The next morning, the Cole estate felt different; it felt more gloomy.
Lina woke up early, the soft morning light filtering through the heavy curtains. She placed her hand on her stomach again, feeling that quiet warmth. Ivy was there, and growing safely. The thought gave her strength.
She had barely slept, but she did not feel tired. For the first time in either life, she felt truly awake.
Downstairs, Lucien was already in the dining room. He sat at the head of the table, reading through some documents, his expression cold and focused. He looked like he had not slept much either.
Lina walked in wearing a simple yet elegant outfit. She had chosen it carefully. Not to please him, but to remind herself that she was no longer the girl who tried too hard hoping for a certain someone to notice.
"Good morning," she said calmly, taking her seat.
Lucien looked up. His eyes lingered on her for a few seconds longer than usual. "You are serious about this divorce?"
"Very serious," Lina replied, meeting his gaze directly. "I had the papers prepared yesterday. All you need to do is sign them."
She took out the divorce agreement from the folder she carried and placed it on the table. The papers were simple and fair. She was not asking for much. Just enough to start her new life and take care of her child.
Lucien stared at the documents. The silence in the room grew heavy with each passing second.
"You really prepared everything," he said slowly. There was a dangerous edge in his voice. "In just three days."
"I did not need three days," Lina said. "I have known for a long time that this marriage was a mistake."
Lucien picked up the papers and read through them. His fingers tightened slightly on the edges. For a man who controlled billions, the idea of his wife walking away so cleanly seemed to irritate him more than anything.
"You will get nothing from the Cole family if you do this," he warned.
"I do not want anything from the Cole family," Lina answered. Her voice was steady, but inside, satisfaction bloomed. In her previous life, she had given everything and received nothing. This time, she would take nothing and build everything herself to spare herself from unnecessary expectations and disappointments.
Lucien watched her carefully, searching for any sign of hesitation. Unfortunately for him, he found none.
Finally, he picked up a pen.
The sound of the pen scratching across the paper echoed in the quiet room. He signed his name with sharp, angry strokes.
Lina felt something inside her chest loosen. She had expected to feel pain or regret, but all she felt was pure exhilaration and freedom.
She signed her own name right after his. The divorce was official.
Lucien leaned back in his chair, his eyes dark. "Happy now?"
"More than you can imagine," Lina said softly.
She stood up and looked at him one last time. This man had been her whole world once. Now he was simply a chapter she was closing.
"I am pregnant," she said suddenly.
Lucien froze.
The words hung in the air between them.
He stared at her, his usual cold mask cracking for the first time. "What did you say?"
"I am pregnant," Lina repeated. "With your child."
Lucien's hand tightened into a fist on the table. A storm of emotions flashed across his face; shock, confusion, something almost like anger, and something else he could not quite name. He did not know what he was feeling. For the first time in many years, Lucien Cole was completely thrown off balance.
"You are carrying my child, and you still want a divorce?" His voice was low, dangerous.
"Yes," Lina said without hesitation. "Because this child deserves better than a loveless home. I will raise her well. Alone if I have to."
"Him," Lucien corrected sharply.
"Her," Lina replied with quiet certainty. She already knew.
Lucien stood up. He looked like he wanted to say many things, but no words came out. He simply stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.
Lina gave him a small, calm smile.
"Goodbye, Lucien."
She turned and walked away. That night. Upstairs, she packed lightly. One suitcase. Just the essentials and a few clothes. Nothing that belonged to the Cole name. She left all the expensive jewellery and gifts behind.
Maggie watched her with wide eyes as she came down the stairs.
"Madam… are you really leaving?"
"Yes, Maggie," Lina said gently. "Thank you for everything. You have been kind to me."
Maggie looked emotional but said nothing. She simply helped carry the suitcase to the waiting car that Lina had called.
As the car drove away from the Cole estate at midnight, Lina looked back once through the rear window. The grand mansion grew smaller in the distance.
She leaned her head against the seat and closed her eyes.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, but they were not sad tears. They were tears of relief. Of freedom. Of a new beginning.
"I did it," she whispered to herself. "I really did it."
The driver glanced at her in the mirror but said nothing.
Lina smiled through her tears.
In her notebook, she had already planned the next steps. Tomorrow she would go to Nova Agency for the test shoot. She would start submitting Ivory songs anonymously. She would build her career and protect her daughter with everything she had.
Lucien stood at the window of the master bedroom, watching the car disappear into the night. His hand was still clenched tightly.
He did not understand what had happened.
The woman who had always been quiet and obedient had suddenly become someone else. Someone strong and someone who looked at him without fear or longing.
And she was carrying his child.
Lucien turned away from the window, his mind in chaos. For the first time in his life, he felt something unfamiliar.
Regret?
No. He pushed the thought away immediately.
But the house already felt emptier.
Much emptier.