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?"

madness

disappear at a time like this... There was only one

Cossio was here.

man's a lunatic!"

"...I know."

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

"She'll be alright."

pressed him. "What are you

she

brutal and unpredictable. Mila had seen it herself in the old manor, witnessed firsthand just how much more dangerous he was than Lysander, how

to be the only thing that

let him

a second who was behind this. From the moment

Who else would dare?

challenge the Montgomery family

tried to pry Mila's fingers from his collar; as he lifted his hand, Forrest gently caught his wrist.

simple hand could

Conrad said nothing.

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

sir, but you're not my family," Forrest

of course, didn't

bunch of unruly

blame for this mess, his mood darkened further. That bastard at home was the

immediately filled with angry

explode, Conrad

need to

All three understood perfectly.

Mila's heart clenched.

felt fury burning in her throat,

Lysander, that bastard!