"What's the deal? Why can't I divorce Olivia today?" Michael's voice was tight with anger, feeling totally betrayed.
David replied, "Mr. Johnson, today is Mrs. Johnson's birthday."
Michael paused for a second, then scoffed, "So what? Consider it a birthday present! Let's head to the airport and pick up Grace!"
Meanwhile, in the sleek black car Olivia was in, Samuel held her hand gently, his eyes full of concern. He kept glancing at the calluses on her fingers and her simple clothes, his heart aching for her.
Then, Samuel stared out at the brightening sky, feeling a deep pain for his sister Olivia. Ever since he found out her marriage with Michael was over, it felt like a heavy weight was crushing his chest. He couldn't wrap his head around how Michael could be so heartless, making Olivia suffer so much.
Samuel's fists clenched, his anger burning inside him. He pictured Michael's cold face, feeling a mix of helplessness and rage. He wished he could make Michael feel all the pain Olivia was going through, but he knew he couldn't. He couldn't let her endure any more harm, especially from Michael.
"Isabella," Samuel called her by her real name softly, his voice full of warmth. He held her hand tighter, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't be sad. I'm here for you. No matter what happens, I've got your back."
"I'm not sad. I'm not Olivia anymore." Isabella closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. When she opened them again, there was no trace of longing for Michael, just determination.
Isabella said firmly, "I've survived this hell. If I regret anything, I deserve to die. I'm back, and this time, it's Isabella Harris!"
Now back as the Harris family's daughter, Isabella leaned on Samuel's shoulder. Despite the heartache, she was grateful to still have her family.
She casually tossed aside the phone she used to cling to, no longer caring about messages from Michael. She didn't even notice the taunting message from Grace in her inbox.
Grace: [I told you, you took my place, and sooner or later, I'll make you give it back. Michael is mine, stop dreaming!]
Isabella thought to herself, 'Let those two jerks have each other!'
"Daniel heard you were back and set up a fireworks show worth millions for tonight," Samuel said softly. Isabella just smirked.
Back at the Harris Manor, Isabella settled in while Michael had already picked up Grace from the airport and brought her home. At the welcome dinner for Grace, who was Michael's mom Zoey Johnson's niece, everyone in the Johnson family seemed to be in high spirits. Except for Michael, who sat alone, frowning, with no appetite.Michael was still thinking about Isabella leaving with Samuel, taking nothing with her—not even the twenty million dollars or the villa.
"Where's Olivia? Why didn't she come with you?" Michael's dad, Ryan Johnson, couldn't help but ask.
Michael replied, "We got divorced. She's not coming back."
"How dare you?" Ryan's voice boomed, his eyes blazing with anger. He pointed a finger at Michael, his face a mix of fury and disappointment. "Don't you know your grandfather's health is fragile? What you did will only break his heart more!"
Michael felt a sharp pain in his chest, Ryan's words cutting deep. He knew this decision would hurt the family's reputation, but he couldn't stay in a loveless marriage any longer. "I need to make my own choices," he said, trying to keep his emotions in check, but his voice was shaky.
Meanwhile, Zoey seemed unusually calm. She smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Ryan, I've told you before, Michael and Olivia were never a good match. Their marriage was forced by Robert. Olivia endured for three years, and now that she's willing to let go and divorce Michael, it's actually a good thing for both of them. You know Michael has always loved Grace."
Michael frowned, irritated, and cut Zoey off. "Dad, we've signed the divorce papers, and Olivia has already left, taking nothing with her."
"Olivia has some pride,"Ryan's daughter Lily Johnson sneered. "Is she playing the victim? She better not go around saying the Johnson family mistreated her."
Ryan nodded, "Lily's right. You must remember the family's reputation! This divorce could cause us problems!"
Ryan's face was a mix of anger and confusion. A three-year marriage ended just like that, and if word got out, Michael's reputation would be in shambles.
On the other hand, Grace was thrilled. She had been waiting for this moment, hoping to marry Michael soon. She loved him with a fiery intensity, and now she finally had her chance. But she had to keep her excitement in check.
"Ryan, don't blame Michael. If anyone's at fault, it's me. I shouldn't have come back into his life. I'll head back to Celestria first thing in the morning. Michael, you should try to patch things up with Olivia. I don't want to be the reason you two split," Grace said, tears in her eyes.
"Grace, it's not your fault," Michael said, his eyes darkening as he took her slender hand. "It's completely over between Olivia and me. You've waited for me for three years; I won't let you suffer anymore."
The dinner ended on a sour note, but Grace and Michael were finally reunited. Grace couldn't take her eyes off the handsome Michael. From now on, he was hers, and she would be his wife.
Grace gently linked her arm with Michael's, pressing close to him. For some reason, Michael felt a slight discomfort rather than joy from this intimate contact.
"Michael, I heard there's a fireworks show at Willowbrook River tonight. Let's go see it," Grace said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Michael smiled at her, his heart full of affection.
"Alright, whatever you want," Michael said without hesitation, his eyes full of tenderness. Grace's face lit up with a radiant smile, her heart filled with sweet happiness.
The black luxury car slowly drove towards Willowbrook Riverbank.
As night fell, the riverside was already bustling with people, and the fireworks were about to start. Grace excitedly pulled Michael's hand, running towards the best spot to watch the show. Her heart was full of anticipation, imagining the spectacular display.
When the fireworks burst in the night sky, Grace's eyes lit up instantly. The brilliant fireworks bloomed above as if specially prepared for their reunion. She couldn't help but cheer, and Michael felt a warmth in his heart. He liked Grace's cheerful personality, so different from Olivia's dull demeanor. In his view, other than being obedient and compliant, Olivia had nothing to offer.
Michael really didn't know what magic Olivia had to make the always upright Samuel fall for her. It seemed Michael had underestimated Olivia.
Suddenly, four fireworks exploded simultaneously, forming the words "Happy Birthday" in the sky!
"So it's someone's birthday. I wonder who is lucky enough to get such a gift." Grace sighed enviously. "Can you prepare birthday fireworks for me too?"
Michael didn't respond to Grace's excitement. His lips were pressed tightly together. He thought to himself, 'Today is also Olivia's birthday. Is this fireworks display a gift from Samuel to Olivia, or just a coincidence?'
A dull ache settled in Michael's heart. His gaze swept over the crowd, and suddenly, his heart tightened. He saw Olivia and Samuel standing not far away, very close to each other, looking quite intimate. A surge of anger rose in Michael's chest, almost uncontrollable.
"They're together?" Michael's voice was low, filled with unease and jealousy. He couldn't believe Olivia could be so close to Samuel.
Olivia had said she liked Michael, but here she was, so intimate with Samuel. Michael thought to himself, 'Is this her idea of liking? How cheap!'
Grace noticed Michael's change in mood and followed his gaze, feeling puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Michael said, suppressing his anger, but his tone was cold. The emotions surging in his heart made it hard for him to stay calm, his mind constantly replaying Olivia's pleas and tears on the day of their divorce.
Meanwhile, Isabella looked at the colorful fireworks and the exaggerated "Happy Birthday" message, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Daniel's taste is really something." Isabella shook her head, but her heart felt warm.
"Think about the lousy gifts you got over the years; this is a big step up." Samuel wrapped his arm around Isabella's shoulder, gently pulling her into his embrace. "Today's gifts are just the beginning. Everyone has prepared more for you, filling your room. Isabella, many people love you. Save your love and time for those who deserve it."
Isabella suddenly felt a rush of emotion, deeply moved. "Even so, I won't forgive you for setting me up," Isabella wiped her tears and said with a playful smile, "Bringing your newly divorced sister to watch the fireworks, you really are my good brother, aren’t you?"
"You're so mischievous." Samuel gently tapped Isabella's nose, a scene that Michael and Grace witnessed from a distance.
Michael's anger could no longer be contained, and Grace, seeing Isabella and Samuel, feigned innocence and asked, "Is that Olivia? Who's the guy with her? He looks familiar, and they seem very close."
The fireworks continued to bloom brilliantly in the night sky, but Michael wasn’t up for it. He couldn't suppress his anger and walked straight towards Isabella, his voice filled with overwhelming fury. "How dare you betray me, Olivia!"