Chapter 25
Caleb, however, didn’t even blink.
“I’m not a savior,” he replied coolly. “I can’t help you. The only person who can help your family now… is you.”
“You have two hands, two feet. If you want to rescue your parents, earn the money and do it yourself.”
And with that, he took Vivian’s hand and walked calmly inside.
Just before the door shut, he turned her toward him and pinned her gently against it, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to her lips–restrained, but with a quiet intensity smoldering beneath.
Between breaths, his voice dropped to a low whisper in her ear.
“Vivian… I put on that little show just for you. Consider it your punishment.”
He nipped her earlobe gently, causing her to shiver with a soft gasp.
In between breaths, he whispered in her ear. “I’m not Rhett,” he said, “Vivian, I’m not like Rhett, I cherish you.”
“If I were so easily tempted by just any woman, I wouldn’t have waited all these years.”
“…I know,” she whispered, breath hitching slightly.
Meanwhile, outside the door, Faye stood alone, chilled by the wind that seemed to mock her very
existence.
She wandered the streets, dazed, until she passed by a fountain.
Glancing down at the water’s surface, she caught a glimpse of her reflection–and recoiled in horror.
‘Ah!”
She stumbled back, hands flying up to her face, as if trying to erase the image from her eyes.
She couldn’t believe it–that the haggard, haunted woman in the rippling water… was her.
15:57
I Left My Billionaire Husband… Now His Mafia Rival Claims Me
15.5%
Chapter 25
Years of confinement had drained the life from her. Wounds reopened before the old ones had healed. Her skin had become dull, her expression hollow.
Yet once, she had been beautiful. Once, she’d valued that beauty more than anything.
How did she end up like this?
And her parents… they had suffered too. Someone had once shown her a photo of them–aging far beyond their years, hair silver, skin sallow, spirits broken. All because of her.
Because of the choices she had made.
Because of her greed. Her lies. Her ambition.
Faye finally realized what regret felt like. But it was too late.
The road behind her was in ruins, and the one ahead was no better.
She didn’t even know how to survive anymore–how to exist without manipulating someone, or
latching onto someone stronger.
Her tears were silent now.
She was a ghost. Of who she used to be. Of who she could have been.
Prison.
Caleb’s bodyguards, temporarily standing in as correctional officers, kept a distant watch on Rhett–emotionless, silent, like shadows in the dark.
A blond, blue–eyed inmate slammed his fist into Rhett’s ribs with a grunt, hurling profanities with
every blow.
But Rhett didn’t resist.
He made no move to fight back, even though he easily could’ve. One well–placed punch could’ve dropped the man. He could’ve taken on several inmates at once. Hell, he could’ve called for Caleb’s people and walked out of this place anytime.
But he didn’t.
Pain was the only thing that reminded him he was still alive.
15:58
I Left My Billionaire Husband. Now His Mafia Rival Claims Me
15.7
Chapter 25
Maybe he’d already lost his mind the moment he realized Vivian would never forgive him. Everything since then had just been survival, not living.
Like his father, he was a man who didn’t know how to let go. But unlike his father–he regretted it.
After what felt like endless days inside that cell, Rhett didn’t collapse the way Faye had. He didn’t
scream or cry. He adapted.
The bruises, the broken bones–they became background noise. His body hurt, but his soul was already numb.
Eventually, Rhett slipped past the guards, unnoticed, and walked out of prison.
He followed old memories, step by step, until he stood once again before Vivian’s house in this foreign land. He knocked.
But it wasn’t Vivian who answered.
A young man, unfamiliar, opened the door. He looked confused. “Can I help you?”
Rhett’s eyes darkened. He grabbed the man by the collar.
“Where’s Vivian? This was her home. Where is she?”
15:58
