Chapter 7

Adeline looked at the gloomy sky behind him, her voice raspy from just waking up. "I’ve signed up for a tour group. I’m planning to travel and clear my head."

Dominic remained silent, simply staring at her.

Just as Adeline thought her plan had been exposed, Dominic suddenly curled his lips into a smile. "Clearing your head is a good idea. It’ll save you from clashing with the girl. I truly can't bring myself to punish you again."

He leaned down and kissed her. "It’s Wednesday; I should go and accompany the girl. Rest well, honey, and wait for me to come home."

Adeline didn't respond.

Almost as soon as he left, she raised her hand and rubbed the spot where he had kissed her with fierce intensity.

Then, her phone rang.

A staff member from the temple was on the line: "Is this Ms. Adeline? There’s been an accident with the eternal lamp you offered for your unborn child."

Adeline’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly got out of bed.

When she arrived at the temple, she saw Bianca’s parents scuffling with the staff.

"Ms. Adeline, you're finally here! These people aren't just trying to take the lamp; they’re trying to take the ashes too!"

"What are you doing!"

Adeline rushed forward to grab the urn, but was shoved aside by Bianca’s father.

"Mr. Dominic said this lamp is to be used for my grandson’s blessings!"

Adeline stumbled and fell. Looking up, she met Bianca’s smiling eyes as she held the urn. "Sister Adeline, I’m taking this lamp. As for these bothersome ashes, why don't I help you handle them?"

"Don't!"

Before Adeline could stop her, she saw Bianca flip her wrist.

Crash!

The urn shattered into pieces, and the grayish-white powder spilled all over the ground.

Bianca’s mother immediately picked up a bucket of water and poured it over them, soaking the ashes instantly.

Adeline trembled all over. She could no longer restrain herself and raised her hand, only to be caught by a powerful grip.

Dominic had appeared out of nowhere. He clamped down on her wrist with a mocking half-smile. "Honey, what are you trying to do now?"

Bianca instantly shifted into a piteous expression. "Dominic, I don't want the eternal lamp anymore. It’s just that I accidentally knocked over the urn, and Sister Adeline tried to hit me."

The smile on Dominic’s face sank. "Honey, I just praised you for being obedient. Why are you upsetting the girl again?"

Adeline felt as if a piece of her heart had been gouged out. "Dominic, didn't you hear clearly? She destroyed my child’s ashes!"

Dominic glanced at the mess on the ground. After a moment of silence, he simply wiped the tears from her face. "I will compensate you. But you cannot touch Bianca or the child in her womb."

Adeline watched helplessly as Dominic led Bianca away.

As he turned, his leather shoes trampled over the scattered ashes on the ground, leaving a trail of glaring footprints.

Adeline could no longer hold back her tears. She collapsed and crawled over, trying to scoop up the grayish-white powder with her hands, but the water flowed too fast. It was just like her relationship with Dominic over the years—no matter how she tried to grasp it, she couldn't hold on.

"Baby, I was wrong. Mommy shouldn't have loved the wrong person. Mommy is useless; I couldn't even protect your ashes..."

After gathering what remained of the ashes, she knelt before the Buddha with the urn in her arms for the entire night.

At dawn, Adeline left the temple, clutching the urn and dragging her exhausted body.

Returning to the villa, she heard intimate sounds coming from inside.

Her movements to open the door paused. She entered the code and walked in.

The sight that met her was one of total disarray. Stockings and a suit were scattered across the floor, and the air was thick with the scent of musk and perfume.

Bianca was sitting in Dominic’s lap, her body covered in hickeys.

"Dominic, gentler..."

The last time she saw such a scene, she had nearly gone mad.

This time, Adeline’s heart couldn't feel even a spark of pain.

She ignored them and went straight upstairs. The sounds from downstairs continued for a long time, but she just numbly packed her luggage.

After an unknown amount of time, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Dominic walked in.

The lust in his eyes had receded, though his shirt couldn't hide the red marks on his neck. Seeing her, he was stunned for a moment.

"Honey, why are you here?"

Thinking of everything in the living room, Adeline’s fingers gripped the handle of her suitcase tightly, yet her face was as calm as still water. "The one-month cooling-off period is over. Let’s go and get the divorce certificate."

Her tone was as flat as a stagnant pool.

Dominic felt an inexplicable surge of panic. He frowned and grabbed her hand. "What’s the rush?"

Adeline lowered her eyes. "I’m afraid of missing the tour group's flight, and I’m afraid your Bianca can't wait."

Dominic stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "Alright, it’s just a sham divorce; no need to be so serious. We’ll remarry once you’re back from your trip. I promise I’ll settle down then."

Adeline heard him, a mocking smile appearing on her face.

Half an hour later at the Civil Affairs Bureau, the moment the seal was stamped, Adeline’s heart became strangely peaceful.

Dominic tossed the divorce certificate to his assistant and pulled Adeline’s hand to give her instructions: "Remember to call me when you’re back. I’ll pick you up from the airport. You aren't allowed to look at other men while you're away, and remember to think of me every night."

"Actually, we’ve been together so long and haven't been apart for this long. I’m afraid I won't be able to stand it. Honey, how about you don't go?"

"Why aren't you saying anything? Still angry?"

Just as Adeline was about to speak, his phone rang.

It was Bianca.

She spoke in a soft voice on the other end: "Dominic, didn't you say you were going to accompany me for my prenatal checkup?"

Dominic ground his teeth and let out a "tsk." "Wait for me."

Hanging up, he squeezed Adeline's hand reluctantly. "Honey, remember to come back early. There’s something at the office; I have to go first."

As he turned to leave, Adeline said softly, "Dominic."

"Hmm?"

He looked back.

Looking at that familiar face, she shook her head with a smile. "Nothing."

Dominic frowned. As someone who was always in control, a massive sense of unease suddenly welled up in his heart.

Bianca’s phone rang again, insistent.

He hesitated for a moment but finally got into the car.

As soon as he left, Adeline headed straight for the airport.

Amidst the crowds, Adeline held her ticket and took one last look at her phone.

Dominic had sent her a text ten minutes ago:

[Honey, when you get back, let’s have another wedding. I want to see you marry me in a wedding dress one more time.]

At the same time, Dominic updated his social media with a photo of Bianca wearing a wedding dress, her lower abdomen slightly protruding.

The caption read: [Meet my future wife and son.]

Below was a reply from his friend:

[Congratulations, Brother Dominic, on the new addition to the family!]

If she had seen this in the past, Adeline might have gone mad with heartbreak because of her love for him, rushing to confront him without regard for anything.

Now, she simply turned off the phone calmly, threw away the SIM card, and walked toward the boarding gate without looking back.

Just as when she had given him a first chance because of the child, and he had returned it with a divorce decree for Bianca’s sake.

He treated the divorce as a game to coax a mistress, but from the moment Adeline decided to sign, it was final.

In her future, he would never exist again.