Chapter 19
Asteria laughed softly, the sound light and free. “Mom, it’s all over.”
She had laid everything bare for Primo, and she knew someone as proud as him would never stoop to chasing after her again.
“Alright then,” Isabelle said. “To celebrate my precious daughter‘ s fresh start, I’m treating you to the biggest celebration you‘ ve ever had!”
The sports car spun around, heading straight for the central shopping mall.
No matter what caught Asteria’s eye, Isabelle was quick to buy it without a second thought.
She spent money like it was water, as though there were no limits.
For all Primo’s attention on Yesha, Isabelle
returned it tenfold but in her own.
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extravagant way.
After hours of shopping, Isabelle suddenly flashed a mischievous grin.
“I’m taking you somewhere fun.”
Asteria didn’t quite understand what she meant, but her eyes widened in disbelief when they arrived.
Isabelle had brought her to the city‘ s largest bar, booked the most luxurious package, and even arranged for a group of male models to join them.
The men were tall, broad–shouldered, with slim waists and eight–pack abs.
There were models of every skin tone, each one more stunning than the last.
Isabelle poured Asteria a glass of strong liquor, the amber liquid glistening in the dim light. “See, this is life,” she said, a devil- may–care grin on her face.
There were countless men in the world; what was one Primo compared to all that
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life had to offer?
Isabelle had never feared loving the wrong person or choosing the wrong path; as long as you had the courage to start over, it was never too late to find happiness.
Asteria, who had never stepped foot in a bar before, initially felt a twinge of shyness.
But after a few sips, she felt the tension slip away, like a heavy weight lifting off her shoulders.
She let go, her body swaying freely with the beat of the music, the alcohol soothing her doubts, the electrifying rhythm carrying her worries away.
By the second half of the night, Isabelle was showing signs of exhaustion, but Asteria still had the energy of a whirlwind.
Not wanting to spoil her fun, Isabelle left Asteria in the capable hands of two reliable. bodyguards, offering some parting advice. before heading home to rest.
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Asteria danced until the night grew late, and by closing time, it was only with the help of the bodyguards that she managed to stumble out of the bar.
The moon hung low in the hazy sky, stars scattered like diamonds above.
Asteria s head spun, her ears ringing from the music, so she sank onto a bench by the side of the road, seeking a moment of peace.
The cool evening breeze brushed against her skin, and one of the ever–thoughtful bodyguards draped a coat over her shoulders.
“Let’s go home…”
She was drunk and dizzy, and when she tried to stand, her legs betrayed her.
But just in time, one of the bodyguards caught her, steadying her before she could fall.
Just as Asteria was about to express her
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thanks, a familiar scent of pine reached her nose.
Before she could even make out who stood before her, the bodyguards quickly closed around her, their eyes sharp with caution.
“Asteria, come home with me,” Primo‘ s voice was strained, his anger barely contained.
All day, he had been consumed with thoughts about making Asteria happy.
He had arranged for 9999 roses, ordered her favorite strawberry cake, and tucked a new diamond ring inside it, all in an effort to win her back.
But when he arrived at her home, expecting a warm reception, the
housekeeper had torn him apart with cruel words and tossed everything into the trash.
Primo had been humiliated, and when he
later heard from Assistant Sorell that Asteria had been seen at a bar, his patience. snapped.
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He rushed there, desperate to find her, and what he found only fanned the flames of his anger.
Each step of the evening had been a blow to his pride, and now, standing before her, he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
But when Asteria asked, “Who are you?” The question cut through him like a dagger.
His control cracked.
He seized Asteria’s wrist, his grip tightening with urgency. “I’m your husband. Come home with me!”
