Chapter 6

Three consecutive knocks captured the attention of siblings Avrielle and Anton. Following that, the office door swung open, and Ella rushed inside.

"Ms. Avrielle, I just found out that our supplier for hotel beddings and furniture is Aishi Home Furnishing. Mr. Gallardo is the one handling the contract."

"Uh... oh..." Anton glanced at his sister with a smirk, waiting for her reaction.

Avrielle crossed her legs and stared straight at the secretary, her gaze sharp and piercing.

"Tell the Finance Department to sort out all the hotel accounts for the past two years. Also, contact a new supplier for beddings and furniture. I don’t want anything from Aishi."

"Such a big deal?" Anton raised an eyebrow.

"Aishi Home Furnishing is owned by Ash Gonzaga," Avrielle replied quickly, referring to Samantha’s sibling.

"So, you’re seeking revenge?"

"No, of course not! Their beddings look cheap. I’ve heard they wear out quickly and are stiff. They’re not comfortable to sleep on. I don’t want our guests complaining."

Anton didn’t reply. Though unconvinced by Avrielle’s reasoning, he decided to respect her decision.

"There’s one more thing, Ms. Avrielle..."

"What is it?"

"Sir Armand instructed me to check on the Ricaforts. I found out that Don Simeon is in the hospital. He had a stroke and is currently confined at St. Mary’s."

A wave of worry hit Avrielle. "Oh my God… poor Grandpa Simeon."

In the middle of their conversation, Anton’s phone suddenly rang. Upon seeing who was calling, he immediately handed it to Avrielle. "Here, it’s your husband."

Still stunned, Avrielle felt a pang of pain at Anton’s words.

"Well, are you going to answer it?"

Avrielle nodded faintly, and Anton pressed the answer button.

"Mr. Anton Madrigal, is my wife with you?"

Hearing the word wife ignited anger in Avrielle’s chest.

"Mr. Ricafort, watch your words! I’m no longer your wife!" Avrielle couldn’t hide the fury in her voice.

"And you’re together, Amery?" Brandon’s tone was equally filled with anger.

"So what if we are? Would you rather I stay in your house waiting for you to throw me out? That would be even crueler!"

A deep sigh came from Brandon on the other end of the line, his restrained anger evident.

"Don’t be hasty, Amery. The divorce is still being processed. Wait until we get the certificate. We’re still married. Have at least a shred of decency!"

"Wow, just wow! And the word decency comes from you? Even while we were married, you already had your mistress living with you! Did you ever think about my dignity?!" Avrielle’s voice almost broke as her emotions overflowed. "Well, I don’t care about your dignity anymore because I’m no longer your wife. Go back to Samantha and shove yourself into her life!"

As Avrielle and Brandon hurled sharp words at each other over the phone, Anton watched his sister with a raised eyebrow, sipping his tea as though he were enjoying a movie.

This was the real Avrielle—far from the simple, quiet, and demure Amery who had once been Brandon’s wife. Finally, his sister had truly returned!

"I don’t have time for this argument anymore," Brandon’s voice now carried a note of exhaustion. "Grandpa is sick and wants to see you. He’s weakening because he refuses to take his medication unless you’re there."

Avrielle’s heart melted at the mention of Don Simeon’s condition. Despite her separation from Brandon, she couldn’t turn her back on the elderly man who had been kind to her. She couldn’t just throw away all their happy memories.

"I’ll go see Grandpa."

After Avrielle and Brandon ended the call, Anton immediately asked his sister, "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"No need, brother. Things might get complicated if they see you there. It might worsen Grandpa Simeon’s condition."

---

St. Mary’s Hospital

Avrielle couldn’t hide the worry on her face as she walked down the hallway toward Don Simeon’s room. Even though she hadn’t seen his condition yet, she imagined he might have already lost a lot of weight.

Then again, whether Don Simeon had grown thin or gained weight, it wasn’t her concern anymore. After all, she was no longer part of the Ricafort family.

As she approached the room, she noticed Brandon and his secretary standing outside the door.

“How’s Grandpa Simeon?” Avrielle chose to ask Brandon’s secretary instead of addressing Brandon directly.

“M-Ms. A-Amery, is that you?” Xander stammered in surprise. “What I see before me is a stunning woman with striking red lips. Your outfit is elegant… you look like the CEO of a company!” His face lit up as he admired the sparkling brooch on Avrielle’s black blazer.

It was then Avrielle realized that, in her rush earlier, she had forgotten to transform into the simple Amery—just the woman who wore plain white dresses and rubber shoes.

“Oh well… don’t I look good in this outfit now?”

“N-no, not at all! In fact, it suits you perfectly. You look even more beautiful now, so powerful and commanding.”

Avrielle smiled faintly, feeling the sincerity in the secretary’s words.

“I’m stress-free now… I’m divorced,” she said, a corner of her lips lifting. “It’s like I’ve risen from hell. That’s why I’m here, strong and full of life.”

Brandon’s face darkened upon hearing Avrielle’s sharp remarks. A pang of sadness struck him. “If being with me was hell, why did you endure three years of it? I asked you many times before not to go through with the marriage. If you had agreed, you wouldn’t have suffered for so long.”

Brandon’s words felt like a knife to Avrielle’s heart. That was just who he was—indifferent to the feelings of others, especially those he didn’t care about. Even if you gave him your heart and soul…

Avrielle’s only mistake was loving Brandon too much. She had embraced everything about him, even if it meant dealing with his cold and distant demeanor.

Holding her head high, Avrielle met Brandon’s gaze. “I made a promise to Grandpa Simeon to abide by the contract. If it was three years, then three years it is—no more, no less. And now that you’re free, you can bring any woman home. You don’t have to sneak out at midnight or early dawn to meet them anymore.” After speaking, she gave her ex-husband a cold smile.

Brandon felt his throat tighten. He couldn’t help but wonder why Avrielle seemed like a completely different person. Why was she throwing everything they had shared away when their separation wasn’t even finalized?

Despite the hostility Avrielle showed toward Brandon, he couldn’t deny that he found this version of his ex-wife more captivating.

“Honey!”

They both turned upon hearing Samantha’s loud voice as she approached with Brandon’s mother.

Avrielle couldn’t help but smirk as her eyes met Samantha’s. The other woman, however, looked visibly startled to see her.

“What are you doing here?” Brandon asked Samantha immediately.

Instead of answering, Samantha wrapped herself in Brandon’s arms and rested her head on his chest.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this… now I feel left out.”

“That’s right, Brandon. Samantha was so worried when she heard about your grandfather. She even vomited suddenly during lunch,” Brandon’s mother added, her tone full of sympathy as she glanced at Samantha.

“You seem fine. Why are you vomiting?” Brandon asked Samantha.

“She always has stomach issues. It flares up when she’s nervous or scared. She’s seen a doctor, and they said it’s not serious but also not treatable,” his mother explained again.

“Maybe you should see another doctor. If you want, consult one abroad,” Brandon suggested.

Listening to their conversation, Avrielle couldn’t stop the wave of sadness that washed over her. Memories of when she rushed herself to the hospital due to severe stomach pain flooded back. Even though she hadn’t told Brandon about it at the time, her weakness and pale complexion were obvious. Why couldn’t her ex-husband show even the slightest concern back then?

Perhaps Pierre Brandon Ricafort wasn’t truly indifferent—maybe she just didn’t deserve his concern.

Samantha clung tighter to Brandon as her eyes bore into Avrielle.

“Hey, woman! Why do you look so different now? Why do you suddenly look beautiful?” Samantha sneered, raising an eyebrow at Avrielle. Her gaze dropped to the brooch on Avrielle’s left chest. “That brooch… isn’t that Chanel’s latest design? That’s expensive! How could you afford it? Or is it fake?”

Avrielle was about to respond when Brandon’s mother interjected. “Brandon, you should take Samantha to see your grandfather. She’s been worried for a while now,” she said dismissively, clearly ignoring Avrielle.

Avrielle maintained her cold demeanor toward everyone present, showing that she didn’t care.

At that moment, Don Simeon’s room door opened, and his secretary stepped out.

“Don Simeon is asking if Senorita Amery has arrived.”

Hearing this, Samantha froze, jealousy evident in her expression.

“I’m here, Grandpa Simeon,” Avrielle said as she walked toward the open door.

“Please come in, Senorita… only you and Senorito Brandon,” the secretary said.

Without a word, Avrielle entered the room, and Brandon followed silently behind her.

“Honey, wait for me…”

Samantha tried to follow them inside, but the secretary blocked her way. “Sorry, Ms. Samantha. Don Simeon only wants to see and talk to the married couple. You can leave now.”