Chapter 3

Alyssa sounded so calm and composed. She brought up the divorce like it was no big deal. Sebastian's pupils constricted. "What did you say?" Throughout the three years they'd been married, she'd never mentioned divorce, no matter what he'd done. He knew very well just how much she loved him. Alyssa's empty eyes seemed to become clear at this moment. "I'm sorry for having held you back and wasted your time, Mr. Gray. Let's get divorced." Sebastian subconsciously clenched his fist. "You heard what I was talking about, didn't you? The Somner family and Somner Group are hanging by a thread. How is it any different if I acquire the company compared to if someone else does it? "What are you trying to get out of bringing up a divorce? Do you want a child, or do you want money? Or do you want me to let your family off the hook?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threat means nothing to me!" Alyssa looked at him, suddenly finding him such a stranger. She became choked up, and her ears rang. Even with her hearing aid on, she couldn't hear what he was saying. She could only say, "I don't want anything." Afraid he would see something was wrong with her, she turned and left the study. Sebastian watched her, feeling frustrated, which he'd never felt before. He'd never let anyone affect his emotions, so this angered him. He swept everything on his desk onto the floor, including the drink Alyssa had prepared. … After Alyssa returned to her room, she popped a bunch of pills. She felt the back of her ear and pulled her hand away to see her fingers covered in blood. Perhaps the medication was finally taking effect—her hearing was restored slightly as the sky started lighting up. She stared dazedly at the weak sunlight outside the window. "The rain has stopped." Sebastian didn't leave the house that morning. He sat on the couch and waited for Alyssa to apologize to him, expressing her regret. It wasn't that she'd never thrown tantrums throughout their marriage. But after every fight, she would apologize to him. He figured things would be the same this time. He watched as Alyssa came downstairs after freshening up. She wore dark clothing that she usually wore and dragged a suitcase behind her. She was also holding some papers. He only realized the papers were a divorce agreement after she handed them to him. "You can contact me when you have time for this, Seb." That was all she said. It was a simple sentence. After that, she left. Outside the door was the sky, which was bright now that the rain had stopped. For a second, Alyssa felt like she'd been reborn. Meanwhile, Sebastian sat stiffly on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement. He took a long while to return to his senses. … It was the first weekend of the month. In past years, Sebastian would bring Alyssa back to Gray Manor with him for a family gathering. Naturally, members of the Gray family would give them odd looks. But today, he was alone. He felt particularly pleased. Gretchen and the rest of the Grays were confused when they saw Sebastian alone. In the past, Alyssa would always be the first to arrive and last to leave. She would do her best to suck up to everyone present. Yet today, she wasn't around. Gretchen frowned and asked, "Where's Alyssa, Seb?" Sebastian's expression soured a little at the mention of her. "She's run away from home after clamoring for a divorce." His words made silence descend upon the room. Everyone couldn't believe their ears, especially Gretchen. She knew Alyssa was the only one aside from her and her husband who would love Sebastian most. Seven years ago, Sebastian had almost been stabbed. At the time, Alyssa had put her life on the line to save him. Four years ago, after Sebastian and Alyssa had gotten engaged, something had happened to Sebastian when he'd gone to Denby for a business trip. Everyone thought he was dead, but Alyssa had refused to believe it. She'd flown over there to search for him. She'd spent three days in the unfamiliar city, searching high and low for him. After marriage, Alyssa had treated everyone in Sebastian's life with care, whether they were sick or whether it was just their food preferences. She even treated his secretary and assistant with respect, afraid of stepping on anyone's toes. It was evident she couldn't live without him, yet she'd asked for a divorce. Why? Gretchen didn't understand it but was glad Alyssa had finally let Sebastian go. "A woman like her isn't worthy of running in our circles. It's good that she wants a divorce. She's unworthy of you, anyway." After Gretchen said that, everyone else chimed in with insults for Alyssa. "Exactly. Seb is handsome and outstanding—he's in his prime. Alyssa's just wasting his time." The family gathering suddenly turned into a gathering to mock and insult Alyssa. It was as if she'd committed heinous and unforgivable crimes. Sebastian should've been pleased by this, but for some reason, the words irritated him. He left Gray Manor earlier than he usually would. The sky was only just starting to turn dark when he arrived at Dove Garden. When he entered the house to be greeted by darkness, it suddenly hit him that Alyssa had really left. He changed into lounge slippers and padded inside, throwing his coat into the washing machine. He didn't know why, but he felt particularly tired today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine. He wanted to celebrate Alyssa's departure from his life. But when he got there and saw the locked door, he realized he didn't have the key or know where it was. Sebastian didn't like having outsiders in his home, so there weren't any maids or housekeepers at the villa. Since marrying him, Alyssa had handled all the chores. Left with no choice, he returned to his room and checked his phone. He had a few messages, but they were about work. A day had passed since Alyssa had left, and she hadn't called or texted him to apologize. He snarled, "Let's see how long you can last, then!" He threw his phone aside and headed to the kitchen. When he opened the fridge, he was surprised. Aside from some food, there were various herbal concoctions inside. He checked one and saw that it was to cure infertility and had to be taken five times a day. Infertility? Sebastian smelled the pungent herbal concoction and linked it to the smell he'd always smelled on Alyssa. So, this was where it was from. He couldn't help sneering. There was no way she could get pregnant, no matter how many herbal concoctions she took. How could she when they'd never slept together? … Meanwhile, Alyssa groggily opened her eyes as she lay in a dim motel. Her head ached, and her surroundings were silent. She knew her condition was worsening. In the past, even without her hearing aid, she'd be able to hear the slightest sounds. She sat up and retrieved her medication from the bedside table. She took them and tasted their bitterness. After leaving Dove Garden yesterday, she'd first returned home. But as she stood at the doorstep, she'd heard her brother, Terence Somner, discussing with Heather their plans for her once the Gray family kicked her to the curb. They talked about marrying her off to an old man… Alyssa sat on the bed, her eyes empty. Only now did she understand that she had no place she could call home. She hadn't eaten in two days but didn't feel hungry. All she knew was that it was so quiet that it was scary. … It seemed to be rainier in Tillstone compared to previous years. Alyssa watched as the pedestrians hurried to and fro with their companions. She was the only one who was all alone. She couldn't help buying a ticket out of town and to the countryside. She went to the home of Mindy Smith, the nanny who'd cared for her since she was a child. It was 9:00 pm when she arrived. Mindy was evidently delighted when she saw Alyssa. "Liss!" Alyssa's nose prickled when she saw Mindy's loving smile. She hugged the latter. "Mindy…" Mindy had never married or had children due to health reasons. To Alyssa, she was more like a mother than Heather would ever be. That night, Alyssa curled up in Mindy's arms like she used to do as a child. Mindy held her, only then realizing how skinny she was. She felt like nothing more than skin and bones. Her hand trembled as she placed it on Alyssa's bony back. She forced herself to calm down. Then, she asked tentatively, "Does Seb treat you well now, Liss?" Alyssa's throat ached at the mention of Sebastian. She wanted to lie to Mindy as she always did and tell her Sebastian was great, but she knew Mindy wasn't a fool. Since she'd already decided to leave, she didn't want to lie to herself or the people who loved her anymore. She said, "The woman he likes is back, so I'm going to set him free and get a divorce." Mindy stiffened, unable to believe her ears. Alyssa had told her more than once that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Sebastian. She didn't know what to say. All she could do was gently comfort Alyssa and tell her there were so many people in this world that someone was bound to love her. Alyssa nodded silently. The ringing in her ears covered Mindy's comforting words. That night, she had a rare night of good sleep. When she woke up, she saw a large bloodstain on the spot where she'd slept. She touched her right ear and found it sticky. Then, she spread her palm to see blood all over it.