“Madam Sophia, are you absolutely certain about erasing all traces of your identity? Once removed, it will be as though you never existed, and no one will ever be able to locate you.”
Freya hesitated briefly before nodding firmly. “Yes, that’s precisely what I want. I want to vanish completely.”
There was a faint tone of astonishment on the other end of the call, but they promptly replied, “Understood, Madam Sophia. The procedure will take approximately two weeks to finalize. Kindly remain patient.”
After ending the call, Freya set her phone down and booked a flight to Florin, scheduled to leave in a fortnight.
Simultaneously, the television aired a replay of a press event hosted by the Sterling Corporation.
A week prior, Jack Sterling, CEO of the Sterling Corporation, had unveiled a dazzling piece of jewelry, meticulously crafted from the most exquisite diamonds and gemstones. He named it “Freya” as a tribute to his wife, a bold proclamation of his unwavering devotion to her before the entire world.
The moment the masterpiece debuted, it went viral, dominating headlines across various platforms. The fervor didn’t wane; the internet continued to buzz with conversations about their so-called “fairy-tale romance.”
Following the press release, the broadcast shifted to snippets of reporters interviewing bystanders.
“Excuse me, ma’am, are you familiar with Mr. Sterling and Mrs. Sterling’s celebrated love story?”
A lady clad in a floral outfit, her face brimming with envy, responded enthusiastically, “Who isn’t? Just recently, Mr. Sterling even authored a memoir solely dedicated to Mrs. Sterling.
“In the book, he mentioned her love for cherries, so he planted an entire orchard of cherry trees surrounding their villa! I told my husband to take notes, and he just said, ‘Men like him are one in a million. I can’t compete.’ Honestly, it’s maddening!”
The reporter moved on, speaking to others.
A young college student, holding her hands to her chest with a dreamy gaze, exclaimed, “Their romance is like a novel come to life! Mr. Sterling is the epitome of an ideal lover. Four years ago, when Mrs. Sterling faced kidney failure and needed a transplant desperately, he turned out to be a match.
“Despite everyone’s opposition, he went straight to the operating room that very day to save her. He said she was his life, and if she couldn’t live, neither would he. How could someone be so perfect?”
The interviews continued, with every individual expressing admiration for Jack and Freya’s storybook romance.
The news replayed endlessly on the screen, but Freya merely curled her lips in self-deprecation.
Her striking looks had always drawn attention, and from a young age, admirers surrounded her. Yet, growing up in a broken home with divorced parents, Freya harbored no illusions about love.
She turned down every romantic gesture with the same response: “I’m sorry, I’m not interested in relationships, let alone love.”
Until she met Jack.
Unlike others, he pursued her relentlessly for three years. Each rejection only strengthened his determination.
Once, to win her a necklace she admired, he risked his life in a high-stakes street race, narrowly escaping death. That was the moment he broke through her defenses.
After they became a couple, his affection never wavered. Instead, he lavished her with everything imaginable, gradually thawing her guarded heart.
When proposing, he didn’t settle for a single attempt—he proposed fifty-two times before she finally took the leap and agreed to marry him.
On the day of his final proposal, Freya had gazed at the ring, her eyes shimmering with tears, and told Jack, “Jack, I promise to be your wife through thick and thin, through prosperity and hardship, and never leave you.
“But remember one thing—I will never tolerate deceit. If you ever betray me, I will vanish from your life forever.”
Those cherished memories had now crumbled under the weight of harsh reality, leaving behind mere illusions.
Three months earlier, Freya had uncovered the devastating truth: Jack had been secretly involved with another woman. Days with Freya, nights with Lily Lowe—his heart split between the two.
The cruel irony of passionate love—it often burned out swiftly.
Freya let out a bitter chuckle, switched off the television, and retrieved the divorce papers she had prepared weeks ago. With meticulous precision, she signed her name.
Her past vow echoed in her mind, reminding her of her promise to disappear forever.
Carefully placing the divorce papers in a refined gift box, she wrapped it with care.
An hour later, Jack walked through the door.
Before even removing his shoes, he rushed to embrace her, murmuring apologies. “I’m sorry, Addie. I was delayed picking up the necklace today, which is why I missed our anniversary. Please forgive me.”
He presented her with the “Freya” necklace in an attempt to soothe her.
The slightly unbuttoned collar of his black shirt exposed faint kiss marks and scratches, piercing Freya’s heart.
Had he truly been picking up the necklace, or was he with Lily? Likely, he had come straight from her bed.
Jack, oblivious to her turmoil, tenderly placed the necklace around her neck. The glimmering jewels only magnified her ethereal beauty.
“You look breathtaking, Addie,” he said sincerely, admiration filling his gaze.
But Freya’s face showed no joy. Her reddened eyes betrayed her inner turmoil as she handed him the box. “This is for you.”
Jack looked puzzled. “What’s this?”
Freya’s lips curved faintly. “A present. You brought me something for our anniversary; it’s only fair I reciprocate.”
Jack’s face lit up, treating the box as though it were priceless. As he reached to open it, Freya stopped him.
