Chapter 4 That Person

The slender figure of the woman gradually disappeared from Lance's line of sight. Addison made her way back to her room on the upper floor, not planning to gather her belongings. She had no intention of taking anything from the Johnstons; what she wanted was a clean break. Tomorrow, she intended to purchase a house and move out first, then see how Lance reacted. She understood that the divorce process would take time, and she was eager to leave this place behind. After mentally organizing her thoughts, Addison settled into bed and drifted off to sleep. In her dreams, she revisited the day she first met that person. It was a sultry summer afternoon, the sun blazing fiercely above. Keith Dean had called her to bring water to the basketball court. The sky was a brilliant blue, devoid of clouds, and a heavy stillness hung in the air. The sun's relentless heat caused beads of sweat to form on her brow, while the trees lining the court appeared sluggish and listless, mirroring her own fatigue. As she approached, the raucous cheers from the court intensified. Boys clad in basketball jerseys played energetically, sweat glistening on their skin. In an instant, she spotted him—his youthful figure stood out against the bright sunlight, clad in a white jersey, perfectly embodying the spirit of youth. In that moment, all the surrounding noise faded, leaving only the sound of Addison's heartbeat echoing in her ears. A sudden breeze swept through, and the boy's face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Lance's, seemed to dissolve into the air, leaving her standing there, bewildered on the court. Abruptly, the noise surged back, the lively chatter rising around her like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf her. Addison felt as if she were suffocating, gasping for air as though she had plunged into frigid water. The chaotic voices crashed over her like turbulent waves, filling her lungs and dragging her under. It felt as if the last breath of air had been cruelly snatched away by the icy depths. Her heart raced, and she jolted awake in bed. Are you blaming me? Blaming me for mistaking him for you? For fooling myself? No, you probably resent me for arriving late, right? If only I had shown up just a moment sooner, you wouldn't have left me. If I could have been just a fraction faster ... Tears flowed down her cheeks as she reached up to wipe them away. Drying one side only caused the other to spill over, and soon, she could no longer contain her sorrow, burying her face in her hands and weeping. Time slipped away from her, and as her sobs gradually subsided, Addison felt a sense of calm return. She couldn't linger any longer. In a rush, she grabbed her phone and dialed a familiar number. "Come pick me up now." As she exited the villa, a sleek black Rolls-Royce awaited her at the curb. A bodyguard stepped out of the car, respectfully opening the door for her. Once inside, she turned to the man seated next to her and announced, "I'm getting a divorce." The man wore a crisp white shirt, his collar casually unbuttoned, exuding an air of sophistication, his legs crossed comfortably atop a pair of dark red-soled designer shoes. "Congratulations! It was about time!" He smirked, clearly amused. "Ever since you joined the Johnstons, I can't even coax you out for a night anymore. I'm all alone now," he teased, his grin unwavering. "Come on. Without me, do you really think you won't be entertained? "You'll probably enjoy yourself even more!" Addison shot back, her words unrestrained. Three years had gone by, yet this guy hadn't changed a bit! Seeing her old friend again lifted Addison's spirits considerably. "Stay at my place tonight. I still have my villa over by Serene Hill, and it's empty. If you don't mind, you can crash there for a while," Keith offered with a friendly smile. "That sounds good. I'll stay for now and look for a new place tomorrow. I can't keep living at your place," Addison replied after a moment of thought. There were too many women around Keith. If she lingered too long, she might unintentionally stir jealousy among his admirers ... Just the thought sent shivers down her spine. Besides, she had more than enough funds to buy her own home. Keith nodded and then handed Addison his phone, his tone bubbling with excitement. "It's time for you to rediscover yourself; we're all eager to see you back." The faces of the board members appeared on the phone screen, greeting her warmly. As Addison recognized each familiar face, a rush of emotions swept over her, and she nodded at them one by one. Once she finalized the divorce, it seemed imperative to reclaim her identity and return to her career. After three years of suppressing her true self and supporting Lance, she felt she had done more than enough.