Chapter 3

"I think I have a fever. My whole body feels like it's burning up..." I said, pressing the back of my hand to my forehead.

Then, I turned to the camera, putting on a miserable, vulnerable expression.

This was the act I mastered in my previous life.

Every time Ollie was about to lose his temper or freeze me out, I would play the sick, fragile card. Then, he'd almost always melt.

Even when Ollie softened, it was mostly impatience with just a hint of charity.

As expected, Ollie paused on the other end of the line.

I heard him speaking quietly, probably to someone next to him.

"Hold on, I need to make a call," he said.

Then, the background noise faded away, replaced by silence. He must have stepped into a VIP lounge.

Ollie's voice sounded tired and skeptical. "You're running a fever again? Where's the family doctor?"

"I... I don't want Dr. Ryan to come. He always nags me. Ollie, can you come back and look after me? I'm all alone, and I'm really scared..." I said.

I let my voice break, and tears rolled down my cheeks. On camera, they sparkled, making me look heartbreakingly vulnerable and helpless.

I knew Ollie always bought this act.

Because Unity was exactly that kind of woman, forever delicate, forever needing protection, always able to trigger a man's urge to shield her.

But I was just a poor imitation.

"Alright," Ollie finally relented, his voice full of resignation.

He finally gave in, sounding utterly resigned.

He said, "I'll have the driver pick up Unity. I'm coming back now. Violet, I'm warning you, if I find out you're lying to me again..."

I cut him off frantically, terrified he'd change his mind, "I'm not lying. I really feel awful..."

"Fine," Ollie said, his tone flat.

He hung up without another word.

I stared at the darkened screen, and the sadness and vulnerability on my face faded instantly, leaving only a cold, indifferent expression.

I wiped away my tears, climbed out of bed, and headed to the bathroom.

I turned on the faucet and rinsed my face with cold water over and over, stopping only when my skin was numb from the chill.

I looked at myself in the mirror, my gaze sharp. There wasn't a trace of longing left.

Ollie still thought I was still that Violet who was at his beck and call, tossed aside whenever he pleased.

He thought I asked him to come back because I was begging for his scraps of affection.

He was wrong.

I just wanted him to be the one to put the final nail in this ridiculous marriage.

I went back to my room, still in those silk pajamas.

I deliberately tousled my long hair, making myself look even more worn out, perfect for the sickly persona I was playing.

Then, I settled onto the living room sofa, laid the divorce papers out neatly on the coffee table in front of me, and waited in silence for Ollie to return.

An hour later, the villa's front door beeped as the keypad unlocked.

Ollie's tall figure appeared in the entryway.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, layered with a matching long coat. His hair was styled to perfection, and he radiated the vibe of a high-powered executive.

But right now, impatience was written all over his handsome face.

He walked in with long, purposeful strides, tugging at his tie, and when his eyes landed on me, his frown only grew deeper.

"Didn't you say you had a fever? So why are you just sitting here?" Ollie snapped, clearly annoyed.

I didn't bother answering. I just lifted my eyes and stared at him quietly.

Unity wasn't behind him.

To come back and catch me in the act, he ended up standing up his precious love.

I felt a rush of satisfaction inside, but my face stayed perfectly calm and unreadable.

"I was waiting for you," I said softly.

Ollie walked over, towering above me with a look of disdain, as if I were just a petulant child causing trouble.

He reached out and checked my forehead.

His face instantly darkened.

"Violet!" he snapped, his voice tight with anger.

He snatched his hand back, unable to hide his anger.

"Are you messing with me again?" Ollie growled.

My forehead was chilled. There wasn't the slightest hint of a fever.

Of course, I wasn't actually sick.

I'd just used an ice pack to bring my temperature down for half an hour before he arrived.

I looked up, met his furious gaze, and slowly smiled.

"Yes," I replied, my voice calm and unapologetic.

I stood up, grabbed the divorce papers and the pen I'd prepared, walked over, and shoved them right into his arms.

I said, "If I hadn't tricked you, would you have bothered to come back?

"Ollie, always so busy managing everything. I should really thank you for squeezing me into your schedule to finally deal with this marriage that's nothing but a formality now."

My smile was soft yet aloof, my words tinged with just the right hint of mockery.

Ollie froze at my sudden change. He glanced down at the papers in his arms, his anger shifting into a mix of confusion and frustration.

"What are you trying to do?" he demanded.

"Sign," I replied, steady and cool.