?Chapter 827:


    Dani didn’t head home; she went back to Elite Lux instead.


    “Are you alright?” Lillian asked.


    Dani shook her head. “Just a bit down. It’s normal—just side effects from the medication. I’m okay.”


    Lillian was visibly upset. “Divorce Cedric! What a jerk! Is it just because you didn’t tell him everything? Does it really need to be this way?”


    Dani slumped back on the couch, drained. “Let’s see. If…” She struggled to finish what she was trying to say.


    The memories of their closeness haunted her. How could she just let go?


    After some time, Dani seemed to be reasoning with herself—or perhaps reassuring Lillian. “It shouldn’t have been made public. That way, he’d have more options going forward. Back then, I acted without thinking. I assumed…” Dani left her thoughts hanging. She walked over to the refrigerator, grabbed a beer, and gulped it down in one swift motion.


    Lillian, fuming with anger, pressed her. “What were you thinking?”


    Dani reached for another beer. “I thought he’d have no regrets. I didn’t ponder it too deeply. Honestly, I always knew he was stubborn. He wouldn’t be willing to remain in the dark forever. That’s why I kept my marriage to Cedric to myself for so long.”


    Eventually, she had disclosed it. She didn’t want to upset Cedric, nor did she want him to go unrecognized or unacknowledged.


    Yet, he still ended up getting hurt.


    Lillian couldn’t believe it. “Who do you think is really suffering in all this? Don’t you ever think about yourself? If you get divorced and remarried, it would be your third marriage. Doesn’t that embarrass you?”


    Daniughed it off. “Is it really?”


    It shouldn’t happen again.


    If things don’t work out this time, she’s determined not to marry again. Dani didn’t say any of these thoughts aloud. Instead, she kept drinking with Lillian.


    Lillian could usually handle her drink well, but even she couldn’t keep up with Dani.


    As dawn was about to break, Lillian slumped over, having drunkenly passed out.


    Dani, still feeling uneasy, took a bottle and made her way to the rooftop.


    Competing was never really Dani’s thing.


    If Cedric indeed harbored other intentions…


    Dani’s grip on the wine bottle grew unsteady, her hand shaking increasingly.


    She decided to ce it down.


    Atop the rooftop, the wind howled fiercely as it rushed past her.


    Dani shut her eyes, focusing on the sounds and sensations around her. As the wind pushed the rooftop door open with a squeak, Dani spun around to see a silhouette outlined against the faint light.


    She stood up, her eyes gleaming like luminous pearls in the darkness.


    The figure slowly approached, getting closer.


    The darkest momentse right before the break of dawn.


    Clouded by medication and alcohol, Dani’s thoughts were foggy.


    Yet she smiled, observing the familiar figure advancing toward her, step by step. “Cedric.”


    The figure stood outlined in the light, creating a dark silhouette. In a deep, echoing voice, he answered, “Yes, it’s me.” Suddenly, the man lifted his hands.


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