The Last Night at Home

PART 3: The Woman He Never Really Knew

Two days later, Vincent appeared at my father’s riverside mansion.

I was standing in the garden when his black Rolls-Royce stopped outside the gates.

He stepped out wearing an expensive charcoal suit, looking exhausted.

“Claire, we need to talk.”

I didn’t invite him inside.

“What do you want?”

He held up a document.

“I’ve reviewed the divorce papers. You’re asking for nothing?”

“Correct.”

“Not the penthouse? Not the cars? Not even a settlement?”

I shook my head.

“I have my own life, Vincent.”

He looked genuinely confused.

“You’ve been living off my money for three years.”

I stared at him.

“Have I?”

He frowned.

I walked toward the entrance and asked the house manager to bring me a folder.

Inside were the original documents for the mansion, investment portfolios, and several property deeds.

“My father left me more than you ever knew,” I explained. “This mansion, several commercial buildings, and a substantial investment portfolio were all mine before we met.”

Vincent stared at the documents.

“But you told me your father was a retired businessman.”

“He was. He was also a very successful investor.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I gave him a sad smile.

“Because I wanted someone who loved me, not someone who loved my inheritance.”

For the first time, Vincent had nothing to say.

Then he lowered his voice.

“Claire, I made a mistake. Sophia was just… convenient. She understood my work. It never meant anything.”

I shook my head.

“You keep calling it a mistake. But five nights don’t happen accidentally. Neither do six months of secret transfers.”

He reached for my hand.

“I’ll fire her. I’ll transfer her to another company. I’ll do whatever you want.”

I gently pulled away.

“You still don’t understand.”

His eyes became desperate.

“I love you.”

I looked at him for a long moment.

“Then why did I have to beg you to come home?”

He lowered his head.

I continued.

“Why did you let another woman wear my bracelet? Why did you allow her to message your wife as if she had more rights to you than I did?”

He had no answer.

My phone rang.

It was Nathan.

“Claire, I have an update. Vincent’s legal team has agreed to proceed with the divorce negotiations. Also, the financial records you provided are being reviewed.”

I thanked him and ended the call.

Vincent looked at me.

“So that’s it? You’re choosing a lawyer over your husband?”

“No. I’m choosing myself over a man who stopped choosing me a long time ago.”

He stood motionless.

Then, almost desperately, he asked one final question.

“Is there another man?”

I almost smiled.

“No, Vincent. There doesn’t need to be another man for me to leave you.”

I turned toward the house.

“Please go.”

He remained at the gate for several minutes before finally returning to his car.

That evening, I received a message from Sophia.

Mrs. Moretti, I hope you’re happy. Mr. Moretti hasn’t spoken to me since the family meeting. You’ve ruined everything.

I read it twice before replying.

You didn’t lose a husband, Sophia. You lost a man who was never yours to begin with.

Then I blocked her number.

Three weeks later, the divorce was finalized.

Vincent signed the documents without attending the final meeting.

The same afternoon, I received a delivery from his office.

Inside was my wedding ring, a handwritten letter, and a photograph from our wedding day.

His letter contained only one sentence:

I wish I had understood what I had before I lost it.

I folded the letter and placed it inside a drawer.

I didn’t hate him anymore.

I simply no longer wanted him.