Alpin smirked victoriously. "Look at this, Ms. Celine," he said, gently taking the small envelope from Leon’s grip and opening it right in front of Celine. His eyes met Leon’s—a triumphant glance. "It seems you are ready. Here it is: a sordid truth you haven't seen. Revealed by someone you deeply trusted, Leon." He laughed. He wanted to mock Leon and savor the moment fully.Celine reached for the photo hidden within the envelope. It showed Leon kissing Lisa near the back garden of the apartment complex. Everything was orchestrated to make Leon look guilty. Her heart felt torn to pieces. Her chest tightened, her breath caught; the world seemed to stop spinning. Her gaze fixed on Leon, silently pleading for an honest explanation, a clarification amidst her confusion. Her hands trembled violently, unable even to hold the pictures properly. All the tears she was holding back seemed to disappear instantly.Leon remained silent, his jaw hardening. These photos. This was a much crueler schem

"Darling...""Can you... just stay here a little longer? The pain... it still hurts terribly."Celine sighed, instantly discarding the flash of irritation. Leon’s soft touch on her wrist thrilled her soul. Those words, uttered playfully and weak, were like a request from a small child desperately seeking protection. She turned, looking at Leon, who pretended to be asleep, his body slowly shivering, implying he was enduring unbearable pain. A quiet whisper resonated in her heart, overpowering her logic and dispelling her doubts. She could not abandon him in such a state."Alright, Leon," she whispered, her voice infused with deep warmth, a genuine acceptance from her deepest feelings. She hugged him again, attempting to channel her warmth and strength to soothe the internal fire Leon was faking. A soothing silence slowly enveloped them, allowing Celine’s heartbeat to synchronize with the (artificially) regular rhythm of Leon’s breathing.Leon tightened his embrace, burying his face in

Alpin chuckled. "I am certain your orders are quite similar to mine, Ms. Celine," he said, pointing at some of the dishes. "I ordered these long ago; none of it will taste as satisfying as mine." He smiled wickedly. Celine sensed all of his intent. She looked into Leon's eyes. She knew exactly what he was trying to do—Alpin was belittling both of them.Celine clenched her fists beneath the table, but Leon, sensing this, gently patted her hand. Leon's stare warned her, communicating a silent message: Patience, darling. Just ignore him.Alpin turned to Leon. "And you, Sir... what is your occupation?" Alpin asked, his tone disdainful, as if the question held no real importance. He wasted no time pressing him.Leon simply offered a faint smile, meeting his eyes. "I'm... merely a husband," he answered briefly, his voice calm and even. A cynical smirk played on Leon's face. Alpin suddenly sensed a cold aura from Leon, something entirely new. It felt incredibly serious. But Alpin dismissed i

"This... is the destiny he hadn't yet confessed to you," Alpin countered. "Isn't that right, Ms. Celine?" He folded his arms across his chest. He smiled, signifying victory. A sign of danger she had not seen coming.Alpin reclaimed the photo from Celine’s shaking hand. He looked at it, then showed it to Celine with a condescending chuckle. His eyes communicated his total triumph; he would never regret this moment."A CEO marrying a chauffeur?" Alpin roared with laughter, then glared at Leon with disdain. "The world is insane! Divorce him, Celine! A man like me is deserving of you! This is for your happiness, darling!"Leon was now truly silent, consumed by seething fury."Ms. Celine, it's time you make a final decision. He will only continue deceiving you and repeating this action," Alpin whispered, a mocking, devilish smile touching his lips. His hand reached toward Celine's face."Get away, Mr. Alpin!" Celine batted Alpin’s hand away fiercely. Her anger, initially surging high, was

"That... that was not my intention, Mr. Alpin," Celine replied, a mix of surprise and pity flashing in her eyes, though her stance remained firm. She could not succumb to the emotional pressure Alpin inflicted.Leon, who had been completely silent until now, opened his eyes, glaring intensely at Alpin. He smiled faintly. The bitterness had been consumed. It was his moment. This was the exact game he had planned from the beginning."I have already told you quite clearly, Mr. Alpin," Leon said, his voice extremely low, yet capable of shattering the silence between them. The wine residue still clung to his hair. Leon's aura changed. He was no longer the weak, subservient husband, but a real threat, even though he deliberately remained visibly wine-stained."If Ms. Celine has issued her refusal, then you... you cannot persist in this matter." Leon rose, leaning slightly across the table, revealing his resolve. He wasn't afraid of engaging physically, he was merely delaying the brutal conf