The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 403

It was only once.

But he remembered every single detail—her trembling eyelashes, her muffled whimpers, the faint, intoxicating scent of her skin.

That night, he truly possessed her for the first time.

The next morning, when she woke up, she was completely paralyzed with shock. Crying, she said she had betrayed Caleb, that this was the biggest mistake of her life.

He told her it was fine, that he would take responsibility.

She didn't answer.

Later, Caleb returned. The man fell to his knees in front of her, admitting his mistakes and swearing it would never happen again. Her heart softened, and she forgave him.

They reconciled.

He watched them make up, watched her smile again, and the jealousy inside him bit into him like a venomous snake.

Once wasn't enough.

Nowhere near enough.

He had tasted her once; how could he ever be willing to let go?

He began to scheme.

Not long after, Caleb met with an accident during a mission.

The incident was cleaned up perfectly; no one suspected a thing.

She became a widow.

The day the news broke, he went to console her himself. She cried as if her heart was being ripped apart. He held her, but inside, he felt a twisted thrill of satisfaction.

Finally.

Finally, it was just the two of them.

At the time, he was about to marry Catherine. To secure his position as the head of the family, he had to marry that woman. But he figured it didn't matter—he could make Vivian his mistress. Just like his father had done, he would keep her tucked away, provide her with the best life, and make sure she belonged to him forever.

He went to see her and told her his plan.

She refused.

For the first time, fear and disgust appeared in those clear eyes.

She looked at him like he was a monster.

He didn't understand.

He treated her so well, better than Caleb ever did. He could give her everything; why wouldn't she agree?

He refused to accept her rejection.

He had his men take her to a secluded private estate and locked her up, forbidding her from leaving.

During that time, he visited her frequently.

She grew thinner and thinner, the light in her eyes dimming more and more. She stopped speaking, stopped looking at him, and just sat by the window, motionless.

He talked to her, telling her that if she just agreed, he could give her the world.

She only shook her head.

He was unwilling to accept defeat.

He wanted to possess her again.

But she wrapped herself up tightly, refusing to let him get close.

Three months later, she died.

The doctor said it was severe depression, prolonged emotional despair leading to physical failure.

He stood at her funeral, staring at her picture, without shedding a single tear.

But he took that photo and hid it away in the deepest corner of his drawer.

Thirty years had passed.