Chapter 2

When Bellatrix regained consciousness, the first thing she heard was the beeping of hospital machines. Then came the white ceiling above her head, the pungent smell of disinfectant and antiseptic, and the sting of the IV needle in her forearm—but none of it compared to the pain in her chest. Her illusion of happiness had been brutally shattered by Cillian’s cruelty. She was going to divorce him—she refused to spend the last three months of her life living for a bastard. Suddenly, the door of the hospital room swung open. Her friend Avery walked in. Avery was a top cardiologist with multiple patented technologies. Bellatrix had thought she might be pregnant, which was why she hadn’t gone to Avery earlier. “Thank god you’re awake,” Avery let out a breath of relief and rushed to her bedside. “How do you feel? Does it hurt anywhere?” Bellatrix felt comforted. She managed a weak smile and shook her head. “I… I’m fine.” “What happened?” Avery frowned. “You collapsed outside the hospital. If a nurse hadn’t seen you and brought you back in, your three months could have turned into three days. Do you understand?!” Her tone carried a hint of anger. “Where’s your husband? How could something this serious happen, and he didn’t even show up?” Bellatrix fell silent. Avery had told her many times that obedience would never win love, but she had stubbornly believed she could melt Cillian’s frozen heart. “Regina’s back,” Bellatrix finally explained. “Your stepsister who suddenly disappeared?” Avery’s expression instantly turned fierce at the mention of Regina. “That bitch.” “I always knew he was cruel, but this... He’s lost even the most basic human decency. I swear, I want to slice open his chest with my scalpel and see what his heart is made of. How can he be so heartless!” “There’s no need.” Bellatrix lifted her gaze, her voice steady. “I’ve decided. I’m getting a divorce.” Avery’s eyes widened. She didn’t say a word. Instead, she gently pulled Bellatrix into a tight hug. “Oh, Bella,” she whispered, her palm gently rubbing Bellatrix’s back. “It may not be the happiest decision, but it’s the right one. I’ll always support you. But Bella—” she paused, her tone growing serious, “don’t you want to know why Regina disappeared? And why Cillian suddenly fell for her? I saw it in the beginning—Cillian loved you, even if you never dared admit it.” “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Bellatrix nodded, resting her chin on her friend’s shoulder. Her voice was firm. “Even if Regina bewitched Cillian, it doesn’t erase the harm he’s done to me.” Bellatrix blinked and smiled. “Avery, I’m lucky to have you.” Avery hugged her tighter. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, adjusting her coat. “And trust me, I’ll do everything I can to help you recover.” Bellatrix nodded, preparing to get up—but Avery stopped her. “I have to talk to Cillian about the divorce. And the sooner, the better.” “If I notice any changes in my condition, I’ll contact you right away,” Bellatrix assured her, seeing the concern in Avery’s eyes. After Avery nodded, she left the hospital. That Night – Laurente Estate Bellatrix returned to the villa they lived in. She pulled a divorce agreement from the drawer. In fact, she had prepared it a long time ago. She had just been waiting for the moment she’d finally have the resolve. She considered calling Cillian again. In four years of marriage, he’d barely returned to this house. Miami’s tabloids were flooded daily with his latest flings. Worse still, as his assistant at the company, she had to prepare his clothes and deliver them to his hotel every night, personally witnessing how tender he could be to other women. How cruel it was to her. She had endured, waited, hoping that one day he would look back and see her devotion. But... Today, she finally understood—it wasn’t that she hadn’t done enough. He simply didn’t love her. If someone doesn’t love you, no amount of effort matters. She had to leave this cage. Exhausted, she went to the bedroom to pack her things. Once she finished, she dragged her suitcase downstairs. But just as she reached the stairway, she ran straight into Cillian, who had just come home. “You’re back?” Bellatrix asked, surprised. “Why wouldn’t I come back? Are you hiding a lover in here?” Cillian snapped coldly. Bellatrix swallowed her anger. There was no point. She pulled the divorce papers from her bag and handed them to him. “Have your lawyer look over it. Once everything’s confirmed, we’ll go to city hall and finalize the divorce.” Without waiting for his response, she walked forward, pulling her suitcase. Once again, her wrist was seized by his large hand. He let out a cold laugh. “You’ll do anything for my attention, won’t you? If you really wanted a divorce, would you have waited until now?” Do anything for his attention? Yes. That’s what she’d done for four years. She didn’t explain. Instead, she fired back, “Isn’t it obvious? Your lover’s back. This is the perfect timing.” She tried to walk past him again, but he grabbed her wrist harder. “Stop! Did I say you could leave?” Bellatrix stared at him, stunned. “Isn’t marrying Regina exactly what you’ve always wanted? So why are you angry now?” Cillian didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed the divorce papers and tore them apart with force. He stepped closer, towering over her. “Let me be clear,” he said coldly. “In front of me, Bellatrix, you don’t get to issue commands.” Bastard. Without hesitation, Bellatrix slapped him across the face. “You’re unbelievable!” His eyes turned bloodshot. He threw her onto the bed, grabbing her chin tightly. “The day you decided to destroy my happiness,” he growled, “you should have been ready to face the consequences.” “What did Regina tell you?” Bellatrix demanded, her eyes cold. She had never understood why Cillian hated her so much. She was the first person to help him after his parents died. Her father too. “This has nothing to do with Regina,” he said. “But let me make one thing clear—if you continue to refuse to give her your kidney, I’ll make the call and destroy your father’s company.” Bellatrix’s eyes widened. “You’re free to go. Security won’t stop you,” Cillian said, stepping back. His gaze was distant and cold. “If you can handle the consequences of my wrath.” With that, he stormed off, leaving her collapsed on the floor. She believed Cillian was just angry because she took the upper hand. But she also believed—Regina didn’t come back just for a kidney. She was here to take her place as Cillian’s wife. Bellatrix immediately sent Regina a message: “If you want what you’re after, meet me at the café tomorrow.”