Chapter 7

Tyler's expression turned serious as he approached Alexander's desk. "It's been two days. Did you call her again?"

Alexander's eyes narrowed, his tone laced with irritation. "I don't care, Tyler. Why are you so worried about my wife?"

Tyler's voice remained calm, but his words carried weight. "Because you're the one who hurt your wife, Alexander. She's not what you and your family think of her."

Alexander's face darkened, his jaw clenched. "And can you be so damn sure, huh?"

Tyler's conviction was unwavering. "I know her, Alexander. I've seen the way she's treated around here. I don't understand why, if you hate her that much and always wanted to get rid of her, you're so upset now."

Alexander's anger simmered just below the surface. "I am not upset; I am just... angry."

Tyler's eyes locked onto Alexander's. "Angry for what?"

Alexander's pride and ego fueled his response. "I should be the first one to ask for a divorce, not her."

Tyler's laughter was unexpected, and it cut through the tension. "Are you for real, Alexander? You mean you're pissed off because she asked for a divorce first, not you?"

Alexander's face reddened, his anger boiling over. "What's so funny, Tyler?"

Tyler's amusement faded, replaced by disgust. "What kind of human are you, Alexander? You know what? I support her decision. She's right; she should have divorced you a long time ago."

Alexander's eyes flashed with indignation. "Are you on my side or hers?"

Tyler stood, his voice firm. "I'm on the innocent side." With that, he turned and opened the cabin door, exiting the room.

As Tyler left, Lily, Alexander's assistant, entered. "Sir, Mrs. Valtor is here."

Alexander's expression transformed, his arrogance reasserting itself. "Finally, she came. Must be to apologize," he said coldly.

Just then, Tyler reappeared at the doorway, his parting words a warning. "Don't show your arrogant attitude, Alexander. Talk calmly."

Alexander's gaze flicked to Tyler, his anger still simmering, but he remained silent, his eyes fixed on the door, awaiting Rose's entrance.

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The door opened, my wife walked in, and for the first time, I truly saw her. Why hadn't I noticed earlier? The beauty of Roslyn was breathtaking, taking my breath away. Her elegant stride, the gentle sway of her hips, and the radiant glow on her face all captivated me.

My gaze fell on her beautiful doe eyes, those luscious plumy pink lips, and her stunning long hair, cascading down her back like silk. Today, there was something different about her—an aura of confidence and determination that drew me in.

I couldn't help but wonder, Why hadn't I seen her like this till now? Her thin waist, accentuated by the fitted dress, made my heart skip a beat. Those eyes, which had always shone with softness and perhaps love, now sparkled with a fire that left me entranced.

But was it genuine? How much of it was true, and how much was an illusion? I'd always believed my mother's words, painting Roslyn as a gold digger. Yet she'd never demanded anything from me, never spent my money unnecessarily, and never asked for expensive gifts like Ruby used to.

This was Roslyn—different from others. Even in divorce, she didn't ask for compensation, whereas she could claim half my property if she wanted. Why wasn't my heart accepting this truth?

Ever since she'd mentioned divorce, a strange restlessness had taken hold of my heart. I felt lost, uncertain. I'd never supported my wife, always believing my mother's tales. I'd wanted to separate from her, and now that she wanted the same, why was I feeling this pang of pain?

My mind wrestled with conflicting emotions. Why was I hesitant to let her go? Was it pride, ego, or something more? The dilemma tore at me—should I listen to my mind or my heart?

As Roslyn approached, her eyes locked onto mine, and for an instant, I saw something there, something that made my chest tighten. It was a glimmer of the love and adoration I'd once craved.

But I pushed it aside, unwilling to acknowledge the truth. I couldn't afford to show weakness, not now. I needed to maintain control to keep my emotions in check.

"Roslyn," I said, my voice cold, detached. But my heart betrayed me, racing with anticipation, with a longing I dared not acknowledge.

What was happening to me?

Roslyn's voice cut through Alexander's reverie, her tone sharp as she dropped a file on the table. "Are you going to stare at me like this the whole day?"

Her gaze locked onto his, a fiery spark igniting within those doe eyes. Alexander blinked, shaken out of his thoughts.

"What is this?" he asked gruffly, his eyes scanning the file.

Roslyn's expression remained icy. "Are you illiterate like me? Read it yourself."

Alexander's jaw clenched, his anger rising. "Roslyn! I don't like disrespect. You know that."

A sly smile spread across her face, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Really? Used to be, then. Because now I won't respect you and your so-called family. We'll no longer be husband and wife."

Alexander's fists tightened, his face darkening. "One more word, Roslyn, and you'll see the worst of me."

Roslyn's eyes flashed with defiance. "I've never seen worse than you. Don't waste my time anymore. Just sign and free me. I don't have all day to see your face, Mr. Valtor."

Alexander's anger boiled over, his teeth grinding in frustration. This wasn't his submissive wife; something had transformed her, igniting a fire within.

The coldness in her voice grated on his nerves. Without a word, Alexander snatched the pen from the stand and scribbled his signature across the papers.

As he handed them back, Roslyn's face lit up with triumph. "Happy?"

"More than anything else," she replied, her voice laced with relief. "Thank you, Mr. Valtor."

Without hesitation, Roslyn turned and left, leaving Alexander stunned and reeling.

He stared after her, his mind racing. Anxiety and sadness swirled within him, and for the first time, he questioned his actions. Had he done something wrong? Could he really let her go?

No, he couldn't. Alexander's resolve hardened; he had to stop Roslyn.

With newfound determination, Alexander rose from his chair, striding toward the door. He couldn't let her walk away, not now. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks: he needed to fight for her.

"Roslyn!" he called out, his voice echoing down the corridor.

But she was gone.

"Why did she have to leave like that? So abruptly, without even a glance back.

"What's happened to my wife? The Roslyn I knew wouldn't dare speak to me like that.

"But... did I really know her? The way she stood up to me, her eyes flashing with defiance... it stirred something within me.

"I feel lost and uncertain. For the first time, I'm questioning my actions. Was I wrong to treat her the way I did?

"Memories flood my mind—the way she'd smile at me, the way she'd quietly endure my mother's jabs. I never appreciated her; I never truly saw her.

"And now she's gone. Left me without a second thought.

"Why does it bother me? I should be relieved. I wanted to get rid of her, didn't I?

"But that spark in her eyes... it awakened something within me. A desire to reclaim what I've lost.

"I need to stop her. I have to make her see that... that I care.

"But do I? Truly care? Or am I just trying to salvage my pride?

"No, it's more than that. I see Roslyn now, really see her, and I realize what I've been blind to.

"She's not just a wife, a possession. She's a woman, with fire in her soul.

"I want to know that woman. I need to know her.

"Roslyn, come back to me."

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"I did it. I finally took control of my life.

"Walking away from Alexander felt liberating, like shedding a weight that had suffocated me for years.

"I expected anger and resistance, but not that look in his eyes. For a moment, I saw something different, something that made my heart flutter.

"But I won't be fooled. I know Alexander, his pride and ego. He'll try to pull me back to control me again.

"Not this time. I've found my strength, my voice.

"I remember Tyler's words: 'You deserve better.' He saw the real me, beyond the facade.

"Alexander never did. He saw only what he wanted—a trophy wife, a possession.

"But I'm more than that. I'm a woman with dreams, desires, and aspirations.

"I won't let him define me anymore. I'll forge my own path.

"Freedom tastes sweet. I'll savor every moment.

"What's next? A new life, free from the Valtor name and its toxic influence.

"I'll rise from the ashes, stronger, wiser.

"No looking back. Only forward."

As Roslyn walked away from Alexander's office, a sense of empowerment and freedom filled her. She knew she'd made the right decision, and nothing would ever hold her back again.

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Roslyn stepped out of the building, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She quickly scanned the sidewalk, spotting Christopher's car pulling up. She hastened her pace, eager to escape.

Just as she reached the car, she noticed Alexander emerging from the building, his eyes fixed intently on her. A shiver ran down her spine.

"Chris, let's go," Roslyn urged, settling into the passenger seat.

Christopher nodded, accelerating smoothly away from the curb. "You okay, Rose?"

Roslyn nodded, glancing back at Alexander's figure receding into the distance. "Yes, I'm fine."

Alexander's eyes narrowed as he watched Roslyn drive away with a stranger. Jealousy flared within him, his mind racing with questions.

Who was this man? What was his relationship with Roslyn? Was it because of him that she'd divorced him?

Alexander's face darkened, his fists clenched. Was his wife cheating on him?

Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of the car and its occupants. He quickly dialed his personal investigator's number.

"Vincent, I need your help," Alexander said curtly. "Find out everything about the man driving that car." He texted the photo to Vincent.

Vincent's voice was professional. "Sir, I'll get right on it. Plate number?"

Alexander recited the license plate number, his eyes still fixed on the disappearing car.

"I want to know his name, his connection to Roslyn, everything," Alexander emphasized.

Vincent's tone turned serious. "Sir, do you suspect infidelity?"

Alexander's jaw clenched. "I don't know what to think. Just find out."

Vincent's response was reassuring. "I'll have the information within the hour."

Alexander's eyes remained fixed on the horizon, his mind consumed by thoughts of Roslyn and the mysterious stranger.

How could she do this to him? Didn't their years together mean anything?

Alexander's anger simmered, fueled by jealousy and hurt pride.

He would uncover the truth, no matter what it took.

"Who is this mysterious man who has so effortlessly swept Roslyn off her feet, and why did she turn to him so quickly, almost as if she had been waiting for an opportunity to escape our marriage?

"Did she plan this entire scenario all along, carefully orchestrating her exit from our life together, or was it a spontaneous decision fueled by her desire for freedom?

"I thought I knew Roslyn, thought I understood her deepest desires and fears, but now I'm haunted by the realization that perhaps I never truly knew her at all.

"Vincent will uncover everything about this man, from his name and occupation to his connection with Roslyn, and when he does, I'll finally have the answers I so desperately crave.

"But what if the truth is more than I can bear? What if Roslyn has fallen deeply in love with this stranger, and our years together were nothing more than a mere facade, a convenient arrangement?

"No, that's impossible. Roslyn wouldn't betray me like that; she wouldn't shred our vows and abandon our marriage without a second thought.

"Or would she? Doubts creep in, taunting me with visions of Roslyn smiling at another man, laughing with him, and sharing secrets with him.

"Memories of our time together flood my mind, memories of the way she looked at me, the way she smiled, and the way she loved me. It was genuine, wasn't it?

"But then, why did she leave? Why did she divorce me, casting aside our life together like a worn-out garment?

"And now she's with him. Who is he to her? A friend? A confidant? A lover?

"The thought of Roslyn with another man makes my blood boil, igniting a fire within me that refuses to be extinguished.

"I won't rest until I know the truth, until I've uncovered every secret, every lie, and every hidden truth.

"Vincent's report can't come soon enough. I need to know everything, and when I do, I'll take action.

"No one takes what's mine and gets away with it. Roslyn, you're playing with fire, and soon you'll face the consequences of your actions."

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