The police quickly uncovered the truth.
The whole “corporate espionage” thing was Maya’s setup from start to finish.
She’d bribed employees inside Carter’s gallery, faked evidence-all to destroy my reputation and make me disappear forever.
Alex didn’t press charges.
He just made one phone call.
The next day, Maya was permanently kicked out of the Vienna Orchestra.
All her luxury endorsement deals? Gone overnight.
very property, every car Alex had given her? Repossessed.
he fell from the clouds straight into the mud.
ut she wasn’t done. She came looking for me.
d just left the police station and was heading to celebrate the gallery’s fresh start with the old woman.
Grace, I was wrong! Please forgive me!”
For old times’ sake-we were locked up together as kids-talk to Alex! Make him stop!”
pulled my legs free and looked down at her.
You have the nerve to bring up our childhood?”
Maya, you stole twenty years of my life. You think ‘sorry’ makes it even?”
ler crying stopped. Something vicious shed across her face.
So what if I stole it! Alex believed me all these years!”
If that old bastard cop hadn’t shown up, you’d still be dirt under my feet!”
Grace, don’t get cocky! Even if he knows the truth now, he still loves this face. He’s used to me!”
Really?” <fn0848> This content belongs to find{n}ovel</fn0848>
pulled out my phone and yed a recording.
Her conversation with the gallery manager-how she’d ordered the fake evidence, nned my arrest. Crystal clear.
I handed the phone to a reporter who’d just arrived.
“I think the public would be very interested in Miss Torres’s true colors.”
Maya’s face wentpletely white.
She was finished.
Totally finished.
Alex’s revenge had only taken away her money and status.
My revenge would nail her to the wall of shame forever.
After dealing with Maya, Alex started hunting for me like a madman.
He lifted all restrictions on me and stationed people outside my gallery 24/7.
Gifts piled up like mountains-jewelry, limited edition art supplies, everything imaginable.
I sent it all back untouched.
Then he started showing up in person.
That day, I’d just seen off a client when I spotted Alex standing in the doorway.
He’d lost weight. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his expensive suit hung on his frame like he was falling apart.
When he saw me, hope flickered in his eyes.
“Grace.”
He stepped forward, voice hoarse.
‘Can we… can we talk?”
walked around him, heading straight for the door.
le panicked and grabbed my wrist.
Grace, I’m sorry. I know I screwed up. Just give me one more chance.”
I was an asshole before, I was blind, I—”
Mr. Carter.” I cut him off, voice calm as discussing the weather. “You already signed the divorce papers. We have no rtionship.”
Those papers don’t count!” He gripped my hand stubbornly. “I didn’t recognize you when I signed them! We can remarry-I’ll arrange it right now!”
stared at him, struck by how absurd and pathetic this was.
Alex, did you forget?”
You forgot how you told those French cops ‘I don’t know her.”
Forgot how you pped me, had me beaten, threw me on that ne like garbage.”
Forgot how you crushed that jade rose pendant and said you never wanted to see me again.”
Each word was a knife stabbing straight into his heart.
His face went whiter and whiter. He swayed on his feet, barely able to stand.
‘I…” He squeezed his eyes shut in pain. “I had that pendant repaired. I’ll give it back to you. Please don’t be angry anymore, okay?”
“Not okay.” I yanked my hand free. “Alex, I don’t love you anymore.”
“I remember every single thing you did to hurt me. And the tiny bit of kindness you showed me? I’ve already paid that back.”
“We’re even.”
I turned and walked away without looking back.
Behind me came his muffled sobs-like a trapped animal.