Chapter 12:

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“Allison, I get where you’re coming from. Even if you’re just lashing out, it’s fine if you’re not ready to divorce.” Melany bit her lip and continued, “I truly care for Colton. Even without a marriage license, I’m willing to stick by him. I realize my sudden reappearance might seem like a slap in the face, but love, after all, follows its own set of rules, and I crossed paths with him first.”

Today, Melany was draped in a flowing red dress, a stark contrast to her fragile, innocent demeanor. To Allison, the sight felt like a tragic play, where the heroine’s efforts only highlighted her desperation.

“If you’re willing to let him go, I’ll bend over backward for you. After all, there’s no love lost between you two. You can have the title, but Colton’s heart is what I want.” Melany was fishing for a reaction, hoping to see Allison lose her cool.

But Allison kept her composure, her face a mask of calm resolve. She raised her hand, cutting off Melany’s performance with a gesture that spoke louder than words.

“Wait a minute. I haven’t had breakfast, and it wouldn’t be pretty if I ended up hurling my breakfast. But since you’re so keen on me stepping aside, I’m guessing you know you’re on the wrong side of this, right?”

Allison’s voice was as indifferent as a winter’s frost. “How do you plan to make amends if I hand him over to you?”

Melany froze, her tongue tied. Allison pressed on, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“How about showing me some real gratitude right now? That way, you can start with my blessing, like a fresh slate.”

Her laughter was edged with razor-sharp sarcasm. “Remember when you wanted me to be at your wedding? If you’re so committed to Colton, this small gesture shouldn’t be too much to ask, should it?”

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Melany’s face drained of color, clearly at a loss.

“You’re pushing it too far,” Colton growled, pulling Melany protectively behind him. “Do you think making these remarks will win me back?”

Before he could finish, Allison had already turned on her heel and made her way to the service desk.

“Just a little jest,” she said with a detachment that spoke volumes. Allison’s heart had been weathered and scarred, leaving her indifferent to his anger. “Not rushing to the divorce, Colton? Or are you having second thoughts?”

Colton was at a loss for words.

He wanted to snap, but before he could even gather his thoughts, Allison had already walked off, as if she couldn’t be bothered with the mess that remained.

Funny enough, just this morning, he had been stewing in frustration, wondering how to handle things if Allison suddenly regretted the divorce and started clinging to him. Yet, watching her now, walking away with such finality, only stirred something uglier inside him.

Inside the courthouse, the staff led Allison in. As they walked, one of the staff members asked, “Where’s your husband? Has he arrived?”

Allison’s eyes drifted across the room to where Colton and Melany stood, practically fused at the hip.

The staff, following her line of sight, blinked in surprise. It wasn’t every day you saw someone flaunting their new flame when they hadn’t officially divorced. Sympathy flickered across the staff’s face.

Finally, after going through all the divorce procedures, their marriage was officially over.

As they turned to leave, the staff hesitated for a beat, then looked toward Allison and said softly, “I hope you find happiness.” Melany, standing just a few steps away, froze.

She could feel the heat of judgmental eyes all around her. But she managed to plaster on a smile, even as her fingernails bit into her palms, a deep resentment simmering beneath her calm façade.

If Allison hadn’t been in the way, she’d have been Mrs. Stevens already!

“Colton…” Melany’s voice turned sweet, and as soon as they stepped outside, she clung to his arm like ivy to a tree. Lowering her gaze demurely, she said, “We were supposed to be together from the start, but I was sent abroad. And these last three years with you and Allison barely hanging on—all because of me. But now that you two are divorced, maybe you can still be friends? You should comfort her. I’m sure she’s devastated.” Allison barely registered the words.

“Her?” Colton scoffed, an irritation rising in him for reasons he couldn’t quite place. Allison didn’t look remotely shaken.

“Isn’t it always the same?” Melany’s voice was honeyed, but her words carried thorns. “No matter how tough a woman seems, nothing means more to her than her husband. Even the strongest woman falls apart after a divorce.”

Her eyes slid toward Allison with a certain gleam, and she added, “Poor thing must’ve been so heartbroken she couldn’t sleep last night. Look at those dark circles… and, oh, she’s even got a few mosquito bites! Colton, you really should comfort her—it’s my…”

“Your fault, after all.” Colton paused mid-step. His brow furrowed as his gaze moved toward Allison, catching the faint marks visible just beneath her collar. There, on her collarbone, were unmistakable red marks. But not mosquito bites!

Everyone here was an adult, and there was no mistaking what those marks signaled.

“Last night,” Melany continued, her voice syrupy sweet. “She was such a mess on the yacht. She didn’t even come out of her room. I’m sure she just wanted to be left alone.” Her words dripped with malice now, a thinly veiled attempt to sever any remaining ties between Allison and Colton.

Colton’s face hardened as he walked straight toward Allison. “What’s with the marks on your collarbone? Who were you fooling around with last night?”

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