The meeting was scheduled for the next day, so after finishing work, I returned home early to review the divorce settlement. I came back alone, without Alexander.
After dinner, I sat in the study with the agreement laid out on the table.
Alexander had been generous.
Ten percent of the company shares. Two villas—though not the one we currently lived in. A penthouse. Thirty million dollars.
"Such generosity, huh, CEO Blackwood?" I murmured with a sad smile as I sank into the chair.
So all this while, I had only been fooling myself. He never truly cared. He was willing to spend any amount just to separate from me.
Not wanting to dwell on it, I went to check on Maria. Ever since Alexander mentioned divorce, we had grown distant. I would wake up to an empty bed and wouldn't even know if he had returned home unless Maria told me.
Since we were divorcing, I thought it best to sleep separately, so I asked Maria to clean one of the spare rooms.
"I'm done, Mrs. Blackwood," she said.
"Thank you, Maria."
I entered the master bedroom to gather a few necessities.
"Should we expect a guest?" Maria asked from behind me.
I froze.
Maria had been like a mother to us. She once worked for Nana, but after our wedding two years ago, Nana asked her to move in with us. Back then I didn't understand why—but now I did. She had always been there for us.
"Maria… Alexander and I are getting a divorce."
Her hand flew to her mouth. "But why, dear? You two are such a wonderful couple."
I didn't know what to say to that, because Alexander and I have been quiet the perfect couple in front of everyone especially Nana. You'll understand one day. No one else knows—especially Nana. We'll tell her soon."
She nodded quietly and left.
After gathering my things, I showered, changed into my pajamas, and lay in bed. Unable to sleep, I opened Twitter—something I instantly regretted.
A trending tag caught my attention: #LilianSummer / #AlexanderBlackwood.
Despite knowing it would hurt, I tapped it.
A photo filled my screen—Alexander holding Lilian close as they exited a high-end restaurant I had always wanted us to visit. He was always too busy. Yet here he was… with the woman he loved.
The caption read:
"CEO Blackwood and Lilian Summer spotted on a date. Are the former college sweethearts reigniting old flames?"
My chest burned.
Alexander hated social media. Any rumor about him was usually deleted within minutes. But this post had been up for an hour.
It was only after Lilian returned that I began to understand him. He could be gentle and loving—but only with the woman he truly loved. And that woman was never me.
The comments praised how perfect they looked together. My vision blurred with tears. I logged out and placed my phone on the bedside table, curling into the covers as I sobbed quietly, thinking of my father until sleep finally claimed me.
A knock startled me awake.
"Alicia," Alexander's voice called.
Confused, I opened the door to find him furious.
"Why did you leave the master bedroom?" he demanded, jaw clenched.
"We're getting divorced. I thought it was fair to sleep separately," I replied calmly.
"We're not divorced yet, Alicia."
"But we will be soon. What's the point in pretending nothing is wrong?"
"You're coming back to the master bedroom. Now."
"No."
His expression darkened. "Alicia, even if we divorce, I'm still your brother and you will obey me. As long as we're legally married, you're not leaving that room. Is that clear?"
I stayed silent.
He took my arm and led me back. I followed without resistance. Once inside, he released me and headed to the bathroom while I climbed into bed, my thoughts spinning.
What just happened?
Moments later, the shower stopped. The mattress dipped beside me, and his familiar scent filled the air.
Despite everything, I drifted off to sleep.