The CEO Who Searched the World for Me

On the third year of her marriage to Tristan Ford, Nicole Snow caught him in their bed with another woman on her birthday. Watching the man she had loved for ten years, and seeing him maintain his tender facade before others, Nicole's heart was completely shattered. She remembered the vow Tristan once made to her with deep affection: "Nicky, I want to spend my whole life with you. Unless death separates us, I’ll search the ends of the earth to find you. Nothing will ever keep us apart." Fine, then she would die, so he could never find her. Chapter 1 "Miss Snow, the post-mortem service you purchased will take place in seven days, at the mudflats under Northern Gate Bridge. At that time, we will send someone down to 'rescue' you, retrieve your clothing as a keepsake, and then contact your family to inform them of your death. Please confirm, and we’ll begin the preparations." "No problem." Nicole nodded and transferred a sum of money. She recalled something Tristan Ford had once told her: “Nicky, I want to spend my whole life with you. Unless death separates us, I’ll search the ends of the earth to find you.” Fine, then she would die, so he could never find her. After booking the post-mortem service, Nicole immediately headed to a hotel. "Are you canceling the wedding anniversary banquet scheduled with Mr. Ford in seven days?" Nicole glanced at a couple holding a wedding ceremony on the lawn and nodded. "Yes, cancel it." "But this venue was booked by Mr. Ford three years ago. He said it was your favorite and asked us to reserve it. If you cancel, you’ll have to wait until next year to rebook." The staff seemed puzzled. Tristan had reserved this spot for three years without ever mentioning a cancellation. Why the sudden change this year? Weren’t Tristan and Nicole known as the ideal couple? "Please cancel it. I won’t be needing it." "Alright, we’ll cancel it for you. About the fees—" "No need for a refund." As Nicole turned to leave, she overheard people nearby talking. "My goodness, how romantic! If I ever get married, I want to hold my wedding here!" "You think just anyone can afford a wedding here? It’s outrageously expensive! Do you know about Nicole Snow and Tristan Ford? I heard they celebrate every wedding anniversary here!" "Of course, I know! Mr. Ford truly loves Nicole. If only I could marry a CEO like that in my next life…" "Keep dreaming! You know, Nicole loves Mr. Ford deeply too. I even heard she donated part of her liver for him!" Hearing this, Nicole laughed bitterly. Over the years, Tristan’s acting had been impeccable—so perfect that the whole world believed she was the love of his life. But she knew exactly what he had done. A few people noticed Nicole approaching and let out muffled gasps. "It's Nicole Snow! Next month is her wedding anniversary with Tristan Ford. She must be here early to check the venue!" "They're so in love! A love where both sides are equally devoted is what everyone dreams of." Hearing the envious remarks from those around her, Nicole merely curled her lips into a faint, mocking smile. In love? Perhaps to outsiders, they did seem like a perfect couple. But only Nicole knew that the so-called love had crumbled beyond repair two years ago. After ten years with Tristan, surviving the so-called "seven-year itch" and eventually tying the knot, she truly believed they were destined to grow old together. That belief shattered the moment she saw Tristan walk into a hotel room, passionately kissing a rising starlet, Lisa Evans. She recognized the woman—a rising celebrity whose youth, beauty, and enviable physique had captured the public's attention. Rumor had it that she was also exceptionally skilled in bed. The thrill between Nicole and Tristan had faded with time. He was already seeking new excitement, while she had remained in place, clinging to the past. But this time, she wouldn't hold on to their rotting love any longer. When Nicole returned home, the deliveryman arrived with a package. When she opened it, she discovered a painting by a renowned international artist—a portrait depicting the two of them together. Nicole stared at the painting of the two of them, seemingly in love, and found it utterly laughable. She grabbed a pair of scissors, cut her section of the portrait, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash. She casually rewrapped the remaining part of the painting and set it aside. When Tristan returned, his eyes immediately landed on the package. "Nicky, is that our painting? Let me take a look." Nicole stopped him. "Wait until our anniversary to open it." "Alright." Tristan buried his face in her long hair, wrapping her tightly in his arms. "Whatever you say, darling. I missed you so much after just one day of not seeing you.” Chapter 2 Nicole glanced down and noticed a new gold watch on Tristan's wrist. "I thought you didn’t like gold and said it was tacky?" Tristan stiffened slightly before letting go of her. "No, I just decided it looked good, so I went ahead and got it." "Is that so?" Nicole smirked inwardly. Tristan didn’t just dislike gold, he despised it. Yet here he was, wearing a gold watch. There was only one explanation: the watch was a gift from his mistress. "Yeah, I thought it wasn’t so bad after all.” "Then let’s go to the store now. I’ll buy you a new one.” Tristan held her close, hesitating. "No need, Nicky. One is enough. I don’t have room to wear another." Nicole’s gaze fell on the gold watch again. Inside the band, she noticed an engraving: T & L. The initials of Tristan and Lisa Evans. A sharp pain pierced her heart as she reached out and pushed him away. "You smell strange. Go take a shower." "What? Smell strange?" Tristan sniffed at himself. "I don’t smell anything." Of course, he didn’t notice, but Nicole’s sharp sense of smell caught everything. The clinging, sickly-sweet scent of another woman after their heated encounter turned her stomach. Nicole didn’t say another word, and Tristan leaned in again. "Alright, I’ll shower. Wait here for me, okay?" Moments later, Tristan emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a black robe with his hair slightly damp. Under the soft light, he exuded his usual elegance and aloof charm. Once, seeing him like this would have left Nicole completely captivated. But tonight, she felt nothing but disgust. "Nicky, did you miss me?" Tristan climbed onto the bed, leaning down to kiss her, but Nicole turned her head away. "I'm tired." "What's wrong? I've noticed you're less interested in me. Are you seeing another man?" Looking at his overly serious expression, Nicole marveled at his acting skills. "What about you? Are you seeing another woman?" "I swear! Absolutely not. You’re the only one I love!" Tristan declared with utter conviction. The moment he finished speaking, his phone rang. It rang once. He didn’t answer. Then it rang several more times. Nicole glanced at him. "Go ahead, answer it." Tristan reluctantly got up and walked to the side to take the call. "Didn’t I tell you not to call me after ten at night?" "I just wrapped up a shoot—a historical drama! I want to see you. I’m at your office now. Can you come over?" Tristan glanced at Nicole lying on the bed, hesitating for a moment. The truth was, his desires were getting the better of him. With Nicole growing distant and turning him away, the thought of Lisa’s eager advances made the choice all too easy. "Alright, I’ll come right away. Wait for me, sweetheart." He quickly hung up, walked to the wardrobe, and began changing clothes. "So late, and you’re still going out?" Nicole’s voice was calm, though she already knew who had called. She just hadn’t expected him to actually leave for Lisa, even at this hour. "Yeah, something came up at the office. I’ll head over; you get some rest." Tristan gave her a quick kiss and turned to leave, but Nicole grabbed his arm. "I’ll go with you." Tristan froze. "Aren’t you tired? Just rest here." "I don’t want you working so hard alone. I’ll keep you company." Without giving him a chance to refuse, Nicole changed into fresh clothes. Tristan had no choice but to quickly send a message to the company group chat, instructing some of the senior executives to return for a meeting. By the time they arrived, the conference room was already filled with people. Tristan, looking slightly apologetic, guided Nicole to a nearby lounge. "You rest here for a bit. I’ll come find you when I’m done." "Alright." Nicole sat down, a faint smirk playing on her lips. She hadn’t expected Tristan to go so far with his act—he’d even summoned all the senior staff for a real meeting. Chapter 3 After sitting in the lounge for a while, Nicole started to feel drowsy. She turned off the lights, hoping to catch some rest. Just then, a few people walked over to the water cooler nearby. "Life’s really getting sweeter, isn’t it?" one of them remarked. "Right? A little overtime at the office, and we walk away with a thousand bucks in hush money. Mr. Ford’s really getting generous." "All this just to keep Nicole Snow in the dark while he fools around with that starlet? Why not just get a divorce?" "Watch what you’re saying! Mr. Ford made it clear that Miss Snow must never find out about his affairs. Don’t get reckless. Besides, what’s wrong with us getting paid? It’s been two years, and I’ve made quite a bit from this." Their conversation ended as they walked away, leaving Nicole trembling on the sofa. So, everyone in the company knew. They all knew Tristan was seeing another woman. Everyone, except her. For two years, she’d been the only fool left in the dark. Rising in the darkness, Nicole felt like a ghost as she shuffled toward the conference room. The room was empty—everyone had already left. They must have assumed she’d fallen asleep and wouldn’t come looking, so they all cleared out. But the projector was still on, and so were the lights. Nicole had planned to seek Tristan. But just as she was about to leave, the projector buzzed softly, and a message popped up on the screen. "Where did you go? Come back quickly. I want more." "So needy? Didn’t I just satisfy you? I'm in the restroom. I’ll be quick." "I can’t help it, I miss you. I can’t go a second without you. How about I wear that camisole again? I know how much you love it." "You little tease. I’ll make it worth your while. Nicole’s asleep anyway. I’ll be back soon and make you beg for more." Their messages flashed across the screen, forcing their filth into her vision. The vulgar words made her stomach churn. Nicole couldn’t believe it. How could the man she had loved for ten years stoop so low? She remembered the first time he’d been intimate with her. He’d only kissed her gently, and his face had turned red all the way to his neck. The moment he removed her clothes, Tristan trembled slightly. Under the dim yellow light, he stroked her cheek, his voice thick with emotion. "Nicky, I love you so much. I finally have you. It feels like a dream." And yet, in just two short years, Lisa had completely transformed him into this. The most infuriating part? He never behaved like this at home. Rage swelled in Nicole’s heart as her nails dug into her palms. The sharp pain was unmistakable, yet she hardly noticed. She walked to the office door, peering through the slats of the blinds. Inside, two undressed bodies entwined, their movements frantic and unrestrained. They were on the desk, papers and objects scattered across the floor, neither of them caring. Lost in their passion, they continued as if the world outside didn’t exist. Watching the scene unfold with her own eyes, Nicole couldn’t stop herself. She fled to the restroom and vomited violently. She had no idea how long she stayed there, retching until her emotions began to settle. By the time she emerged, Tristan and Lisa had finished. Tristan’s hair was disheveled, his face flushed—undeniable signs of what had just occurred. The moment he saw Nicole, he panicked. "Where did you go? I couldn’t find you, and I was so worried!" "Worried about me?" Nicole’s gaze landed on the love marks on his neck. With a cold laugh, she said, "Worried about what? That I might wander off and see something I shouldn’t?" Tristan’s expression shifted instantly. He quickly shook his head. "What are you talking about? There’s nothing for you to see. I just finished a meeting, and I’m exhausted. Let’s go back to bed." "Weren’t you in the mood for intimacy earlier? Let’s go to your office." Nicole grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the office. Tristan froze, fear flashing across his face. "No, not tonight. I’m exhausted. If you want, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay? I’m really too tired today." Tristan was still pretending. Nicole’s hand twitched, itching to slap him across the face. But in the end, the slap never landed. She forced herself to swallow the searing pain in her heart and nodded stiffly. "Fine. Let’s go back." It didn’t matter anymore. None of it mattered to her now. Chapter 4 As soon as Tristan got home, he headed straight for the shower. Forgetting to grab his pajamas, he called Nicole to bring them to him. The moment she pushed the door open, his well-built frame came into view. But what caught her attention even more were the red marks scattered across his body. Clearly feeling uneasy, Tristan quickly said, "Just leave them here, Nicky. You should head out." Nicole gave him a cold glance, raising an eyebrow as she asked indifferently, "What happened to you?" "Nothing.” Seeing that she had noticed, Tristan panicked. "I don’t know what it is—maybe an allergic reaction," he added, trying to shift the conversation. "By the way, Nicky, tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ve invited a lot of people to celebrate. You must be tired, so get some rest." Nicole had almost forgotten that tomorrow was her birthday. In the ten years they’d been together, he had always planned surprises for her birthday. Every year, the gifts were more thoughtful and more extravagant than the last. But what Nicole had wanted was never those things. She walked out without another word and lay back in bed, closing her eyes but sleep wouldn’t come. When she opened her eyes in the middle of the night, she saw Tristan sitting up, grinning at his phone. That smile gave everything away. Pain clenched her heart, but she repeated silently to herself: “Soon. Very soon, all of this will be over.” The next morning, before Nicole was fully awake, Tristan leaned down and kissed her forehead affectionately, his voice soft and tender as he woke her. "Come on, sleepyhead, time to get up!" He had a row of dresses and high heels brought in for her to choose from. Even the maids, seeing this, couldn’t help but look on with envy. "Sir, you’re so good to your wife!" "Of course I am! She’s my wife. Who else would I spoil if not her?" Nicole smiled faintly, but her eyes brimmed with mockery. "Happy birthday, darling. Take a look, what do you want to wear today?" Nicole casually picked a few outfits, and Tristan immediately instructed the staff to take the rest away. When she stepped out, dressed and ready, she overheard Tristan telling one of the maids, "Send the rest of these clothes to the Willow Manor." Willow Manor? Nicole remembered that house. They had bought it in their second year of marriage—a villa not far from home—but they’d never lived there. A sense of unease crept over her, but she didn’t ask any questions. For Nicole’s birthday party, Tristan had spent the entire day running around. From decorating the house to overseeing the pastries in the kitchen, he handled every detail personally. He wouldn’t let Nicole lift a finger, insisting that as the birthday girl, her only job was to relax and enjoy herself. If she didn’t already know about his affair, she might have believed she was the luckiest woman in the world. As night fell, guests began to arrive one after another. "Mr. Ford, you’re ridiculously devoted to Miss Snow! Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries—every occasion is a grand event. Aren’t you tired of spoiling her so much?" "Seriously, attending all your parties throughout the year is practically a full-time job! And they’re all for her. You must really love her, huh?" Tristan held his wine glass under the glow of the crystal chandelier, his smile brimming with pride as he basked in their compliments. "So, what if I spoil her? Nicky is the only woman I’ll ever love in this lifetime. There will be just as many parties in the years to come. Are you all coming or not?" "Of course, we’ll come! With Mr. Ford setting such an example of devotion, we’ve got a lot to learn!" Nicole sat expressionless on the sofa, watching Tristan chat and laugh with the guests. Her eyes glimmered with mockery. He was truly impressive—lies rolled off his tongue so effortlessly. In the past, such words would have left her deeply moved. Suddenly, the room stirred as Lisa made her entrance. The buzz of excitement spread quickly. Nicole’s face darkened. As expected, Tristan had invited her. Chapter 5 Seeing her, Tristan couldn’t hide his excitement. He walked over and pretended to have a polite small talk with Lisa. But the way his hands fidgeted and the unspoken emotions flickering in his eyes didn’t escape Nicole’s notice. "Miss Snow, happy birthday," Lisa said as she handed over a gift. "This is for you. I hope you like it." "How thoughtful of you, Miss Evans." Nicole took the gift, though her expression remained far from warm. "Why is Lisa Evans here?" A few guests exchanged surprised glances. "Exactly. She’s just an actress. What’s she doing at an event like this?" "Careful what you say. Actress or not, did you notice the diamond necklace she’s wearing?" "My God, how could someone like her afford something so expensive?" Nicole’s gaze shifted to Lisa’s neck, and she noticed the exquisite necklace. She recognized it instantly. It was the same necklace Tristan had gifted her in their second year of marriage. He’d told her it was one of only two in the world and had bought it especially for her. Now, the second necklace was around Lisa’s neck. A sharp, unexpected pain struck her heart as she gripped the gift in her hand more tightly. "Are you all talking about this necklace?" Lisa asked with a provocative smile, casting a glance at Nicole. "I heard Miss Snow has one too?" "Yes," Nicole replied coldly, her voice steady. "Who gave this one to you, Miss Evans?" "My boyfriend gave it to me," Lisa said smugly. "He loves me very much. He even flew overseas a few days before my birthday to bid on it just for me." She deliberately looked at Tristan as she spoke, her words dripping with provocation. Tristan’s expression darkened, but Lisa didn’t seem to care. Nicole took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "I didn’t expect Miss Evans to already have a boyfriend.” "Of course. We’ve been together for two years, and we’re deeply in love. Probably even more in love than you and your husband," Lisa replied, her voice laced with provocation. "Does Miss Snow want to know who my boyfriend is?" Nicole raised an eyebrow, deliberately playing along. "I’m quite curious, Miss Evans. Do you dare to tell me who he is?” Feeling displeased, Lisa nearly blurted out, "My boyfriend is Tristan—" "That’s enough." Tristan’s face darkened as his gaze landed on the necklace Lisa was wearing. "Miss Evans, today is my wife’s birthday. We’re not interested in who your boyfriend is." "Mr. Ford, I was just wondering who’s more devoted—my boyfriend to me, or you to Miss Snow?" Lisa said, unwilling to back down but not daring to say more outright. "Of course, I love Nicky the most," Tristan said without a moment's hesitation. "There isn’t anyone in the world who loves her more than I do." His quick response made Lisa’s face pale with anger, her expression twitching with frustration. Nicole glanced up at Tristan, her face calm but her stomach churning with disgust. His words made her nauseous; she felt as if she might vomit. "Nicky, are you alright?" Tristan asked, noticing her discomfort and quickly moving to support her. Nicole pushed him away. "I’m just a little tired." "Why don’t I help you upstairs after we look at the gifts?" He clapped his hands, signaling the butler, who promptly began the fireworks display outside. Fireworks exploded one after another over the yard, their bright sparks scattering across the night sky and illuminating everything below. The vibrant colors intertwined, creating a dazzling visual feast that left the guests in awe. "Wow, this is incredible! Miss Snow is so lucky to have Mr. Ford," someone exclaimed. "True love, right? Remember when Mr. Ford had liver issues? Miss Snow donated part of hers without hesitation. It’s only fair that he treats her so well!" "This is so romantic. I’m honestly dying of envy." The crackling sound of fireworks and the murmurs of admiration blended together, but for Nicole, it felt suffocating. Every second she stayed, every glance at Tristan’s fake, perfect smile, made her heart ache and her body feel heavier. Chapter 6 "Happy birthday, Nicky! I love you! You’re the only woman I’ll ever love in this lifetime!" Tristan pushed a cart forward, topped with a massive three-tiered cake. Resting at the very top was a car key. "A new car, just for you. I had it shipped in from overseas." "Wow, the latest one! Do you know how much that costs?" "I’m so jealous! I couldn’t even get on the waitlist!" Lisa clenched her jaw in frustration, forcing a smile. "Mr. Ford is so generous to Miss Snow." "Miss Evans, no need to be envious. Maybe your boyfriend will get you one too," Tristan replied casually. Lisa’s eyes lit up at his words. "Really?" The others might not have understood their exchange, but Nicole did. She knew this car wasn’t just for her—Tristan had bought the exact same one for Lisa. So much for being the love of his life. It was all lies. "I’m tired," Nicole said abruptly. She couldn’t keep pretending any longer. Without another glance at the party or the gifts, she turned and headed upstairs. Murmurs followed her departure, some guests commenting on her behavior. "She’s so spoiled. She doesn’t even care about Mr. Ford’s effort." But Tristan only smiled, brushing off the remarks. "My wife is tired and needs her rest. Don’t you dare say a word about her. I’ll spoil her as much as I want." Nicole went to the furthest corner of the second floor, into the home theater. She tried watching a movie, but her mind was in chaos. The noise from the party downstairs lingered for a long time. Feeling thirsty, she decided to head down for a drink. As she passed by the master bedroom, muffled sounds of passion stopped her in her tracks. For a moment, it felt like lightning had struck her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Step by step, she moved toward the door. Her legs felt like they were made of lead, each step heavier than the last. When she reached the doorway, she froze, staring at the scene inside. On their bed, the silhouettes of two entangled bodies moved shamelessly. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably. "You naughty thing," Tristan murmured between breaths. "You’re so bold, teasing me here. What if Nicky sees us?" "That’s exactly what I want!" Lisa replied provocatively. "I want her to see. I want her to know that you’re mine!" Lisa’s seduction chipped away at Tristan’s restraint, bit by bit, until it completely crumbled. "This is thrilling! But no matter what, Nicky can never find out about us! Do whatever you want but provoking her is off-limits!" "Why? Tristan, can’t you just divorce her and be with me?" Tristan froze, his movements halting as his expression darkened. He fixed Lisa with a cold stare. "Lisa, you’ve crossed the line tonight. Do you realize the things you said to her could cause problems? And let me be clear—I will never divorce her. She will always be my wife. You’d better remember your place." Lisa pouted, her voice softening. "I understand, but it hurts, you know? You invited me here just to watch how much attention you lavish on her, how good you are to her?" "Enough. I’ll make it up to you, alright?" The two continued their entanglement, completely oblivious to Nicole standing outside the door. A sharp pain stabbed through her heart as she gripped it tightly, bending over and gasping for air until the suffocating feeling eased slightly. But the tears came anyway—hot, relentless, and uncontrollable. She leaned against the wall for support, step by step making her way downstairs. The fireworks were still going, painting the night sky with bursts of color. The display had lasted for three hours now. Nicole stood in the yard, watching for what felt like an eternity, until finally, Lisa and Tristan emerged from the house, one after the other. Lisa’s steps were unsteady. When Tristan spotted Nicole standing outside, he rushed over, wrapping her cold body in his arms and draping his jacket over her shoulders. "Why are you down here again? Weren’t you tired? Where did you go earlier? I couldn’t find you and was so worried." Nicole quietly pushed him away, her eyes frosty. "What about you? Where were you just now?" "I was looking for you. I looked everywhere for so long." "And what if one day, you can’t find me anymore?" Tristan’s heart skipped a beat. "Don’t say that, Nicky. You know I can’t live without you." "Tristan, if you ever betray me, I will disappear from your life forever. Do you understand?" "I swear!" Tristan raised his hand solemnly, his expression earnest. "I will never betray you, not ever. I swear on these fireworks that I will only love Nicole Snow for the rest of my life!" As Nicole watched Tristan’s serious demeanor, her mind wandered back to their first year together. That New Year’s Eve, the fireworks were just as dazzling. They had spent an unforgettable night atop a mountain, watching the sky light up. That night, Tristan shouted into the sky, "Tristan Ford will love Nicole Snow forever, for a lifetime! No, for the next lifetime, and the one after that!" She still remembered how he’d pushed himself to exhaustion for his career, to the point of damaging his liver. When she donated part of her liver to him, they were wheeled into the operating room side by side. Tristan’s eyes were red and swollen with tears. "Nicky, I’ll never let you down. I love you so much.” They held hands tightly, refusing to let go, until the doctors had to forcefully separate them. Chapter 7 Nicole came back to her senses, gazing at the fireworks as she murmured, "The flowers still bloom in the gentle spring breeze, but the face I long for has vanished." "Why say something so sad?" Tristan pulled her into a tight embrace. "I love you, Nicky. Please, don’t leave me." Love? Nicole found it laughable. She wanted to ask him how he could profess love to her right after being with another woman in their bed. How could he feel no shame? How could he be so utterly brazen? She sighed. Forget it—all of it. She had already made up her mind. She would leave him for good. That night, the party went on until late. One by one, the guests eventually left. As usual, Tristan left early the next morning. Nicole picked up her phone and noticed a text message. "Open your phone and watch Lisa Evans’s livestream. You’ll see what you want to see." The number was unfamiliar, but she had a pretty good idea of who it could be. She searched for Lisa’s livestream and clicked into it. Sure enough, Lisa was streaming live. Today was her birthday, and the celebration was lavish. But what caught Nicole’s attention was the house. It was all too familiar—the rows of dresses and high heels behind Lisa were also familiar. They were the same ones Tristan had brought for Nicole to choose from that day, with the rest sent to Willow Manor. It hit her. This was their property at Willow Manor. Lisa had moved in. Nicole’s hand trembled as she held her phone. Her disappointment in Tristan had reached its limit. "Hello, everyone," Lisa said cheerfully. "Today is my birthday, and this party was arranged by my boyfriend." The comment section was full of admiration. "What a grand party! Lisa’s boyfriend is amazing." "Exactly! It’s just as extravagant as the birthday parties Tristan Ford throws for Nicole Snow!" "Wait, is Lisa living in Willow Manor? The property prices there are twenty thousand dollars per square meter! I can’t believe she’s living somewhere so luxurious!" "Lisa, when will your boyfriend make an appearance? I’m so jealous of your love story!" … Seeing the flood of blessings in the comments, Lisa smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, it’s not convenient. I need to protect his privacy." The next moment, a series of extravagant virtual gifts lit up the screen. "Wow, who is this? So rich!" Nicole tapped on the sender’s profile. It was a blank account with no posts or information. But her instincts told her it was Tristan’s alternate account. As the livestream continued, Lisa proudly showcased the Ferrari she had received—a car identical to the one Tristan had given Nicole the night before. The comment section exploded, the barrage of messages moving so quickly that Nicole couldn’t make out a single word. She lowered her head and quietly turned off her phone. Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. The time read July 15. Her planned death date was tomorrow. Nicole glanced around the cold, lifeless house, her resolve hardening. She was ready to end it all. But even in death, she wouldn’t let Lisa and Tristan have their way. Pulling out her phone, she sent Lisa a text message, inviting her to meet at Northern Gate Bridge the next day. Lisa replied almost immediately, "Sure, so you finally decided to confront me, Nicole. I guess you’re not as stupid as I thought." Before Nicole could respond, another message followed. It was a photo. It was Tristan, wearing an apron, cooking in the kitchen. "See this? He made me dinner for my birthday. Has he ever done that for you?" Nicole stared at the photo, and her heart tightened painfully. Ten years. She had known Tristan for ten years, and in all that time, he had never once cooked for her. But for Lisa, he was willing to step into the kitchen? She let out a bitter laugh. Ten years of love and devotion—all of it had been for nothing. Chapter 8 Nicole picked up her phone and called Tristan. "Hello? Nicky, what’s up?" "Are you coming home today?" "I’ve got a lot on my plate at work. I probably won’t make it back tonight." "Alright." Nicole hung up, her voice calm as she murmured to herself, "Tristan, I gave you one last chance to see me, and you chose not to take it. So, this is goodbye—forever." She called for the housekeeper and instructed her to bring their bed down to the yard. "Bring me a torch.” The housekeeper froze, thinking she must have misheard. "Ma’am, what did you say?" She had assumed Nicole wanted the bed cleaned or aired out. "I said, bring me a torch," Nicole repeated, her face emotionless. The housekeeper hesitated for only a moment before rushing off to fetch it. Nicole took the torch without hesitation and set the bed ablaze. The sheets, the bed, and everything they had bought together during their first year of marriage went up in flames, reduced to ashes. The housekeeper stood silently nearby, too stunned to ask why, her eyes fixed on the fire. "Tristan, consider this my parting gift to you," Nicole said coldly. Watching the fire die out, she let out a bitter laugh. It was over—everything was truly over. The next evening, Lisa arrived as promised. She pulled up in the Ferrari Tristan had gifted her, her flashy entrance drawing the attention of everyone passing by. Nicole smirked. This was exactly what she wanted—to put Lisa squarely in the spotlight, with nowhere to hide. "You’re here?" "Make it quick. I’m exhausted. My boyfriend and I have been busy all night and day, and I’m really worn out," Lisa replied with a smirk, casually tilting her head to reveal the marks on her neck. Nicole remained unmoved, her expression calm despite Lisa’s provocative demeanor. "Pass a message to Tristan for me," Nicole said, her voice steady as she articulated each word. "Tell him... I hate him." "What?" Lisa frowned, confused by her tone. "Why don’t you tell him yourself?" After all, she was here to assert her dominance, not play messenger. "Because I’m about to die." The next second, she climbed onto the railing, standing precariously at the edge of the bridge. Lisa froze, startled, and instinctively reached out to grab her. "What are you doing? You’re not serious about jumping, are you? If you’re going to kill yourself, go ahead, but don’t drag me into this!" Before Nicole could jump, her phone rang. "Miss Snow, your post-mortem service is now active. We’ve arrived at the location, and everything is ready. Shall we proceed immediately?" Nicole let out a cold laugh. "Yes, I’m on my way." She threw the phone to the ground, pried Lisa’s hand off her arm, and jumped. Lisa stood frozen in shock as the sound of a loud splash echoed. The water, thirty meters below, exploded into a burst of white foam. Nicole struggled against the current for a few moments before vanishing beneath the surface. For a brief moment, Lisa could only stare, her mind blank. The sight of Nicole’s sudden death left her trembling. As a crowd began to gather, Lisa didn’t wait. She got into her car and sped away. The moment Nicole hit the water, memories flashed before her eyes. Her body sank deeper and deeper, the sunlight above fading until it disappeared entirely. Finally, she was free from her past, free from Tristan’s lies and deceit. She would die, and in doing so, she would make Tristan regret it for the rest of his life. He would carry the weight of her death, haunted by guilt forever. Nicole believed that only in death would she find her rebirth.