Livia is now a boiling hot mess. A boiling hot mess of disappointment, anger, indignance, and regret.
Her emotions are overflowing, and tangled even to herself.
She suddenly feels vulnerable before Kai even though his expression has not changed the slightest. She knows he is not judging her, but she can't shake the feeling either.
After so many years, her immaculately applied makeup, carefully chosen dress, and perfectly maintained posture are suddenly failing to armour her properly. She is, for the first time in a long while, without protection.
"Please excuse me," she manages as she turns away.
Kai stops her by placing a gentle hand on her arm. He hands her his handkerchief and she gratefully accepts the embroidered linen square before dabbing her tears away.
She wants to fly back to Sicaster to confront her bastard of a soon-to-be ex-husband but…
But what? What exactly is stopping her?
Money is not an issue. Childcare is not an issue either—she has Alisha and Cornelia is generally well-behaved.
Civility? Decorum? Politeness? Those were flung out of the window the moment Raylen Vale placed his hand on another woman's waist.
He harboured a dead woman in his heart throughout their entire relationship. Is he going to introduce a living one now?
Someone younger, more beautiful, and less naggy? Someone she also cannot compete with?
She is not going to take this lying down.
She is Livia Astor, beloved muse of the world's top fashion designers. And she is not going to be the third party in her own relationship.
She will not suffer this insult quietly.
"I am," she declares, voice shaking with rage and resentment, "going back to Sicaster."
"Now?" Kai's eyes are wide with surprise.
"Yes, as soon as possible. I'm booking the next available flight."
"And what are you going to do when you get back?"
Livia can tell from his tone that he is going to dissuade her.
Of course he is. He is always the reasonable one.
"I am going to talk to my darling husband."
"Talk about what exactly?" Kai furrows his brows.
"About his little indiscretion."
"What are you hoping to achieve from such a conversation? More alimony?"
"No, I'm not thinking about that," she replies honestly.
"Then what?"
"Then what? What do you mean then what? Am I supposed to accept this… this indiscretion without a fight? Am I supposed to let others trample all over me without even a whimper? Or is my anger unbecoming of a wife of a rich man?"
"That is not what I mean," Kai says slowly. "I understand your anger. I am just saying that your actions should have clear objectives and goals."
"Damn your objectives and goals," she explodes, "damn them all! You will not make me out to be a madwoman. I am reasonable and more than justified in my anger!"
And she, against her better judgement, bursts into tears.
Kai rubs his neck again. "Livia, I am not trying to gaslight you on Raylen's behalf. You do have every right to be angry at him. It is not my place to stop you. I just hope you don't punish yourself with the misdeeds of others."
She continues crying, barely processing his words. He sighs again. "Livia, come, don't cry. I will book the tickets for you. I can stay behind with Alisha to watch Cornelia if you're not taking her back with you."
"Thank you," manages Livia between sobs. "But I want to take her with me. I've been so terrified by the possibility that my father-in-law may take her away from me too."
"Raylen won't let him do that," Kai promises. "I can assure you that much at least. I've been a close friend of his for many years. I think my words are not baseless."
"I believe you."
Kai relaxes a little. "Good, good. Let me book the tickets for you. I will stay behind to make sure the servants have moved everything over."
The flight is uneventful. Livia is exhausted. It is tiring to stay angry and sad for so long. She gives Cornelia a forehead kiss before shutting her eyes for some rest.
She hears some murmurs from the passengers in the row beside her.
"What a beautiful baby!" "She is so quiet and well-behaved too!" "Is that her mother? No wonder she has such good genes!"
Livia opens one eye and sees Cornelia facing the whispering passengers—two teenage girls who are somehow wealthy enough to afford first class seats. Her daughter poses and smiles sweetly at the two "big sisters" who quickly snap a few photos on their phones.
One of them reaches over the aisle and hands Cornelia a thin bracelet of green crystals. "Baby, this is for you. Green like your eyes. Show it to your mummy when she is awake."
"Thank you, Big Sister," exclaims Cornelia before she carefully places the bracelet in Livia's pocket.
Usually, Livia is very protective of her children. The media is obsessed with trying to get their photographs. As someone who has lived in the limelight for years, this is something she wishes to keep her children safe from.
Just because she is a public figure does not mean her children do not deserve privacy.
However, the two teens clearly mean no harm. Despite being much older than Cornelia, they are having fun talking to the young girl. Cornelia is also delighted by the presence of two new big sisters keeping her company.
The heartwarming scene soothes some of Livia's heartbreak. Raylen and Henry may be utter bastards, but there is still kindness in this world. Two rich teens, who do not even know who she is, are keeping her child entertained in hushed voices so she can rest without disturbance.
At the same time, it also saddens her. Two young strangers are treating her with more consideration than her own husband does. One day, she will be free of him—legally, socially, emotionally—but he will still remain the father of Cornelius and Cornelia. Should she have chosen a better man to be the father of her children?
She will see him again and decide for herself.