"Mr. Sterling, you are truly lucky to have such a wife. She really loves you. She clearly loves the flavors of our restaurant, yet she always makes compromises for your sake."

After hearing this, Julian’s heart gave a sudden, sharp tug.

He had previously thought the chef had been replaced, which was why the flavors were different, but it turned out he had been eating a special-order version all along.

Celine would clearly remember every single one of his preferences.

For the dishes he loved, she learned how to cook them herself.

For the ties he liked to use, she would tidy them in advance and place them in the most prominent spot.

She valued his birthday more than anything else.

Yet Sienna knew nothing of these things; she only cared about her own happiness.

Julian’s heart began to thud, as if he could no longer hold it back. He took out his phone and, for the first time, took the initiative to call Celine.

"The number you have dialed is not in service..."

The cold tone seemed to mock his late realization.

Celine’s number was out of service? When had she cancelled her number?

Julian tried messaging her through other apps, only to find he had been blocked!

In the chat history, there was only their last conversation, and it was entirely one-sided from Celine. She had sent several messages asking: [Honey, when are you coming home? The power is out at home, and I’m scared to be alone.]

She had sent several in a row, but Julian had not replied. What was he doing at that time?

After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered that he had stayed the night with Sienna and didn't go home until the next day. When Celine asked why he hadn't returned her messages, he had simply said he was too busy with work and hadn't seen them.

He didn't remember how many similar lies he had told, only that Celine had forgiven him every time and had never blocked him like this.

A trace of panic set in. He called his subordinates: "Go investigate—where did Madam go after being discharged? Once you find her..."

The assistant waited for him to continue.

"Once you find her, bring her back. I need to punish her myself. Her temper is really growing; this is unacceptable."

He had to lock her up so she wouldn't dare run around.

After a while, the assistant called back: "Young Master Sterling, Madam may not be able to come back..."

"What do you mean?" Julian’s expression sharpened.

"We just found out that Madam flew abroad several days ago, and before she left, she left something for you."

Julian gripped his phone tightly: "What thing?"

"A divorce agreement."

Chapter 10

Celine was gone. It wasn't a petty tantrum or a temporary stay outside; she had truly left.

She wanted a divorce.

When Julian heard this, he was still in a state of disbelief. He immediately dialed his lawyer’s number, his chest filled with unvented emotion: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

The lawyer remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "Mr. Sterling, I have been trying to reach you, but I was constantly rebuffed by your assistant, who said you were on your honeymoon."

Julian pressed his temples to soothe his headache and ordered: "Bring the divorce agreement to the Sterling estate now."

With that, he paid the bill and took Sienna home.

On the way, Sienna talked excitedly about their experiences over the past few days, and the romantic confession at the restaurant.

"Everyone was looking at me, I was the focus of the crowd. Julian, all of this is because of you. I feel like the happiest woman in the world right now!"

Julian was distracted and barely responded.

Celine had been with him for three years without ever receiving such treatment, yet she had always been thinking of him. A surge of bitter, suffocating swelling rose in his heart for no reason.

Sienna, seeing him silent, climbed over to his shoulder: "Julian, aren't you happy? We waited a long time to finally reach this day."

"Happy. How could I not be?" Julian’s smile was somewhat strained.

He should be happy. The woman he loved most was now by his side; he would never have to pretend to be nice to anyone else again.

Upon returning to the Sterling estate, the door opened to reveal the lawyer who had been waiting for a long time.

He handed over the divorce agreement: "Mr. Sterling, all that’s left is for you to sign."

Julian took it, his hand gently opening the page. The three characters "Celine Quinn" on the paper were fluid and graceful; one could see that the person who signed it had not hesitated at all.

She was actually willing to divorce, willing to give up the position of Mrs. Sterling, willing to give up all that wealth and status.

He ran one hand over the three characters. Her name looked particularly glaring now.

Sienna, on the side, grabbed the divorce agreement, and after glancing at it several times, she shrieked and jumped up: "Julian, are you really going to divorce? So this is the birthday present you talked about? I’m so moved; I didn't expect you to be willing to go this far for me!"

Julian couldn't smile, instead snatching the agreement back and returning it to the lawyer: "Tell Celine, I don't agree."

Sienna’s smile instantly froze on her face.

"Julian Sterling, what do you mean?!" She was furious, completely disregarding the outsider, showing him no respect at all. "You said you loved me, that Celine was just a woman you were forced to marry. Now that the Sterling family no longer needs the Quinn family, she is the one offering a divorce, so why won't you?!"

"You’ve been lying to me all along, right?"

Julian couldn't explain why he didn't want the divorce; he simply looked at the agreement, feeling inexplicably that as soon as he signed it, everything would be over.

Sienna wouldn't let it go: "Tell me! What exactly are you thinking?"

"Did you forget the child we lost because of her? She is the killer who murdered your own flesh and blood!"

Reminded of that, Julian thought of the dead child and looked at the devastated Sienna; his heart was a cocktail of complex emotions.

Sienna was right. Celine had committed numerous evils and taken his child away—she had admitted it herself. He couldn't be soft-hearted.

After a long while, he spoke in a calm, resolute voice: "Fine. I’ll divorce."

"I knew it, I knew it," Sienna said, the anger on her face not yet fully dissipated as a smile climbed to the corners of her mouth. "Julian, you will always choose me."

The two embraced once more. Julian held her as he always did, but a bizarre thought surfaced in the depths of his mind.

He wished Celine hadn't divorced him at all. He wished she would just happen to come down from upstairs, witness them hugging, rush down to pull Sienna away in a fit of jealousy, and declare her ownership in public.

But the truth was, Celine had never done such a thing. She had only watched, time and again, as he was good to Sienna, her gaze turning increasingly cold, until she finally stole away quietly on her own.

Julian closed his eyes, telling himself to forget Celine. The one before him was the person he loved most.

Chapter 11

The day after the divorce from Celine, Julian’s parents showed up at the estate.

They had long been dissatisfied with Celine, believing that because she couldn't bear children, she was unworthy of being a daughter-in-law in the Sterling family.

Upon seeing Sienna, Julian’s parents first looked her up and down, then commented directly: "Although she isn't as good-looking as Celine, and her family background is far from a match for ours, at least she can bear children."

It wasn't immediately clear if this was a compliment or an insult, and Sienna froze, feeling rather humiliated.

Julian couldn't stand it and frowned, interrupting: "Mom, stop. We aren't considering marriage yet."

"You sleep together every single day, and you've already driven Celine away. Now you tell me you aren't considering marriage? What are you doing, then? Playing house?"

Compared to Julian, Sienna was much more willing. She quickly composed her expression, currying favor with his parents and putting on her most meek and charming face.

Seeing she was sensible and seemed like a daughter-in-law who would be easy to handle, they took her and Julian out to the mall that very day.

In the mall, Julian bought her many things—whether it was priceless jewelry or expensive bags and shoes—as long as she liked them, he had them all packed up.

Sienna felt as if she were flying with happiness; so this was what the life of a socialite mistress felt like.

Halfway through, Julian went to the restroom. As soon as he came out, he saw Sienna surrounded by a circle of people.