Chapter 2

Now tell them to bring her back from the sea... "

But no sooner had my hoarse voice faded than a gasp suddenly erupted behind me. Serena Thorne suddenly clutched her head, collapsing onto the defendant's bench. "Liam, help me! My head hurts again! "

In that instant, Liam panicked, dropping the tablet and rushing towards her. On the live stream, the countdown had ended. Without Liam's command to stop, the bodyguards had already opened the urn... "No! I've signed it! Liam Vance, tell them to stop now! "

I screamed like a madwoman, but those bodyguards wouldn't obey me. I lunged, trying to grab Liam, but his mind was completely on Serena. As he scooped her up and rushed out, his elbow brutally slammed into me. I fell hard onto the floor, my forehead hitting the corner of the table. Tears streamed down onto the tablet. It was too late. It was already too late... The ashes were being poured from the boat, scattering into the cold sea breeze, slowly vanishing into the rippling waves. A heart-wrenching remorse tore at my chest. My mother had always been afraid of the cold. She hated the icy sea most, but now, she had not only died there but would be forever trapped in those waters. "Mom, I'm so sorry... " My sobs were utterly broken. Suddenly, I regretted so much. Regretted falling in love with Liam. Regretted marrying him. An endless wave of regret crashed over my mind like a muffled bell. My vision suddenly blurred. In the world that flickered and darkened around me, I only heard Liam's anxious voice from outside the courtroom. "Serena, just hold on. If you're okay, I'll do anything you ask! "

I woke up in a hospital. Junior Lawyer Dean stood by the bed, looking helpless. "Ms. Hayes, this case has been categorized. You need to accept it. Your health is most important. "

I came back to my senses amidst the lingering ache in my heart, ignoring the IV in my hand. I sat up abruptly, quickly fumbling through my bag. "Could you please check if this agreement is valid? " My voice trembled as I handed him the document I'd pulled out. He quickly gave an affirmative answer. "Ms. Hayes, your husband has already signed this divorce agreement. You just need to sign and submit it, and you'll receive your divorce certificate in a month. "

This morning, it was with this very document that I knelt before Liam. Perhaps he was too rushed to leave, or perhaps he didn't believe I would actually divorce him. He was convinced the agreement was fake and signed it without even looking. But he would never guess that everything I said was true. I didn't want to wait a moment longer. I pulled out the IV needle and rushed to the registry office to submit the documents. After completing the procedures, I made one last trip to the seaside. In the cool drizzle, I knelt directly down. "Mom, from now on, I'll go to places with the sea, and I'll be with you forever. "

But only the cold sea breeze answered me. I don't know how long I knelt. Wiping away my tears, I made a call. "Hello, I want to... book a simulated death rescue. "

My voice, broken yet resolute, was filled with determination. "One month from now, the cause of death will be 'homicide. ' I will arrange the location. All you need to do is prepare a new identity for me and take me abroad after rescuing me. "

Yes, I wasn't just getting a divorce. A month from now, I would personally claim my justice and leave Liam Vance with a surprise he would never forget. By the time I finished everything and returned to the villa, it was already late. The living room lights were on. Liam was holding a bowl of chicken soup, spoon-feeding Serena. "Liam, I posted that apology letter online. "

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Audrey has been slandering me constantly. Getting slammed online will teach her a lesson. Don't you dare interfere. "

Liam's Adam's apple bobbed, but he still acquiesced. "Alright. She made a mistake, she should be punished. "

I suddenly remembered the online insults. They cursed my mother, saying she deserved to die, calling me a pathetic caregiver, not even worthy of polishing the heiress's shoes... A sharp pain pierced my heart. I walked into the living room, my face expressionless. "Where have you been? "

Seeing my pale face, Liam paused, his tone softening inexplicably. "Your forehead... how did you get that cut? "

I ignored him. Serena, however, feigned a soft voice, changing the subject. "You're back, Audrey! Perfect, I brought you some gifts. Come and see. "

Liam cleared his throat, a hint of hesitation in his expression. "Audrey, Serena was in a coma for too long, her body hasn't fully recovered. She'll be staying here for a while. You need to be extra attentive with her. She's lactose intolerant and can't eat cold food. She needs her beauty sleep until ten AM, and all her fruit must be juiced... "

Every single word felt like a knife twisting in my heart. I couldn't believe it, and a cold laugh escaped me. "What? You want *me* to take care of her? "

"Be a good girl, Audrey. What happened before is in the past, let's not dwell on it. You used to be a caregiver in the Vance household, so I trust you... "

He stopped himself before finishing the sentence. On one side of the dining table, the detailed instructions for taking care of the heiress filled 267 lines. On the floor, scattered haphazardly, were luxury shopping bags: a Chanel handbag with a scuffed clasp, an Hermes keychain likely given as a 'gift with purchase' from some big spend, and obviously worn Dior heels...