Just because Vincent took Gabriella as his younger sister, she could wear Diana’s clothes.
Just because Vincent took Gabriella as his younger sister, she could freely come and leave The Halcyon, the home of the couple.
Just because Vincent took Gabriella as his younger sister, Diana would be deemed irrational and harsh if she felt jealous.
Diana’s heart sank. They had been married for years, so she knew that Vincent was mad, and this was his final warning.
She pressed her lips together, and the corners curled into a bitter, mocking smile. Forcing her voice to sound steady and not choked with emotion, she said, “Sure. Please get some rest, Ms. Jackson.”
With that, she turned around and left.
It wouldn’t do good to cling on any longer. To him, she had always been irrational and harsh anyway.
“Mrs. Hendrix…” Maria carefully called out. She had been waiting by the stairs, and she was full of concern when she saw Diana come down.
“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Maria.” Diana smiled and nodded at her, and only then did Maria breathe a sigh of relief.
…
That night, Diana sat on the bay window.
The breeze was chilly, and the cold moonlight spilled over her, framing her thin and frail figure.
It had been a year since Vincent returned. He had regained his memories, but to her, it still felt like he had never truly returned.
Sometimes, Diana honestly felt like an outsider. Perhaps she could stop intruding on the perfect couple that Vincent and Gabriella made.
Just as the thought surfaced, her phone rang. It was from her best friend, Evelyne Cornelius.
“Diana, up for a world trip?” Evelyne asked.
Evelyne had meant for it to be a random question. Everyone in their circle knew Diana was a hopeless romantic, and her whole world revolved around Vincent. She wished she could stay by his side all the time.
Still, Evelyne made a point to ask every year.
“When is it?” Diana asked.
Evelyne had braced herself for rejection and was utterly surprised to receive a different response from the cool voice.
Diana held her phone and stared blankly out the window as Evelyne’s stunned voice came through the line. “Diana, are you serious? Are you not staying glued to that bastard for once?”
“Yeah, I’ve finally figured things out,” Diana replied.
Yet, Evelyne seemed skeptical. “Don’t you dare ditch me halfway and beg to come back. You know these trips last over half a year.”
“I’m not coming back,” Diana replied with a bitter smile. She was never coming back again.
“W-What happened?” Sensing something off, Evelyne exploded. “That bastard hurt you again, didn’t he? The bitch stirred up more trouble, right? I’ve just got back and am yet to check the news. Tell me, did they—”
“Evy,” Diana said, gently cutting her off. “I’m just… really tired.”
There was a long silence on the other end. Finally, Evelyne said, “You should just leave him, Diana. My brother is a top-tier divorce lawyer. If you need any help, I’ll make sure that he helps you out.
“Seriously. You should think about it.”
Diana stayed silent for a while before replying with a soft hum.
“I’ll make the plans. We’ll set out after Christmas and travel the world. Let’s forget all these jerks.” Evelyne sounded genuinely concerned.
After the call ended, Diana sat still and silent as tears dripped onto the back of her hand.
She had been married to Vincent for seven years, but in truth, they had only lived as husband and wife for five. For two of those years, he had been with someone else.
Three years ago, Vincent had gone missing in a maritime accident.
Diana had been so frantic that she had lost all appetite, sleep, and rapidly wasted away. In those days, she had been in such a fragile state that she had seemed like she would collapse at the slightest breeze.
The Hendrix family had mobilized every resource at their disposal and searched for him relentlessly for two years. If he were alive, they would find him. And if he were dead, they would get back his body.
As the sole heir to Hendrix Corporation, they would never give up until he was found.
