Inside the villa, Kaelyn was practically on her last legs, kneeling in front of Colton and desperately pleading, “Mr.
Stevens, weren’t you planning to surprise Miss Johnson on the cruise tonight? Allow me to make up for my mistake.
”
He had served Melany for years and knew all her tastes down to the smallest detail.
Colton frowned.
Melany had shown up unannounced and the party venue wasn’t even ready.
“I’m giving you one last 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 gaze landed on the dining room table, which was laden with food.
Frustration flared inside him, especially when his mind flashed back to the memory of Allison slapping Kaelyn.
Allison had kept her composure, but there was something about her that seemed colder, harder than before, far from the docile, accommodating 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 villa, a sleek Lamborghini pulled up, and a woman got out.
“Allison, honey!” Rebecca rushed over and wrapped Allison in a warm hug.
“You know, you could live in my house forever if you wanted to.
”
Rebecca, 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?” Rebecca 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 Rebecca'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 Rebecca's temper flared like a spark that ignites dry wood.
“Can you believe this? Colton was dumped by Melany 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.
” Rebecca 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?”
Rebecca 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 slate 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 Melany.
But try as she might, she couldn't compete with the woman he truly loved.
"Allison, the Stevens family really doesn't deserve someone like you.
"
Rebecca'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 Rebecca had always treated her better than anyone else.
Their conversation was interrupted when they arrived at an exclusive makeup studio.
Rebecca 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, come on! You're not thinking about keeping up that tired, 'still waiting for him' look, are you?"
“Yes… Definitely not.
”
“Exactly!” Rebecca’s face lit up.
“Just relax 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 minutes later, 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, accented 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 Rebecca 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.
”
Rebecca 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 claimed he was “saving himself” for Melany, 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.
Rebecca 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 perfume competition.
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 had come up empty-handed.
Yet, something deep inside him still whispered that this mysterious perfumer might be connected to his mother somehow.
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