Chapter 2

At the Grand Theater of Sol.

A towering man stood in the darkness where the audience gathered. He felt as cold as winter. His eyes were fixed on the stage as the Black Swan darted across it, agile and mesmerizing.

The Black Swan's movements were fluid and firm, sensual and tempting. The man almost wished he could possess her right now.

The performance was nearing its end, so the man turned away and strode toward the backstage.

-

The performance ended.

Justine felt a quiet pain in her waist, but she gritted her teeth through the production.

The crowd erupted in ovation.

She took one last yearning glance at the stage and her adoring audience before returning backstage.

Iris had been watching her every move with concern.

"Is it hurting? I can cancel the fan meeting and photo session if you need it. You can rest in the breakroom, and once the rest of the performance is over, I'll come for you," Iris suggested.

Justine waved reassuringly.

Many of these fans had traveled all the way to Sol to see her performance—to meet her. How could she let them down?

Soon, the photo session concluded.

After checking in with Justine, Iris left to direct the stage.

Suddenly, Justine found herself alone. She looked around as memories flooded back.

Ballet had been a part of her for as long as she could remember.

Concerned that Justine's disability might hinder her job prospects, the orphanage's director had signed her up for ballet classes after discovering her talent, despite the lack of funding from the orphanage.

All that hard work and dedication was gone like the wind because of her career-ending injury. How could anyone not feel regret?

Justine removed her makeup and pressed her hand against her waist, trying to support it as she tiredly headed to the prima ballerina's room.

It was dark inside.

She reached for the light switch.

Suddenly, from the shadows, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside. Then, the door shut and locked behind her.

Panic surged through Justine. The scent enveloping her was familiar.

Why was Ash there? Before she could answer her own question, he pressed his lips forcefully against hers. More kisses followed, violent and punishing.

Justine wanted to shove him away, but Ash was a hulking mass of angry muscle, dominating her completely.

Fear surged as she bit his tongue, tasting blood, but he didn't stop.

Jenny had no idea how wrong she was about Justine and Ash's sex life. Their marriage had been consummated quickly, thanks to the "intervention" of some elders.

Although Ash might resent Justine's existence, he was undeniably addicted to her body.

They had known each other for so long and so well that they instinctively understood how to arouse and please one another. This knowledge was etched into their flesh, a part of their movements.

Justine's thoughts spiraled into chaos.

Suddenly, she felt a bite on her shoulder. She could tell Ash was upset just from the strength—and it irritated her.

What was his problem?! He had always wanted this divorce! Hell, he had signed the paper with his name on the day of their wedding!

With Justine gone, he would finally be able to marry the woman he really wanted, right?

So why the hell was he pissed now? Because she was the one who had suggested it instead of him?

The backstage was starting to fill with people. She could even hear one of the assistant artistic directors rushing past her room. If anyone were to knock—or even open—her door, Justine would be famous in the scene for the worst reason possible!

God, just the imagined humiliation could kill her!

Justine bit her lips, forcing herself not to let out even a moan.

Unfortunately, this only made Ash more beastly. He hated silence, so he did everything he could to make her scream and yelp.

-

The light was on, bright and blinding.

Ash sat languidly on the couch, his shirt and suit surprisingly neat. In contrast, Justine's expensive ballet dress lay torn.

After a shower, she slipped into an oversized practice garment while Ash glared at her.

"A divorce?" he asked, cutting straight to the chase.

It was difficult to discern his emotions from his voice.

Justine studied him—he was still as handsome as ever, but gone was the youthful, teenage look she once loved. In its place stood an indifferent, reserved man in a suit.

Her eyes no longer sparkled with admiration and yearning when she looked at him.

She nodded firmly.

Ash snickered. "What? Because of Jenny?"

For some reason, the thought of Justine exploding over his affair with Jenny excited him. Unfortunately, she simply shook her head determinedly.

"I don't love you anymore," she signed. "That's why I want a divorce."

Reality shattered Ash's fleeting excitement. Her straightforwardness left no room for ambiguity—she didn't even hint at clinging.

His mind went blank.

Suddenly, he recalled that rainy night many years ago when that woman had pushed him into the mud, signing furiously, "I don't love you anymore! I am not your mother! You are disgusting, just like your father! Go away! I don't want to see you anymore!"

It felt as though all emotions had drained from him.

Ash rose and glared at Justine frostily. "Suit me just fine. You stole this marriage from Jenny back then, anyway. She finally gets what's always been hers."

"Congratulations," Justine signed earnestly.

Ash was stunned. He had not expected that from her.

He remembered Jenny begging Justine not to take him away when Justine had taken out a lipstick and written on the wall, right in front of their parents, 'He is mine, and only mine!'

The same woman… just congratulated Jenny.

Rage inexplicably flared within him.

Granted, this marriage should have ended sooner. It had been delayed because she had saved his life while sustaining grievous injuries a year ago, but now she was the one requesting a divorce.

That worked to Ash's advantage, right? He had no reason to be mad.

"My lawyer will contact you tomorrow at noon to finalize our divorce," he said.

Justine nodded.

Surprisingly, she felt not a hint of sadness or longing.

"Good. We can announce our divorce at the family dinner tomorrow evening," she signed.

Ash looked away from her. God, she had this all planned out, hadn't she? It was as if she could not wait to have every tie with him severed.