Inside the vi, Kaelyn was practically on herst legs, kneeling in front of Colton and desperately pleading, “Mr.


    Stevens, weren’t you nning to surprise Miss Johnson on the cruise tonight? Allow me to make up for my mistake.


    ”


    He had served Mny for years and knew all her tastes down to the smallest detail.


    Colton frowned.


    Mny had shown up unannounced and the party venue wasn’t even ready.


    “I’m giving you onest chance,” he muttered, looking at his watch.


    There were only three hours left until the cruise party started.


    “If you screw this up, you’re done.


    Not only will you be out of the Stevens family, but the next thing you’ll see is a court summons.


    ”


    It was a double-edged sword: a lifeline and a threat.


    Kaelyn swore to herself that she wouldn''t fail as she hurried away.


    Colton turned and his gazended on the dining room table, which wasden with food.


    Frustration red inside him, especially when his mind shed back to the memory of Allison pping Kaelyn.


    Allison had kept herposure, but there was something about her that seemed colder, harder than before, far from the docile, amodating woman he had known.


    But the thought passed quickly.


    To him, Allison would always be that boring, submissive housewife.


    Without him, she would be nothing.


    Outside the vi, a sleek Lamborghini pulled up, and a woman got out.


    “Allison, honey!” Reba rushed over and wrapped Allison in a warm hug.


    “You know, you could live in my house forever if you wanted to.


    ”


    Reba, the only daughter of the owners of the Eternity Group, practically owned half of the city''s skyline.


    A roof over Allison''s head was no problem.


    “So what the hell happened tonight?” Reba asked, pressing close, her cheek resting against Allison’s neck.


    “You still smell like cooking oil.


    Don’t tell me you were cooking for that jerk again.


    ”


    Allison felt the familiar tightness in her throat, emotions rising as Reba''s embrace warmed her.


    “Let’s talk in the car,” he said.


    Once inside the Lamborghini, Allison began to recount what had happened that day.


    Her voice remained steady, but Reba''s temper red like a spark that ignites dry wood.


    “Can you believe this? Colton was dumped by Mny on their wedding day, and now he’s trying to get back at her by divorcing you? They’re made for each other, two peas in a pod.


    ” Reba fumed.


    “And their parents!” she added, her anger rising like a storm.


    “You’ve been taking care of them for three years, doing everything you can for that family, and this is how they thank you?”


    Reba continued her tirade, her words sharp and biting.


    ?Listen, he''s lost his memory of that incident in his childhood, sure, but that doesn''t excuse what he''s done.


    You''ve more than paid your dues over the past three years.


    There''s no point in pretending to be the woman he wants anymore.


    You''ve wiped the te clean.


    ?


    Allison slouched in the passenger seat, her gaze distant as the world blurred past her window.


    "It''s done.


    We''re at peace now.


    "


    For three years, she had conformed to Colton''s image of the perfect woman.


    She had ditched her heels, put her hair up, and settled for modest, boring clothes—ones she didn''t even like—all to mirror Mny.


    But try as she might, she couldn''tpete with the woman he truly loved.


    "Allison, the Stevens family really doesn''t deserve someone like you.


    "


    Reba''s voice softened, thick with the weight of emotion as she sensed Allison''s exhaustion.


    “Divorce is a process, but until it is resolved, you will stay with me.


    You are like a sister to me.


    ”


    Allison gave a small smile.


    “Okay.


    Growing up in an orphanage, Allison had never had a family.


    But Reba had always treated her better than anyone else.


    Their conversation was interrupted when they arrived at an exclusive makeup studio.


    Reba rolled down her window and greeted Mary Brown, a famous makeup artist, enthusiastically.


    “Hello, Mary.


    I have a little project for you.


    ”


    Allison rubbed her temples, moaning softly.


    “Honestly, I’m exhausted.


    I don’t think I can handle the makeup tonight.


    ”


    "Oh,e on! You''re not thinking about keeping up that tired, ''still waiting for him'' look, are you?"


    “Yes… Definitely not.


    ”


    “Exactly!” Reba’s face lit up.


    “Just rx and let the professionals work their magic.


    These are top-notch international artists.


    Tonight, they’ll bring out the version of you the world has been missing.


    ”


    Thirty minutester, the transformation was undeniable.


    Almost everyone who saw her in the mirror was momentarily stunned.


    Allison''s naturally striking features had always been overshadowed by exhaustion.


    But now, with just a touch of makeup, she looked stunning.


    Her long, feline eyes, ented by the perfect amount of shadow, were captivating without being over the top.


    A delicate beauty mark drawn near the corner of her eye gave her a touch of almost rebellious daring.


    Even Reba couldn''t contain her excitement.


    "This.


    .


    .


    this is the Allison I remember!"


    She pointed to a rack of dresses they were bringing in.


    ?Honey, pick any dress that calls to you.


    I''ve done everything I can for tonight.


    We''re going to celebrate your freedom on a luxury yacht, with eight perfectly figured gigolos.


    I swear it''s going to be a night you won''t forget.


    ?


    Allison waved her hand.


    “I’m not in the mood for men right now.


    ”


    Reba gave him a knowing look, a little frustrated.


    “You’re not in the mood? It’s been three years.


    Are you telling me you haven’t had any… needs in all that time?”


    “Well…” I definitely had.


    In three years of marriage, Colton imed he was “saving himself” for Mny, refusing to touch any other woman.


    So here she was, still a virgin.


    She was not a saint.


    She had her desires.


    But I wasn''t going to force anything.


    Reba watched her closely, sensing that she might still be clinging to the past.


    It was time to bring out the big guns.


    ?You know there will be international perfumers at this party, right? Including the mastermind behind Charisma Company.


    Don''t tell me you''re not curious to finally meet him.


    ?


    Charisma was the most prestigious perfume brand in the country.


    Allison had crossed paths with the CEO at an international perfumepetition.


    His creations had been nothing short of art.


    For the first time in her life, she had a sense of déjà vu, something reminding her of her mother''s style.


    But, like her, the CEO was an enigma.


    He had never appeared in public, not even when Charisma rose to worldwide fame.


    No one knew what he looked like, even now.


    “Okay, let’s take a look,” Allison finally relented, curiosity piqued.


    After all, he had once hacked into Charisma''s database, but hade up empty-handed.


    Yet, something deep inside him still whispered that this mysterious perfumer might be connected to his mother somehow.