Chapter 3

Back in her room, Clarisse opened her nightstand drawer and took out the marriage certificates that seemed to burn her eyes. She remembered the day she and Theodore got their marriage certificates. He kept staring at them, grinning like a fool and clutching them to his chest as if they were treasure. "I'm going to carry them every day. From now on, this is my lucky charm!" he said excitedly. But now, the marriage certificates lay forgotten at the back of the drawer, just like their love—quietly fading away. Clarisse took the signed divorce papers and the marriage certificates and drove herself to the courthouse. The last time she'd come there, Theodore had been by her side. At that time, she'd been full of excitement and dreams of spending her life with the man she loved. Now, she came alone, ready to put a cold, final period on a marriage that had long been shattered. "In 30 days, you can come back to collect your divorce decree," the clerk said matter-of-factly. His voice pulled Clarisse out of her memories. She thanked him quietly before turning and walking away. Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and booked a plane ticket to Veloria for the day her divorce would be finalized. Veloria had once been her dream—a distant place she longed for—until she met Theodore and he became her entire world. She gave up everything for a future with him. Now that it was all over, it was time to find herself again and start over. ... When Clarisse returned to the villa, there was a knock at the door. Bianca walked in, her face showing apology, but the smugness in her eyes was hard to miss. "Ms. Hart," she said gently, "I know everything that's happened lately has been hard for you. But I really am doing this to save Caleb. There's nothing else between me and Theo. It's just for Caleb." She stepped closer and said earnestly, "Please understand what a mother is willing to do for her child. I promise, once the baby is born and Caleb has recovered, I will leave!" Bianca finished with her head hung low, her hair falling forward to reveal a fresh hickey on her neck. Clarisse's eyes widened. Her heart clenched as if someone had grabbed it with an icy hand and squeezed until it stopped. "I'll only do IVF. I'll never touch her!" Theodore's promises echoed in her ears, sounding so absurd and laughable now. When Bianca saw Clarisse's expression change, her lips curled into a triumphant smile before she turned and left the villa. As soon as the door closed, Clarisse pulled out her phone with trembling hands. She called her private investigator, her voice trembling yet resolute. "I want you to dig into everything Theodore and Bianca have done lately. Money is no object. I want answers as fast as possible!" An hour later, her phone buzzed. Clarisse stared at the email from the private investigator, her finger hovering over the screen. She hesitated for a moment before finally opening it. Instantly, her screen filled with high-resolution photos. In them, Theodore had his arm wrapped around Bianca's waist, their bodies pressed close. Bianca leaned into his embrace, a sweet, shy smile playing on her lips. Clarisse's gaze stayed locked on the photos, her fingers scrolling without thought, her eyes burning and dry. She forced herself to look through every single photo. Then, she suddenly burst out laughing, tears streaming down her face. "Theodore, you lied to me again. Every promise you made was a lie! So what about your love? Was that just a lie, too?" she thought to herself.