5

##Chapter 5

The phone's black screen reflected my numb face.

I didn't cry.

It seemed my tears had dried up at the hospital.

Only a bone-deep coldness remained, spreading from my heart to every limb.

I sat in the deathly quiet living room for a long time.

An hour, maybe two.

Until the sky outside began to lighten.

I stood up, my body stiff from sitting so long.

I didn't tidy up Allen's mess as usual.

Nor did I pack my luggage.

I went straight to the study.

Behind the bookshelf was a hidden safe.

I turned the combination and opened it.

Inside were all my design sketches, award certificates from my time as independent jewelry designer "C.W.," and all my pre-marital savings and investment contracts.

This was my trump card, one Allen never knew existed.

I took out a new SIM card and replaced it.

I sent Allen a text message.

My tone was as calm as discussing the weather.

"Fine, I won't bother her. Next weekend, the cottage, I'll wait for you."

The reply came quickly.

Full of a victor's arrogance.

"You should have done this earlier."

I looked at that message and turned off my phone.

He thought he had me figured out.

He thought the "cottage" was my last weakness.

He was wrong.

For the next week, I didn't contact Allen again.

I met with Eric, the best lawyer among my college classmates.

"I want a divorce." I got straight to the point.

Eric pushed his gold-rimmed glasses, unsurprised.

"What are your demands?"

"Leave him with nothing."

"That's difficult," he was direct, "unless you can prove he committed serious misconduct and maliciously transferred marital assets."

I pulled out a stack of documents from my bag.

"These are his transfer records to Fiona Jenkins over five years, totaling over seven figures."

"This is evidence that he privately 'sold' a property we bought together after marriage at below market price to his friend, who then gifted it to Fiona."

"And this," I handed over my broken phone, "contains a recording of him admitting to giving my mother's relic to a third party."

Eric's eyes lit up.

"Freya, you're very well prepared."

"Not enough," I said. "I also need you to handle a property independence notarization, separating all my pre-marital assets."

"No problem."

Friday afternoon, I received a friend request on WeChat.

The profile picture was Fiona's selfie.

I accepted it.

She immediately sent a photo.

In it, she wore exquisite makeup, posing to show off my mother's pearl earrings.

She had even used an app to add sparkling effects to the earrings.

Below was a line of text.

"Sister, thank you for the gift. They really suit me. Allen said these are the most beautiful jewelry he's ever seen on me."

I looked at that glaring photo.

My finger trembled slightly on the screen.

Finally, I calmly replied with one sentence.

"You're welcome. Keep wearing them."

"After all, anyone who wears my mother's relics will have to pay a price."

Fiona was stunned by my reply.

She seemed not to understand what I meant.

She sent a string of question marks.

"???"

"Sister, what do you mean? I don't understand?"

I didn't respond further.

Closing the conversation, I looked out at the busy traffic.

Fiona, you'll understand soon enough.

Saturday, I didn't go to the "cottage."

Allen was probably waiting there like a fool for me to come begging.

I went directly to the hotel where Fiona was attending the gala.

I knew I had to personally retrieve those earrings.

I changed into a black velvet gown I had prepared.

It made my skin look cold and white as snow.

I appeared at the entrance to the grand ballroom.

Like a vengeful queen from the dark night.

All eyes were drawn to me.

Fiona was in the center of the crowd, like a proud peacock, showing off her "trophy" to everyone around her.

When she saw me, her smile instantly froze.

I walked through the crowd, my high heels clicking against the marble floor like a death countdown.

I walked straight up to her.

Under everyone's shocked gaze, I slowly spoke.

My voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner.

"My things - you've made them dirty."

"Now give them back to me."