Chapter 1 Divorce Three years had passed since Cathy Fowler said her wedding vows, only to findherself betrayed by the man she married.

She stepped into the club's private lounge, letting the heavy door swing open behind her. The sight inside made her stomach drop. Her husband, Jayden Thorpe, had his arms around Marissa Briggs, who wore a crisp white dress, their lips locked as laughter and shouts rose from the table.

Someone exclaimed, "Looks like Mr. Thorpe and Miss Briggs make the perfect pair!"

Cathy's arrival stopped every conversation cold.

Jayden barely missed a beat, glancing her way with a practiced smile. "What brings youhere, Cathy? We're just having a little fun." He waved off her shock, then nodded atMarissa. "She can't handle her liquor, so why don't you grab her a coffee or something?"

A dull roar echoed in Cathy's ears, blotting out the noise in the room.

There was a time, three years ago, when Jayden had nearly died for her. The crash that followed wiped his memory clean - of everything except her.

Since then, Cathy had kept her true self hidden, discarding everything she loved. She'd put away her surgical mask, left her racing dreams in the dust,and buried her passion for design, concentrating on treating his memory loss.

All of that hope now felt meaningless, shattered in an instant.

"Do you even recall what you promised me last night, Jayden?"

A message from an unknown number had reached Cathy just minutes before, sending her straight to the club in a rush. Grease stains streaked her shirt, and her hair hung in brittle, uneven clumps, making her look dull.

Jayden had given his word just last night - he wouldbe home for dinner. Cathy spent the day fussing over every detail, hoping for a quiet evening together.

Instead, she found herself watching her husband flaunt his affair for everyone to see.

With a flicker of annoyance, Jayden dismissed her. "I've got work tonight. Don't start something here."

His eyes glanced over Cathy. On the surface, she looked fresh-faced, with a natural kind of beauty. Still, in his mind, she never measured up.

To him, she was just someone who kept the house running. Nothing else about her stood out.

"It's Marissa's birthday," he added, "so let's not ruin the celebration."

If you compared the two, Marissa seemed to have it all - prestige, family money, a future in medicine. According to what his grandfather said, before losing his memory, he had loved Cathy so deeply that he was willing to risk everything - even his life included - for her. But now, Jayden only found it so absurd.

Marissa rose from her seat, all wide-eyed and apologetic. "Please don't take it the wrong way, Cathy. Tonight's my birthday, and things got a little out of hand. We really were just having some fun..."

Her tone was sweet, and her face said she was just another innocent caught in the middle.

To anyone else, it might look like Cathy was picking on her.

Cathy pressed her lips into a smile, masking howmuch this stung. "I didn't know party games meant treating someone's husband like party favors."

Any more of this, and she would forget what it meant to value herself.

She looked up andsaid, "Jayden, I want a divorce."

That single sentenceseemed to drain all sound from the room.

A strange tightness settled in Jayden's chest as he stared into hereyes, colder than he'd ever seen.

Everyone there understood just how fiercely Cathy had once loved him.

"Divorce?" Jayden almost laughed, brushing her off like she was being dramatic. "Fine, Cathy. Just don't come crawling back later."

Marissa, still smarting from Cathy's earlier words,edged closer with a brittle smile. "Don't blame Jayden for this, Cathy. Honestly, I should be the one-"

A splashinterrupted her.

Cathy hurled her coffee, the liquid catching Marissa right across her dress and face. "Since you're so eager to take responsibility, Miss Briggs, consider it done."

Marissa gasped, too stunned to move.

Her perfectly styled hair was now plastered to her cheeks, and streaks of ruined makeup ran down her face.

Not a single person dared to speak as silence fell like a heavy curtain.

Everyone present knew Marissa had always been sheltered by her family's wealth. No one had ever dared to humiliate her so openly.

The sweet, harmlesslook she wore hadvanished completely.

"Have you lost your mind, Cathy?"

A shock rippled through Jayden - this was nothing like the quiet woman he remembered.

Was this really the same person who always let things slide?

Cathy's tone stayed cool as ice. "Isn't this exactly what you were hoping for, Miss Briggs?" She didn't flinch, lifting her phone for everyone to see. "You went out of your way tosend me that room number. I figured I'd show up and make the most of your little surprise."

She tapped the screen, pulling up theanonymous message.

A second swipe revealed the tracking code, displaying the IP address and contact info behind it all.

People crowded closer, jaws dropping asthe truth came out.

All the evidence landed squarely on Marissa's shoulders.

"So you went out of your way to invite me here to catch you two in the act? Does Jayden know about this?"

Every gaze in the room snapped to Marissa, who faltered, her confidence draining away.

Tears welled up, but she shook her head desperately. "I didn't do anything - this is a mistake!"

For someone who thought she'd covered her tracks, seeing her own details on Cathy's screen left her reeling. The codes traced right back to her address, exposing everything.

Silent tears streamed down Marissa's face, but not once did she confess.

She turned to Jayden and said, "I swear, Jayden, I have no idea how this happened."

Coffee stains meant nothing to Marissa in that moment. Her entire focuswas on salvaging her spotless image.

Nothing could be moreimportant than protecting her reputation.

"Someone's obviously trying to set me up. This is just a cruel joke."

Her original plan had been simple - to humiliate Cathy quietly and force her to retreat. Now everything had backfired spectacularly, and she was the one in the hot seat.

Jayden's brow creased in confusion.

Instinct told him to step up for Marissa, but seeing Cathy standing there, shoulders drooped and so obviously hurt, unsettled him in a way he couldn't explain.

All of it struck Cathy as almost absurd. If Jayden hadn't lost his memory, would he just stand there and keep silent?

She looked at him without a trace of warmth. "From here on out, Mr. Thorpe, we're done!"

Jayden's jaw tightened at her words. Whatever mistakes he had made before, Cathy had always taken them in silence.

Now, she was acting like a single round of party games was unforgivable, and he couldn't understand why she was so determined to end it all.

Chapter 2 Welcome Back To Freedom Jayden barely masked his disdain. "If you really think you're that brave, pack your things and leave tonight."

His investigation had turned up everything - Cathy's childhood in the countryside, years of neglect from the Burgess family, a lifetime spent on the sidelines.

Even with divorce looming, he doubted she had anywhere else to go.

Cathy didn't flinch. "Rest assured, Mr. Thorpe, staying at your place never crossed my mind anyway."

With that, she turned and walked out, not once looking back.

A stunned silence lingered, leaving Jayden at a loss for words.

Around the table, whispers and knowing glances spread quickly.

"She's probably just being dramatic," one guest said quietly. "Give it a few hours - she always comes home like nothing happened."

"Yeah, she needs the Thorpe family. After every argument, she's always the first to make peace," another added.

Marissa, still dripping and looking every bit the victim, brushed a tear away. "Jayden, don'tworry about me. Go check on her. I'll be fine."

Misery clung to her as she shiveredin her wet clothes.

Jayden forced his feelings down. "Forget it. I'll getyou some dry clothes first."

His gaze slid toward the window, certain ofwhat would happen next.

"Give her two hours. Cathy will crawl back home, right on schedule," Jaydensaid, almost daring anyone to disagree.

Marissa managed a faint smile, biting her lip in fake remorse. "That's probably for the best. Oh, and the Curtis family is hosting a banquet tomorrow - maybe Cathy should go with you, just to keep up appearances."

Jayden didn't hesitate. "She's never been good enough, not for me. You're the one I want, Marissa." His tone softened as he leaned closer. "The Curtis family's lookingfor skilled doctors, and this could be our chance to build something real with them."

Compliments flew in from all sides, fuelingMarissa's confidence.

"No need to stress, Mr. Thorpe," one guest chimed in. "Miss Briggs graduated top of her class from Frahmont School of Medicine, and everyone knows she studied under the legendary Phantom Healer!"

Trying to appear modest, Marissa offered a gentle smile. "I'll give it everything I've got tomorrow."

Of course, the truth was quite different. The Phantom Healer had vanished years back, leaving behind only ahandful of cryptic journals that Marissa stumbled on.

Securing the Curtis family's trust had become her newest obsession.

...

Meanwhile, at Violet Villa, Cathy quietlyprepared her escape.

Barely anything in the house belonged to her, so she gathered only her essentials - her phone, a few documents, and nothing more.

A message pinged through to her best friend - short, to thepoint, and final. Divorce papers bore her signature, ink drying as she slid her wedding ring on top with a soft clink.

"That's three years I'll never get back," Cathy said quietly, voice carrying only to the empty room.

With nothing left to hold her, she slipped out into the night, leaving the past behind.

An orange-red Lamborghini pulled up to the curb just moments later. Frombehind the wheel, a woman with her hair twisted in a sleek bun jumped out and swept Cathy into a tight embrace. "Welcome back to freedom, Cathy!"

With a flourish, Demi Scott tossed her the keys. "Three years is long enough. It's time to reclaim your crown, Queen Cathy - everyone's waiting for you."

Demi wasn't just someone Cathy called a friend - she was an orphan who had survived the toughest years alongside Cathy, their bond tighter than family ever could be.

That kind of loyalty meant she took everything personally.

"Jayden? He's a walking disaster. And Marissa, acting like she's some sort of medical prodigy? Give me a break, Cathy. The woman's a fraud," Demi blurted, her frustration spilling over. "Honestly, the two of them make me sick."

Gratitude made Cathy's eyes sting- having Demi in her corner felt like the only real blessing left.

She popped open the door and tossed her bag inside."Let's get out of here. No sense dragging around old chains. Took me long enough to figure that out."

Sometimes, it really wasn't too late to choose yourself.

Relief washed over Demi as she slid into the driver's seat, then she paused, remembering something important. "Wait- there's more. I dug up that information you asked about."

Her phone buzzed,a file landing in Cathy's inbox.

Demi lowered her voice, the air suddenly heavier. "Turns out, yourmom's death wasn't just bad luck. There's something off about the nurse who delivered you. She might be at the center of everything."

A crease formed between Cathy's brows. "Is there any way we can track down this nurse?"

From the day she was born, tragedy had followed - her mother lost her life during childbirth.

Her father claimed that she was a jinx, sending her away to a remote village and severing her place in the Burgess family.

But with each passing year, Cathy found it harder to believe her mother's death was just a tragic accident.

Demi shook her head, frustration clear. "Nothing concrete yet. The last sighting puts her at the Curtis estate. That's a fortress if there ever was one. Getting in won't be simple."

The name Curtis triggered memories of an old rival, though he was a crime boss from Mapleley - a country that was far away from here. That man had no known ties to Frahmont's high society.

Determination settled over Cathy. "No matter how risky it gets, I have to see this through."

As if on cue, her phone vibrated - a new message lighting up the screen.

Cathy glanced down and blinked in surprise. Her distant, frosty father had summoned her home for the first time in years.

"Something's definitely up," Demi remarked, her voice edged with suspicion.

Cathy tucked her phone away, jaw set. "Good. I've put this off long enough. It's timeI finally reclaim what belongs to my mother."

Twenty minutes later, Cathy stood at the threshold of the Burgess mansion. In the reception room, a stern-faced, middle-aged man leaned heavily on a cane, waiting.

"You really can't do anything right. First you let your marriage fall apart, and now you're talking about divorce?"

A heavy sigh escaped Cathy's father, Josh Burgess, as he continued, "The Thorpe family run half the city's construction. Our company relies on them. You think I'll let your personal drama mess up business?"

Waving his hand dismissively, he gave her his final word. "Go fix dinner for Jayden. Swallow your pride, say you'resorry, and don't make things worse than they already are."

Chapter 3 An Invitation For The Burgess Family's Daughter Cathy let out a low, mocking laugh. No hint of respect softened her words.

"Funny - I heard from Grandma that your own affair had you crawling to her for mercy. She broke your leg, didn't she? And she also said you begged my mother for forgiveness for three days straight."

Her lips curved in a smile, but there was nothing warm in her eyes.

Josh's face turned red, his fury nearly boiling over. "You dare talk to me like that?"

Never before had he seen such icydefiance from her.

He'd expected that after living in the countryside for so long,she would be timid, easy to control. Instead, Cathy showed the same stubbornness that used to drive him mad about her mother.

"Get on your knees!" Losing all patience, Josh raised his cane, voice shaking with anger. "I'll teach you how to show some respect."

But Cathy moved fast, her hand closing around the cane before he could bring it down.

"Careful, Dad," she said calmly. "Your leg's not what it used to be."

Josh struggled, shocked to realize that he couldn't yank the cane free.

Rage twisted his features. "Let go of me!"

With a light laugh, Cathy replied, "If you insist."

She released her grip without warning, sending Josh sprawlingto the floor with a heavy thud.

A bright, almost innocent laugh slipped from Cathy. "I warned you to be careful, didn't I?"

Josh winced, his face slick with pain as hestruggled to recover.

"Guards! Where are you? This rudeness ends now!" he shouted, hands shaking as he tried to lunge for Cathy.

Suddenly, footsteps thundered in the hallway,interrupting the chaos.

A housekeeper burst in with urgent news. "Mr. Burgess, someone fromthe Curtis family is here. They've brought an invitation for yourdaughter - she's expected at tomorrow's banquet at Curtis Mansion."

Josh's anger froze mid-motion.

The Curtis family?

He'd heard whispers that the head of Umbra Expanse, who was from the Curtis family, had returned to host an extravagant event, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect the Burgess name on the guest list.

This was a family whose parties made the front page - Curtis Mansion's halls glittered with real diamonds, the kind most could only see in museums.

"Wait, I'llgo greet them myself."

Abandoning his anger, Josh scrambled upright, his priorities shifting in an instant. "Get Justine on the phone right now! She needs to be here to welcome them."

Josh hadtwo daughters.

Cathy, his late wife's child, had grown up far from home, banished to the countryside before she could even walk. The other, Justine Burgess, came from his second marriage - awoman who could always get everything she wanted, pampered and treasured beyond measure.

It seemed obvious to Josh that the prestigious Curtis invitation couldn't possibly be meant for Cathy. Surely, it was destined for his precious, well-groomed youngest.

Once her father disappeared down the hall, Cathy quietly made her way outside, determined to find what her mother had left behind.

She remembered her grandmother's final instructions before her death and knelt beneath the old tree, fingers digging at the tangled roots. There, hidden away, she uncovered a small black box.

"No key," Cathy murmured, weighing it in her hand.

The box fit neatly in her palm, but the material was tough, nearly impossible to pry open without the right tool.

With a shrug, Cathy tucked it away and made her way back inside, only to cross paths with Justineand Josh as they laughed together in the corridor.

Justine looked every inch the heiress, wrapped in a designer dress and sparkling with expensive jewelry. "Oh, Cathy. I'm shocked you're still hanging around."

She shot Cathy a condescending glance, chin tilted high.

"Let's be honest - you probably haven't even set foot in an event like this. TheCurtis invitation is obviously for me. Watch closely, Cathy, and maybe you'll learn how real high society lives," Justine added, her words dripping with scorn.

Cathy leaned back, eyes full of calm amusement. "Well, then maybe it will be an unpleasant banquet for every guest if you attend. Because they'll have to stay in the same hall with an ugly and revolting woman."

The insult hit home. Justine's face twisted in outrage. "You absolute-"

"That's enough!" Josh cut Justine off with a sharp gesture. "Keep it together. The Curtis family will arrive any minute now."

Hardly had the words left his mouth when a man in a tailored suit entered the foyer.

Recognition lit up Justine's face - she knew instantly that he was the Curtis family's top secretary.

"Ma'am-" The secretary barelygot a word out.

Justine quickly stepped ahead of Cathy. "I'm right here!"

Justine looked at the secretary with a smile and continued, "It's an honor to welcome the leader of Umbra Expanse back.Please let him know I'm delighted to receive his invitation."

A smirk tugged at her lips as she shot Cathy a dismissive glance.

Being the favorite all her life, Justine couldn't imagine the invitation was meant for anyone else.

Josh quickly chimed in, grinning fromear to ear, "Justine will bring gifts on behalf of our family, of course."

He was already calculating the possibilities. With the Curtis family's reach, their blessing would make the Burgess fortune untouchable - even without Jayden's backing.

To their shock, the secretary strode right past them, stopping directly in front of Cathy.

He gave a respectful bow. "Miss Fowler," he called, offering the envelope with both hands. "Mr. Curtis asked me to personally deliver this invitationto you. He looks forward to speaking with you about a potential partnership."

For a moment, Cathy blinked in disbelief before she reached out and accepted the invitation, her fingers brushing over the embossed crest.

She'd heard rumors about Kellan Curtis - the elusive head of Umbra Expanse, shrouded in mystery and newly returned to Frahmont.

Still, none of it explained why someone like him would seek her out.

Whatever the reason, Cathy recognized a rare chance when she saw it. Getting inside the Curtis estate had just landed in her lap.

Josh stood frozen, shock giving way to suspicion ashe scanned the invitation.

"Is this some kind of mistake? You're sure you meant to invite her?"

The envelope left no doubt - Cathy's full name was written in bold, unmistakable script.

Justine, livid and off-guard, couldn't help but snap. "Seriously?Why would the Curtis family bother with someone the Burgess family threw away - someone who can't even hold her marriage together?"

Chapter 4 The One Who Treated Jayden "Please, mind your words," the secretary said crisply. "Mr. Curtis made it clear that he won't hesitate to dealpersonally with anyone who dares to insult Miss Fowler."

A shiver ran through Justine's body, and she instinctively retreated a few paces.

Everyone knew that Kellan had a reputation for being merciless, but what was baffling waswhy Cathy had earned such fierce protection.

"You've got the wrong idea," Josh blurted out, forcing a flattering smile. "Cathy is my daughter too. Naturally, I care about her."

Josh, ever quick to read the room, knew better than to risk offending the Curtis family, so he turned sharply on Justine and scolded her with severity. "I've let you get away with too much. How could you speak to your sister in such a way? Apologize to her right now!"

"Dad..." Justine's voice trembled in disbelief.

But Josh remained unyielding, and the secretary was not one to be defied. Swallowing her anger, Justine clenched her teeth and muttered, "Cathy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken like that."

Cathy folded her arms dismissively. "Forget it. I won't let a fool get to me."

Justine stood speechless, herchest tight with the overwhelming urge to tear Cathy part.

When had this bitch managedto worm her way into the Curtis family's good graces?

Once the secretary left, Josh plasteredon a strained grin.

"Cathy, tell me - how did you meet Kellan?"

His excitement was poorly concealed; in truth, he was already calculating how to leverage the Curtis familyconnection for the Dawncrest Bay construction project.

"If you're curious, you can ask him yourself," Cathy replied flatly, ambling away without further explanation.

Josh stiffened. It dawned on him then that Cathy's compliant demeanorhad been nothing more than an act.

Justine, seething, stamped her foot.

"Dad, she robbed me of my chance!"

"Then go to Marissa," Josh declared. "She's known as the Phantom Healer's apprentice. Sheshould be able to secure you an introduction."

He was certain Kellan had been seeking a medical genius to handle the lingering nerve damage in his arm. As a renowned doctor, Marissa was bound to be invited to his event.

...

The following evening, Cathy arrived promptly at the grand banquet hall, immediately drawing the eyes of those around her.

"Which family is she from? She's breathtaking!"

Wearing a custom red gown, Cathy had her usually simple hair now tumbling in glossy waves over her shoulders. Paired with silver heels, her entire look radiated confidence and command -so different from the restrained image she'd carried during her years with the Thorpe family.

It was difficult to pinpoint exactly when Jayden's preferences had begun shaping Cathy's wardrobe, steering her toward more simple and understated outfits.

In truth, that style was Marissa's idea.

"I knew it! A fitted red dress is perfect for you," Demi exclaimed, tilting her head as she admired Cathy. "It's so much freer."

Cathy alloweda smile. "Ithink so too."

Before now, she had gone to great lengths to reshape herself inorder to win Jayden's approval.

Now set on a divorce,she was finally living by her own choices.

Demi gave her a playful wink.

"The Curtis family didn't extend me an invitation, so Cathy, I'll wait outside. If any handsome men cross your path, make sure to grab the chance and have a little fun," she said teasingly.

But Cathywasn't interested.

Tonight was about locating Lydia Curtis.

From her inquiries, she had discovered that the nurse who had assisted with her mother's delivery had last worked under Lydia.

Determined, Cathy stepped further inside the hall, only to see two familiar faces - Jayden and Marissa, the former holding the latter's waist.

"Marissa, you're the Phantom Healer's apprentice," Jaydensaid. "You treated me after my accident, and I trust your skills. You'll certainly leave an impression on Kellan."

He vaguely remembered a soft voice murmuring to him again andagain while he lay unconscious.

And when he had finally regained consciousness, the first face he saw was Marissa's.

Marissa continued with her innocent act. "I love you," she muttered sweetly. "That's why I'm willing to do anything."

Cathy nearly laughed aloud.

Since when hadshe taken onan apprentice?

And more importantly, during Jayden's accident, it had been herwho operated on him, not Marissa.

Chapter 5 Kellan Actually Is... A rush of disbelief washed over Jayden as his eyes landed on Cathy.

"Wait... Cathy?"

It took Jayden a second or two to actually process who he was looking at.

Standing there in a show-stopping reddress, she hardly looked like the quiet Cathy he remembered from before.

"Jayden, you must mean a lot to Cathy," said Marissa, catching the flicker in his eyes.

With her hand pressed softly against his arm, Marissa let her warmth show in a practiced smile. "I'm honestly surprised she went all out just to turn heads tonight, and now she's tagging along with us."

She eased herself alittle closer to Jayden as she spoke.

If Marissa was waiting for Cathy to fall apart, whatshe saw instead was a fierce fire burning in Cathy's gaze, something she never expected to find there.

Cathy leveled her voice and asked, "So, Jayden, do you actually buy the whole story about her being Phantom Healer's apprentice, or that she's the one who pulled you back from the brink?"

Jayden let out a dry laugh and said, "Oh, absolutely, Marissa's my big hero." His tone dripped with irony. "That's a lot more than I can say for you. You're the reason I wound up in the hospital. It baffles me that I ever thought you were special."

Memories of the chaos in that private room from last night flashed through his mind.

He'd stayed out all night, and for the first time, Cathy didn't try to reach out, not even a single text.

She wasn't even home when he came back. It was like she had vanished - noupdates, no messages, not even a sign.

And now, after all that, here she was, trailing after him like nothing had changed.

With an icy bite in his tone, Jaydensneered, "Don't tell me you're about to take credit for saving my life?"

It dawned on Cathy then - trying to justifyherself was pointless.

Years ago, right after Jayden's accident, his mother, Josie Thorpe, made sure Cathy was persona non grata at the hospital. She had been banished without hesitation.

There were nights when Cathy had no choice but to dodge security and slip in disguised, desperate to help while Jayden lay unconscious.

So now, standing in front of him, she had nothing to prove her side of the story.

Blank and unreadable, Cathy replied, "Mr. Thorpe, once the divorce papers are signed, I hope your eyes will finally open."

Turning on her heel, sheshowed nothing but resolve as she walked away.

Jayden felt a strange irritation clawing at him. Why did she suddenly seem so magnetic, just because she changed her dress?

He scoffed under his breath, "I'm not going to fall for this whole act of playing distant."

Yet somewhere in the back of his mind, Jayden wondered if Cathy hadalways been holding something back.

Maybe the woman standing before him was who she truly was all along.

Cathy was almost at the doors when a voice thundered across the hall. "Mr. Curtis has just arrived!"

A hush swept through the crowd like a wave.

Curiosity took hold, and everyone swiveled toward the entrance. Cathy stopped, curiosity flickering across her face, and watched with the rest.

Her gaze drifted upward from the floor, pausing first on a polished pair of black leather shoesthat looked expensive enough to cost a fortune.

With every stride, the man's tailored pants outlined his long frame, sending a subtle energy through the air, as if people naturally made room for him.

Upward, she noticed the broad chest that seemed ready to burst out of his crisp shirt, the fabricstruggling to contain the sheer strength beneath.

That body, with its wide shoulders and sculpted waist, made him impossible to ignore.

At last, Cathy found herself looking straight at his face.

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, everything around her faded away.

"Why doesit haveto be him?"

There was a wildness to his sharp features, but it was his eyes - intense andmagnetic - that refused to let her go.

A sudden wave of hushed voices reached her ears, buzzing with awe and disbelief.

"That's Kellan? I never thought he'd lookthat good in person."

"Looks can fool you. He's brutal when it comes down to a fight."

"This is the first time the leader of the Umbra Expanse has appeared in public!"

Cathy couldn't move,completely thrown by the sight of him.

Even just his outline seemed to command the entire room.

He moved closer, and as the light hit his familiar face, Cathy's heart thudded against her chest.

Noway.

How could Kellan be her former nemesis in Mapleley, Shadow Viper?

Chapter 6 Phantom Healer Is Already Here A cold shiver crept down her spine as Cathy thought back to the kiss that had haunted her for half a decade.

Years ago, she'd swallowed a dangerous concoction, risking everything to fake her deathand slip through the fingers of her enemies.

And to get back at Shadow Viper, she'd pressed a blood-stained kiss onto him - a man notorious for his obsession with staying spotless - just before collapsing, hoping to disgust him one final time.

Just as she planned, word of her "death" spread, and the hunters became convinced there was something twisted betweenher and Shadow Viper, hounding him without mercy ever since.

Meanwhile, the present was nothing but chaos. All around, people scrambled, eager to win favor.

"Mr. Curtis is here! Move, let me see!" voices shouted as the crowd pushed forward in a frenzy.

Cathy, meanwhile, turned quietly, intent on slipping awaybefore things got out of hand.

But sometimes, the more you fear something, themore it will come to you.

Her phone buzzed unexpectedly. She answered with a wary, "Hello?"

Only silence came from the other end, prickling her skin with unease.

A split second later, her heart pounded, realization dawning as she lifted her eyes to the front of the hall.

Across the room, Kellan stood at the center, phone pressed to his ear, gazelocked on hers with chilling certainty.

His voice, low and resolute, cut through the static. "I warned you, even death wouldn't keep mefrom tracking you down to the ends of the earth."

A deep, gravelly edge laced hiswords, casual on the surface but packed with an untamed will.

Cathy's thumb hovered over the screen, ready to end the call. Somehow, Kellan seemed to sense her hesitation.

"I found out where that nurse you've been chasing is hiding," Kellan said, every word rolling out smooth as silk. "Walk away now, and I'll have the whole place locked up tight. Don't test me."

A soft click signaled he had hung up, leaving Cathy standing there, stunned and reeling.

What kind of lunatic plays games like this?

She had scoured the city for years, chasing any scrap of information about the nurse, coming up empty every single time. Now Kellan waltzed in and dangled it in front of her like bait.

Memories of Mapleley hit her in a rush -their endless sparring, the way their paths crossed in one battle after another.

Yet, whenever someone came for her life, Kellanalways got there first.

Back then, surrounded by bodies and chaos, he hadonly shot her a cold smirk and said, "You're myopponent. If anyone's taking you out, it'll be me."

Dominating. Unapologetic. Always unpredictable.

There was no better word for Kellan than madman.

Every step Cathy took felt like a brushwith danger, as if the world beneath her heels could give way at any second.

A couple of minutes slipped by before she quietly reached for a glass of champagne and tippedit back, letting the bubbles settle her nerves.

Jayden, noticing her unusual choice to drink, made his way over.

"Since when did you start drinking to forget?" he asked, narrowing his eyes while reaching to take the glass from her.

Cathy tilted her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. "What's this, Mr. Thorpe? Are you worried something might happen to me?"

Jayden kept his tone stiff. "You and I aren't done on paper, so I'd rather you didn't make a scene."

"You can relax," Cathy replied, her voice steady. "You'll neversee me chasing after you again."

For a moment, Jayden caught something troubled in Cathy's expression. Whatever flicker of emotion he felt, he shoved it down.

"Drop the act, Cathy," he retorted, voice turning cold. "Trying to get my attention won't work anymore."

Without waiting for a reply, he spunon his heel and left her behind, already moving on to his next priority.

With Marissa beside him, Jayden strode up to Kellan.

"Mr. Curtis, Jayden Thorpe. I represent Sunshine Construction Group," he said, offering a respectful nod and raising his glass. "Meeting you today is a privilege."

"I heard you've been searching for skilled medical professionals," Jayden added after a brief pause, casting a quick look at Marissa. "Turns out, Marissa here graduated at the top of her med school class."

No hesitation marked his words - itwas a direct pitch.

Marissa lifted her own glass, her smile graceful but confident.

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Curtis," she said. "I'm MarissaBriggs. I studied under the Phantom Healer. If there's any way I can lend my expertise, just let me know."

Their introductions faded into silence, as Kellan made no move to raise his glass in return.

Instead, something unspoken settled over the group, and Jayden felt his shoulders tense beneath the weight of it.

A beat passed beforeKellan's gaze finally slid over to them.

"I wasn't aware that the Phantom Healer ever took on an apprentice," Kellanreplied, his tone cool and unreadable.

Relief flooded through Jayden, and herushed to clarify.

"You see, Mr. Curtis, since you've only just come back to Frahmont, it might be news to you," Jayden explained. "Marissa owns rare books written by the Phantom Healer. They're solid proof of their mentoring relationship."

Without missing a beat, Marissa tapped on her phone, pulling up several images for proof.

"I can show you some pictures now if you'd like."

Kellan finally gave the screen a passing glance.

Marissa kept her tone light, adding, "If you'd prefer, I can bring the entirecollection to you in person another day."

Marissa's self-assurance was unshakable; she truly believed her expertise would sway Kellan without question.

Her phone flashed with images - inside those frames, the so-called legacy book appeared, stamped with the unmistakable mark of the Phantom Healer.

Not far away, Cathy's brows knitted in concern as she observed the spectacle.

Years ago, she'd thrown that manuscript together in a rush, never bothering to polish it. Losing it felt inconsequential at the time.

Now, someone was waving it around like a priceless treasure.

While she mulled over this twisted turn of fate, Kellan leaned back and crossedhis legs in a display of easy confidence.

"Is that right?" Kellan remarked, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Funny thing - I ran into the Phantom Healer myself during my days in Mapleley."

An uneasy feeling crept up on Cathy. She lifted her eyes and locked onto Kellan's.

He stayed relaxed, almost too casual, and said in a calm, lazy tone, "How about I just ask her myself?"

Kellan's words swept through the room like a spark on dry grass, instantly catching everyone's attention.

"Did you hear that? That's the Phantom Healer he's talking about! She's famous - people say she can work miracles in the operating room, and nobody's saved more lives than her."

Whispers rippled through the room, voices rising with curiosity."Nobody really knows what the Phantom Healer looks like. Some say she's a silver-haired woman, old enough to be a grandmother."

"Do you think Marissa is really her apprentice? I wonder if it's true," another questioned, suspicion coloring their words.

The hum of speculation drained the color from Marissa's face, leaving her rooted in place and tense.

If the Phantom Healer really showed up, the truth would unravel in an instant.

Jayden, oblivious to her panic, nodded with confidence.

"If you're acquainted with the Phantom Healer, Mr. Curtis, that's fantastic news. I've always heard she's fond of wandering the world. This could be the perfect chance for her and Marissa to reconnect."

Considering her reputation for eccentricity and disappearing acts, Jayden saw no harm in the suggestion.

Marissa stood frozen, fighting to hide her fear.

Trying to sound casual, she managed to say,"Actually, Mr. Curtis, my mentor values her privacy. Maybe now isn't the best time..."

Before she could invent another excuse, Kellan lifted his hand with deliberate calm.

"Don't bother - she's already here."

The crowd instantly parted, following his gesture and clearing a path.

All eyes landed on Cathy, stunned as it became clear she was the one Kellan meant.

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The door swings shut behind me, sealing out the city’s roar, but nothing can mute the laughter inside this lounge. There he is—Jayden—lips locked with Marissa Briggs, her white dress glowing under the dim lights like some twisted bridal fantasy. A cheer rises: 'Perfect pair!' My stomach drops. Three years ago, he nearly died saving me. Now, he can’t even look ashamed.

He sees me. Smiles. 'What brings you here, Cathy? We’re just having fun.'

Fun. Like our marriage was a game. Like I didn’t spend nights memorizing neural charts to help his damaged brain remember my face. Like I didn’t give up racing, designing, surgery—all of it—for him.

A message lit up my phone minutes ago: Room 12. Come see what your husband’s really doing. Grease stains mark my shirt—I was fixing engines, something I used to love. My hair’s uneven, hacked short in frustration. I look nothing like the polished wife he parades.

He waves me off. 'She can’t handle her liquor. Grab her coffee or something.'

Coffee. As if I’m still his servant.

I step forward, voice steady despite the storm inside. 'Do you even recall what you promised me last night, Jayden?'

He blinks. Doesn’t answer.

'Then let me remind you. You said you’d be home for dinner. I cooked. Waited. Alone.'

He sighs, annoyed. 'I’ve got work tonight. Don’t start something here.'

Marissa stands, feigning innocence. 'Please don’t take it wrong, Cathy. Things got out of hand...'

I smile. Cold. Sharp. 'Party games mean treating someone’s husband like party favors?'

Then I say the words I’ve swallowed for years: 'Jayden, I want a divorce.'

Silence crashes down. Even the music seems to pause.

He almost laughs. 'Fine. Just don’t come crawling back later.'

Marissa edges closer. 'Don’t blame Jayden, Cathy. Honestly, I should be the—'

I throw my coffee. It hits her full in the face, staining her perfect dress, dripping down her manicured cheeks.

'You wanted responsibility, Miss Briggs? Consider it done.'

I raise my phone. Swipe. Show the anonymous message. Another swipe—IP trace. Contact logs. All leading to her.

'So you invited me here to catch you two? Does Jayden know?' I ask.

Every eye turns to her.

She stammers, denies, cries—but the proof is undeniable.

And then, quietly, I say: 'From here on out, Mr. Thorpe, we’re done.'

He stares, jaw tight. For the first time, I see doubt flicker in his eyes.

But I’m already walking away.

Because the real question isn’t whether I’ll survive this.

It’s who I’ll become now that I’m free.