Chapter 3 Cruise Party

Inside the villa, Kaelyn was practically at her wit's end, kneeling in front of Colton and pleading in desperation, "Mr. Stevens, weren't you planning to surprise Miss Johnson on the cruise tonight? Let me make it right and fix my mistake!"

She had served Melany for years, knowing her every like and dislike down to the smallest detail.

Colton's frown deepened. Melany had shown up without warning, and the party venue wasn't even close to ready.

"I'm giving you one final chance," he muttered, glancing at his watch. Only three hours remained before the cruise party was set to begin. "If you blow this, you're done. Not only will you be out of the Stevens family, but the next thing you'll see will be a court summons!"

It was a double-edged sword - both a lifeline and a threat. Kaelyn swore to herself she wouldn't fail as she hurried away.

Colton turned back, his gaze falling on the dining table loaded with food. Frustration flared inside him, especially as his mind flashed back to the memory of Allison slapping Kaelyn earlier.

Allison had stayed composed, but something about her felt colder, harsher than before - far from the docile, compliant woman he once knew.

But the thought slipped away quickly. To him, Allison would always be that dull, submissive housewife. Without him, she'd be nothing.

Outside the villa, a sleek Lamborghini pulled up, and a woman stepped out.

"Allison, darling!" Rebecca rushed over and wrapped Allison in a warm embrace. "You know, you could live at my place forever if you wanted to!"

Rebecca, the only daughter of the Eternity Group's owners, practically owned half the city's skyline. A roof over Allison's head was hardly an issue.

"So, what on earth happened tonight?" Rebecca asked, pressing close, her cheek resting against Allison's neck. "You still smell like cooking oil. Don't tell me you were cooking for that moron again?"

Allison felt the familiar tightness in her throat, emotions rising as Rebecca's hug warmed her.

"Let's talk in the car," she said.

Once inside the Lamborghini, Allison began to recount what had happened this whole day. Her voice remained steady, but Rebecca's temper flared like a spark igniting dry wood.

"Can you believe this? Colton got dumped by Melany on their wedding day, and now he's trying to crawl back to her by divorcing you? They're made for each other - two peas in a rotten pod!" Rebecca raged.

"And his parents!" Rebecca added, her anger rising like a storm. "You've been looking after them for three years, bending over backward for that family, and this is the thanks you get?"

Rebecca continued her tirade, her words like bullets.

"Listen, he's lost his memory of that incident in his childhood, sure, but that doesn't excuse what he's done. You've more than paid your dues over the last three years. There's no point pretending to be the woman he wants anymore. You've wiped that slate clean."

Allison slouched in the passenger seat, her gaze distant as the world blurred past her window.

"It's done. We're even now."

For three years, she'd molded herself into Colton's image of the perfect woman. She'd ditched her heels, pulled her hair back, and settled for modest, boring outfits - ones she didn't even like - all to mirror Melany.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't compete with the woman he truly loved.

"Allison, the truth is, the Stevens family doesn't deserve someone like you."

Rebecca's voice softened, thick with the weight of emotions as she sensed Allison's exhaustion.

"Divorce is a process, but until it's settled, you'll stay with me. You're like a sister to me, anyway."

Allison managed a small smile. "Okay."

Growing up in an orphanage, Allison had never had any family members.

But Rebecca had always treated her better than anyone ever had.

Their conversation trailed off as they arrived at an exclusive makeup studio. Rebecca rolled down the window and waved enthusiastically at Mary Brown, a famous makeup artist. "Hey, Mary! Got a little project for you!"

Allison rubbed her temples, groaning softly, "Honestly, I'm wiped. I don't think I can handle makeup tonight."

"Oh, come on! You're not planning to keep that whole tired, 'still-waiting-for-him' look, are you?"

"Yeah... Definitely not."

"Exactly!" Rebecca's face lit up. "Relax and let the pros do their magic. These are top-tier, international artists. Tonight, they're bringing out the version of you the world's been missing!"

Thirty minutes later, the transformation was undeniable. Nearly everyone who saw her in the mirror was momentarily stunned.

Allison's naturally striking features had always been overshadowed by exhaustion. But now, with just a touch of makeup, she was breathtaking.

Her long, feline eyes, accentuated by just the right amount of shadow, were captivating without going overboard. A delicate beauty mark drawn near the corner of her eye added a hint of daring that felt almost rebellious.

Even Rebecca couldn't contain her excitement. "This... this is the Allison I remember!"

She gestured to a rack of dresses being brought in.

"Sweetheart, pick any gown that calls to you. I pulled out all the stops for tonight. We're celebrating your freedom on a luxury cruise ship, complete with eight gigolos with perfect figures. I swear, it's going to be a night you won't forget!"

Allison waved it off. "I'm not in the mood for men right now."

Rebecca shot her a knowing look, a bit of frustration creeping in.

"Not in the mood? It's been three years! Are you telling me you haven't had any... needs in all that time?"

"Well..." She'd definitely had them.

In three years of marriage, Colton claimed he was "saving" himself for Melany, refusing to touch any other woman. So here she was, still a virgin!

She wasn't a saint. She had her desires.

But she wasn't about to force anything.

Rebecca watched her closely, sensing she could still be holding onto the past. Time to pull out the big guns! "You know there are going to be international perfumers at this party, right? Including the brains behind Charisma Company! Don't tell me you're not curious to finally meet him."

Charisma was the country's most prestigious perfume brand.

Allison had crossed paths with the CEO at an international perfumery competition. His creations had been nothing short of art. For the first time in forever, they evoked a feeling of déjà vu, something about them reminding her of her mother's style.

But like her, the CEO was an enigma. He'd never showed up in public, even as Charisma shot to global fame. No one knew what he looked like, not even now.

"Alright, let's check it out." Allison finally relented, her curiosity piqued.

After all, she'd once hacked into Charisma's database, coming up empty-handed. And something in her gut still whispered that this mysterious perfumer could be linked to her mother, somehow.