Ethan mmed the chair behind him. “So this is what we’ve


    for him.”


    “Lower your voice,” I snapped. “And get out.”


    He froze.


    “I mean it,” I said, pressing the nurse call button. “Go cool your


    head somewhere else. You’re not my husband anymore.”


    He opened his mouth but closed it again. Instead of leaving, he


    slumped back into the chair.


    Three long days passed. I didn’t want to admit it, but Ethan stayed through them all. I barely spoke to him. Ignored him. Pretended he wasn’t there. But he made himself present. Brought food. Cleaned the table. Adjusted the nket when I


    fell asleep.


    It didn’t mean anything.


    His phone rang constantly. I’d catch him staring at the screen, answering some, declining most. He was irritated, restless.


    I think I knew what was going on. The Windsor family might


    have saved Chole already and she would be trying to contact Ethan impatiently.


    One morning, I asked for help to the restroom and used the


    moment to call Ava.


    She picked up on the first ring. “Liv?”


    “Hey. Can you talk?”


    “I was just about to call you,” she said. “Are you okay?”


    “I’m fine. A little stitched up. I’ll survive.” I kept my voice light.


    “Any word on Chole?”


    A pause.


    “She’s been bailed out.”


    “On what grounds?”


    “The Windsors provided medical records iming she has a


    long–term mental condition. The judge approved supervised


    bail.”


    I exhaled. Of course they’d pull that card.


    Ava added, “It’s a temporary win. Don’t let it get to you.”


    “I’m not,” I said quietly.


    Another pause.


    “Liv,” Ava said, “what are you thinking?”


    There was silence on my end for a beat.


    Then I said it.


    “I’m thinking of a settlement.”


    Ava’s sharp inhale echoed through the speaker. “You what?”


    Olivia’s POV


    “I swear, it’s like he’s ying house,” I muttered.


    Ava’s sigh crackled softly through the phone. “Still pretending


    to be the perfect husband?”


    “Every damn day!” I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t


    see it. “He brings me soup, tucks in the nkets like he actually


    cares, wipes my tray after I eat. Ava, the man used to forget my


    birthday and now he’s folding napkins.”


    “You sound like you’re describing a different person,” she said


    dryly.


    “That’s the problem,” I replied. “He’s trying to be a different


    person. And it’s exhausting watching him act.”


    I paused and added more seriously, “I’m worried that even if I


    threaten him, he won’tpromise. He’ll just… keep trying”


    “What’re you thinking?” Ava asked cautiously.


    I bit my lip, heart racing at the thought I’d been turning over for hours. “A crazy n.”


    “I’m listening,” she said tly. “And probably about to regret it.”


    I exhaled. “I’m going to ept the Windsor family’s so–called


    ‘reconciliation‘ offer.”


    “You what?”


    “Just listen. I’ll agree to talk things out–publicly, politely, all of


    that. But behind the scenes… I’ll leak it to Chole that Ethan’s


    nning to start over with me.”


    Ava choked on augh. “You’re weaponizing Chole?”


    “Yes. She’s obsessed with him. If she thinks he’s choosing me


    again, she’ll snap. She’ll make a scene the Windsors can’t ignore.


    And if she pushes hard enough, they’ll want him to marry her-


    especially to avoid another scandal. Which means…”


    “He’ll have to divorce you.” Ava finished, catching on.


    “Yes. It’s the price of his pleasure. He had his fun. Now he can


    pay for <i>it</i>.”


    There was silence. Then Ava asked, “What if he really regrets it, Olivia? What if… he actually loves you?”


    I scoffed. “Then he can cry about it on Chole’s shoulder. I’m not


    here to y therapist anymore!”


    Ava understood what she was supposed to do now. As long as I


    were here, she would handle the things with Chole smoothly. I


    then returned to me bed, hoping that this n would work.


    At exactly 7 p.m., there was a knock on the door, and a moment


    paper bag in his hand.


    I straightened a little in bed. “Alpha.”


    Alexander gave me a slight nod, his usualposed expression


    softening just a bit. “How are you feeling?”


    “Better enough to start working soon,” I smiled, just enough to


    be polite.


    Before he could respond, Ethan suddenly stood from the chair


    in the corner, tapping frantically on his phone. “Sorry, I have to


    take this. Urgent call.”


    He left in a hurry. I didn’t even bother to pretend I cared.


    “Thanks Ava,” I muttered to myself.


    ??????


    Gai handed me the bag. “We brought you some fruit and broth from the restaurant downstairs. Thought you might be sick of that hospital menu.”


    “Thank you.” I nced at the contents with real appreciation.