Liora's POV

“You’re deliberately being unkind, Liora,” Corwin said, irritation threading through his voice as he held my arm.

I tilted my head, feigning calm, while Calista lingered just behind him, lips curved in that infuriatingly smug smile. “Unkind? To whom?” I asked, my tone almost polite.

“To Calista,” he replied sharply. “I’ve already told you—stop treating her this way. You’re always letting your jealousy show, and frankly, I’m exhausted by it. Why can’t you understand something so simple?” His fingers tightened around my arm, just enough to sting. “Why do you insist on making this difficult?”

“I’m not jealous, Corwin,” I answered evenly, forcing control into every word despite the anger coiling inside me. “I understand perfectly. And don’t worry—I won’t cause trouble.” The words tasted sour as they left my mouth, but I swallowed the bitterness down. I wanted to tell him that none of this mattered anymore. That I was leaving. That I was getting married to someone else. But what was the point? He wouldn’t care enough to listen.

He finally let go, his hand drifting up to my cheek in a familiar, almost intimate gesture. Once, that touch alone could make my heart race. Now, it felt hollow. “Just trust me, Liora,” he said softly. “I would never hurt you. Stop imagining things between Calista and me.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Trust him? Not hurt me? Those were the same assurances he had shattered again and again over the past six months. If I had died yesterday, I was certain he wouldn’t have mourned me—not truly.

When I reached the study hall where I taught, the children rushed toward me, laughter filling the space. Their excitement wrapped around me like a fragile comfort, easing the ache in my chest for just a moment. I had always dreamed of having children of my own—Corwin once promised we would, someday. Now those promises felt as empty as his touch.

I was going to miss these kids. The thought hurt more than I expected.

Later that evening, I checked my phone and found another message from my parents. They were asking about wedding arrangements—what kind of flowers I preferred, the cut of my gown, whether I wanted a veil or something simpler.

I had loved weddings since I was young. Years ago, I even helped plan Sinna’s wedding—Corwin’s younger sister. She was married now, with two beautiful children and a husband who adored her. And me? Ten years of loving Corwin had left me with nothing but humiliation and heartbreak. If I had let my parents choose for me back then, maybe I would already have a family of my own. Instead, I was standing here, discarded by the man I thought I would grow old with.

At the estate’s private market, I bought farewell gifts for the children and for Elisha—one of the few people here who still treated me with genuine warmth. Seeing me struggle under the weight of the packages, two security staff quietly stepped in to help, their wordless kindness nearly undoing me.

The moment I returned, Corwin noticed the bags. His eyes sharpened with suspicion. “What are those?” he asked. “Who are they for?” Then he lifted a sealed envelope a courier had handed him. “And what’s this about a wedding?”

I took the letter from his hand, instantly recognizing my mother’s handwriting. “I think we need to talk,” I began carefully, keeping my voice steady. “About marriage—”

Before I could finish, one of the staff rushed in, visibly flustered.

“Sir, Calista isn’t in her room. We’ve checked the entire house—she’s nowhere to be found.”

Corwin’s expression changed instantly. Worry overtook everything else. Without sparing me another glance, he turned and hurried away, chasing after Calista as if nothing else in the world mattered. He didn’t even say a word to me.

I delivered the gifts to the children and to Elisha, forcing a smile as I did. My hands shook, but I didn’t let them see it.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Elisha asked quietly, her voice heavy as she gently guided the children away.

“There’s no reason for me to stay,” I admitted, my voice cracking despite my efforts. “He’s chosen someone else. I need to move forward.”

“The children adore you,” she whispered. “And I… I won’t have anyone to help me anymore.”

“I’m getting married, Elisha,” I said softly. The words still felt strange on my tongue. “I can’t remain here.”

“To whom?” she asked, hope flickering in her eyes. “Is he better than Corwin?”

I hesitated, then nodded slightly. “I hope he is,” I said honestly. “I really do.”

Liora's POV

I had already finished packing my belongings into a single travel bag. There wasn’t much to take—only the essentials. I deliberately left behind every designer dress, every sparkling piece of jewelry Corwin had ever given me. I didn’t want to carry a single reminder of him with me. Not his expensive gifts, not the familiar scent that still lingered on the fabrics, and certainly not the hollow promises he had wrapped around my heart for ten years.

I would be leaving in five days.

Five days to settle loose ends. Five days to say goodbye—especially to the children who had grown attached to me, and whom I had grown to love more than I ever expected.

My gaze drifted back to the stack of handwritten letters on the table. They were the ones he’d written before everything between us collapsed beyond repair. Once, those letters had been my most treasured possessions. Now, they felt like nothing more than inked lies on fragile paper. Promises, after all, were meant to be broken—Corwin had proven that better than anyone.

One by one, I tore the letters apart.

The sound of paper ripping echoed through the room, strangely soothing, as if each tear loosened another chain binding me to the past. I was down to the final few when a voice—sharp, frantic, and unmistakably his—rang out behind me.

“What the hell are you doing, Liora?!”

I turned to see Corwin striding into the room, his gaze darting from the torn fragments clutched in my hands to the pieces scattered in the trash bin. He snatched the letter I was holding and rummaged through the bin, pulling out the shredded remains with shaking hands. His face was twisted in disbelief, as though I’d destroyed something sacred.

“Why?” he demanded hoarsely. “Why would you do this?” His voice cracked as he stared at the ruined letters like they were priceless treasures. “Is this because of Calista? Do these mean nothing to you now? I wrote every one of those for us, Liora. For our history. For everything we shared.”

His hands trembled as he tried—futilely—to piece the scraps together. For a fleeting second, I almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

“Answer me!” he snapped, gripping my arms tightly and forcing me to face him. “Why can’t you see it? Your jealousy is what’s destroying us!”

I met his icy blue stare without flinching, my expression calm, my voice steady. “You’re mistaken, Corwin. I’m not jealous,” I said evenly. “Those letters were already ruined. Insects got to them. They were full of holes, barely holding together. There was nothing left worth saving.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. Some of the letters had been damaged. I simply didn’t care enough to preserve what remained.

His eyes flicked back to the torn pieces, the anger in his face slowly dissolving into reluctant acceptance. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair until it stood messier than usual. “I could’ve handled it. I could’ve fixed them. Tearing them up like this was… extreme. It feels like you’re ripping apart what we still have.”

“Not everything can be fixed, Corwin,” I replied quietly, offering a small, practiced smile. “Some things are better left behind. Sometimes, the only option is to let go.”

He exhaled heavily, staring down at the shredded paper with regret etched into his features. “I can write new ones,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have gotten angry. Those letters were meant to be part of our wedding someday.”

Wedding.

The word left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

I didn’t respond, and my silence didn’t go unnoticed. He reached up and cradled my face, his palm warm against my skin. “Are you alright?” he asked gently. “I know I haven’t been around much. But Calista needs protection right now. She almost got caught in a dangerous situation involving rival corporations, and I won’t let that happen again.” His voice softened. “You’re the only woman I love, Liora. The only one I plan to marry. You know that, don’t you?”

I nodded slowly. It was the answer he wanted—so I gave it to him.

He leaned in and pressed a brief kiss to my lips before pulling away. “Tell me,” he murmured. “What can I do to make things better between us?”

I stepped out of his hold and looked away. “I want a celebration,” I said lightly.

“A party?” He tilted his head, a faint smile appearing. “You’ve always loved events and dancing. When were you thinking?”

He didn’t know the truth—that I only pretended to enjoy those things because he did. I’d spent years molding myself to fit his world, convincing myself it was love. And yet, it had never been enough. The realization tightened painfully around my heart.

“Tomorrow night,” I replied with a smile I had perfected over time. “And I want you to dance with me.”

His smile hesitated for the briefest moment before he nodded. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll be there. We’ll dance. We’ll make it unforgettable.”

I hope so, I thought bitterly.

He kissed my forehead, lingering just long enough to feel familiar. “I should tell you,” he added after a pause, unable to meet my eyes. “I won’t be staying here tonight. There’s something urgent I need to deal with in the capital, but I promise I’ll be back in time for the celebration.”

I already knew the truth.

The staff whispered. The rumors traveled fast. He wasn’t going alone—Calista would be with him. They were heading to the city together.

Still, I kept my tone pleasant. “Be careful,” I said smoothly. “And don’t forget about tomorrow night.”

As he turned to leave, I watched his back disappear down the hall, fully aware that this was the beginning of my goodbye.

Liora POV

Corwin assured me he would come back. He pressed a brief kiss to my forehead, a gesture that should have calmed me, should have felt like a promise carved in stone, and then he turned to leave.

“Corwin… I’ll be waiting for you,” I said quietly, the words carrying a fragile hope I wasn’t ready to let go of yet.

He paused at the door and looked over his shoulder, a faint smile touching his lips. “I won’t break my word, Liora.”

When the door finally closed, I remained where I was, unmoving, my gaze drifting to the torn fragments of letters scattered across the floor. Some things, once broken, could never truly be repaired. No matter how carefully you tried to put them back together, the cracks would always remain.

Later that evening, when I stepped into the grand hall where the celebration was supposed to take place, my heart dropped painfully. The décor followed a theme I recognized immediately—soft colors, elegant arrangements, and details Calista had once casually mentioned she adored. The realization made anger simmer just beneath my skin.

Calista soon appeared, her steps light, her eyes shining with unmistakable satisfaction as she walked toward me. “Liora,” she greeted sweetly, her voice coated in false warmth. “Corwin asked me to oversee the decorations. Everyone worked so hard to make tonight perfect. I hope you approve.”

Something inside me snapped. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out, to tear away the smug expression she wore so effortlessly.

My eyes drifted to her ears, and that was when I noticed it—a familiar piece of jewelry dangling from her left ear. My earring. The one my mother had given me years ago. The one I had lost. Had Corwin… handed it to her?

Anger surged violently through me, but I forced a tight smile. “Reused decorations for a reused role,” I said coolly. “It suits you.”

Her pleasant façade cracked instantly. She glared at me, fury burning in her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she hissed. “Do you really think Corwin loves you? He keeps you around out of guilt. He’s already chosen me. You’re nothing more than something he hasn’t thrown away yet.”

Her laughter scraped against my nerves, but I refused to let her see me falter. Instead, I met her glare with a calm, deliberate smile.

“Then you’re welcome to him,” I replied evenly. “You’re right—someone like you belongs with someone like him. Congratulations. A liar and a homewrecker make a perfect pair.”

That struck deep. Her eyes flashed with rage, and before I could step back, she lunged at me, her hand raised to strike. I reacted on instinct, catching her wrist mid-air and gripping it firmly.

“You don’t get to touch me,” I warned, shoving her away. At the same moment, I sensed Corwin approaching from behind.

Calista staggered back, her eyes flicking toward him. Then, to my absolute horror, she grabbed a small fruit knife from the nearby table and plunged it into her own side—just as Corwin entered the hall.

My breath caught in my throat. I rushed forward instinctively, trying to stop her, but she collapsed to the floor, clutching her side, crying out in pain.

“Corwin!” she sobbed, her voice shaking.

He rushed toward us, fury blazing in his eyes. Before I could say a word, his hand struck my face hard. The sound echoed through the hall, and pain exploded across my cheek.

“How could you do this?” he shouted. “How could you hurt Calista?”

“Corwin, I didn’t—she did this to herself—”

“I don’t want to hear another excuse!” he snapped, disgust dripping from every word. “I saw you standing over her! How could you be so cruel? So jealous? After everything she’s done, this is how you repay her?”

He dropped to Calista’s side, cradling her as if she were made of glass. Watching him hold her like that felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Then he looked at me again, his expression cold and unforgiving.

“You will be punished for this,” he declared. “Ten strikes. That’s what you deserve for harming her.”

Security personnel stepped toward me. I straightened my back, refusing to beg, refusing to cry. My eyes burned, but I held myself together.

“I’ll go on my own,” I said quietly.

Out in the open courtyard, I knelt on the cold stone as the punishment was carried out. Each sharp crack tore through the night air, pain ripping through my body, but I stayed silent. I kept my eyes fixed on Corwin. He stood there with his arms crossed, watching without expression.

After the final strike, he stepped forward. His voice was distant, detached. “Let this serve as a warning. Touch Calista again, and I won’t show mercy. Your jealousy has destroyed whatever bond we had.”

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. My voice shook, but my resolve did not. “For the last time, Corwin, I never hurt her. But now I understand—after ten years, you never trusted me at all.”

“Enough,” he snapped. “Calista begged me not to punish you more severely. You should be grateful.”

He turned away and left me there, kneeling for hours as people whispered around me—some with pity, others with judgment.

Under the glow of the moonlight, tears finally slipped down my cheeks.

“Please,” I whispered into the night, my voice breaking. “I walked away from him. Let our paths never cross again.”