Hearing a knock at the door, Joel Gibson stepped inside. As a lifelong fixture of the Anderson household, the old butler kept his voice low. "How are you feeling, sir?"

"I’m fine, Joel. About as recovered as I’m going to get. I appreciate you looking out for me," Maximus replied politely. Joel had been his father's right-hand man for decades, a bachelor who had poured his life into the Anderson estate. Maximus had practically been raised under his watchful, steady eye.

"Would you like some hot porridge? You’ve just gotten back on your feet; you’re still quite weak. You should be resting," Joel urged. As he spoke, Eileen Woods appeared in the doorway, balancing a steaming bowl on a tray. Joel had clearly signaled her the moment he entered.

"Let me feed you, Maximus," Delilah Kelly chimed in, desperate to assert her presence and feeling sidelined.

Maximus shot her a single, icy glare. Delilah immediately went quiet. She still didn't have the nerve to defy him directly.

Maximus finished the porridge slowly, a wave of warmth spreading through his chest, finally soothing his hollowed-out frame. He had made up his mind. It didn't matter how many divorce agreements Rose sent his way; as long as he refused to sign them, she remained his wife. He would play the long game. Once Rose had time to cool down, they would sit down and map out their future.

He had no idea, of course, that Rose had already severed their legal ties. Between them now lay two small, green booklets that finalized everything.

The moment Rose held those divorce certificates, her vision blurred with tears, her heart feeling as though it were being shredded. Despite the tears, the color of the booklets was unmistakable. She knew exactly what they were.

She collapsed to the floor, unable to hold herself up. She had sent those papers weeks ago, she had prayed for this separation for so long—yet, at this moment, the pain was agonizing. It felt as if she could actually see the bright, crimson blood dripping from her heart.

This was the love she had given everything for. And just like that, it was over. She let out a dry, self-deprecating laugh. "Rose, are you still waiting for something? It was all fake. All of it—nothing but a pack of lies."

Her veins bulged as she slammed her fist against her chest, as if the physical force could mute the ache or force her to face the brutal reality.

"Why does it have to hurt so much?" she choked out, the words tearing at her throat.

Caspian Hughes had been deeply concerned about Rose. After returning home, he had launched his own investigation, and the findings had left him boiling with a rage that made him want to crush Maximus under his heel. But ever since the Anderson Group’s meteoric rise, getting close to Maximus had become nearly impossible, let alone teaching him a lesson.

He focused his energy on Rose’s well-being instead, spending his days by her side, offering what comfort he could. Everyone around them knew he was in love with her, silently endorsing their potential pairing. But Rose, in her state of emotional shock, still clung to him as if he were just a big brother. Even when he had hinted at his true feelings, she had remained completely hollow, leaving Caspian both frustrated and heartbroken.

Still, it didn't matter. If Rose was a step behind, he would just have to be the one to take the lead. Eventually, he would melt the ice around her heart.

When Caspian arrived that day, he caught an encouraging look from Rose’s mother before heading upstairs. Rose was sitting on the windowsill as usual, staring blankly into the distance, but today she looked particularly shattered. Caspian’s heart ached just looking at her.

As he walked closer, his eyes fell upon a small, green booklet lying on the floor. He stared at it for a long, silent moment, then jerked his head up. A sickening realization dawned on him.

Could that be... a divorce certificate?