After completely giving up, Allison found a strange calm instead.

She focused on preparing her farewell performance in Eldoria.

On rehearsal day, Braydon somehow got the news and rushed to the site to support her.

As one dance piece ended, he approached with a bouquet of fiery red roses, just like he had done a thousand times before. "Allison, that was incredible. I can hardly imagine how stunning the actual show will be."

Allison ignored him and took the water from her assistant.

His hand with the flowers hung stiff in midair, a bit awkward.

Just as he opened his mouth, his gaze locked on something, and his face drained of color.

Allison followed his stare and spotted the little pregnant woman he had been caring for so tenderly.

That woman wore work overalls and directed the workers with ease as they adjusted the props.

A soft thud sounded as the roses hit the floor.

Braydon rushed over in a panic.

They stood too far for Allison to catch their exact words.

She could clearly see a flash of anger cross the usually mild-mannered Braydon's face.

Soon after, the woman clutched her face and ran out crying.

Braydon seemed ready to chase her but glanced back at Allison and forced himself to turn around instead. He explained in a rush. "That woman... my company worked with her before. She has a terrible work ethic. I worried she might ruin your show, so I gave her a piece of my mind..."

A clumsy lie.

Allison sneered inwardly but could not be bothered to call him out. She just nodded coolly.

After rehearsal wrapped, she needed some air and wandered out to the outdoor terrace.

She did not expect to stumble upon the two in the middle of a tug-of-war.

Braydon sounded worked up. "Kathleen, did I not tell you to stop working and rest for the pregnancy? What if you stir up complications?"

Kathleen tilted her face up with a stubborn edge. "I'm pregnant, not useless. I need to work. I need to support myself."

"You're carrying my child. It's only right that I take care of you."

"And after the baby comes?" Kathleen's eyes rimmed red in an instant. "Can you support me forever?"

"Why not?" Braydon blurted out.

Kathleen stared at him through misty eyes, stunned.

Braydon realized his slip right away, cleared his throat, and backpedaled fast. "What I meant was, once the child arrives, the child will be well taken care of by me and Allison. As for you, I won't leave you short. I'll give you a large sum so you can live worry-free for the rest of your days."

The light in Kathleen's eyes snuffed out. She bowed her head as a single tear fell silently. "Understood, Mr. Saunders. I'll stick to our deal and give you and your wife the child."

At her tear-streaked, pitiful look, Braydon softened despite himself. He pulled her into his arms and patted her back to soothe her. "Don't cry. Too much emotion isn't good for the baby."

They looked so wrapped up in each other, like a real married couple.

Allison could not bear to watch anymore and turned to leave.

Back in the empty center of the venue, she felt all her strength drain away.

In that moment, she grasped it crystal clear. Braydon had not just cheated physically. His heart drifted farther from her with every passing day.

The man who once had eyes only for her would never return.

She pressed a hand to her chest, where an awful emptiness gaped.

The gut-wrenching pain from the past few days had already run its course.

Now only desolation remained after the hollowing out, like a cold wind whistling through.

In a daze, Braydon's gentle voice sounded from above her head, as if nothing had changed. "Allison, is it over? Let's head home. I have a surprise for you."

She never imagined his surprise would fill the room with roses and candlelight.

By the time she finished her shower, he lay on the bed strewn with petals, nearly naked, his firm muscles teasing in the soft glow.

When she emerged, he plucked the rose from between his lips, his eyes hazy and voice husky. "Baby, I missed you so much."

Allison stared at Braydon's handsome face and alluring body. Her first reaction was disgust.

In the past, when she returned from abroad, they truly made the most of their brief separations. They spent entire days in bed.

Now, looking at him like this, her mind filled with images of him tangled naked with Kathleen.

Her stomach churned. She clapped a hand over her mouth and rushed into the bathroom. She dry-heaved violently.

Braydon hurried after her with concern in his voice. "Allison, what's wrong? Is your stomach acting up?"

His hand touched her shoulder. She heaved even harder.

She never imagined she would one day loathe Braydon this much.

As she pondered how to escape this suffocating situation, Braydon's phone rang.

He came back from the call with the same old excuse. "Work issue. I have to head out. There's medicine in the kit. Take it. I'll be back soon."

He had no idea that the moment he left, Allison received an anonymous text. "Come to Grand Plaza Hotel, Suite 18. Got a show for you."

The stage was set. How could she miss it?

Allison arrived at the suite door. Someone left it ajar on purpose. Braydon was already inside.

His face looked frosty. He spoke coldly. "You dared to get my woman drunk. Tired of living?"

Kathleen huddled behind him and trembled.

A middle-aged man who seemed like a boss bowed repeatedly. He groveled. "Mr. Saunders, we're so sorry. We had no idea Ms. Murphy was yours. We won't dare again. Please let it slide."

Braydon snorted. "You think there's a next time? She's done working here. Good luck to you."

With that, he took Kathleen's hand and strode out with commanding presence.

Allison ducked behind a nearby cleaning cart. She heard Braydon say to Kathleen. "Quit this lousy job. If you can't sit still, come to Saunders Enterprises."

Kathleen murmured agreement. Then she asked. "If I join Saunders Enterprises and your wife finds out?"

At the word wife, impatience flickered across Braydon's brow. "Don't mention her. She's a pain."

They walked farther away. Allison caught the rest of their talk from her phone.

That unknown number sent a recording. "Why can't we mention your wife? Aren't you two doing great?"

"She's off on that tour for months. No sign of her. Finally back, and now she's busy with some solo ice show. Never home."

Next came the sound of a sports car unlocking. They must have gotten in.

Braydon let out a long sigh. "Tonight was perfect, but she felt off. Wouldn't let me touch her. I'm about to lose my mind."

After a long silence, Kathleen asked cautiously. "Mr. Saunders, are you that uncomfortable? Maybe... I can help?"

"No." Braydon rejected her sharply. His breathing grew heavier though. "That night I drank too much. I won't betray Allison again."

"Just with hands. That doesn't count as betrayal. You helped me. I want to help you too."

What followed was sticky, breathless panting.

Each sound sliced into Allison's nerves. It hurt beyond words.

Braydon never was the fairy-tale prince on a horse. He was just a fickle man.

His body and heart no longer belonged to her.

Fine then. Allison drew a deep breath. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

From now on, Braydon could play around however he wanted. It had nothing to do with her.

On Friday, Allison brought a divorce agreement into the Saunders Enterprises headquarters building.

She had made up her mind to confront Braydon and end the marriage.

The elevator shot straight to the top floor. As the doors opened, she ran right into Kathleen sitting primly at the executive assistant's desk.

Four months pregnant and pampered by Braydon, Kathleen glowed with health. Her cheeks flushed pink, and her eyes sparkled with a glow she could barely hide.

When she saw Allison, she forced a professional smile. Jealousy nearly spilled from her eyes though. "Hello. Do you have an appointment?"

She knew full well who Allison was.

Allison sneered inside.

Even though she planned to let go, she would not let this woman strut in front of her.

Allison curved her lips in a smirk. Her tone dripped with casual disdain. "I'm here for your boss. Go tell him his dearest wife has arrived. He should come greet me."

Kathleen's face twisted in disgust, like she had swallowed a fly whole.

But she knew how to bend without breaking. She shoved down her feelings fast and picked up the intercom.

Braydon pushed through the door moments later. He saw Allison leaning against Kathleen's desk. Panic flashed across his handsome features. "Allison, what brings you here out of the blue?"

"I missed you." Allison tossed him a cool smile and clicked past in her high heels. She headed straight into his office without a sideways glance.

That smile hooked Braydon hard. His eyes glazed over. He hurried after her.

Before he shut the door, Allison shot Kathleen a deliberate look.

She caught the other woman clenching her fists until they cracked. A wave of satisfaction swept through Allison. She slammed the door shut with a snap.

She turned around and froze.

Braydon's office had changed completely.

The leather sofa overflowed with colorful cartoon plush toys.

The old deep gray curtains gave way to soft pinkish-purple ones.

The minimalist vase on his desk vanished. In its place sat a macaron-hued ceramic piece with a flamboyant foxtail lily poking out.

She did not need to guess who did this.

Allison recalled how he brought her here right after he took over the company. He showed her the office.

They kissed deeply by the floor-to-ceiling windows. He said earnestly. "Allison, will you design the decor here? I want to see traces of you in every corner when I work."

Now everything that belonged to her lay buried under fresh layers.

She drew a deep breath. She tamped down the sour ache and fury rising in her chest. She faced Braydon squarely.

He looked awkward. He swept the toys off the sofa in a flurry. "The assistants messed around with this. I'll fix it back to normal tomorrow. Have a seat first."

Allison did not budge.

She stared at that sofa. She could almost picture Braydon and Kathleen tangled on it.

Just like that recording from the car that night. Sticky. Revolting.

It felt filthy to her.

She wasted no time. She pulled the divorce papers from her bag. She flipped to the last page and slapped it down on his desk. "Sign it."

"What's this?" Braydon leaned in to read. From outside came Kathleen's gut-wrenching sobs.

His face shifted. He spun toward the door to rush out.

Allison grabbed his arm. "Sign first."

"Allison. My assistant needs me. I have to check on her."

"Sign then go." Her voice iced over. Her fingers dug in.

Braydon huffed in irritation. He did not even glance at the text. He snatched a pen and scrawled his name at the bottom.

He tossed the pen aside and bolted for the door without looking back. He threw over his shoulder. "Allison, when did you turn so heartless?"