Rising from Betrayal

Chapter 004

Inside his mind, something finally stopped spinning—like a wheel that had been forced to turn the wrong way for far too long, and had now, without warning, gone still.

Norman walked straight into the apartment, brushing past Vivienne without so much as a glance.

He was hungry.

He had spent the entire afternoon preparing a lavish birthday dinner with his own hands, only for her to stand him up for another man.

He had waited.

He hadn't touched a single dish, even after the food had gone cold.

Then he had rushed out again, carrying two hundred and fourteen roses all the way back.

By now, his stomach was practically empty.

And yet...

Not once had Vivienne asked whether he had eaten.

The only thing she cared about was whether her precious Nathan might accidentally eat a peanut.

A cold, mocking smile tugged at the corner of Norman's mouth.

Some wife you are.

”Norman!“ Vivienne finally snapped out of her daze.

"What exactly is your problem? Are you doing this just to spite me?"

”Nothing like that.” Norman didn’t even look at her.

“Didn’t you want freedom? I’m now giving it to you.” He gave a single nod toward the door. "So go. Close it on your way out. Enjoy your night, enjoy whatever you want.”

His voice remained completely calm. “From this moment on... you and I are finished.“

He turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the glittering lights of Corholt sprawled below, and for the first time in twenty-two years, he finally made the only decision he should have made long ago.

"But tomorrow morning...” His voice was calm. “I need you to be somewhere.”

He turned around to face her, “The courthouse.”

As he spoke, he casually picked up the bouquet and tossed it into the trash bin in the corner. Calmly. No drama. "We're ending this marriage officially."

Watching the flowers disappear into the bin, Norman felt lighter than he had in decades.

It was as though an invisible chain wrapped around his heart had finally snapped.

God... I really was a fool.

Back then, he had stood there starving, refusing to touch a single bite because he wanted to wait for Vivienne.

The moment she showed the slightest displeasure, he had immediately given in.

He had even followed her downstairs to meet Nathan, pretending to be the understanding husband, only to be mocked to his face.

And what had he done?

Nothing.

Worse, he had begged to go with them.

He hadn't even asked to join the gathering.

He had only hoped to wait outside in the parking lot...

Just so he could drive Vivienne home afterward.

Vivienne had eventually agreed.

So he had waited alone until four o'clock in the morning.

Not a wink of sleep.

Not a single complaint.

Now, looking back, he finally understood how pathetic he had been.

While he had been starving and freezing outside like a loyal watchdog, Vivienne had most likely ended up in the same bed with Nathan that night.

A cold smile appeared on Norman's face.

Not this time.

He slowly let out a long breath and closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing the tension in his body to melt away.

He had never owed Vivienne anything.

There was no reason to compromise with her ever again.

As for Nathan...

The less he saw that bastard, the better.

Otherwise, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't beat the living hell out of him.

But that wasn't worth it.

His life was far too valuable now.

Risking his brand new life and future over a piece of trash wasn't a trade he intended to make.

Whatever Vivienne wanted to do with Nathan... he really couldn’t care less.

The only thing on his mind now was a hot meal, a good night's sleep...

And tomorrow.

Once the divorce papers were signed, his new life would finally begin.

“Divorce?!”

Vivienne froze.

For a split second, she wondered if she had heard him wrong.

That was supposed to be her line.

How dare Norman say it so boldly?

Then her disbelief turned into burning rage.

She exploded.

“You think you get to decide that?! I've wanted to divorce you for ages, Norman! FINE! Let’s get divorced!”

She stamped her foot furiously, her voice shot up, filling the entire room.

Norman didn't even bother turning around.

"When you finally realize how badly you’ve screwed up tonight..." Vivienne jabbed a finger at his back, her voice dropping into something colder and far more dangerous than the screaming. "... don’t even think about crawling back to beg.

“Even if you get down on your knees and kiss my feet—I will not forgive you."

She snatched up her designer handbag from the foyer table.

"Not ever!"

SLAM!

The door crashed shut, rattling every picture frame on the wall.

Vivienne stormed out without the slightest hint of worry.

In her mind, Norman was simply throwing a childish tantrum.

Sooner or later, he'd come crawling back to apologize, just like every other time.

And when that happened, she'd make him kneel.

She'd make him slap himself until she was satisfied.

A few hundred slaps sounded about right!