Chapter 4

This good mood lasted until I got home that evening.

In the villa, Andre sat on the living room sofa, his face full of anger.

I thought he'd found out about me finding men on the side.

But instead he questioned me, "Why did you have my bank cards frozen? Do you know how embarrassing it was when I couldn't pay for dinner with my friends yesterday?"

"So what? What does that have to do with me?"

"Leicester, are you making a scene because of Mary? She's just like a sister to me."

"Andre, do you even believe that yourself?"

"Don't assume everyone's like you just because you like playing around. Accusing me like this—you just want an excuse to go out and play again, don't you?"

"Your circle is always so disgusting. Just because you're not clean, you think everyone else is the same."

I never imagined he could be shameless to this degree. If he'd just openly admitted to keeping a woman on the side, I would've just thought he was a mooch who couldn't even handle being kept properly.

But he was turning all the blame on me, shifting the guilt. It was truly revolting.

He grabbed another large handful of pearls from the box.

"You're not young anymore. No one else will love you like I do. You'd better think carefully."

Looking at the pearl box that had emptied by more than half again, I smiled slightly. "Do whatever you want."

Seeing me unmoved, Andre became angry from embarrassment. "Leicester, you've really hurt me today."

"I won't be coming home for a while. When you realize your mistake, I'll come back."

I still had no idea where his confidence in making demands came from. Perhaps he thought women over thirty would be anxious about love?

Maybe my years of indulgence made him think he had me completely figured out?

But I still moved aside from the doorway. "Be my guest."

During the days Andre was gone, he'd still come back occasionally.

He wanted me to buy his little girlfriend a car to apologize. When I refused, he came back and took some pearls.

He set his eyes on a villa and wanted me to buy it for him. When I didn't pay, he came back and took more pearls.

Back and forth like this, the once-full box now had only a few scattered pearls left.

Actually, I was curious too—when all the pearls were gone, would Andre really leave on his own?

With this in mind, I had my lawyer draft a divorce agreement.

My assets were too vast. Divorce would take a lot of time, but I had only one demand: that he leave with nothing.

I'd just finished my call with the lawyer when I saw Torres had sent me a message.

"Cartier invited me to their gala. Will you be there?"

I asked my assistant. Cartier had indeed sent me an invitation.

Usually I wouldn't attend this kind of sales event, but I hadn't seen Torres in days and missed his body.

So I replied, "Yes."