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The maids exchanged confused, anxious glances, but no one had an answer.

A few minutes later, the sound of something thudding down the stairs broke the quiet. They turned sharply to see Krystal walking down, dragging a large suitcase behind her.

“Mrs. Moretti, are you going somewhere?” one of the maids asked, trying to smile.

Krystal gave a small nod as she kept walking, her voice nonchalant. “I divorced your boss. I’m leaving. Tell him I onlytook my clothes. Everything else is still where it was. I didn’t touch a thing.”

The maids gasped, staring at each other in disbelief.

The same woman who once walked through snow in sandals just to bring her husband lunch was now leaving without a single tear?

Chapter 2 Honey

Krystal walked out the door, dragging her suitcase behind her with a soft huff. Just as she reached the curb, a sleek sports car pulled up in front of the house. A young man jumped out, took her suitcase, and tossed it into the backseat with practiced ease.

She slid into the passenger seat, crossed her arms, and closed her eyes.

The man, Darren, rounded the car and got in on the driver’s side, grinning at her.

“I thought you were holding out for a fairy-tale ending with Lorenzo, Mrs. Moretti,” he said, lifting his fingers and forming a heart in the air. “Sure you won’t come crawling back by sunset?”

Krystal opened her eyes and scowled. “Have you lost your mind?” she muttered.

She shook her shoulders and straightened her back, turning her head to face the road instead of him.

“He already has someone he likes,” she said flatly. “And anyway, I married him just to help him recover after his accident.”

Darren raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Don’t act tough, honey. You’re a world-famous physician. If all you wanted was to treat him, you didn’t need to marry the guy.”

She let out a sharp breath, then turned to him, snapping, “Shut up and drive the damn car.”

Darren chuckled, sheepish, and started the engine. As they pulled away from the house, she sank deeper into her seat and whispered, almost to herself:

“After his accident two years ago, his hands wouldn’t stop shaking. His grandfather was scared—really scared. I’m just an orphan. My entire education was funded by his grandfather’s charity. I wouldn’t even be a doctor if it weren’t for him.”

She paused, her voice growing softer.

“I didn’t want to expose how accomplished I actually am. So I married Lorenzo, like his grandpa asked, to keep my secret. The only way I could stay close and give him his meds without raising questions was by marrying him.”

Her fingers clenched in her lap.

“He’s fine now. And I’ve paid back everything his grandfather gave me—with interest. I don’t owe anyone anything anymore.”

***

Xander pushed through the glass doors of Manhattan’s most expensive private hospital, Bristen Hospital, heading straight to Room 501 with brisk steps. He didn’t slow down until he reached the VIP suite and stepped inside.

Lorenzo stood next to the hospital bed, arms folded, watching as a doctor checked the pale, fragile-looking girl lying under crisp white sheets.

At the sound of the door opening, Lorenzo’s sharp gaze snapped toward the hallway. His eyes locked with Xander’s as the manstepped inside. He then quietly stepped out of the room and pulled the door shut behind him.

“Well?” His voice was low and clipped, jaw set hard. “Did she throw a fit? Refuse to sign? She can be stubborn as hell when it comes to things involving me.”

Xander shook his head, holding out the papers. “No, sir. Mrs. Moretti signed without saying a word. Didn’t ask for anything. She even refused alimony.”

Lorenzo’s brows drew together in disbelief. He snatched the folder and flipped it open. His eyes scanned the pages with sharp intensity, as if expecting to find some hidden clause or a trick buried between the lines.

“She took… nothing?” he said, his voice quieter this time—stunned.