Lilliana’s eyes flickered with shadowy intent, her lips curling into a faint smile.

She wasn’t foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse.

“During your two-year marriage, she’s lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. Where you’re assertive, would she dare to say a word?”

Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line.

During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him—given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but in the end, what value did love truly hold?

Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he had finally grasped the power he craved.

That success, however, hadn’t come easy, and it wasn’t love that had secured his position—it was alliances with the powerful.

The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia’s devoted love.

As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana suddenly pressed her luscious, red lips against his.

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“Joshua,” she purred, her voice like velvet, “congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?”

For a moment, Joshua’s gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia’s indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes.

Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn’t once called to ask for his whereabouts.

Before, if he had been upset with her, she would’ve called him in a panic.

A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, his voice gruff.

“You’re only a few weeks pregnant. Be careful.”

Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted.

“Joshua, what’s wrong?” she asked gently. “Don’t you want to get divorced?”

Joshua’s response was instant.

“Of course I want to divorce her.”

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.

“Then why don’t you seem very happy?”

Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant.

“My father’s condition has worsened. He doesn’t have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He’s likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him.”

Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown.

“Caden? Your brother from your father’s first marriage? He doesn’t even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?”

Joshua’s expression darkened.

Lilliana’s eyes flickered with shadowy intent, her lips curling into a faint smile.

She wasn’t foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse.

“During your two-year marriage, she’s lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. Where you’re assertive, would she dare to say a word?”

Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line.

During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him—given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but in the end, what value did love truly hold?

Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he had finally grasped the power he craved.

That success, however, hadn’t come easy, and it wasn’t love that had secured his position—it was alliances with the powerful.

The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia’s devoted love.

As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana suddenly pressed her luscious, red lips against his.

“Joshua,” she purred, her voice like velvet, “congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?”

For a moment, Joshua’s gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia’s indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes.

Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn’t once called to ask for his whereabouts.

Before, if he had been upset with her, she would’ve called him in a panic.

A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, his voice gruff.

“You’re only a few weeks pregnant. Be careful.”

Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted.

“Joshua, what’s wrong?” she asked gently. “Don’t you want to get divorced?”

Joshua’s response was instant.

“Of course I want to divorce her.”

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.

“Then why don’t you seem very happy?”

Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant.

“My father’s condition has worsened. He doesn’t have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He’s likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him.”

Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown.

“Caden? Your brother from your father’s first marriage? He doesn’t even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?”

Joshua’s expression darkened.

A sharp pang hit Alicia’s chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then that she noticed something startling.

Stunned, she stared at her hand.

The wedding ring—something she had once held onto so tightly—was gone.

Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn’t even noticed.

Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she’d been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, “Yes, I’ve truly let go.”

It didn’t take long for Joshua to notice.

He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, “Where’s your wedding ring?”