"Uriah Greaves, let's end this cleanly. Sign the divorce agreement." "Adeline… today's my mom's sixtieth birthday. Her heart isn't in great shape. If there's anything we need to talk about, can we do it tonight? Please?" "I'm begging you." Uriah looked at the woman he had loved with everything he had. His voice dropped, rough and low. The round table was packed with dishes, rich aromas rising in warm waves. His in-laws sat there polished and bright, along with Brennan Scurr and his sister. Across from them was Uriah's mother, Emily Looske, dressed plainly, hands folded tight in her lap. Beside her, five-year-old Cici stared at the cake with wide, hungry eyes, practically drooling as she waited. And then there was Alvin Yale, Adeline's first love, the man she had just picked up from the airport. A flicker of hesitation surfaced in Adeline's eyes, but she still shook her head. "It has to be signed. Right. Now." "Uriah, Adeline, what are you two whispering about?" someone called cheerfully. "Come on, sit down and eat!" "Daddy, Mommy," Cici chimed in, voice small and plaintive. "Cici's hungry!" Uriah glanced at his mother and his daughter. "If you want a divorce, fine. I'll agree. But can we at least finish this meal first?" Adeline's brows lifted slightly. Watching him lower himself like that made something twist in her chest, half discomfort, half disappointment. Ten years ago, Uriah had been all sharp edges and blazing confidence. At twenty, he had already been one of the big names in the Underworld of Rivershore City. Back then, she had been eighteen, a freshman working part-time in his bar to pay tuition. Ten years later, she owned several beauty salons, private clubs, and bars. She was also the famed, stunning CEO of Splendor Group. As for Uriah, after the crackdown, he had long since faded into the crowd. The era had tossed him aside. He had nothing to show for himself and stayed home as a full-time dad. They no longer belonged to the same world. More importantly, the first love she had never been able to have had finally returned from abroad. The man who had trapped her entire youth had finally come to her side. She had promised Alvin that she would cut ties with Uriah immediately, end this marriage that never should have begun. She refused to let his return be met with her first broken promise. What she didn't know was that everything she had came from Uriah. Yes. From him. It had been Uriah's background and connections that made her business in Riverhold soar. It had been his resources that earned her policy favors and protection. It had been his quiet help in the shadows that pulled her back from the edge again and again when crises came for her throat. She had mistaken his silent devotion for her own ability. She truly believed she was fate's chosen, and that Uriah was the one chaining her down, stealing her freedom and her rise. She also didn't know that not long ago, Uriah's strength had broken through again, reaching the legendary Transcendence. A realm she would spend her entire life looking up to. "Uriah Greaves, I know you're trying to stall," Adeline said, her tone hardening. "It won't work. I've made up my mind." "On my mom's birthday?" Uriah's jaw tightened. "You can't even wait one day?" "Yes." Uriah clenched his fist until his knuckles went white, then forced his hand to loosen. "Fine. I'll sign the divorce agreement, but I have one condition." "What condition?" "Cici stays with me." "Impossible!" Uriah's voice sank, dangerous and controlled. "You want to fly off into some happily-ever-after with your first love. I'm not letting Cici follow you and get bullied by some stepdad." Adeline's face flashed with anger. "Alvin and I just met today. There's nothing between us! And even if, worst-case scenario, I did end up with him, I would never let Cici suffer even the slightest grievance!" "Nothing between you?" Uriah's eyes cut into her. "Then why did you bring your first love home for dinner on my mom's birthday? Adeline Scurr, what do you take me for?" "You're misunderstanding." Adeline's voice turned strained. "I didn't bring him to embarrass you. He'd just gotten off the plane and had nowhere to go. He said he wanted to stop by…" "Nowhere to go," Uriah echoed, cold. He exhaled, the sound clipped. "Enough. Divorce is fine. Cici has to be with me. Otherwise, I'm not signing." "Uriah Greaves!" Adeline's eyes burned. "I never thought you'd be this selfish. You have nothing. If Cici follows you, she'll only suffer. If she follows me, I can give her the best in the world!" Uriah's brows rose. "Daddy, Mommy, why are you still whispering?" Cici called, bouncing in her chair. "Hurry up! Cici wants cake! Cici wants to blow candles and make a wish with Grandma!" "Cici, Mommy's coming," Adeline said, forcing softness into her voice. "Cici, don't rush," Alvin's voice suddenly slid in, jarringly out of place. "Your mom is talking with your dad about divorce. Once it's settled, then you can eat properly." The words hit like thunder on a clear day. "Di… divorce?" Emily Looske shot to her feet, panic flooding her face. "Uriah, what is this? Don't scare your mother!" Uriah hurried to steady her, one hand bracing her arm. "Mom, don't get worked up. Adeline and I just had a small disagreement. It's nothing." His mother's heart had never been strong. She couldn't take heavy shocks. If she spiraled, she could pass out, and it could cost her life. "Really?" Emily's breathing turned ragged. She stared at Adeline, desperate. "Adeline, you tell me. What's going on?" Adeline shot Alvin a resentful look. "Adeline, sorry," Alvin said quickly, putting on an innocent face. "I thought everyone already knew. It just slipped out…" He lifted his chin, voice turning smug. "Besides, you can't hide fire under paper forever. What should be known will be known sooner or later. Might as well say it openly. No need to keep tiptoeing around it." "Shut up." Uriah's gaze snapped to him, sharp as a hawk's. In that instant, Alvin went rigid, like a rabbit caught by a predator. He turned his head away on instinct, not daring to meet Uriah's eyes. Those eyes looked blood-red, like they were made to kill. Adeline bit her lower lip, wavering. "Mom," Uriah said, smiling as if nothing had happened, "don't worry. Adeline and I aren't getting divorced. Today's your sixtieth. Let's eat." "Uriah Greaves!" Adeline's mother, Skye Lyson, stood up abruptly. "Is this act still interesting to you?" She looked around the table, voice crisp and cutting. "Better short pain than long pain. Divorce today. Perfect timing, too. Everyone's here to witness it." "Mother-in-law…" Emily's voice trembled. "Emily," Skye said, leaving no room for argument, "Uriah and Adeline's marriage is over. They're not suited to stay together. This divorce has to happen today." "Mom… it doesn't have to be this urgent," Adeline murmured, glancing at Emily's sickly pale face. "My daughter, I know you're soft-hearted," Skye replied, her tone turning sharper. "But some people take advantage of that. That's how they keep you trapped. We can eat this meal. We can celebrate this birthday. But the divorce has to be settled first. You can't let Uriah hold you back anymore. A woman's youth is only a few short years!" "Exactly!" Brennan Scurr leaned back, face full of arrogance as he mocked Uriah. "How does that trash deserve you anymore? Even if you divorce, with your conditions, what kind of man couldn't you find? I think Alvin's pretty good!" He sneered, eyes raking Uriah. "Some people have no ability at all and still want to live off a woman forever. Keep dreaming." Brennan jabbed a finger toward the papers. "Sis, you deserve better. Stop hesitating. He has to sign the divorce agreement today. Tomorrow you go to the Registry Office. After a month of Divorce Cooling-Off Period, you'll officially be rid of this loser!" Adeline's face turned ugly, guilt stirring beneath her anger. She hadn't wanted to push things to the edge. But Uriah refused to sign the divorce agreement. She had no choice. If he had just signed earlier, it never would have exploded like this. "Uriah…" Emily's lips had gone pale, her voice shaking with tears. "What happened between you and Adeline? Don't frighten your mother… Husband and wife fight at the head of the bed and make up at the foot. What can't be worked through…" "Mom, sit down," Uriah said urgently. He guided her back, but she clutched at him, eyes wet and pleading. "Adeline, come here. Tell Mom you and Uriah aren't getting divorced. Tell me that's true." Adeline's throat tightened. "Mom, Uriah and I…"