Chapter 3

3.

I returned to the house in Beverly Hills and took a hot shower.

When I came out of the bathroom, Declan was sitting on the leather sofa in the living room.

He hesitated for a moment, then actually thanked me.

"Lily, thanks for covering for me earlier."

"You know... we have to think about the stock prices and public image. Since our marriage is secret, announcing it right there would damage Victoria's reputation."

"Later... I'll find a suitable time to go public with our relationship."

I didn't remind him that we wouldn't need to go public.

This marriage was at its end. It was better to pretend it never existed.

That was better for both of us.

Suddenly, he remembered to pretend to care. "But why were you there?"

I smiled and stared at him for a long time.

When his eyes started to dodge mine, I finally spoke. "Josh told me to go."

Realization hit him like a truck.

He suddenly remembered that tonight's fireworks show was originally a promise he made to compensate me.

But he had been having such a sweet time with Victoria that he completely forgot.

"I'm sorry. Next week... no, next week I have a business trip to New York. Next month. During the holidays, I’ll take you."

I shook my head. "We'll see."

Declan was pleased with my obedience. He walked over and hugged me gently.

I had never felt his embrace be so cold and suffocating.

After that day, Declan went on his business trip.

Naturally, he took Victoria with him.

Between meetings, the media documented their entire itinerary.

Candlelight dinners. Art exhibitions.

He even ate street hot dogs and pizza with her.

He once told me, "As a CEO, standing on the street eating greasy food is beneath my dignity."

But in front of Victoria, Declan had no dignity to uphold. He was just a man in love.

Countdown: 3 days.

Declan finally returned to Los Angeles from New York.

In the half-month he was gone, I hadn't contacted him once.

He looked at the spotless villa, as if suddenly realizing my contribution over the last five years.

"Wifey, you've worked hard."

Five years. I couldn't remember the last time he called me that.

"I was thinking of taking you to see fireworks the day after tomorrow, but because of the drought, there's a fire ban..."

I could tell he just didn't want to take me. Victoria probably told him not to.

"Forget it then."

Declan was stunned. He didn't expect me to give up so easily.

"You... you don't mind?"

In the past, I would have screamed, accusing him of breaking his promises.

But now, I didn't care about his fake promises.

"It's just fireworks. I can live without them."

Just like Declan Sterling. I could live without him, too.

After a long silence, Declan spoke again. "Then the day after tomorrow, I'll go with you to check out that new villa in Malibu."

"I heard there's a water lantern festival on the beach that day. The view from the terrace should be perfect."

I glanced at my phone. The calendar showed the day after tomorrow was Valentine's Day.

Would he really spend such an important day with me?

He was just blowing smoke.

"Don't you need to be with Miss Vance that day?"

Declan’s expression stiffened. "I've been with her for so long. I should spend some time with you."

He looked down, adjusting his tie guiltily, realizing how ridiculous that sounded.

I didn't expose his lie. I just played along for the final act.

It was fitting.

That day was the day our divorce agreement officially took effect.

Quite a memorable anniversary.