Adrian instructed Calvin to wait as he went to retrieve Roses toothbrush. But as he stepped into the bathroom, he found her already there, packing her belongings. Her toothbrush and comb were tucked neatly into her bag.

Standing beside her, Adrian tried to stifle the surge of anger and impulsiveness rising within him. His voice came cold and sharp.

"Leaving this late?"

Rose didnt spare him a glance. "Im staying at a hotel."

"And you need all this for a hotel?"

"I prefer using my own things," she replied curtly, brushing past him into the walk-in closet.

Her dismissive tone, combined with the words Calvin had spoken earlier, made Adrian feel as though a blade had been driven deep into his chest. The sensation was bitter, suffocating.

He followed her into the closet and found her finishing up, clearly ready to leave. Stepping forward, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. He pressed her against the closet door, his broad frame towering over her fragile form.

Adrians eyes bore down on her, piercing and unyielding. "Rose, are you seeing someone else?"

Standing before him, Rose looked almost diminutive, though she stood a respectable five-foot-six. But against Adrians imposing six-foot-two stature, she resembled a small bird facing a mountain, his sheer presence pressing down on her like an invisible weight until her breath faltered.

"What are you talking about?" she shot back, but her words rang hollow, her nerves betraying her as she avoided his gaze. She let out an unsteady laugh, trying to deflect. "Youve no right to accuse mewerent you the one being unfaithful? Flirting shamelessly, clinging to other women while still married?"

Adrian grasped her chin roughly, forcing her to look up at him. "Ill ask you one more time: is there someone else?"

For one fleeting moment, he hoped for honesty. If she told him the truth, perhaps hed find it in himself to forgive her. But if she liedor worse, withheld the truthhe wouldnt hesitate to make her pay.

All Rose could think in her panic was one thing: divorce. If they divorced now, it wouldnt matter even if he found out about the two children. Hed have no claim, no say in her life anymore.

She held her breath and forced herself to answer. "Im not seeing anyone. Adrian, let me go."

She struggled, desperate to escape him, but Adrian held her fast. His patience frayed, he leaned in, crushing her lips with a possessive, punishing kiss. Rose fought against him, and as she struggled beneath him, he deftly plucked a few strands of her hair. The sudden sting startled her. Shoving him with all her strength, she broke free and retaliated with a ringing slap across his face.

"Adrian, you bastard!"

She loathed his domineering nature, his utter disregard for her dignity. He dared to touch her now after passionately kissing Yvonne in front of a crowd, after planning a birthday party for her. What right did he have?

Noshe couldnt deny that she wasnt blameless, that she wasnt entirely pure-hearted. But at least in this marriage, she had loved him sincerely, without holding back, without looking at any other man.

And him? He had betrayed herbrazenly, unapologetically. She refused to endure this any longer.

Adrian stood silent, enduring the sting of her slap. His deep, stormy gaze locked onto hers, filled with unspoken grief and turmoil. Yet he didnt bring up the children, swallowing his fury as he left the room. He handed the strands of hair to Calvin, issuing a curt command:

"Not a word of this to anyone."

Calvin nodded tightly and left quickly, samples in hand.

When Rose finally descended the stairs with her packed luggage, she found Adrian sitting rigidly on the sofa, his expression unreadable, a dark, cold storm in his eyes. Ignoring his presence, she approached him and spoke in a clipped tone.

"Have you signed the divorce papers? If you dont come with me to finalize it tomorrow, then I wont set foot in this house ever again."

Her decision was resolute. She was determined to sever herself from this man, once and for all.

Adrians gaze lifted to meet hers, distant and inscrutable. The thought of her leavingof her possibly returning to those children Calvin had mentionedgnawed at his chest. Yet he fought back the tide of suspicion, telling himself it couldnt be true. Not yet. Not until the results came back.

He steeled himself, folding his emotions behind an immovable mask. "Youre that eager to leave me?"

Roses breath hitched for a moment before she steadied herself, using Yvonne as her shield. "You care so much about Yvonneenough to stand before everyone and kiss her. Clearly, you still have feelings for her. Im letting you go. All I ask is for you to do the same for me."

The bitterness in her voice scraped against both their hearts. Four years ago, Adrian had broken his engagement to her because of Yvonne. If it hadnt been for his grandfathers intervention, Adrian would have married Yvonne instead. Shed always known she was just a replacement. It was timelong past timeto give Mrs. Reids title back to its rightful owner.

Adrian clenched his jaw, straining to keep his temper under control, forcing himself not to think too deeply, not to draw conclusions prematurely. Not until the DNA results were in could he afford to voice what churned within him.

Seated like a marble statue, his tautly restrained presence filled the room, his voice unsettlingly calm. "If you really want to move out, I wont stop you. As for the divorce, talk to my grandfather first. Once he agrees, I wont stand in your way."

Rose blinked, taken aback. She hadnt expected him to relent so easily. So, she thought bitterly, if not for his grandfather, he wouldve rid himself of her even sooner. Even now, the realization stung more than she cared to admit. But shed come this far; there was no turning back.

"Fine," she said, her voice clipped. "Ill talk to him tomorrow."

Still, a strange ache lodged itself in her chest. She shouldve felt lighter, more liberated. Yet all she felt was an inexplicable bitterness.

Without a backward glance, Rose lifted her suitcase and walked out of the house. Claire drove her away but returned soon after, concern etched across her face as she addressed Adrian.

"Sir, why let her leave at this hour? Where will Madam go so late? What if"

Adrian silenced her with an icy glance, and Claire quickly dropped her gaze, retreating without another word.

Pulling out his phone, Adrian activated the tracking app to monitor Roses location. If she truly had another home elsewhere, he wouldnt let himself remain blind.

His eyes darkened further when her route confirmed his suspicionsshe was heading to Starhaven Bay Residences. Rage boiled beneath his carefully controlled exterior.

Damn it. She really does have another family.

Adrians chest tightened, the truth hitting him like a crushing weight. Rose had hidden this from him all alongthose children, that house. It burned him, the betrayal sinking deep into his bones.

That night, sleep eluded him. Come morning, he drove directly to Starhaven Bay Residences, parking near Unit 2526, which was registered under Roses name. Like a shadow, he lingered near the stairwell, watching for any sign of her.

At eight oclock, the door to the unit opened, and Adrian finally saw her step out. But she wasnt alone. Two small children clung to her hands, their voices soft and sweet.

"Mommy, you work so hard. You should rest more!"

"Come home early, okay?"

"We love you, Mommy!"

The words were innocent, but to Adrian, they landed like punches. His hands clenched into fists as he stood hidden, his emotions a tempest threatening to shatter his composure.

She had lied to him. She had built a life, a family, behind his back. And now, there was no holding back the storm that was about to explode.