Over the next few days, I focused on my health and had divorce papers delivered to Bruce. As expected, there was no response.

But that wasn't my primary concern anymore. Having made my decision to leave, I wouldn't turn back—no matter how fiercely he fought it.


What mattered now was reclaiming my identity and building a stable, independent future for my child.

Within a week, I'd found and rented a small studio apartment with large windows that flooded the space with natural light.

I channeled all my emotions—my uncertainty about the future, the raw pain of heartbreak, my fierce determination for rebirth—into my jewelry designs. Inspiration flowed like never before; it was as if the talent that had been suppressed for so long had finally found its voice.


My masterpiece was a necklace I named "Moonlight and Wildfire." The centerpiece featured a blood-red ruby and a luminous white diamond intertwined in an eternal dance—much like Bruce and I had once been.

I submitted the design to Mr. Julian, a legendary jewelry craftsman known for his brutally honest critiques. I signed it simply as "Elara"—no mention of the Castillo name.


Three days later, his response arrived. Not only did Mr. Julian praise the "exquisite tension between contradiction and harmony" in my design, but he personally invited me to showcase "Moonlight and Wildfire" at an upcoming high-profile charity auction.

This was a tremendous opportunity—my creation would stand alongside works from the world's most renowned designers, open for bidding by the elite of society.

On the night of the auction, I dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress that skimmed my curves. My newly short golden hair was neatly tucked behind my ears, giving me a fresh, sophisticated look.

I slipped into the venue quietly, seeking a corner seat where I could observe without drawing attention to myself.

Just as I was settling in, a familiar and commanding presence caught my attention.

Katherine.

She was breathtaking in a silver-gray mermaid gown that emphasized her statuesque figure. As she chatted effortlessly with a circle of admirers, her sharp eyes swept the room and unerringly found me in my corner.

Surprise flickered across her face before she excused herself and glided toward me with predatory grace.

"Mrs. Castillo," she purred, "what an unexpected pleasure." Her tone was perfectly polite, but laced with unmistakable condescension.

I returned her nod coolly, hoping she'd take the hint and leave.

No such luck. She slid into the seat beside me, her expensive perfume enveloping us both. "I hear you're divorcing Bruce."

I laughed bitterly. "Thanks to you."

She chuckled, the sound like ice tinkling in crystal. "You really should thank me."

I stared at her, caught off guard by her audacity.

She lifted her chin, eyes glittering with cold amusement. "I helped you see what you truly want." She turned to face me fully, her gaze suddenly intense as a cobra's. "A woman should be like this—willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants."

Her words carried a chilling power that made my skin crawl.

I found myself asking the question that had haunted me for months: "Do you actually love Bruce?"

"Love?" Katherine's laugh was sharp and dismissive. "When we were teenagers, I helped Bruce because I recognized his potential. I calculated that assisting him might prove advantageous to me someday." Her red lips curved into a satisfied smile. "I was right."

She swirled the crimson wine in her glass. "As for love," she said with casual disdain, "it's irrelevant in the game of power."

I fell silent, studying Katherine with new understanding. Despite everything, I felt a pang of sympathy for Bruce.

A ripple of murmurs near the entrance drew my attention.

I looked up to see Bruce's commanding figure in the doorway. His tailored black suit emphasized his powerful build, his expression stern and forbidding. The crowd parted before him like water.

His sharp gaze cut through the crowd, immediately finding me in my corner—and Katherine beside me.

His eyes widened slightly, shock and something that looked almost like panic flashing across his face.

He clearly hadn't expected to find us together.

Katherine rose gracefully, her face transforming into a picture of perfect delight. She glided over to him, taking his arm as if it were her right. "Bruce, darling, you're here. I was just having the most fascinating chat with your wife."

Bruce's body tensed visibly at her touch. His gaze barely acknowledged Katherine before locking onto me with an intensity that made my breath catch. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak.

But in the end, he remained silent.

I knew it would be like this. I tore my gaze away, focusing determinedly on the auction stage as the first items were presented.