"There was a leak of confidential company data at the time. Lilian was the only person close enough to have access to Alexander’s computer, so he questioned her about it. But she denied everything. The two of them argued, and in anger, Lilian ran off crying. Alexander didn’t go after her immediately. It wasn’t until one of her friends called to say she was missing that he realized something was wrong."

My fingers tightened unconsciously.

"Not long after that, Alexander received a ransom call. The kidnappers had targeted him from the very beginning."

Uncle Steve sighed heavily.

"Maybe if he had simply paid the ransom, Lilian wouldn’t have suffered so much. But you know Alexander... he hates being threatened. Instead of paying, he contacted the police. Somehow, the kidnappers found out."

His voice grew quieter.

"And that’s when they hurt Lilian."

Silence fell between us.

So this was the truth.

A complicated feeling rose in my chest.

The woman he loved had been kidnapped because of him, and because of the way he handled things, she suffered terribly. It was only natural that he would carry guilt and responsibility for her.

If I were in Alexander’s position, perhaps I might have made the same decision.

But understanding something didn’t mean my heart could return to how it once was.

It only meant acceptance.

Acceptance that we were never meant to walk to the end together. Acceptance that perhaps... it was finally time to let go.

If there was anyone to blame, it was fate for being so cruel.

Back then, by sheer coincidence, I—a girl who could only admire Alexander from afar—was suddenly given the chance to marry him.

At the time, Alexander had already been single for over a year, and I knew nothing about what had truly happened between him and Lilian.

I thought their story had long since ended.

So I foolishly stepped into the light with hope in my heart.

I thought it was fate giving me a gift.

But now I understood.

It had never been a gift at all.

It was merely destiny’s cruel joke.

For the first time, the thought of divorce became clearer than ever in my mind.

Enough was enough.

I would let Alexander fulfill his promises, while I live the peaceful life I always wanted.

After all, not every marriage ends with dramatic fights or heartbreaking farewells.

Sometimes, a marriage simply ends quietly—on an ordinary afternoon, in the exact moment when the story finally reaches its last page.

The end of every story always leaves behind signs.

From the very beginning... through the development, the climax, and finally the ending—

Only the reader ever notices them clearly.

"Alicia," Uncle Steve began softly, "I know how hard you’ve tried to hide your feelings and lock your emotions behind walls. But from the day you stepped into this mansion and met Alexander, I knew your feelings for him were never as simple as those between adopted siblings."

I lowered my gaze quietly.

"I saw the way you looked at him," he continued. "The way you always tried to please him, always putting him first."

His voice carried both helplessness and pity.

"When Mother decided the two of you would get married, I was worried at first about how Alexander might treat you. But later, I realized he could never truly hurt you. I thought perhaps your kindness and sincerity would eventually help him let go of Lilian."

Uncle Steve sighed softly.

"But I never imagined things would end like this."

I remained silent, but my silence alone was enough to confirm everything he had said.

After all, I wasn’t surprised he had noticed.

Even though I had always buried my feelings carefully, Uncle Steve had always been the one who understood me best. The one who comforted me without needing explanations.

I never needed to say aloud that I loved Alexander.

He had already known all along.

"Alicia," Uncle Steve said gently, "if you’re unhappy now... then just divorce him."

My fingers tightened slightly.

It felt as though he could see straight through my thoughts.

"Don’t worry," he reassured softly. "Mother isn’t unreasonable. More than anything, she just wants you to be happy. I’ll help speak to her."

He paused before adding quietly,

"We can’t let your good heart go to waste on someone who can’t give you the happiness you deserve."

I looked up at him.

"I..."

Just as I was about to speak, I noticed Alexander walking toward us. It seemed he had just returned.

"What are you two doing out here?" he casually asked.

"Just chatting with Alicia for a bit," Uncle Steve replied casually.

He patted my shoulder gently and gave me a reassuring smile before turning to leave.

Alexander watched his retreating figure for a moment before looking back at me.

"Let’s go."

I nodded.

He naturally reached for my hand and led me back inside.

Nana was already feeling weak and tired, so she had gone upstairs to rest. After saying goodbye to everyone else, Alexander and I finally left the mansion together. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Once inside the car, Alexander started the engine before reaching into the glove compartment and taking out several square jewelry boxes.

"The store called earlier to say our wedding bands were ready," he said. "So I stopped by to pick them up. I also saw this necklace and thought you might like it."

He handed the boxes to me.

"See if you do."

I opened one calmly. Inside lay a platinum necklace. Its design was understated yet elegant—exactly the type of jewelry I liked. Beside it were the wedding bands we had chosen together before going to New York.

This was the first time Alexander had personally picked something out for me himself.

"Thank you," I said softly.

Yet my expression remained calm as I closed the box and placed it back into my bag.

Alexander frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Are you still busy with work tonight?" I suddenly asked.

"Why?"

"There’s something I need to tell you."

Alexander glanced at me briefly.

"Right now?"

I looked ahead at the traffic outside the windshield.

"Let’s talk after we get home."

He nodded lightly.

Then, without another word, he reached for my hand resting on my lap and interlocked our fingers together while driving with the other hand.

His gaze remained fixed calmly on the road ahead.

While I sat quietly thinking of how long it took me to finally see things so clearly.