Chapter 4

Irina's eyes widened as she stared at Elise in disbelief. “You’re not joking, right? This isn’t some twisted prank, is it?” 

Elise leaned back against the bar, a sly smirk playing on her lips. “Do I look like I’m kidding? I’m dead serious, Irina. I’m divorcing him.”

Irina burst into laughter, loud enough to draw attention from the other patrons of Taste, the nightclub they were in. “Oh my God, Eli! This is incredible news! We have to celebrate this properly.”

“Exactly why I brought you here,” Elise said with a playful wink.

Without warning, Irina grabbed her hand. “Then let’s hit the dance floor!”

The two women plunged into the crowd, their laughter and carefree energy blending with the pounding music. Elise let out a wild scream as she moved to the beat, but the moment was short-lived. Someone shoved her hard from behind, and she stumbled, saved only by Irina's steadying grip.

“Watch it!” Elise spun around, her glare sharp enough to cut through the dim lights and haze of the club. Her scowl deepened when she recognized the couple standing before her.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered under her breath. 

“Hello there,” Athena greeted, her smile saccharine and dripping with insincerity.

Elise crossed her arms, her lips twisting into a humorless grin. “What’s this? An unplanned reunion? Lucky me.”

Athena leaned closer to her companion, Lucas who wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. His smirk was infuriatingly smug. “Maybe she came here to beg for my forgiveness,” Lucas drawled, his tone taunting.

Elise's brow arched. “Forgiveness?” she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. “Don’t flatter yourself, Lucas. If anything, you should be apologizing to me.”

His expression darkened, but he pressed on, undeterred. “You’re here to take it all back, aren’t you? The divorce? Admit it, Eli—you can’t live without me.”

Elise tilted her head, letting her silence stretch long enough to unnerve him. Then, with a mocking smile. “If that’s what helps you sleep at night, Lucas," she replied.

His jaw tightened, the crimson flush creeping up his neck betraying his simmering anger. Even amidst the pulsing lights and chaotic crowd, Elise could see his struggle to maintain control.

Irina tugged at her arm, trying to pull her away, but Lucas wasn’t having it. His hand shot out, gripping Elise's arm with enough force to make her flinch.

“Get your filthy hand off me,” she hissed, yanking herself free.

“Damn it, Eli!” Lucas' voice rose, and several heads turned in their direction. “You should be grateful I didn’t file for divorce first. I’ve never even liked you!”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this,” Elise shot back, her smirk unwavering. “You should be thanking me, Lucas. I’m setting you free.”

“You’ll regret this!” he snapped, his face a mask of fury.

“Funny,” she said, her voice calm and cutting. “I was just about to say the same thing to you.”

Athena clung to Lucas' arm, her expression one of feigned vulnerability. “Please, Lucas, let’s not do this here,” she whispered, her eyes darting around the room as she noticed the growing attention.

Elise laughed dryly, her gaze shifting to Athena. “Always the actress, aren’t you? What’s the angle this time?”

Athena's lower lip trembled as she looked down, playing the victim to perfection. “Elise, please... I’ve told you before. Lucas and I loved each other long before you came into the picture.”

Elise's laughter was sharp and bitter. “And that’s supposed to justify everything? Don’t make me laugh harder than I already am.”

Athena looked away, wiping an imaginary tear, and Elise resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The crowd’s judgmental stares bore down on her, but she stood her ground. Let them think what they wanted—she wasn’t backing down.

"Eli, please stop this," Athena begged.

Elise jaw tightened, barely holding back a string of curses. Athena really was determined to paint her as the villain, wasn’t she?

Her fists clenched at her sides. “No, you shut up!”

A year ago, Athena had been the one to lure Lucas into gambling, feeding his ego while his business crumbled. When debt collectors came knocking, Athena had cried helplessly, doing nothing to save him. If anything, Elise suspected she had been planning to abandon him entirely.

But Elise had stepped in, pulling Lucas from the brink of ruin. Out of gratitude—or so she believed—he had proposed, swearing he had finally recognized who truly deserved his love. She had been foolish enough to believe him.

He had promised devotion, loyalty, and a fresh start. But as soon as his company recovered, Athena reappeared, her hands idle but ready to reap the benefits of Elise's hard work. Now, Athena had the audacity to accuse her of ruining their relationship?

“Please, Eli,” Athena said, her voice dripping with fake remorse. “We just want to be happy. I’ll do anything if you could just—”

“I said shut up, you conniving little bitch!” Elise's voice cut through Athena's plea like a knife.

“Eli!” Lucas barked, his voice filled with warning.

Elise glare shot to him, hot and unyielding. “I'm not afraid if you!"

“Eli!” Irina's hand shot out to grab her, her wide eyes filled with concern. "No, Eli! No!"

But Elise was already moving. Fury erupted in her chest, and before she could think, her hand connected with Athena's face in a resounding slap. The force of it sent Athena staggering backward, her knees buckling as she hit the ground. Gasps echoed around them, whispers rippling through the crowd, but Elise didn’t care.

Lucas rushed to Athena's side, his panic palpable as he knelt next to her. “Are you okay? Is the baby—does your stomach hurt?”

Elise rolled her eyes, her thoughts a blur of anger. She didn’t care if Athena was hurt. In fact, she wanted her to suffer. It was long overdue.

“Why would you do this?” Lucas shouted, his voice trembling with rage as he shot to his feet.

“She deserved it,” Elise spat. “And so do you, you spineless bastard!”

Her hand struck again, this time across Lucas' cheek. The sound echoed like a crack in the tension-filled air. His head turned with the force of it, and for a moment, he froze. But when he looked back at her, his expression was terrifying.

Elise's breath hitched as his eyes darkened, brimming with the same malice she had seen before—the same look he had given her the night he’d almost killed her. His arm rose, fist clenched and ready to strike. Elise stood frozen, memories of past pain flashing through her mind like a cruel slideshow. Irina's scream barely registered in her ears as she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

But it never came...

The sound of a firm voice shattered the tension. “Touch her, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Elise eyes fluttered open. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw a tall man standing in front of her, his back to her and his hand gripping Lucas' wrist mid-swing. His imposing figure exuded power and authority, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

Lucas flinched but didn’t move.

“Who…” Elise lips parted in shock.

Who is he?