Chapter 8
“Kai, let’s get divorced.”
My voice was completely calm, without the slightest ripple.
He jerked his head up, his tear–streaked face full of disbelief.
He probably thought I was just throwing a tantrum, that if he coaxed me enough, begged me enough, I’d soften and forgive him like countless
times before.
“No… Gia, what are you saying?”
“Divorce? You can’t do this to me! We have eight years together!”
He panicked, completely panicked, grabbing my wrist with enough force to crush my bones.
“I won’t agree! I’ll die before I agree!”
He started frantically kowtowing to me, again and again, his forehead hitting the cold floor tiles with dull thuds.
“Gia, I was wrong, I was really wrong! Give me one more chance, just one last chance!”
“It was all that bitch Scarlett seducing me! You’re the one I’ve always loved!”
How ridiculous–even now, he was still trying to push all responsibility onto others.
I turned away in disgust, feeling that even looking at him once more would dirty my eyes. I reached out with my other hand and pressed the call button by my bed.
The hospital room door opened quickly.
My brother Dante walked in with two bodyguards.
Seeing Kai in this pathetic state, a flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes, but more than that was immeasurable heartache for me.
He didn’t say a word, just gave a look.
The two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, lifting the still–kowtowing Kai from both sides, dragging him out like a garbage.
“Gianna! You can’t do this to me! Gianna!”
“You bitch! You’ll get what’s coming to you!”
His cursing grew fainter and fainter until it was completely shut out by the door.
Dante approached my bedside, reaching out to touch my face but afraid of hurting me, his hand suspended in mid air.
His eyes were red rimmed, his voice hoarse.
“Gia, was I wrong?”
“If there hadn’t been this test, would you not have suffered so much?”
I shook my head and smiled at him.
“Dante, thank you.”
“You helped me see him clearly, and you saved me.”
nick Charged Him in Court for EVERYTHING
9.6%
Chapter 8
Without this “bankruptcy,” I might have lived my entire life trapped in the love lies he wove, until he devoured me completely, bones and all.
A month later, I was discharged from the hospital fully recovered.
It was a beautiful sunny day. I sat in the living room of the old Romano estate, watching a financial news bulletin on TV.
“Breaking news: Carter Group has officially declared bankruptcy and liquidation this morning due to core technology patent infringement and serious financial fraud.”
“The patents allegedly infringed belong to Romano Group, which announced its strong return last month.”
“Carter Group’s chairman, Kai Carter, is now completely disgraced with personal debts exceeding billions.”
On the news footage, Kai was being escorted by bailiffs, his hair disheveled and face haggard, no trace left of his former confidence.
A few days later, another news story hit the social section headlines.
“Renowned designer Scarlett Lewis has been formally arrested on charges of commercial espionage.”
“Additionally, police investigation revealed that Lewis was connected to an attempted murder case on a mountain.”
“In freezing weather conditions, she deliberately lost critical rescue equipment.”
“This nearly cost victim Ms. Romano her life. Additional charges have now been filed.”
On screen, Scarlett wore handcuffs, screaming hysterically at the cameras in the most undignified way.
And those rich kids who had stood by and mocked me on that mountain–their family businesses, without exception, suffered precision strikes from Romano Group.
Bankruptcies, acquisitions–in just one month, the entire landscape of the city had completely changed.
I cut off the long hair I’d kept for years and put on a sharp business suit.
Standing before the floor–to–ceiling windows on the top floor of Romano Group headquarters, I looked down at the city where I’d grown up.
Losing a child left me devastated.
Losing eight years of what I thought was love left my heart like ash.
But all of this had also forged the strongest armor around me.
From today forward, I was no longer anyone’s wife, anyone’s appendage.
I was Gianna Romano, sole heir to Romano Group.
My life was just beginning.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.