Chapter 9

Violet returned home three days later, only to grab a change of clothes. As soon as she entered the villa, she called out Dylan’s name, as always. However, he didn’t appear, even after repeated calls. Only a few maids were present.

“Where’s Dylan?” Violet asked.

She winced at the maids’ clumsy assistance in helping her put on her slippers.

The maid stammered before answering, “Mr. Cloud isn’t home, Ms. Violet.”

Violet walked in, still wearing her slippers. Dylan wasn’t home again? The last time this happened, Violet had accompanied Archer to the hospital, and Dylan had disappeared for days to paint.

This time, she had also accompanied Archer to the hospital. But before leaving, Dylan had said he could go himself.

And yet, here he was, pulling a disappearing act again and running away from home.

Violet felt a surge of frustrated anger.

She walked to the couch and saw a document on the table. Normally, she wouldn’t have looked at it, but today, she picked it up.

The title, “Divorce Agreement,” jumped out at her from the first page. To her shock, she had signed it.

Violet’s face turned cold and deadly. The shine in her eyes vanished, leaving them dark and dangerous.

She touched her initials, realizing they weren’t printed or forged. She had signed it herself, but couldn’t remember doing so.

Suddenly, Violet narrowed her eyes. She recalled Dylan giving her documents to sign the day they had steak sandwiches for breakfast. She’d been so busy chatting with Archer that she hadn’t noticed.

It must have been this divorce agreement.

She crumpled the document, tore it into pieces, and threw them in the air.

Dylan? Divorcing her? What a fucking sick joke!

Dylan loved her so much he’d jump into the sea for her. He was so infatuated he’d never gotten angry, even though she’d abandoned him countless times. She figured he was just jealous because she’d been taking care of Archer so much lately.

It was just as well. After five years, he deserved to be jealous. He would soon come crawling back.

But if he didn’t—

No, he would.

Violet was certain. Nobody else loved her like Dylan.

Over the next few days, the other servants never mentioned Dylan.

That day, Violet brought Archer home from the hospital. Valerie stared at her bland chicken noodle soup and threw down her spoon.

“Who made this? Where’s Dylan? Get him to make it again!”

The maid hesitantly answered, “Ms. Valerie, Mr. Cloud hasn’t been back for the past few days. So…”

Valerie’s eyes widened. Dylan hadn’t been back for days?

She’d always thought the divorce was a joke. After all, the Padden family was the only wealthy family Dylan could ever hold onto, and anyone in their right mind wouldn't let go.

She recalled the divorce agreement on the table and looked at Violet. She’d heard Violet had seen it, thought it was fake, and torn it up.

Valerie chewed her lower lip and looked at Archer, happily eating his soup.

Violet had been pining for Archer for so long, and he seemed ready to accept her. With Dylan gone, Violet should have been overjoyed. But Valerie saw Violet frowning slightly, seemingly troubled by Dylan's absence.

Valerie felt a fresh wave of anger. Dylan was gone! Why was Violet still burdened by thoughts of him?

After dinner, the maids helped Archer upstairs. Valerie looked at Violet, still sitting unmoved, and hesitated before asking, “V, when are you going to marry Archer? I’ve been wanting him as my brother-in-law for years.”