Vespera remained silent. Luke appeared calm, though a hint of unease lingered. His phone buzzed incessantly—calls, video calls, then a relentless barrage of texts. Sugar Baby's messages were bold and unapologetic. The tension thickened. "Aren't you going to answer that?" Vespera asked coolly.

Luke finally reached for the phone, switched it off without looking, and placed it on the nightstand. He touched her forehead. "You're still a little warm, but it's fine. Go back to sleep. I'll watch over you."

Vespera lay back down and closed her eyes. An hour later, her breathing evened, mimicking sleep. Luke retrieved his phone, turned it on, and stepped onto the balcony. After reading the messages, he made a call. "Is everything okay? Don't be afraid. I'll be right there," he whispered. He returned to the room, grabbed his coat, and left.

Vespera quietly opened her eyes. She hadn't slept. Deep down, she didn't know what she still hoped for. A man who had changed his heart was like spoiled fruit—it would only rot further.

At 4:30 a.m., Luke returned. Finding Vespera seemingly asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief. He touched her forehead; the fever had broken. He showered, then returned in a bathrobe, lying beside her, his arm around her waist, and fell asleep.

Once Luke was soundly asleep, Vespera gently removed his arm and sat up. She stared coldly at the sleeping man. His face remained handsome—thin lips, sharp jawline, a defined Adam's apple. Her gaze fell on faint bite marks on his collarbone. A sharp pain pierced her chest. Luke's body felt tainted, filthy. In that moment, Vespera felt a surge of rage, the urge to smother him with a pillow.

When Luke awoke, Vespera was gone. Downstairs, she was in an apron, breakfast prepared. "Your fever's gone. Why didn't you sleep longer?" Luke approached, reaching for her forehead. Vespera subtly avoided his touch. "It's just a minor cold," she said. "No big deal." She untied her apron and sat. Luke, noticing his empty hand, felt awkward, but her calm demeanor eased his discomfort.

After he sat, Vespera said, "I want to discuss something."

"What is it?" Luke asked, sipping juice.

"I want to quit my job." Luke was taken aback. Before he could question her, she continued, "I've worked nonstop for years, and I'm tired. I want to experience the comfortable life of a wealthy lady."

Luke studied her, gauging her sincerity. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. Do you think I'm a workaholic who doesn't know how to enjoy life?" she countered with a smile.

Luke considered this, then nodded. "It might be good for you to stop working. You can stay home, and we can start a family."

Vespera offered a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying. Internally, she sneered. Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you? I’d turn into a baby-making machine while you continue your nightly escapades with your sugar baby. Keep dreaming.

"I'll handle the resignation," Luke said. "I'm thinking of traveling to Elouber. I've made plans with Becca."

"Isn't she busy with her law firm?"

"She's busy, but she made time for me," Vespera said brightly. Luke paused, seemingly struck by something. "It's good to go and relax," he finally said. "I'll arrange everything. Just enjoy yourself."

Vespera smiled again, noncommittal. By then, she would be leaving Luke. The wound on her forehead was noticeable; she didn't want to appear pitiful at her resignation. She took extra time off to recover, leisurely packing her belongings, a little each day, slowly emptying her closet. Luke remained oblivious. Even when she burned their wedding photos in the yard, he remained engrossed in his phone, oblivious to his wife standing in the fading sunlight, watching him smile. It wasn't until the lighter burned her fingers that she relinquished her grip, despair consuming her. The flames devoured the gasoline, casting a flickering glow on the wedding photo in the metal barrel. She had looked so radiant, his eyes once full of affection. But slowly, their faces twisted, melted, and crumbled into ash. A suffocating pressure tightened around her heart. Her vision blurred.

"What are you burning?" Luke finally noticed, stepping outside.

Vespera tilted her head back, suppressing her emotions. "Nothing," she said, her eyes slightly red. "Just some useless trash."