Signed in Lies, Sealed in Sunlight

Finally, Rex let go, saying awkwardly, "You should get some rest. I have some family business to attend to. I'll head back."

With that, he practically fled.

I watched him disappear through the doorway, and the tears I'd been fighting finally broke free.

There was a time when he would bring a hot late-night snack to my studio to pick me up after I stayed up late creating. He remembered all my favorite things. When I was feeling down, he would stay by my bedside all night...

That kindness once made me believe in a lifetime of happiness together.

But our seven years of love had finally run their course.

I wiped away my tears, took out my phone, scheduled an appointment with my lawyer to sign the final documents, and booked a private jet to Chicago, scheduled for three days from now.

The next morning, I was awakened by a commotion downstairs.

I went down to find Roxanne standing in the living room, surrounded by several suitcases.

Juliana was clinging to Roxanne's arm affectionately. "Roxanne, you're finally here!"

Roxanne smiled and patted her hand, then turned to Rex and said softly, "Rex, my mother was worried I wouldn't be comfortable here, so she went a little overboard with the packing. I'm so sorry for all the trouble."

Rex replied casually, "We grew up together, and your mother has always looked after Juliana and me. There's no need to be so formal."

Juliana noticed me, and the smile on her face immediately vanished, her tone sharp and biting. "What are you doing standing there with that sour face? From now on, Roxanne is staying here to keep me company!"

Roxanne approached, her tone gentle. "The doctor said Juliana can't be agitated, so I came over to keep her company and lift her spirits."

I said nothing, just watched them.

Rex said in a low voice, "Aria has already agreed."

"This is the Gallo house. Who cares if she agrees or not?" Juliana sneered. "If she doesn't like it, she can get out."

Then she turned back to Roxanne, her voice becoming sweet again. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs. We'll pick out the best room."

Moments later, a series of heavy thuds echoed from upstairs. I ran up to find my bedroom doorway choked with chaos. My clothes, my personal belongings, my sculpture sketches, my art collection—all of it had been hurled into the hallway.

Everything Rex and I had once carefully chosen together was tossed out like garbage.

Juliana stood in the middle of the bedroom with her hands on her hips, directing the maids.

Roxanne lingered at the door, her voice slow and deliberate. "If I share a room with Juliana, I might disturb her rest. But if I stay too far away, I won't be able to take care of her in time. This room is the closest to hers, so..."

Rex approached, his eyes avoiding mine, and was about to speak.

But I spoke first, my voice eerily calm. "It's fine. You can have whichever room you want."

I knelt and began to gather my things.

"Aria," Rex said, looking down at me on the floor, his voice thick with guilt. "You can stay in the guest room for now. After a while, we'll..."

"You've already moved her in. What difference does it make where I sleep?" I said flatly.

Rex fell silent, his gaze landing on a photo of us on the floor.

It was from our first trip abroad together. He bent down to pick it up, his voice tense. "This was from our first trip to Florence, in front of the Uffizi Gallery. You don't want it anymore?"

I paused for a moment, then finally said, "Throw it away. It's old."

"Aria…" Rex clutched the photo and hurried after me. "What's wrong with you, Aria? You were never like this..."

"Nothing," I replied, a bitter edge to my voice. "I'm just stepping aside for the sake of Juliana's 'illness.' Isn't that what you wanted?"

Rex opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.