apter 12
minutes later, Albert’s assistant, Blake Gallum, arrived at the villa, slightly out of breath. There was a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead.
strode over and said urgently, “Mr. Palmer, did you want me to track down Mrs. Palmer ?“.
sert sat on the couch, gripping the contract in his hand. His gaze seemed unfocused..
ake’s voice snapped him back to reality. Albert realized that he’d called lake over in his confusion. He’d wanted Blake to find Melanie. But now that his mind
s clearer, the truth set in. The contract was over.
seves dropped to the document again. The black–and–white text laid it out clearly–a five–year marriage where they would fulfill their own needs before going
tir separate ways.
lanie had simply honored their contract. She hadn’t broker any terms. What right did he have to chase after her? What reason did he have to disrupt her new life?
mushing weight settled over Albert’s chest, making it hard to breathe.
econtract was over. It was over.
ere was no reason left to look for Melanie,
ke, watching the shifting emotions on Albert’s face, felt uneasy. He hesitated before asking, “Mr. Palmer, should still Investigate?”
sert remained slient for a long moment. He leaned back against the couch, closing his eyes as his mind spiraled into chaos
felt like he was losing his grip on sanity. He didn’t know whether he should have Blake investigate. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do. He didn’t even
wwhat he wanted anymore.
he knew was that Melanie’s departure had ripped something open inside him.
then, the front door swung open. Vivienne walked in. Her face was pale, and her eyes were slightly swollen. It was clear that she’d been crying.
bert, I’m back. I was being childish earlier. 1 shouldn’t have taken your affection for granted and made you ldss me. Don’t be mad at me, please.
ert lifted his head and glanced at her, but he said nothing.
enne sensed something was off with him. A feeling of unease settled in her chest.
- reached out and grabbed his sleeve before asking cautiously, “What’s wrong, Albert? You look awful. And why is the house so empty?”
ent didn’t answer right away. After a long pause, he finally handed her the contract in his hand.
ve years ago, Melanie and I signed a marriage contract. After five years, we were meant to part ways. Now that the time has come, she’s lett, and we’ve divorced.
Geime froze. Then, her face lit up w
with joy. “Are you serious? You’re out lying to me?”
scanned the contract over and over and couldn’t contain her excitement. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you signed such a contract? I thought. But it The divorced now, then we can be together, right?
vos naïve before, and i didn’t have the courage to oppose Dad and Mom or challenge societal expectations. But now, I’ve grown up. Albert, whatever it is that
want to do, I’ll be by your side. We can get married right now! Let’s make it official!!
voice was filled with anticipation, as if she could already see
perfect future awaiting them
Albert dida‘ i tract the waysbe’d expected. Instead of loolding happy, he frowned. His tone wolę i
g distant as he said, “Don’t be ridiculous, ViĹTM
lenor seemned taken aback by Albert’s traction. Her face lisstantly dathered, and her voice held a trace.
diculous? What’s wrong with you, Albert? You signed this contract five years ago so that you’d still have a chance to be with me afterward, right? Now the nor is right infriant of you. Why are you rejecting it?”
ert’s heart shipped a feral, Indeed, when he signed the contract live years ago, it was with the tutention of not being bound to Malanir foclite. He thought thul erlive years, lie would have a cliance to be witli Viviente.
w that the finar had come, why was be filled with so una li hesitation and fummoil? When had things changed?
it when he started danding Melanie’s polite demeanor oddly darning? Was it when he calm gaze gave him a sense of peace he’d never found with Vivienne?
“dousy stableed Huuugh him the moment she mentioned Leont
ave et ripotions cashed overtim regter, loss, something he couldn’t maine.
awhile you’r
he was frozen hur silence, het expirsaton dachried completely. Her volor was tinged with anger as she said, “Albert, I’ve wanted to say
Duheep saying you love me like you used to, but
It’s not true! Tell me. Have you Lallen in love with Melanie? Who do you really live? Merher
ent’s breathi canglu. His lips parted, but no worden
drune’s chest tightened in pat atlas silence. He sounded Insterical “You’l sitating? Why are you besitating? You loved me for so long! Why did you Idenly tall for ben? I dont believe ill Dues that mean you’ll past love whauver leaves!!
dathat, she spun around and ran qua. Hiei footsteps were untrady, as I she’s (up all her strength, but Albert just stond afe, For me, he didn’t rush after be the
e’d flauwis tantrums too many times, and be was indy exhausted.
ke, who’d been standing on the sidelines, had watched the cute wold without daring to make a moural
Dog silence stretched between them. Then, finally, blake asked cautioudy, “Mr. Puliner, who should i hod now?–
Albert couldn’t answer.
Blake could no longer hold back and spoke up. “Mr. Palmer, perhaps the person you’re thinking of right now is the one you truly want to find.”
The words hit Albert like a thunderclap, shaking his heart to its core, He covered his eyes. After a long pause, he replied, “Find Melanie.”
