In the sunroom of the Ramsey villa.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Sloane coughed violently, the taste of blood in her throat.

Even though it had been a week since she returned, her face was still pale, and she had developed a persistent cough.

Suddenly, a long, slender hand appeared, offering her a glass of water.

She turned her head and met Kaelen's gentle eyes.

"The water's the right temperature. I've also portioned out your medicine."

Sloane took the glass, her tone distant. "Thank you."

Perhaps out of guilt, Kaelen had been a different person since they returned. Willa had not appeared once.

But it was too late.

Her heart had died on that snowy mountain in Tibet.

Sloane's attitude made the man's eyes darken for a moment, but he quickly recovered his gentle tone. "Then get some rest. I'll go finish my daily sutra copying and then come back to sit with you."

As soon as Kaelen left, Sloane was seized by another fit of coughing, so violent that it stained the water in her glass with blood.

She sighed, getting up to get a fresh glass of water.

As she reached the corner, she heard Kaelen on the phone. "Okay, I'll come to the hospital to see you later. Be good."

After hanging up, he instructed the recently returned Martha, "Martha, Willa is expecting. Go take care of her for a few days. She likes your cooking."

Sloane froze, her icy eyes filled with scorn.

So much for him changing. People don't change that easily.

Martha was overjoyed. "Oh, we're finally getting a little master! But what about Mrs. Thorne..."

Kaelen's voice was devoid of emotion. "Sloane's health is poor right now, it's not a good time for her to have a child. When the baby is born, we'll send it to an orphanage, and then Sloane and I can adopt it."

Martha was silent for a moment, then said resentfully, "The missus has kept you tied to her side, refusing to let go. You've suffered, Master..."

Sloane didn't hear the rest.

The same suffocating feeling of being buried in snow washed over her again.

But having faced death, she quickly suppressed the feeling and returned to the sunroom.

That afternoon, after Kaelen and Martha left, Sloane's assistant, Paul, arrived.

Paul handed her a folder. "Mrs. Thorne, here are your divorce certificate and immigration papers. Everything is taken care of."

"As you instructed, I've booked your flight for tomorrow night at 8 p.m."

Sloane nodded in acknowledgment.

Just as the assistant was about to leave, he seemed to remember something. "By the way, Mrs. Thorne, tomorrow is your fifth wedding anniversary. You booked the best restaurant at The Waterfront and arranged for a fireworks show. Should I cancel it?"

Sloane paused, then said flatly, "The money's already spent. Don't let it go to waste. Let them go off."

That night.

Sloane was about to go to sleep when her door was pushed open.

Kaelen came in and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Sloane, today is the fifteenth."

Sloane was taken aback. She had completely forgotten.

In the past, she was always the one to initiate. Now that she no longer wanted him, he was offering himself to her.

"I haven't fully recovered. Maybe not tonight."

Kaelen frowned, but his expression quickly smoothed over. "Then next time. Tonight, I'll just hold you. I won't do anything."

Before Sloane could refuse, Kaelen had slipped into bed and wrapped his arms around her.

They had been married for five years, but they had never just held each other like a normal couple.

After every previous encounter, Kaelen would make her go back to her own room.

Sloane stared at the ceiling, feeling the warm breath on her neck, and a strange sadness welled up inside her.

Their bodies were pressed together, but she felt an immense distance between them.

When she woke up again, the space beside her was empty.

She had slept for a long, long time, not waking until the afternoon.

The weather outside was beautiful.

Sloane chose her favorite dress, draped a shawl over her shoulders, and picked up a small, exquisite handbag, looking as if she were heading out for a day of shopping.

As she walked out the door, Martha, who had just returned from the hospital to pick something up, asked suspiciously, "Ma'am, where are you going?"

Sloane smiled brightly. "Today is my fifth anniversary with Kaelen. I have a surprise for him."

...

When she arrived at the airport, her assistant Paul was already waiting.

"Mrs. Thorne, your luggage has been checked in. Have a safe flight."

Sloane nodded. "Thank you for all your help over the years. I spoke with Mr. Sterling and recommended you for the Vice President position. Work hard, and I wish you all the best."

Gratitude filled Paul's eyes. Sloane smiled. "Before you start your new role, do one last thing for me."

She took out the crimson divorce certificate and a USB drive.

"Kaelen will be at the restaurant at The Waterfront later. Have these two items beautifully packaged and delivered to him at 8 p.m. sharp."

The USB drive contained the video of Kaelen and Willa in the meditation room.

This was her surprise for Kaelen. She hoped he would enjoy it.

The sun slowly set, and night fell.

At 8 p.m., the plane taxied down the runway on schedule.

As the plane took off, Sloane looked out the first-class window and saw a spectacular fireworks display erupting over the city skyline, brilliantly illuminating the night.

By now, Kaelen should have received her gift.

She raised her glass of wine in a toast to the distant city and said with a smile, "Happy divorce, Kaelen."

This grand farewell is for you, and for me.

Here's to your release.

And to my freedom.