A week after William Bailey's stroke, I made my decision. The old man was recovering well, surprising even his doctors with his resilience. Lucas had fully taken contr of Bailey Enterprises, intimidating his uncles and cousins into submission during a series of brutal board meetings. William, from his hospital bed, had declared that Lucas would permanently take over the company's affairs going forward. Everything had fallen into place exactly as planned. Lucas had what he wanted-control of the family business. The two-year timeline we'd agreed upon was nearly up anyway. There was no reason to continue our charade of a marriage. I chose a quiet Sunday afternoon to visit the Bailey Estate and speak with William and Margaret. Lucas was tied up in emergency meetings-some crisis with a foreign subsidiary that required his immediate attention. was the perfect opportunity to have this conversation without his interference. The Bailey Estate looked the same as always-imposing, elegant, a monument to old money and power. But something felt different as I walked up the grand staircase to the private family wing. Perhaps it was me wh had changed. I found Margaret in the sunroom, arranging fresh flowers while a Bach concerto played softly in the background. William was in a wheelchair nearby, looking frail but alert as he read through what appeared to be financial reports. "Autumn, darling," Margaret greeted me, setting down her shears. "What a lovely surprise. Lucas didn't mention you'd be stopping by." "He doesn't know I'm here," I admitted, leaning down to kiss her cheek before turning to William. "How are yo feeling today?" William studied me with those penetrating eyes that seemed to miss nothing. "Better. Though these nurses are driving me mad with their constant hovering." Margaret sighed. "He's terrorized three of them into quitting already." I couldn't help but smile. William Bailey, even diminished by illness, remained a force to be reckoned with. "Please, sit," Margaret gestured to a nearby chair. "Shall I ring for tea?" "No, thank you." I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I actually came to discuss something important with both of you." Something in my tone must have alerted them. Margaret set down the flowers completely, and William close his report, giving me his full attention. "I've made a decision," I said, meeting their gazes directly. "I'm going to divorce Lucas." The silence that followed was deafening. Margaret's hand flew to her throat, while William's expression remained unnervingly calm. "I don't understand," Margaret finally said. "Things seemed to be going so well between you two. Even with that... unfortunate photograph in the tabloids, you stood by him." "That has nothing to do with my decision," I assured her. "This is something that's been coming for a long time." William tilted his head slightly. "Explain." So I did. Not everything, of course-I didn't mention Lucas's love for Phoebe or our original agreement to divorce after two years. But I spoke of the fundamental incompatibility we'd discovered, the growing realization that we wanted different things from life. 'He's focused on Bailey Enterprises now, as he should be," I concluded. "And I... I need to focus on my own path." Margaret looked devastated. "But surely you can work through this? Every marriage has difficult periods-" 'If you've truly made up your mind," William interrupted, his voice cutting through his wife's protests, "we have no objections." Margaret turned to him, shocked. "William!" He reached for her hand, patting it gently. "It's her decision, Margaret." I studied him, trying to decipher the thoughts behind his impassive facade. Was he truly accepting my choice? Or was this another of his chess moves, a strategic retreat before a more calculated advance? 'Thank you for understanding," I said cautiously. William nodded once. "When do you plan to tell Lucas?" "Soon," I promised. "I wanted to speak with you first, out of respect." What I didn't say was that I also wanted their support-or at least their neutrality-when Lucas inevitably pushed back. Despite our original agreement, I sensed he would not let me go easily, not now that he'd finally secured his position in the family business. As I prepared to leave, Margaret embraced me with surprising emotion. "You will always be welcome here, Autumn," she whispered. "Remember that." William simply extended his hand, which I took. His grip was weaker than before his stroke, but his eyes were as sharp as ever. "You're stronger than you look," he said, almost approvingly. "But so is my grandson." It was as close to a warning as I was likely to get. I drove directly from the Bailey Estate to my father's home, needing his support before taking the next step. Richard Shepherd had never fully approved of my marriage to Lucas, though he'd come to respect him after Chapter 14 Divorce Negotiations Lucas had proven himself in business. "See? I told you back then that he wasn't that into you, and you wouldn't admit it," my father said when I explained my decision. "I'm a man, and when it comes to judging other men, I've got a keener eye than you." Despite his blunt words, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "You'll move back here until you find a place of your own. And don't worry about the divorce proceedings-I'll have my lawyers handle everything." I nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Dad." That evening, I returned to the penthouse and began packing my things. Lucas had built the home with minimalism in mind, but over our time together, I'd accumulated more possessions than I'd realized-clothes, books, design materials, the small treasures I'd collected to make the space feel warmer. It took me an entire day to sort through everything and pack what mattered most. I left behind anything Luca: had given me-the jewelry, the designer clothes, the first-edition books he'd brought back from his business trips. They were beautiful, expensive things, but they'd never truly been mine. They were just props in the play we'd been performing. I was placing the last of my boxes by the door when I heard his key in the lock. I froze, suddenly realizing I hadn't prepared what to say. Lucas stepped inside, his eyes immediately taking in the packed boxes and suitcases. His expression shifted from confusion to understanding to something darker, more urgent. "What is this?" he asked, though he clearly knew. I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze. "I'm leaving." "Why?" "You know why, Lucas. Our arrangement has run its course. You've secured your position at Bailey Enterprises. There's no need to continue this... pretense." He set down his briefcase, loosening his tie with a sharp tug. "Is that what you think this is? A pretense?" "Isn't it?" I challenged. "We agreed to two years. It's been almost that long." Lucas moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Things have changed." "Have they?" I took a step back, maintaining the distance between us. "Or are you just worried about how it will look if I leave now, right after you've taken control of the company?" A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Is that what you think of me? That I'm only concerned about appearances?" "I think you're pragmatic," I said carefully. "And a divorce right now would be inconvenient for your corporate image." "Fuck the corporate image," he said, his voice low and intense. "That's not why I don't want you to leave." I hadn't expected such vehemence. For a moment, I almost wavered. But then I remembered Phoebe in our home, wearing his shirt. The way he'd reached for her in his sleep. The tenderness in his eyes when he'd comforted her at the hospital. "Can't we just not divorce?" he asked, his tone softening. "Is that not an option?" I looked at him, somewhat puzzled by his persistence. "Why? Isn't this what you've always wanted?" He smiled, as if he found my question naive or amusing. "Autumn, people change." "Then how can you be so sure that I haven't changed?" I countered. "That day outside your grandfather's hospital room, you heard me, didn't you? Yes, I admit it, I liked you for many years. But now, I don't anymore." His expression stiffened slightly, something like hurt flashing in his eyes before he masked it. "Haven't I been good to you?" he asked quietly. The question caught me off guard with its simplicity. Yes, he had been decent to me, especially in recent months. But the better he treated me, the greedier I became. And with greed comes disappointment, all too easily. I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze directly. "Lucas Bailey." He responded softly, "Hmm." 'Did you really only just realize that I liked you?" Lucas's face shifted subtly, discomfort evident in the tightening around his eyes. I continued, unable to stop now that I'd started. "You're so clever. You must have figured it out long ago, right? That's why, in the beginning, you didn't hesitate to be so kind to Phoebe in front of me-arranging work for her giving her gifts. You just wanted me to give up, didn't you?" 'And now, I've done as you wished. Divorce was your idea in the first place. What now? You say you don't wan to divorce, and I'm supposed to pretend none of this ever happened?" As I said these words, I was surprisingly calm, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil I felt inside. Lucas turned his head away, for a moment looking somewhat embarrassed. He hadn't denied any of my accusations, which told me all I needed to know. walked to the side table where I'd left one last item-the Cartier necklace he'd given me for my birthday, the one that matched the bracelet he'd bought for Phoebe. I held it out to him. 'This is the necklace you gave me last year. I only wore it once. I'm returning it to you." 'Autumn, don't do this." He made no move to take the necklace. 'Over this past year and more, you've helped me, and I've helped you. We owe each other nothing now." I set the necklace down on the table between us, its diamonds catching the light. 'Where will you go?" he asked, his voice strained. 'My father's, for now. I've arranged for movers to come tomorrow for the rest of my things." Chapter 14 Divorce Negotiations Lucas ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I recognized as a sign of his frustration. "Will you at least think about this? Give us a chance to talk properly when we're both calmer?" I almost laughed at that. I had never felt calmer or more certain. "The papers will be ready next week. My father's lawyers are handling it." "Your father-" He cut himself off, visibly trying to control his temper. "So you've already discussed this with him. And my grandparents too, I imagine." It wasn't a question, but I nodded anyway. "Everyone except me," he said bitterly. "The one person who should have had a say in this decision." "You had your say two years ago," I reminded him. "This was always the plan." "Plans change," he insisted. "People change. I've changed, Autumn." For a moment, I almost believed him. There was such raw conviction in his voice, such intensity in his gaze. But I'd been fooled by hope before, and I wouldn't make that mistake again. "Goodbye, Lucas," I said, picking up my handbag and moving toward the door. His voice stopped me. "Is this the only way to untie the knot in your heart?" In truth, I didn't really have any knots left in my heart. The pain had dulled to a manageable ache, the love transformed into something quieter, more resigned. But I nodded along with his words anyway. "Yes." His gaze dimmed slightly, his eyes resting on me, concealing the emotions in their depths, before he let out a faint smile. "Alright." With that single word of surrender, he stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I walked out of the penthouse without looking back, though I felt his eyes on me until the elevator doors closed between us.