Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

The setting sun cast the world in gold and crimson.

Stained glass windows shimmered in the dying light, scattering vibrant colors across the empty, echoing room. The place was deserted-no trace of anyone remained.

Both the man and the woman were gone.

Just then, one of the stained glass panels creaked open. A slender figure, dressed in deep red, slipped in through the window and landed lightly inside. She made her way to a shadowed corner, finally stopping before a single rose. The rainbow light painted her crimson trousers with shifting hues.

She stooped down.

She picked up the only object left behind in the room.

A black rose.

Turning the flower thoughtfully in her hand, she breathed in the lingering, heady fragrance, covering her nose with her fingers for a moment. Then, with a faint, amused laugh, she murmured, "So that's... Cossio, huh?"

What an interesting person.

...

The party outside was as lively as ever.

But inside the surveillance room, tension hung heavy in the air. More than a dozen people sat in silence, eyes fixed on the shifting security feeds, searching for anything out of place. Forrest and Conrad were among them, clicking through camera angles, the only sound their rapid keystrokes.

Suddenly, the oppressive quiet shattered as Mila burst through the door. Without hesitation, she seized Conrad by the collar, her face dark with anger. Her voice was low and sharp. "What exactly were you thinking?"

She was furious, barely keeping it in check.

How many times had she warned them? Told them not to come, begged them to stay away? If the insisted on me ng, the least they could do was keep her safe. But now, right under their noses, she had vanished.

If anyone tried to tell her this wasn't deliberate, she wouldn't believe it for a second.

"You were right beside her. How could you not notice-" Mila's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she stared at the man before her, his face hidden as he looked down. She ground out each word, voice trembling with rage, "She's your wife. You know exactly what'll happen if she's taken. Have you lost your mind?"

this some madness you and

at a time like this... There was only one person who could pull it

Cossio was here.

lunatic!" Mila nearly

"...I know."

his voice rough. He slowly raised his head, revealing a handsome face drained of emotion, though his eyes were rimmed red. Still,

"She'll be alright."

Mila pressed

could she

and thought nothing of a human life, brutal and unpredictable. Mila had seen it herself in the old manor, witnessed firsthand just how much more

be the only thing that kept him

they'd let him

the moment she learned Felicity

Who else would dare?

would challenge

his hand, Forrest gently

simple hand could do any

Conrad said nothing.

a moment, he sighed, "Would a little respect for your elders kill you?" He was,

but you're not my family," Forrest replied

course, didn't bother

of

bastard at home was the root of it all. He said flatly, "Either

Mila's eyes immediately filled

about to explode, Conrad quickly added, "It was his

need to

All three understood perfectly.

Mila's heart clenched.

in her throat, unable to

Lysander, that bastard!