Capítulo 9

"Mom, don't worry. William and I have both had checkups—nothing's wrong. He's just been so busy, rarely home, so... it's taking time," I said, touched by her concern, even if our days as in-laws were numbered.

"Your father and I have scolded him for those tabloid scandals. But as his wife, you must keep him in line, understand?" she urged.

Though I knew I couldn't control William and that his heart would soon belong to another, I nodded. "Yes, Mom."

After breakfast with the family, I learned William had left early. No matter—I drove straight to the hospital to confront Nelson.

"Nelson, got a minute?" I asked sweetly, blocking his office door.

"No," he replied coldly, not meeting my gaze.

"Guilty, then? I asked you to persuade him to divorce, not rat me out to his parents! Since when do you care about saving marriages?"

He glanced at me. "Uncle and Aunt asked about your relationship. I simply mentioned your divorce request."

I nearly screamed. Of all things to say...! As he was called away by a nurse, I dropped a lipstick into his thermos. Let him choke on it.

Back at the villa, the scent of lunch wafted from the kitchen. William sat with his parents. "Alice is back," my mother-in-law smiled.

Taking her hand, I listened as she lectured William: "No more scandals with cheap women, or you're no son of mine!"

"Mom, what's going on?" I feigned surprise.

"Alice, you've suffered in this marriage. William has no sense of responsibility. Give him one more chance—we'll supervise," she sighed.

Nelson's simple comment had sparked this? In my past life, they'd barely intervened. Now, with William eyeing Emma, their support felt bittersweet.

"Most of those rumors are fake, just business. I trust him," I said smoothly.

My father-in-law nodded. "You're too good to him, Alice. Men only value what they lose."

William's face darkened, but I nodded obediently.

At lunch, William's phone pinged. He showed me a photo: my lipstick floating in Nelson's coffee. "You did this?"

"Yep. He tattled," I admitted.

"Are you possessed, Alice? What do you want?"

"Ten years of my life wasted on you. Now I'm living for myself. Is that a crime?"

"Then why wait so long to give up'?" he sneered.

"Because I decide when it's over!" I snapped.

That afternoon, I visited "Encounter."

"Still black coffee, Alice?" Emma asked, ponytail swaying.

"Surprise me with something sweet."

"Try a macchiato—like liquid love," she chirped.

It was sweet, but all I tasted was bitterness next to her vibrant youth.

"Emma, need a tutoring gig? Good pay, starts tomorrow," I offered, hoping to keep her away from William.

"Thanks, but I start school soon. Just finishing this job day after tomorrow," she smiled.

Of course—her schedule had never aligned with my plans.

That night, with his parents home, William actually stayed.

"What time tomorrow's conference?" I asked.

"8 AM."

"Can I come?"

He scoffed. "You? Since when are you ‘family'?"

"Legally, I am."

Threatening to ask his father worked. "Be ready by 8. Late and I leave without you."

The next day, I arrived at the conference hall. Emma stood among greeters in a cheongsam, radiant. William didn't notice her as he exited the car.

"Go ahead—I need to touch up," I lied, watching from the car.

He paused at the door, staring at Emma. Even from behind, I felt the shift. My heart sank, but I smiled. This was the end I'd prepared for.

Inside, Emma froze at the sight of me but greeted me politely. William sat beside a venue manager, who scurried away when I approached.

"Smarter than Isabella," I commented.

He ignored me, eyes on Emma across the hall—eyes alight with a hunger I'd once mirrored.

Emma didn't glance at him once, and I took petty comfort in that. Maybe she really loved John. Maybe, in another life, things could've been different.

But in this one, William's fate was sealed the moment he looked at her. And mine, at last, was free.