"Director Alicia is beautiful and capable. Anyone would feel envious."
"She really is the boss's sister."
"What? Director Alicia is CEO Blackwood's sister?"
"Not his real sister. Chairman Blackwood took her in—otherwise, how would she have entered Blackwood Dominion Enterprises?"
"Who said that?"
"Someone from CCPR."
"Still, Director Alicia is a good person."
Their words struck deeper than I expected.
Sadness settled quietly in my chest.
We had been married for two years, yet Alexander had been so careful that even the employees knew nothing. And now—Liliana.
He had brought her here openly.
The contrast was almost cruel.
I walked into the underground parking lot, fastened my seatbelt, and looked up.
My breath stopped.
Alexander stood a few meters away, wearing the white suit I had chosen for him that morning. Under the dim lights, his tall frame looked impossibly composed. Beside him was a woman in a mask and baseball cap, her arm looped through his with practiced intimacy.
She leaned close, whispering something. Alexander turned slightly toward her, listening—patient, gentle. A softness crossed his face that I had never once seen directed at me.
She shook his arm playfully.
He smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Lilian Summer.
His first love. Back after three years.
The red tie around his neck burned into my eyes.
I had picked it to celebrate my pregnancy.
Now, he was wearing it for her.
The realization struck harder than any slap. Two years of marriage, and he had never looked at me like that. I used to tell myself this was simply how he was—cold, distant, incapable of tenderness. I had repeated that lie so many times I almost believed it.
But I was wrong.
He could be gentle.
Just not with me.
They walked past my car. He didn't notice me. of course he didn't.
"Mrs. Blackwood, you're back. What would you like for dinner…?"
Maria fell silent when she saw my face. I walked straight into the bedroom. She didn't follow.
I leaned against the door, my strength finally gone. The tears I had held back all day spilled over. My chest hurt so badly it felt impossible to breathe.
I had grown up with a single parent. I knew what it did to a child. I didn't want that life for my baby, especially not the divorced type.I wanted my child to be happy.
But no one had ever taught me how.
A soft knock came later. "Mrs. Blackwood, dinner is ready."
"Mm."
I washed my face and stepped out, then remembered Alexander's message.
A gift from his business trip.
I opened his suitcase.
Inside was a signed album from my favorite international singer.
No diamonds. No luxury watch. Just this, but it meant alot more than anything else to me.
I pressed it to my chest.
In the empty wasteland of my heart, something stirred—small, fragile, but alive. At least he still remembered what I liked. At least, somewhere in his mind, I still existed.
Maybe… I wasn't completely abandoned after all.
I woke up the next morning in a daze.
The bed beside me was empty.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the sheets, my thoughts in chaos. He must have stayed with Liliana last night. I should have expected it. So why did it feel as though someone had torn my heart out, leaving behind a raw, bleeding wound?
The bedroom door clicked open.
Alexander walked in.