I didn’t even hesitate when giving my response.

Sven looked right at me, then suddenly got out of the car and walked over.

He stood in front of me and said in a serious tone, “Then maybe… you should consider me instead.”

I froze. That wasn’t what I’d expected.

I wasn’t trying to get revenge on Magnus. I wasn’t trying to prove anything to anyone. I was just tired. Tired in a way I hadn’t been when I was eighteen, dreaming of a fairytale life with him. Now, all I wanted was peace.

So I joked. “Sure. Once the divorce is final, I’ll come find you.” Then I walked away.

Not long after I got home, my phone buzzed with a message from Sven: [I’m done waiting.]

I stepped out onto the balcony and looked down. His car was still there. Sven was leaning against it, smoking.

It was the first time I’d ever seen him smoke.

I’d always heard Sven came from an old military family. Strict upbringing. Cold personality. His background could rival the Fincks.

Maybe Sven sensed me watching, because he slowly lifted his head until our eyes met. He exhaled a stream of smoke, gave a faint, crooked smile… then turned, got into his car and drove away.

I stood there watching his taillights fade into the night. To my surprise, something inside me stirred...

By the time Magnus finally came home, the sky had already started to lighten.

He stepped through the door and immediately scowled, nose wrinkling.

“Evelyn, can you try acting like a decent woman for once?” he snapped. “You stink of smoke. It’s disgusting. Quit that habit. It’s not ladylike.”

He hated it when I smoked.

But I hadn’t always been like this. I only picked it up after we got married—when silence, cold shoulders and routine had taken over my life.

I needed some kind of release, even if it was just the burn of nicotine.

I stubbed the cigarette out without a word and headed for the bathroom.

He followed me in. “Did you hear me?” he demanded.

Magnus was getting irritated and I knew why. I’d always revolved around him—never defied him. Now that I wasn’t falling in line, it was starting to rattle him.

I gave him a half-hearted response. “I heard you.”

Magnus paused, caught off guard. Through the mirror, he studied my face.

“What’s wrong with you?”

His eyes dropped to my collarbone, where the edge of the bandage peeked through. “What happened to your neck?”

He reached out, as if to check it, but I turned away. His hand froze midair. For once, I didn’t let him touch me.

He grew impatient, then turned to leave.

“Evelyn, I’ve given you everything I promised. You have no reason to act out like this.”

But I hadn’t done anything at all.

As he started walking away, I looked at his back. “If you think I’m standing in your way—with her or whoever—maybe…”

I continued, “…we should get a divorce.”

Magnus stopped cold. Then turned around, staring at me in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

A beat of silence. Then he let out a dry, bitter laugh.

“So that’s your move now? First, you clung to me like your life depended on it. Now it’s emotional blackmail?”

“Evelyn, do you really think a manipulative woman like you is someone I could ever love?”

“You’ve been coming to my house since you were ten. If we divorce, where the hell would you even go?”

His voice was sharper than usual, every word designed to sting. “If you’re not strong enough to walk away, then stop pretending to be. Just stick to your role as Mrs. Finck.”

It wasn’t often he lost his temper like this—but when he did, the ugliness showed.

He didn’t stop until he’d basically called me a leech, like I was nothing without him.

I didn’t argue. I just turned on the faucet and washed my hands.

Behind me, I could feel his gaze lingering, but eventually his tone shifted—calmer, colder.

“Grandpa's birthday is next week. Get something respectable and come with me.”

A command. No different from how he spoke to his staff.

***

Then the day of the birthday arrived. Magnus actually came home early to pick me up. What I didn’t expect—was that Seraphina was already in the car.

She was in the front seat. When she saw me, she offered a polite smile and greeted me as Mrs. Finck.

“Mr. Finck, I’ve already prepared a gift for Grandpa Marcel. And your stomach’s been acting up lately—don’t drink at the party, okay?”

Seraphina had said everything I, as Mrs. Finck, should’ve said. So, I stayed silent.

When we arrived, Seraphina got out of the car with us and was the first to greet Grandpa Marcel. He looked at her with clear fondness, his face lighting up when he saw the scroll she’d brought—an elaborate longevity painting. It was obvious this wasn’t her first time visiting.

As for me, I didn’t want to force myself into a scene I didn’t belong in.

Grandpa Marcel had never liked me. He believed I’d tricked Magnus into marrying me. That belief had never wavered.

The painting was large—delicate and detailed.

As Seraphina pulled down its cover for Grandpa, she slowly stepped back to give him a full view.

I tried to step out of her way, but she moved faster and bumped straight into me.

With a startled cry, she stumbled and fell down the stone steps, dragging the painting with her. The painting fell and tore in half.

Magnus immediately rushed to her side. “Sera! Are you okay?”

Seraphina clutched her arm, wincing in pain—but her gaze locked on me. She didn’t even have to say a word.

That was enough for Magnus. So, he turned to me. “Evelyn, I didn’t know you were capable of something this cruel. Apologize to Sera! Now!”

Grandpa Marcel was furious, his face turning red. The ruined painting had clearly upset him. Grandma Bella turned on me with scorn.

“Evelyn, what is wrong with you? Do you really hate this family so much that you’d make a scene at your grandfather-in-law on his birthday?”

Soon as Magnus helped Seraphina back up the steps, he approached and slapped my face.

I didn’t even have time to react.

His voice was icy. “I should never have spoiled you the way I did. It’s made you completely out of control. Apologize.”

I held my cheek and slowly looked up—only to catch the faint, triumphant smile on Seraphina’s lips.

I didn’t even want to defend myself anymore.

I lifted my head and looked directly at Magnus. “I’m sorry. It was my fault.” Then I added, “Well? Are you all satisfied now?”

With that, I walked away.

Magnus's expression faltered. His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.

I made it alone to the front gate, but just as I was stepping outside, a car pulled up in front of me, blocking my way.

The back window rolled down.

It was Sven. His voice was low, “Get in.”

Before I could respond, I heard Magnus calling from behind me. “Evelyn!”

I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his expression cold, dark.

“I dare you to get in that car.”