The next time I opened my eyes, I was staring up at a hospital ceiling.

Aaron was sitting beside me, carefully peeling fruit. Next to him sat a vase of irises—my favorite flowers.

When he saw me awake, his eyes lit up and he reached toward me, “You’re awake.”

He looked flawless in a black suit, gaze gentle, his expression full of love—just like the man I used to know.

But I knew better now.

Without a word, I pulled away from his hand. He froze, then looked at me with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry. I never should’ve locked you up. But you know Nancy once saved my life—I can’t just turn my back on her. Think of this as me repaying a debt, okay? Once this is over, I’ll come right back to you. Just let me take care of her.”

He pulled me into a tight embrace. The scent of roses filled my nose.

I gagged.

Nancy loved roses. The fragrance on him was unmistakable.

I slipped out of his arms, expression flat and nodded.

“Okay,” I said it so easily, it caught him off guard.

He stared into my eyes and something flickered in his expression, like he knew something was different now.

Then his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the message and everything else fell away.

Through the crack between us, I saw the photo clearly. Nancy in red, sheer lace lingerie—barely covering anything.

He sprang to his feet, tossed a small box on my lap without a second glance.

“Cassidy, this is a peace offering—from both of us. Nancy didn’t mean to accuse you. She made a mistake, that’s all. Please, accept it and forgive her.”

I don’t know what else Nancy said over the phone, but whatever it was made Aaron smile.

“Nancy can be a little too emotional sometimes, but she never meant any harm,” he added, almost fondly.

Then he left—just like that.

I opened the box.

Inside was a pair of rose-shaped earrings. The moment I lifted the lid, that heavy, sickly-sweet scent of rose perfume hit me like a wave. I flung the box across the room, my skin already flaring up in hives.

That box was a silent taunt from Nancy.

And Aaron—he knew. He knew I was allergic to roses. He used to be so careful. But now? Now he just went along with whatever Nancy wanted.

Or maybe… maybe he didn’t even remember I was allergic.

My hands clenched so tightly the skin split open. Blood dripped silently onto the white sheets.

Fifteen minutes later, I got a message from him.

[Get some rest. I’ll come pick you up once you’re discharged.]

A tear slid silently down my cheek. I deleted the message and turned off my phone.

***

Three days later, I was discharged. Only the housekeeper came to pick me up.

My phone buzzed. A message from Aaron.

[Nancy’s not feeling well. Hope you understand. I’ll bring you a gift in return.]

I swiped the message away.

Twelve more days.

Back at the estate, I started packing.

Every photo album I once treasured went into the fireplace. Every letter, every note, every dress he’d ever made for me—burned. And when I was finally ready to leave, Aaron walked through the door with Nancy. He saw the suitcase in my hand and his brow furrowed.

“Where are you going?” he asked. 

I didn’t answer. I brushed past him and Nancy, heading toward the door, but he grabbed my wrist tightly.

Nancy’s eyes flashed with something poisonous before she burst into tears.

“Aaron… maybe Cassidy knew I was coming and that’s why she’s leaving. Maybe I should just go back to the club. Sure, men bother me there, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

Aaron’s eyes filled with sympathy. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hair gently.

“You’re not going anywhere. I’m here now. You don’t have to go back to that life,” he soothe her.

I let out a small, bitter laugh and turned away again.

Then Aaron’s voice rang out behind me.

“Housekeeper, bring the madam back inside. Don’t let her leave the estate.”

I turned back slowly and Aaron looked annoyed.

“Cassidy, don’t make this harder than it has to be. You already agreed back at the hospital, remember?” 

I said nothing and walked into the living room.

From the kitchen, Aaron came out carefully carrying a bowl of soup. He placed it gently into Nancy’s hands.

“This is for you, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. Then he glanced at me, hesitating. “Cassidy… it’s for pregnant women. I’ll make your favorite next time.”

He reached to me but I stepped back. His fists clenched, unease creeping into his eyes.

Everything had started slipping out of his control the moment I left the hospital. His phone rang and he rushed out to take it. But I still caught a few words.

“Mr. Mackey, the estate you requested for your wife is ready. When will you move in?”

I smiled bitterly.

That wife… wasn’t me.

When he was gone, Nancy took her time sipping the soup, then glanced up at me with a sneer, “If a man says he loves two women, the one he loves is always the second. I won’t let my man have two.”

Then, without warning, she tipped the bowl aside and threw herself to the ground, stomach-first.

“Aaron!”

Her scream cut through the air.

Aaron came running in. When he saw the blood beneath her, panic exploded on his face.

“Doctor! Somebody call a doctor!”

Trembling, he picked her up, while she pointed a shaking finger at me.

“Cassidy put irises in my soup,” she choked out, then coughed violently—dark blood splattering from her lips.

Aaron’s eyes snapped to mine—ice cold, sharp enough to cut through bone.

Then suddenly, he kicked me hard in the stomach, sending me crashing to the floor.

Pain exploded through me and I couldn’t even straighten up. I clutched my belly in agony, barely able to breathe.

“Baby… my baby…” I gasped, barely able to speak.

But Aaron just stood over me, eyes cold and full of disgust.

“I can’t believe how cruel you are, Cassidy. I never thought you’d stoop this low. If anything happens to Nancy or that baby, I swear—I’ll make sure you pay for it.”

With that, he turned and carried her out the door.

He didn’t look back. Not once.

And just like that, he turned and rushed off with Nancy in his arms—never once looking back.

After a simple treatment, they dragged me into the living room.

The iris garden in the estate had been ripped out completely—replaced with roses.

Aaron stood there, cold as ever. “Nancy’s too kind. She’s willing to let go of what you did, if you hand over the pearl necklace.”

He paused, then added, as if it was nothing, “She heard pearls bring good luck. She just wants to borrow it until the baby’s born. Consider this your chance to make things right.”

I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. I nearly laughed.

Make things right? As if I’m the one in the wrong.

That pearl necklace… Aaron had dived into the ocean and found each pearl by hand just for me.

He said it was worth risking his life as long as they could protect mine.

When I got pregnant, he told me he’d start collecting another string for our child. He swore he’d risk his life a thousand times over just to keep me safe.

But now? The man who swore to protect me had become the one who kept wounding me.

My fists clenched tight, nails digging into my palms. My heart felt like it was bleeding.

I didn’t say a word.

Growing impatient, Aaron reached forward and yanked the necklace from my neck without hesitation. He turned away with satisfaction, not even glancing at the red mark he’d left behind. The man who once couldn’t bear to see me shed a single tear didn’t care if he left me with scars now.

I shut my eyes tight and told myself the Aaron who once loved me must’ve died the last time he went diving. And with that thought, whatever was left of my love for him dissolved completely.

That same night, Nancy moved out of the estate. I knew Aaron had arranged a separate place for her, a grand estate of her own. But even with her gone, this house was no longer felt the same. Every corner had been touched and tainted by her presence.

Over the next few days, Aaron split his time between me and Nancy like a man living two lives. Starting the very next morning, it was like he had turned into his old self again—gentle, doting.

Every time I opened my eyes, another diamond bracelet or gold necklace appeared in front of me. Jewelry, luxury cars, beach houses… He even gifted me a private piece of ocean. Drowning me in opulence, Aaron reached out with a hand full of tenderness.

For a second, I almost saw the man I used to love.

“Cassidy,” he said softly, “I know I went too far. You went too far, yes, but I was wrong too. I’m sorry. I’ll never treat you like that again. You’re still the lady of the Mackey Family. Always will be.”

The third symbolic gift he’d given me—the emblem of the Mackey Family matriarch.

The gemstone at the top was the key to their vault. With it, I could access half the family’s wealth and power.

Aaron looked at me hopefully after setting the crown. Like he expected me to smile. Like he thought I’d melt, just like all the times before.

Back then, whenever he admitted fault, I always forgave him. Always gave in.

But not this time.

Not as I stood staring out the massive floor-to-ceiling window at the sea of red roses that replaced my irises. I quietly took out my allergy meds and swallowed one dry. That’s how I’d survived these past few days—doped up and numb.

Aaron’s brows furrowed, ready to say something, when his phone suddenly rang.

“Mr. Mackey,” came the voice on the other end. “Ms. Cross says she’s taking the baby and marrying someone else!”

Aaron’s face drained of color. Without another word, he grabbed me and dragged me to the estate he’d prepared for Nancy.

Nancy stood there in a wedding dress, her baby bump slightly visible. She looked heartbreakingly delicate. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Aaron.

“My dad’s sick. His last wish is to see me get married. I know I’m not fit to be Mrs. Mackey—I was just a nightclub dancer—but I want him to go in peace.” She gently caressed her belly and sighed dramatically. “I can’t bear to end this baby’s life. I’ll marry someone kind. We’ll raise this child together.”

Then she turned to leave, walking away slowly like a tragic heroine straight out of a soap opera.

And Aaron—of course—rushed after her and grabbed her by the wrist.

“You want my child to call someone else Dad? That’s not gonna happen!” He pulled her into his arms, possessive and kissed her.

They stood there kissing like some cheesy rom-com finale. I watched in silence, feeling absolutely nothing. When Nancy was finally gasping for air, Aaron let go and turned to me.

“Cassidy,” he said, voice quiet but firm. “Let’s get a divorce.”

I stared at him. He didn’t say anything else.

Only after he had Nancy taken to another room did he finally sigh and look back at me.

“I know this is all too sudden, but you saw it. Her dad’s dying. His last wish is to see her get married and I can’t let my kid call another man ‘Dad’.”

He studied my blank expression and kept going.

“It’s just a fake divorce. Just paperwork. We’ll hold a ceremony, make the old man happy. Then I’ll explain everything to Nancy.”

Aaron had it all planned out. I nodded calmly and agreed to everything.

A flicker of relief passed through his face. But when he looked at me again, something shifted.

“Cass,” he called me with his usual endearment, “why do I get the feeling you don’t care about me anymore?”

I stayed silent, my face empty.

He opened his mouth again—but before he could speak, his assistant burst through the door, panicked.

“Mr. Mackey! Miss Cross’s really leaving this time—we can’t stop her!”

Aaron dropped everything and bolted out, catching up to Nancy and grabbing her tightly.

“I already said I’d marry you—can’t you just wait?!”

He clutched her like she might disappear. Then yelled over his shoulder, “Get the divorce papers ready. Now!”

I blocked the assistant from leaving. Before I could even speak, Aaron shouted at me, “Cassidy! Now’s not the time to throw a tantrum. Get out of the way!”

Watching him panic over losing Nancy, I gave a hollow smile. Then I pulled a folded document from my purse.

Nancy’s eyes sparkled with a flicker of triumph. She began to struggle harder, making her distress look even more real.

Aaron didn’t question why I just happened to have the divorce agreement—he grabbed it and scribbled his signature at the bottom and shoved them back into my hands.

“Sign it,” he barked.

Without hesitation, I did.

Nancy glanced at the signed papers, stopped struggling and went limp in his arms. Then she fainted dramatically like some damsel in distress. Aaron didn’t even spare me a glance as he scooped her up and ran off.

I stood behind them, watching, deleting every memory of Aaron from my heart. Clutching the signed divorce papers, I turned and walked out under the pitying gazes of everyone in the room.

I went straight to the courthouse, filed the paperwork and finalized everything. When it was over, they handed me two small, dark red booklets—the divorce certificates.

Back at the estate, I packed up everything that was mine. Everything except two things: that divorce certificates and the jeweled crown he once gave me.

Right before boarding the plane, I got bombarded with dozens of photos—Nancy and Aaron in bed. I didn’t look at a single one. I tossed the SIM card right out the airport window.

Everything between Aaron and I was over at this moment.

From now on,I will pursue my own sun.