condescending smile.

“Why don’t you beg Lennon for forgiveness?Maybe he’ll be kind enough to pretend none of this ever happened.”

I did not answer.I just stood there—silent,composed—waiting for fate to turn.

Exactly five minutes later,the grand doors of the auction hall burst open.

Gasps rippled across the room as a team of men in sleek black suits entered with practiced precision.Their shoes tapped crisply on the marble floor as they made their way toward me.Without hesitation,they bowed.

“Ms.Evans,”one of them said,“our boss sent us to ensure your safety.He also asked me to deliver this message:all his assets have been transferred to your name.You may use them however you wish.”

I gave a small,composed smile and raised my hand slightly toward the auctioneer.“Please verify the funds.”

The auctioneer took my bank card with trembling hands and slid it through the machine.

Moments later,his expression shifted sharply.His expression drained of color and his hands began to shake violently.

“Verification complete…the liquid assets exceed one billion dollars.”

The room gasped as one.Stunned silence engulfed them.

I did not spare Lennon a single glance.I just picked up my bag,turned to the bodyguards and said calmly,“Handle the rest.I’m tired.I’m going home to rest.”

I took a cab straight to the hospital.Today was the day of my abortion.

When I woke up after the procedure,I instinctively placed a hand over my flat stomach and my eyes stung with tears.

Two months ago,when I first found out I was pregnant,I was overjoyed.I thought this child was a blessing from heaven—meant for me and Lennon.

Yet,everything changed when I learned the child was not even his.And he…had never even touched me.

Lying on the hospital bed,I stared blankly at the night sky through the window.The anesthesia was wearing off,leaving a dull ache in my lower belly.Yet,it was not nearly as hollow as the ache in my heart.

The door creaked open.I turned my head slowly.Lucan Shepherd,Lennon’s older brother,stood there.

That was the same man I had called earlier at the auction.

He held a lunch box,still cool from the breeze outside.

“I’m sorry,”he said gently.“I had someone track your location.You didn’t sound right on the phone.I was worried.”

He placed the lunch box on the table beside me.“I had them make chicken soup with red dates.It’s good for your recovery.Drink it while it’s hot.”

I managed a faint smile.“It’s fine.Thank you…really.”

He sat at the edge of the bed,poured the warm soup into the lunch box with practiced ease,then brought a spoonful to my lips after gently blowing on it to cool.

Instinctively,I reached for the spoon,wanting to feed myself,but he pulled it slightly back.

“Don’t.Let me.”

His tone left no room for argument,but his eyes were incredibly gentle.

No one had ever treated me like this before—not even Lennon.

The soup was just the right temperature,so warm and comforting.I sipped it slowly,but soon,without warning,tears welled up in my eyes and fell silently into the bowl.

Lucan set the spoon down and reached out,wiping the tears from my cheeks with soft fingers.

“Why are you crying?”he asked gently.

“Because this isn’t fair for you,”I whispered hoarsely.“You being this kind to me…I don’t deserve it.”

My chest tightened.I took a breath and forced the words out.“I’m sorry.I should tell you the truth.I…I was violated.By random homeless guy.I’m not…clean.”

His expression darkened.His voice dropped to a firm,unshakable tone.“Meredith,do you think that’s something I’d care about?”

He leaned in,cupped my face in both hands and made me look at him gently but firmly.

There was no trace of disgust,only genuine pain and fury.

“I care that you were hurt.I care that Lennon—that bastard—ever let this happen to you.”

My lips trembled.More tears spilled,this time uncontrollably.

And then he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace was warm and strong.For the first time in what felt like forever,I felt safe.

“Whether it’s fair or not,that’s for me to decide,”he murmured,stroking my hair with aching tenderness,“And from now on,Meredith Evans,your tears—if you ever cry again—will only be for me.But I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never have to.”

I rested against him,listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.At that moment,I felt like I could finally breathe again.

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head.

“Sleep,”he whispered.“I’m here.I’m not going anywhere.”

After the auction,Lennon brought Winona back to the villa.

She kicked off her heels with a laugh and tossed her sunglasses onto the vanity,flopping onto the king-sized bed with a sigh of satisfaction.

"Finally,I don’t have to pretend to be blind anymore.Babe,Meredith just ran off like that—you didn’t even chase after her?"

Lennon climbed into bed behind her,wrapping an arm around her waist as he pulled her close.

"Let her run,"he said with a sneer."You know how she is—give her a couple of days and she’ll come crawling back,begging for forgiveness.This time,she’s the one in the wrong.I’m done bending over backwards for her.She’s gone now and that means it’s just us."

Winona turned around with a smug smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"But what if she doesn’t come back?"she teased.

Lennon scoffed,his voice laced with disdain."She’s tainted—used up by random guy and disgraced in front of the entire city.Who would want her now,besides me?"

Then he leaned in and kissed her.

When I woke up,Lucan took me to the hospital for a full medical exam.

The process was long and draining.I sat quietly,legs swinging from the exam table,while the doctor reviewed the results.His expression darkened as he read.

"Ms.Evans condition is concerning,"he said,voice serious."Aside from the expected post-abortion weakness,she’s severely malnourished.There are early signs of anemia."

As he spoke,Lucan’s face hardened with every word.His hands clenched into fists,knuckles turning bone-white.

"What about past injuries?"he asked tightly.

The doctor paused,hesitating as his eyes flicked to me for permission.

I lowered my gaze in silence.

Lucan’s voice dropped into a dangerous calm."Say it."

The doctor let out a slow breath,then said carefully,"There are signs of previous trauma—injuries consistent with long-term physical abuse."

The room fell still.Thick.Suffocating.

Lucan’s jaw flexed,his breathing shallow and sharp.A storm brewed in his eyes.

Without another word,he turned abruptly,storming for the door.

I reached out instinctively and grabbed his wrist."Lucan!"

He stopped in his tracks,his back still facing me.His entire body was tense,his rage barely contained—and I knew it was not directed at me,but at Lennon.

"Don’t…"I whispered,my voice cracking."He’s not worth it."

Slowly,he turned and pulled me into his arms with such urgency that I could hardly breathe.

"Meredith,"he ground out my name,his voice trembling with emotion he was trying so hard to suppress."How am I supposed to just endure this?"

I pressed my face against his chest.My tears soaked into his shirt as he held me tighter.

He took a long,shaky breath.Then,gently,he ran his hand along my back and whispered,"All right.I won’t go."

After a moment,he added quietly,"But promise me this—starting today,you’re mine.And I swear,I’ll never let anyone hurt you again."

I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Edith..."he said,voice breaking from steel to tenderness,"Marry me,will you?"

I nodded again,this time without hesitation and wrapped my arms around him even tighter.

***

Meanwhile,back at the Shepherd Family villa…

Lennon lounged on the couch,scrolling through his phone.His expression twisted into annoyance.

"She’s still not back?"he muttered."Tsk.Meredith’s really milking this tantrum."

Winona curled against his side,head resting on his shoulder.She giggled softly.

"What’s the matter—starting to miss her?"

"Miss her?"Lennon scoffed."She’s damaged goods.I only ever took her in because I pitied her."

He tilted Winona’s chin with one hand.

"You,look at you here,you’re perfect—obedient,pure."

Winona beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek."Obviously.I’m nothing like her."

Lennon smirked and pulled her into his arms,full of lazy confidence.

Where else could Meredith possibly go?She had no one,nowhere to run.No one else would take her in.Just two days and she would come crawling back.

And then,maybe,he would consider taking her back.

Once I had recovered,I returned to the villa—not to reconcile,but to pack up and hand Lennon the divorce papers myself.

The moment I stepped through the door,I saw him sitting in the living room.His eyes widened,stunned at first,then something like joy flickered across his face,but it quickly hardened into the cold,guarded indifference.

"So you finally decided to show up?"he said,voice sharp."Good.We still haven’t settled things—especially your little betrayal.Might as well deal with it now."

I did not bother with a reply.I just tossed the divorce agreement on the table in front of him.

"There’s nothing left to deal with.Sign it.I’m only here to grab my things."

His eyes dropped to the papers.He did not even read them before his expression twisted with fury.In one sudden motion,he shot up and ripped the divorce agreement to shreds.The pieces fluttered to the floor like falling ash.

"Meredith,have you lost your mind?"he gritted his teeth and his voice trembled with disbelief."You think I’m just going to let you walk away from me?"

I scoffed and brushed past him,heading straight to the bedroom.I did not hesitate and began to pack my things.

Clothes,documents,jewelry—I packed swiftly.There was no hesitation,no second-guessing,no lingering sentimentality.

But Lennon was not done.He stormed in behind me,grabbing my wrist in a brutal grip.His fingers dug into my skin.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"he yelled,panic bleeding through his anger."You’re still mad,is that it?Fine!I get it,all right?I shouldn’t have done what I did.I messed up and lost my temper.Can’t we just slow down and work it out?"

I yanked my arm away,my eyes like ice."Don’t act like you’re some heartbroken victim,Lennon.You think I don’t know about you and Winona?"

His face went blank for a second—then flared with anger.

"That’s not true!Winona and I—there’s nothing going on.We’re innocent."

"Innocent?"I laughed,dry and sharp.I reached into my bag,pulled out a neat stack of photographs and hurled them at his chest."Is this what you called innocent?"

The glossy prints scattered to the floor—snapshots of him and Winona.Holding.Kissing.Smiling.Touching her like he never once touched me.

Lucan had given them to me days ago.

I sneered.

"She's not even blind."

"Lennon,you lied to me over and over again just for her.You betrayed me over and over.If you’d just told me the truth back then,I would’ve walked away without a word,but you couldn’t even give me that."

His face turned ashen,drained of color.

He stood frozen,the silence dragging on until he finally managed to choke out,"Edith,listen…just let me explain—"

"There’s nothing left to explain,"I cut in,voice sharp and final."You were the one who wanted the divorce,remember?You threw me to the wolves,let others disgrace me,refused to even touch me.So don’t stand there pretending to care now."

I zipped my suitcase shut with a cold finality."Sign the damn papers,Lennon.Let’s just end this cleanly."

Just then,the sound of heels echoed on the marble floor.Winona stepped into the room,her expression full of smug sweetness.Her eyes swept across the scattered photos.

"Oh my,what’s all this?"she said with feigned innocence.Then she sauntered over and hooked her arm around Lennon’s,looking at me with smug satisfaction."Meredith,if you’ve already made your decision,don’t waste Lennon’s time."

I did not even spare her a glance.I just grabbed up my suitcase and headed for the door.

"Meredith!"Lennon shouted after me."Where the hell do you think you can go without me?You know what the Evans Family is now.I’m the only one who can protect you!"

I did not pause.

"Is there someone else?"

This time,I stopped.

"Yes."

And with that,I walked out into the sun.

The air was fresh,the sunlight warm against my skin.And for the first time in years,I could finally breathe again.

Lennon and I were finally over.And this time,it was for good.