Love, As Fleeting as the Breeze

"Hi there, I'd like to emigrate." Christina stood at the counter and handed over the neatly prepared documents to the clerk on the other side of the glass. The clerk quickly stamped each page. The red ink spread like tiny ripples on still water. Then, without looking up, he pulled out another form and passed it back to her. "Ma'am, your paperwork will be processed in fifteen days." Christina nodded, turned on her heel, and headed for the exit. But before she could step outside, whispers trailed after her. "Did I see that right? Mrs. Waldorf is applying for emigration? Did she have a squabble with Mr. Waldorf?" "Even if they argued, would it go this far? Mr. Waldorf practically worships her. What could possibly make her leave so decisively?" "Exactly. Five years ago, their wedding was the event of the century. Even someone like me, who barely goes online, heard about it. And three years ago, after her car accident, the blood bank ran out of stock. Mr. Waldorf ignored everyone's objections and nearly drained himself to save her. Then, just last year, when she disappeared for an hour, he mobilized every media outlet worldwide to find her. Now she's leaving without a word—won't that drive him insane?" The murmurs swirled and lingered, but Christina only smiled faintly. Her expression was calm, but her eyes darkened with a bitterness that deepened with every step. Yes, she thought. Everyone knew just how much Lucien Waldorf loved her. Chapter 1 Everyone in the circle knew that Lucien Waldorf, president of the Waldorf Group, was ruthless and decisive in business. In his private life, he was famously indifferent, cold, and distant from women. No woman dared step within three meters of him. Until that fateful gala, where he met Christina. He fell for her at first sight and began pursuing her relentlessly. He showered her with mansions, luxury cars, and jewelry. Fireworks lit up the sky for three nights straight as he declared his love. When she casually mentioned craving a chestnut cake that had been discontinued, he drove through a snowstorm late at night, crossing three cities to deliver the still-warm dessert to her. But what truly made her accept him was the day her parents died in a car accident. He was in another city at the time but had abandoned a billion-dollar deal to rush back. When he arrived, disheveled and bloodshot, he pulled her into his arms. "Christina, don't cry. You still have me. I'll always be by your side." Looking into his eyes, so full of love, her heart skipped a beat. 'He's the one for me.' That's what she told herself. But the man who had once loved her so wholeheartedly had succumbed to temptation three months ago. He had tangled himself with his best friend's sister, who had been staying in their home. Traces of their affair stained the sofa, the kitchen, and their bed. Lucien thought he had hidden it well, but he forgot—there were no secrets that can't escape the cracks. The moment Christina learned the truth, she felt pain, despair, and disbelief. But in the end, she accepted the harsh reality and resolved to leave for good. The Waldorf family had a military background spanning three generations, and none of them were allowed to leave the country—including Lucien. If she went abroad, he would never be able to find her. Clutching her immigration papers, Christina hailed a cab and headed for Sunset Bay. The moment she stepped into the Waldorf family villa, a musky scent hit her nose. Two people hanging decorations on the wall turned around at the sound of her entrance. Lucien froze for a second before his gaze softened. He walked over and held Christina's hand. "Baby, why are you dressed so lightly? Aren't you cold? Didn't you say you were meeting your friends? Why are you back so soon? I was preparing a surprise for you." A surprise? Christina looked up at him but couldn't help noticing the marks on his neck. Hickeys. Her eyelashes trembled as she fought to suppress the ache in her chest. Before she could speak, Vanessa Bane giggled and walked over. "Christina, Lucien really loves you. He's even throwing a grand celebration for your first meeting anniversary." Vanessa paused deliberately before pointing at the mountain of gifts stacked on the sofa. "Look, all of these are presents from him to you." Christina's gaze followed Vanessa's hand but stopped at the wet stain under the pile of gifts. In that moment, it felt like her world had collapsed. The scent lingering in the air and the evidence before her eyes confirmed her worst suspicions. Love her? Lucien's so-called love meant preparing gifts for her while indulging in passion with Vanessa on that sofa—so wild that they had left the fabric soaked. No pain could be sharper than this. Lucien, oblivious to her turmoil, placed a necklace around her neck. His voice was tender as he said, "Happy anniversary, baby. I also prepared a candlelit dinner." Christina's body trembled. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry. I… I don't feel well." Every second spent with him now felt like torture. She had told him from the start—she was a purist when it came to love. She couldn't accept flaws. If he couldn't cherish her, then why did he come into her life at all? Hearing her say she wasn't feeling well, Lucien panicked. He immediately called several private doctors to examine her. Even after they found nothing wrong, he sent his assistant to buy nutritional supplements and personally made her a cup of hot milk and coaxed her to sleep. Four or five exhausting hours later, Christina finally drifted off. In the middle of the night, thirst woke her up. As she opened the bedroom door to get water, she froze. The door to the guest room stood ajar. Moonlight spilled in, illuminating the two figures entwined on the bed. "The necklace you gave her costs hundreds of millions, but no matter how long I begged, you wouldn't give it to me. Christina didn't even ask, and you gave it to her right away." Even after their passion, Vanessa's legs were still wrapped around him, her voice dripping with jealousy. Lucien frowned, pulled away, and lit a cigarette. "Don't forget your place. I told you—I only love Christina. If you want to keep this relationship, it has to stay hidden. If she finds out, you know what'll happen." Vanessa paled. She climbed out of bed and hugged him from behind. "I know you love Christina, but I love you too. Can't I be a little jealous?" Lucien didn't respond. Instead, he took a necklace identical to Christina's but in a different color out of the drawer. "Don't act so pitiful. I bought one for you too, but you can only wear it in private. If she finds out, this ends immediately." Vanessa's face lit up. She eagerly took the necklace and held it against her hickey-filled neck. "Thank you, Lucien! I knew you cared about me. But are you really that afraid of Christina leaving you?" He didn't hesitate. "Yes. I can't live without her. If she leaves, I'll go insane." Saying that, he pinned her down again. They resumed their affair. The bed creaked with their movements. Vanessa's satisfying sound echoed through the air. Standing at the door, Christina's tears fell like rain. She looked at the wedding photo hanging on the wall, her eyes locked on Lucien's face. Lucien, in fifteen days, I'll be waiting to see you go mad. Chapter 2 At dawn, Christina was startled awake by a commotion. She opened the door and saw, in the garden of the neighboring villa, a haggard woman clutching a man's shirt with trembling hands. Her voice tore through the morning air. "Dirk, I've loved you for ten whole years and bore you several children! When we got married, you promised to love me forever! It hasn't even been that long, and you dare to keep a mistress behind my back?" Despite the early hour, many people had already gathered by the lakeside for their morning walks. The scandalous scene unfolded before them, drawing more curious eyes with each passing second. Dirk, clearly someone of status, noticed the growing crowd. His expression shifted immediately as he grabbed the woman and dragged her toward the villa. "What are you making a scene for? I've told you many times, no man in this world can stay completely faithful!" Christina stood frozen, unable to look away, until a warm hand gently covered her ears from behind. "Christina, don't listen to such filthy words." Without turning, she spoke softly, "Tell me, do all men eventually cheat?" Lucien stiffened. He turned her around to face him, his eyes unwavering. "I can't speak for others, but I won't. Christina, I will love only you for my entire life." "Your entire life?" she murmured. "But life is so long." He pulled her into his arms, his breath warm against her ear. "As long as it is, I only want you." She finally laughed, but there was a faint bitterness in her voice. "And what if you cheat? What if you betray me?" "If I betray you, the heavens shall punish me and strike me down with lightning." Hearing those words, with the truth still buried deep inside her, her heart ached. "Lucien, you dare swear such a cruel oath? Aren't you afraid it might come true?" He chuckled softly. "No, because no one knows better than I do how much I love you. If you don't believe me, I'll carve out my heart for you. And if that's still not enough, I'll give you my entire life." Could he really give her his entire life? Then why couldn't he even control his own desires? His body still carried traces of another woman's scent, yet his lips whispered the most tender words. "Christina, Lucien, what are you two doing?" A voice suddenly broke the silence. They turned and saw Vanessa standing at the door, wearing a red strapless dress. Lucien visibly stiffened. He frowned slightly. "Isn't today the weekend? Where are you going dressed like that?" The tone was less that of a brother asking a sister and more that of a jealous husband questioning his wife. Noticing the jealousy in his voice, Vanessa smiled coyly. "There's a company mixer tonight, and I'm planning to find myself a boyfriend. I won't be coming home tonight." Lucien's expression darkened instantly, while Vanessa's smile widened. "By the way, Christina, do you two have any plans today?" Only then did Lucien snap out of it. He tightened his grip on Christina's hand. "We're visiting my parents today," he said. Vanessa smiled again. "Send them my regards." Then, she turned and left. Half an hour later, Lucien drove Christina toward his family's estate. His parents had never liked Christina as a daughter-in-law. They believed she had turned their son into a lovesick fool who nearly lost his life for her. Worse still, after years of marriage, they had no children. Every visit was met with cold stares and sharp words. Lucien knew this and tried to minimize visits, but this time, his mother's declining health left him no choice. As soon as they stepped inside, the cheerful chatter ceased. His parents' faces fell. Seeing their hostility, Lucien bristled. "If you treat Christina like this again, we won't come back." His father slammed the table. "How dare you! Are you abandoning your parents for a woman?" Lucien held Christina's hand tightly and refused to back down. "I told you before, Christina is my one true love. I can't even bring myself to raise my voice to her, and yet you treat her like this. Do you want to rip my heart out? If this happens again, I'll consider myself an orphan." Chapter 3 No one expected Lucien to be so resolute. The living room fell into a suffocating silence. Yet, as Christina looked at the man standing firmly on her side, she felt no trace of warmth in her heart. Seeing that her son was serious, Katie Waldorf finally gave in. "Enough. Let's eat first." At the dining table, the only sounds were the clinking of utensils and Katie's occasional scoffs. Christina's hand trembled slightly as she gripped her fork. She knew what was coming. Sure enough, Katie soon put down her fork and said, "I won't ask for much, but shouldn't you at least give us a grandchild? You can't just let the family line end here." Lucien immediately set down his fork. "I've told you before. Christina is afraid of pain. I won't let her endure such suffering for me. I'd rather remain childless forever!" Hearing this, Lucien's parents lost their appetite completely. Just as another argument was about to erupt, Christina spoke up. "Half a month. Dad, Mom, in half a month, you'll have a grandchild." Her words stunned everyone. "Christina?" Lucien grasped her hand. "We agreed not to have children. You don't have to sacrifice yourself for me." She smiled faintly at his earnest expression. She said they'd have a grandchild, but she never said she would be the one to give birth. Half a month later, she'd be out of the country. Since he loved Vanessa so much and couldn't keep away from her, let her bear his child. She smiled again. "It's dad and mom's wish. It should be fulfilled." Lucien felt a strange unease seeing how considerate she was being. It felt… unnatural. His parents, however, were delighted. "That's more like it." Lucien still sensed something was wrong and was about to press further when his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted. Sitting close by, Christina caught a glimpse. It was a message from Vanessa. Vanessa: [Lucien, a guy asked for my number. Should I give it to him?] She silently counted the seconds. One, two, three… On the third second, Lucien stood up. "Sorry, Christina. Something came up at the office. Take your time. I'll come back to pick you up later." He didn't even wait for her response before rushing out without his coat. As soon as he left, his parents dropped all pretense and started berating her. "How long have you been married? And still no child. Aren't you ashamed? You come from a lowly family. Both your parents are dead. If Lucien didn't like you, do you think you'd ever become Mrs. Waldorf? Marrying you is the worst misfortune of his life. "And stop crying! Don't think you can run to Lucien and complain. Every daughter-in-law gets scolded. Don't you dare bother him with your nonsense!" They continued scolding her for five straight hours. By evening, Lucien finally came back to pick her up. As the car moved smoothly down the road, Christina broke the silence. "Did you manage to settle your things at the office?" Lucien hesitated, then replied gently. "Yes." His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, a habit when he was in a good mood. Noticing her silence, he added, "My parents didn't make things difficult for you, did they?" Just as Christina was about to answer, she spotted something beneath the passenger seat—a torn pair of polka-dot stockings. She already knew he had gone to see Vanessa, but to think they'd done it in the car… In their five years of marriage, she had always been conservative about intimacy. Afraid of boring him, she had once asked, blushing, if he wanted her to change. He had held her and kissed her, saying, "You're perfect as you are. Even in rags, I'd still be attracted to you. Don't force yourself to be someone you're not. Someone who loves you will always find you irresistible." Yet the man who claimed to love only her had no qualms about indulging in such affairs. Her eyes stung. "What do you think?" Lucien, oblivious to her discovery, assumed she was upset about his parents. He immediately hit the brakes and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Christina. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I promise this won't happen again." Held tightly, Christina felt suffocated. She forced back her tears and pushed him away. "You should focus on the road." There was no future for them anymore. Chapter 4 When they arrived home, Lucien went to park the car while Christina entered the house. She stopped at the doorway, her eyes falling on Vanessa, who was curled up on the sofa in a nightgown, surrounded by snacks, and watching TV. Christina paused deliberately and said, "Didn't you say you wouldn't be home tonight because of a mixer?" Vanessa glanced up, curling her lips into a sly smile. "Oh, Christina, I forgot to tell you. I actually had a fight with my boyfriend, so I decided to go to the mixer to make him jealous." She stretched out her neckline, revealing a scatter of hickeys across her skin, then looked at Christina with a provocative gaze. "I told him about it, and he didn't seem to care at first. But as soon as I arrived at the party, he showed up and dragged me away." Laughing lightly, she added, "I didn't expect him to be so jealous. He went at it with me three times in the car." Christina's nails dug into her palms, the sharp sting spreading through her body. She forced herself to breathe and asked, "Since when did you have a boyfriend? You never mentioned it." Vanessa tilted her head and smiled lazily. "Three months ago." Three months ago—that was exactly when Vanessa moved into their home. Back then, she had just started working in the city, and Lucien's best friend had asked him to look after her as a favor. So, from the very first day she moved in, she had been entangled with him. Christina's breath quickened, and just as she opened her mouth to speak, a pair of warm hands gripped her shoulders from behind. Lucien's voice was gentle. "Christina, you've had a long day. I'll run a bath for you so you can relax, alright?" Before she could say anything, he nudged her toward the bathroom. Once inside, Christina started undressing, ready to wash away her exhaustion. But she suddenly realized she had forgotten to bring clean clothes. Opening the door, she froze. Across the room, Lucien was pressing Vanessa down onto the sofa and tugging at her nightgown with a rough urgency. His hands gripped her waist tightly, trailing kisses along her collarbone and downward. Vanessa breathed heavily, her voice lilting. "Ah... not so hard. Christina's in the bath! Didn't you have enough in the car?" Lucien's movements grew more intense, his breaths ragged, and Vanessa's whimpers turned almost tearful. "Shut up!" he growled. "Don't you dare meet other men again!" Vanessa smirked as though she had won, then suddenly locked eyes with Christina, who stood frozen in the doorway. Her gaze sparkled with mischief. "Fine, I won't. I'm yours, okay? Jealous fool." Unable to bear the sight, Christina grabbed her clothes and shut the bathroom door. Sinking into the water, her mind spun with the image she had just witnessed. Five years ago, during their honeymoon on a tropical island, he had sulked just because she glanced at a shirtless man on the beach. He had dragged her back to the presidential suite and kept her there for seven days. By the end, they'd run out of strawberry-flavored rubbers, and the bed had collapsed. Holding her tightly afterward, his eyes had reddened. "Christina, I have everything they have. Don't look at other men. Don't leave me." It took endless reassurances before his jealousy subsided. Since then, she never dared look at another man. But now, he was just as crazed for Vanessa. Christina surfaced from the water, taking a deep breath. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Lucien was alone in the room. On the table, there was a plate of freshly cut fruit and a steaming cup of tea. Seeing her, Lucien quickly handed her the cup with a warm smile. "I checked your cycle. Your period's coming soon, so I prepared this for you. It'll ease the pain. Drink it while it's hot." Christina held the cup, feeling no warmth from it. She couldn't understand how he could act so devoted, fresh from another woman's arms. The question gnawed at her, keeping her awake all night. Just as she was about to drift off, Lucien stirred beside her. Suddenly, he shouted her name. "Christina!" He woke in a panic, groping blindly until he found her. Pulling her into his arms, his voice trembled. "Don't leave me!" Christina stiffened. "What's wrong?" His eyes reddened. "I had a nightmare. I dreamt you left me. But it was just a dream. You're still here." Lowering her eyes, Christina swallowed her words: Soon, I won't be. Maybe it was that dream that spooked him, but the next day, Lucien insisted on taking her to work with him. Christina refused, but he pleaded until she gave in. Once in his office, she noticed it was filled with photos of her. Seeing her stare, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, rubbing his face against her neck. "A lot of women try to get close to me, but these photos help keep them away. Don't worry, baby. I'm very faithful." Christina lowered her eyes, saying nothing. Just then, his assistant knocked, reminding him of a meeting. Reluctantly, Lucien let go of her and told her to look around while he worked. Christina wasn't in the mood to explore, but she didn't want to stay in his office either. So she wandered through each floor. Around noon, her phone rang. It was immigration services. "Miss Mason, we need you to come in and sign one more document for your emigration application." Just as she was about to respond, a familiar voice came from behind her. "What emigration?" Lucien asked. Chapter 5 Christina turned sharply, her eyes locking onto Lucien, who stood behind her. His face was pale as if he'd just seen a ghost. The phone had barely clicked off before he seized her hand. "Christina, who's emigrating?" Her expression remained composed. "Just a classmate. She's moving abroad and wanted to meet up before leaving." Lucien stared at her, uncertain, but his arms encircled her, pulling her close. "I thought it was you. Don't scare me like that again." Christina curled her lips faintly. "It's just emigration. Why are you acting like it's the end of the world?" His heartbeat thudded loudly against her. "Christina, you know my family background—three generations in the military. We can't leave the country." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "If I ever make you unhappy, you can hit me, yell at me, even abandon me, but you can't emigrate. If you leave, I'll never be able to find you. That would destroy me." Enveloped in his arms, Christina gave a slight smile. "I understand." Perhaps his instincts warned him, for in the following days, Lucien shadowed her like a second skin. Even when a friend opened a new club and invited their group to celebrate, Lucien insisted she accompany him. With his vigilance blocking her every move, Christina postponed her plans to visit the immigration office and obediently followed him to the club. The private room buzzed with energy as they entered. Lucien's friends flocked around her. "Christina, relax today. We know you like quiet, so we changed the music to classical piano and cleared the place for you." "That's right! Lucien made sure everything suits your taste, even the desserts." "Come, sit here. We washed and cut the fruits already." Lucien frowned at their enthusiasm. "Since when did you all become so attentive?" One of them grinned. "Who doesn't know you treat Christina like treasure? If we don't spoil her too, how can we hang out with you?" The laughter that followed filled the room with warmth, but it shattered when a petite figure entered. It was Vanessa. The manager hurried to block her path. "I'm sorry, miss. We have VIP guests today." Vanessa brushed him aside and stepped in without hesitation. "Christina, Lucien! What a coincidence! You don't mind if I join, do you?" Without waiting for permission, she sat beside Christina. Under the dim lights, her fingers deliberately guided Lucien's hand beneath her skirt. Christina's breath caught. She glanced at Lucien, who froze as if caught off guard. He looked ready to send Vanessa away but, in the next moment, his fingers shifted slightly. The motion pierced Christina like a blade, yet she kept her face unreadable, pretending not to notice. Midway through the gathering, she excused herself to the restroom. Cold water splashed against her face, but it did little to calm the turmoil inside. Then a voice, smooth yet taunting, cut through the air. "Christina, you're so young, but why dress so dull?" Christina turned, meeting Vanessa's reflection in the mirror. Her eyes shone with disdain. "Look at me," Vanessa said, opening her coat to reveal daring lingerie. "Men are visual creatures, slaves to their instincts. Let's bet. If I show Lucien this, will he stay with you or leave with me?" Christina trembled but said nothing. She dried her hands and returned to the private room. Minutes later, Vanessa followed. Passing Lucien, she tapped his phone lightly. He glanced at the screen, and though it showed only one short message, his Adam's apple bobbed. Slipping the phone back into his pocket, he stood abruptly. "Christina, I need to make a call. Wait here. I'll be back soon." Before Christina could respond, he walked out. Moments later, Vanessa trailed after him. The ache in Christina's chest grew unbearable, twisting into something sharp and cold. But her expression remained smooth. She vowed silently: If Lucien thought he could betray her without consequence, she would drag him into an abyss even darker than the one he'd cast her into. Night fell, yet Lucien never returned. The atmosphere grew uneasy, and one of the friends finally spoke. "Let's take Christina home. Lucien might be tied up with something urgent." Urgent? Christina nearly laughed. What could be more urgent than Vanessa? She said nothing and quietly left. On the way out, she realized she'd forgotten her bag and returned to the private room. Voices floated through the door. "She's finally gone. Any longer, and I would've cracked. How does Lucien keep up the act with her?" Chapter 6 Christina's feet felt nailed to the ground. The voices inside continued without pause. "Is Lucien and Vanessa still not done? It's been, what, five hours already?" "Why rush? Lucien's a beast, and Vanessa's irresistible. They won't stop until they're completely spent." "But doing it right next door? That's a bit much. I even heard moaning earlier. Good thing I turned up the music just in time, or his wife might've caught on. You have no idea how tense I was." "What's there to be tense about? You'll get used to it after a few times. Lucien finally found someone who caught his eye. At least he's not glued to his wife anymore. As his bros, we've got to cover for him and let him enjoy some wildflowers. Haha!" "Sure, his wife's pretty, but she's way too uptight. Probably a dead fish in bed. Men want excitement, you know?" Christina couldn't make out the rest. A buzzing filled her ears as she stumbled out. Her world spun. So everyone knew. Everyone. And they'd all kept it from her. These so-called friends, all smiles to her face, had been shielding Lucien while mocking her behind her back. It felt as if an invisible hand had reached into her chest and ripped her heart apart. Pain radiated through every nerve in her body. Outside, the rain poured down, but she didn't feel it. Like a hollow shell, she walked on. Alone, she went to the immigration office, drenched and disheveled, and signed the papers. Alone, she returned home and locked herself in her room. From that day, a fever overtook her. Lucien found her the next afternoon, burning up and barely conscious. Panic gripped him as he rushed her to the hospital. Thankfully, it was just the flu. After a full day and night on an IV drip, she woke up. But Lucien was shaken. He rented out the entire building and stopped going to work, staying by her side every moment. Until one day, his assistant entered, insisting an important client demanded to see him. Lucien frowned, ready to refuse, but the assistant whispered something in his ear. His expression shifted. Reluctantly, he released Christina's hand. "Christina, I…" She cut him off, her voice calm. "Go." Her composure unsettled him. Something in his chest tightened. He noticed her distant demeanor but brushed it off. She had just been ill. He was overthinking it. He left instructions for the nurse to take care of her and promised to return soon. Three days passed, but Lucien didn't come back. Instead, Christina's phone rang. Vanessa's voice dripped with triumph. "Christina, guess what? I'm pregnant. I'm going to be a mom. And the father is your husband. "He's been taking care of me non-stop these past few days. He carries me everywhere, even feeds me himself. Oh, and the doctor said it's safe to make out at three months. He was so excited, he couldn't stop. We tried dozens of positions that night. I was exhausted, but it felt amazing. I loved it. "Oops, I might've said too much. You're not mad, are you? Don't blame Lucien. After all, his baby is more important than your fever, right?" Vanessa's words were venomous, meant to shatter her. But maybe Christina had already gone numb. Not a single tear fell. She didn't speak. Didn't ask. Quietly, she pressed the record button, thinking, 'Lucien, I can't wait for you to hear this.' Chapter 7 The day Christina was discharged from the hospital happened to be her birthday. A double celebration. Lucien spared no expense, booking the most luxurious hotel in the city to throw her a grand birthday party. The extravagance left the guests in awe. Lucien's group of friends even prepared thoughtful gifts for her. But Christina remained indifferent. After what had happened, she couldn't bring herself to like any of them. They didn't think much of it, merely assuming she was still weak from her illness. Soon, it was time to cut the cake and make a wish. Lucien stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Guiding her hand to slice the cake, he asked softly, "Christina, it's your birthday today. What do you wish for?" In the past, she would've shaken her head and said nothing. Back then, having his love had felt like enough. But now, her desire was clear—to leave him and never see him again. She lifted her eyes to meet his affectionate gaze. "If I make a wish, will you really make it come true?" Lucien paused, then smiled tenderly. "Of course." Christina smiled back, but the warmth didn't reach her eyes. "In that case, I have three wishes." His smile deepened, full of indulgence. "Alright. Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you." Christina turned and pulled a blank sheet of paper from her bag. "My first wish is for you to sign this paper." The room fell silent. Gasps echoed among the guests. Everyone in their circle knew that people of their status avoided signing blank documents at all costs. It could be catastrophic if someone used it against them. Lucien was meticulous by nature. Signing this would be madness. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, he merely smiled and signed the paper without hesitation. "There, it's done," he said, his tone affectionate. Christina gripped the paper tightly, her heart finally easing. With his signature, she could draft the divorce papers. From this moment on, she would be free. Seeing her relaxed expression, Lucien's mood lifted too. "What's your second wish, baby?" Christina's gaze swept across the room. Some guests looked stunned, others envious. The only one who stood out was Vanessa, staring at her with jealousy etched across her face. But Christina's eyes moved past them, as if looking into a distant future far from here. She curved her lips slightly. "My second wish is for you to transfer all your shares in Waldorf Group to me." The room exploded. Gasps turned to murmurs of disbelief. The shares Lucien owned were worth hundreds of millions. No one believed he would give them up, no matter how much he loved her. But Lucien immediately called his lawyer and instructed him to transfer every single share to Christina without delay. Holding the signed and stamped electronic transfer papers, Christina's spirits soared. Selling these shares would guarantee her a worry-free life abroad for decades. Lucien pulled her into his arms, his voice soft. "Baby, now I have nothing left. I'm just your employee. You can't leave me, okay?" Christina's lips twitched, but before she could reply, a sudden cry interrupted them. "Someone has fainted!" Lucien turned and saw Vanessa collapse to the floor. His face darkened, and he moved quickly toward her. But halfway there, he stopped and looked back at Christina. "Christina, I'll take her to the hospital first. Enjoy the party, and text me your last wish later." "No need," she said. He frowned. "What?" Christina shook her head. "Nothing. Go." She watched as he carried Vanessa out hurriedly. Christina smiled faintly. Lucien, I don't need you to grant me my third wish. Because my final wish is to leave you forever. In three days, I'll make it happen. Chapter 8 That evening, as Christina returned home, she received a call from Lucien, who was still at the hospital. "Christina, I'm sorry, Vanessa… she isn't feeling well, she needs to stay in the hospital for a few more days," he said. "Her brother asked me to take care of her. I can't go back on my word. I'll stay at the hospital with her for a few days and won't be able to accompany you." Christina's voice was calm. "It's fine, take good care of her." Inwardly, she thought, 'Lucien, from now on, feel free to stay with her.' There were still three days left before she would leave. Suddenly, Vanessa sent Christina a video. The video showed the same birthday party venue. Vanessa was wearing a princess dress, a crown on her head, standing in the middle of a pile of gifts. Lucien hugged her from behind, affectionately kissing her earlobe. "Happy birthday, my princess," he said. "What wish do you have?" Vanessa lifted her chin arrogantly. "I want to be like Christina. No matter what wish I make, you have to fulfill it." Lucien affectionately pinched her nose. "Okay, I'll fulfill all of my princess's wishes." Christina didn't reply. She quietly saved the video and then walked out the door. She took the white paper signed by Lucien and went to the law firm. "Miss Mason, the divorce agreement has been drafted. As soon as you sign here, your marriage will be completely dissolved," the lawyer said. Christina nodded and signed without hesitation. From now on, she and Lucien would be strangers. Two days remained. Again, Vanessa sent Christina a video. In this one, Lucien was carefully pressing his ear to Vanessa's belly. Vanessa smiled slightly. "The baby's only three months old. What can you hear?" Lucien, however, said with earnest seriousness, "I heard him calling me Daddy." Vanessa laughed, her smile widening. She shifted her sleepwear down a little. "The baby can't talk yet, but if you want to hear it, I can make it worth your while, Daddy." In that moment, Lucien swallowed hard, turned around, and pressed her down onto the bed. Soon, the bed began to shake violently. "Lucien," Vanessa gasped, "not like this, don't pick me up." Lucien's voice was low and hoarse. "Didn't you call me Daddy? Daddy hugs his obedient daughter like this..." Christina didn't respond. She called the lawyer and sold all the shares that Lucien had given her. Then she went to the bank, withdrew part of the money, and exchanged it for foreign currency. On the day of her departure, Christina woke up early. She had three things to do. First, she took all the gifts that Lucien had given her over the years and gave them away to the servants at the villa. The servants were both happy and confused. After all, these gifts were priceless. Christina smiled happily. "I have something very joyful to share, so I wanted to pass on my happiness to you all. Don't feel burdened, just take them. "Also, don't clean the villa today, don't cook, don't water the flowers. You can leave early." The servants, delighted by this unexpected treat, thanked Christina repeatedly before leaving the villa with armfuls of gifts. Then, she gathered all the provocative messages, videos, and recordings that Vanessa had sent her. She printed one million copies of the messages and arranged for drones to scatter them across the city. The videos were broadcast on the large advertising screens in the city center, playing on repeat for everyone to see. The recordings were broadcast by a thousand loudspeakers, looping over and over in all the city's major squares. Finally, she packed all her belongings and placed the divorce certificate on the table. At that moment, her phone suddenly rang. It was Lucien. His tone was still gentle. "Christina, I'll be finished here soon. Once I'm done, I'll come back and be with you." Christina responded with a soft "Mm." "I've prepared a surprise for you," she added. Lucien sounded expectant. "Really? What surprise did my sweet girl prepare for me?" Christina replied, her voice calm, "You'll see as soon as you come back." Perhaps, if the timing was right, he would even see it on the way back — the messages, the videos, and the recordings... Lucien eagerly hung up the phone, but Christina, with her packed suitcase in hand, walked straight out the door. On the tree-lined path, she ran into a few neighbors. They greeted her warmly, "Christina, are you going on a trip?" Christina smiled and nodded in response, "Yes, I am." But she wouldn't be coming back. The sun was perfect today. Christina, suitcase in hand, got into the car and headed for the airport without looking back.