Chapter 2

Tobias pulled his lips into a faint, mocking smile.

"Lisette, what's your angle this time? Playing the long game? Or trying a sneakier trick to get Maverick the Hastings Group's bid number?"

His suspicion made Lisette's chest tighten like she'd taken a punch.

"I'm not scheming!" She met his cold stare and forced her voice to stay steady. "Can't I just... have a change of heart?"

"A change of heart?" Tobias let out a snort, like she'd just told him a fairytale. With the slightest motion, he shrugged off her hand with ease.

"Yesterday, you looked like you'd rather jump out the damn window than stay near me. Then today you've magically decided you're all-in on being Mrs. Hastings? Really? You expect me to buy that?"

Lisette knew her credibility was toast. No matter what excuse she pulled out now, it'd sound like garbage. So instead, she threw out something else entirely.

"Okay, okay - yeah, I figured you wouldn't believe me. So here's the 'truth,' then.

"Last night I had this ridiculously bad dream. Like, nightmare-level bad. In it, I left you and my whole life fell apart. It was awful. Scared me straight. So, yeah, I'm not leaving now."

Tobias's expression didn't even twitch. If anything, the air around him got a little colder. "A nightmare? Lisette, do I look like a toddler to you?"

She stepped in closer, lifting her chin ever so slightly to hold his gaze. There was a quiet stubbornness in her eyes. "I get that nothing I say right now sounds convincing. I was awful before. No excuses. I messed up, badly. But Tobias, people can change."

"You don't have to believe my words. Just... watch what I do. I'll prove it's not just talk."

For a split second, something shifted in Tobias's eyes. Barely noticeable - but it was there.

He stared at her silently, like he was trying to figure out how much of her sudden sincerity was real.

Then, his phone buzzed hard in his pocket and shattered the silence between them. Tobias frowned, pulled it out, glanced at the screen - and his whole face turned frosty. He picked up, listened for a few seconds, then his jaw tightened.

"Got it. I'm on my way."

He ended the call, eyes flicking back to her, voice switching to autopilot. "There's something urgent at work. I've got to head out."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Lisette called out on impulse.

He stopped, but didn't look back.

She bit her lip, then strode over to the bedside table, grabbed the divorce papers without hesitation, and ripped them clean in half.

The sound was sharp. Lisette dusted off her hands, walked straight to him, and evened out the already-perfect collar of his shirt. "The divorce papers are gone. Drive safe. Come back soon."

Tobias stiffened for a moment. His eyes dropped to her face, just inches away. His throat bobbed with a quiet swallow.

He gave the faintest "Mm," then turned and walked away without another word.

---

Lisette stood there, listening to the engine rumble downstairs and fade into the distance. The smile she'd stubbornly held collapsed.

That clash with Tobias had drained all the courage she'd managed to build since her second chance. Leaning against the doorframe, she let out a slow, shaky breath. The first round went... okay-ish? He didn't believe her, sure. But at least he didn't kick her out on the spot.

Too bad that tiny sliver of relief didn't even last three minutes.

Her phone lit up with a text-sender: Maverick.

The second Lisette saw that name, all the fury she'd been holding back came crashing through like a raging tidal wave. She clutched the phone so tight her knuckles turned white, her whole body trembling from pure rage.

Ten years of loving that bastard, and he'd still managed to destroy her and her family completely in the end. And now he had the nerve to message her?

With shaking fingers, Lisette opened the text.

Maverick: [Lisette, how are things going? Did you sign the divorce papers yet? That jerk Tobias didn't mess with you, did he? Don't worry, no matter what, I'll always be here for you.]

Disgusting.

Lisette stared at the message full of fake sweet talk, her stomach doing somersaults. She honestly thought she might throw up.

Last time, it was these exact words that fooled her into giving up everything.

That burning hatred rose fast in her chest, but she bit down hard on her lower lip.

No. Not now. Blowing up on him now would be letting him off too easy.

Lisette forced a deep breath in. Held it. Let it out slow.

'You like playing mind games for money, right? Fine, Maverick. Before I destroy you, I'll let you taste what it feels like to get played yourself.' Lisette thought, a cold, cruel smile flickered in her eyes as she tapped out a reply.

Lisette: [I did sign it... but it was awful. He made me sign another agreement - said I could get the divorce, but only if I handed over half of my shares in Cavendish Group as "compensation"! Otherwise he'd keep dragging it out to trap me forever! That's my parents' wedding gift to me! I don't know what to do!]

Barely a moment later, her phone started buzzing like mad. Maverick was calling.

Lisette stared at his name flashing on the screen, expression icy. She waited till it nearly timed out before finally answering, voice suddenly soft, shaky, and full of vulnerability.

"Hello... Mav..."

"Lisette! Are you serious? Tobias actually did that? That's disgusting!" His anger was instant. Exactly as she expected.

The moment she mentioned the shares, he couldn't sit still anymore.

"Yeah..." Lisette sniffled a bit, "He said it counts as shared marital property. Mav, does that mean I can't go through with the divorce? I don't even have that kind of money..."

"Don't cry, sweetheart, please don't cry," Maverick cooed, syrupy sweet. "Leave the money to me, okay? I'll figure something out. I won't let that scumbag trap you forever!"

Then he lowered his voice, trying to sound intensely sincere. "Lisette, I mean it, I'd do anything for you. Once this is over... we'll finally be together. Just us, okay?"

Lisette fought the urge to retch, forcing a sugary-soft tone through clenched teeth. "Really? You're so good to me, Mav... You're the only one who's ever really loved me. I love - "

But before she could finish that last word, a faint click came from the door.

Her face froze mid-smile as she snapped her head around - Tobias, who shouldn't have been home, was standing right there...

Expression blank.