"You told me yesterday that even I wouldn't take this case, didn't you?" Amari asked, walking across the café and taking a seat on the sofa opposite Lea. The latter nodded slowly in response.
"Hmmm," Amari added, settling in, "let me hear the details anyway."
Lea exhaled softly, clearly reluctant but willing to talk now that Amari had asked.
"Well… it's like this—"
After Lea finished explaining the situation surrounding the case, Amari's fingers, resting calmly on her left thigh, began to twitch slightly. Her eyes narrowed, her expression shifting into one of focused curiosity.
"This is... a little interesting," she murmured. "Who are the two opposing parties?"
Lea hesitated, then gave a weak laugh. "You're a woman... I mean, I don't think it's worth the trouble for you to dig into this. It won't benefit you."
Amari gave her a sharp look, her face unreadable, but her gaze asked for an explanation. It was clear she didn't appreciate being talked down to, even by a friend.
With a resigned sigh, Lea gave in. "Alright. The two parties are both leaders in the business world. Their reputations alone could shake entire markets. One of them — Mr. Haskel — is the one requesting your help."
She paused, took a deep breath, and continued.
"His opponent is… your husband."
Amari froze for a moment. Her chest rose subtly, the only indication that she had momentarily forgotten to breathe.
Lea felt a pang of guilt for dropping the bomb so casually, and debated whether to continue. But it was too late to take it back.
"This isn't about money," she said softly. "This case could bring in a huge profit, for sure. But that's not the point. This is a ticket to power — and power that you can't even touch. You can only look at it from a distance."
She paused again before continuing in a heavier tone, "If Sebastian loses this case, his company will suffer enormous financial damage."
Amari didn't respond. Her gaze dropped to her phone as she began scrolling mindlessly. Silence fell between them.
Lea frowned. Seeing her friend like this—quiet, distant, unreadable—made her chest ache. She hated that Amari might be hurting again.
"Oh my God," Lea said finally, reaching for Amari's hand. "You shouldn't feel down about this. You're famous, brilliant—and if you take this case, victory is practically guaranteed. No one can beat you in court. But more importantly... are you really divorced?"
Amari looked up, her expression softer now. "When he's not around," she said, "my life finally feels like it's mine."
Lea let out a relieved breath. Finally, the Amari she had long missed was returning. The real one — not the shell of a homemaker she had become.
"Finally!" Lea said. "You've snapped out of it. You gave that man everything, Amari — your time, your love, your career — and what did he do? He broke you. If you're ready to leave him fully, then you can finally leave the island of pain. I'm so proud of you."
As the two continued their conversation, the café door swung open.
Lea's gaze flicked toward the entrance, then widened in disbelief. She immediately turned to Amari, who had gone perfectly still.
A man entered, dressed in an elegant black suit. His silver cufflinks gleamed in the light. He looked sharp, confident, and unfortunately familiar.
Sebastian Clavel.
Beside him was a stunning woman in a white designer dress. Her long black hair flowed effortlessly, and she carried herself like a queen. It was Louissa — Amari's cousin.
Amari's heart clenched.
The timing felt cruel, almost as if fate itself had arranged this encounter.
Just last night, Sebastian had stood in front of her with their divorce papers. He coldly pushed them into her hands and demanded her signature. Now here he was, smiling and shopping with Louissa, his arm linked with hers like they'd always belonged together.
Amari didn't need to be told; she knew by the designer brand of Louissa's clothes that they were newly bought, expensive. It was clear what this outing was.
She clenched her fists under the table, her expression hardening.
Lea saw it and asked, "Why are they here?"
Just then, Louissa's cheerful voice rang out. "Oh my!"
Sebastian followed her gaze and saw Amari and Lea seated nearby.
His smile faded instantly.
Just last night, Amari had signed the divorce papers without complaint. She'd even rejected the villa he had offered her as some final compensation. He had assumed she would leave quietly, disappear from his life without another word.
And yet... here she was.
Was she toying with him?
Their eyes met.
Amari didn't flinch. But after a few seconds, she looked away deliberately. She stood up and gently tugged on Lea's hand.
"Let's go," she whispered.
As they began to leave, Louissa turned to Sebastian with an excited look on her face. She leaned in, her voice soft and ladylike. "Amari is here."
And with that, she practically skipped toward Amari and Lea, her smile bright and wide, as if greeting an old friend she missed dearly. She looked like an innocent little lamb—eager, affectionate, harmless.
But to Amari, every step Louissa took felt like a dagger sinking deeper into her chest.
Three years ago, Louissa was lying unconscious in a hospital bed. Now here she was, healthy and vibrant, walking as though nothing had happened.
"What miracle drug did she take?" Amari wondered darkly.
She smiled, masking the tension bubbling under the surface. "Well, look at you! Out and about already? How are you, little cousin?" she asked loudly.
Heads began to turn in the café.
Louissa flushed slightly from the attention but quickly recovered, turning to Sebastian with a sweet smile.
"The doctor said that for three years, Sebastian took care of me," she said softly. "Thanks to his love and devotion, I recovered."
Amari laughed bitterly. "Wow. I didn't know my ex-husband had the power to perform miracles!" she said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
A wave of silence fell across the café.
Then, the murmurs began.
"Ex-husband? Wait — the woman in the white dress is the new girl? They're cousins?!"
"That's so messy…"
"I could never show my face like that if I were her. How shameless."
Sebastian heard every word. His jaw tightened as he turned back to Amari, his voice low and angry.
"You know things between us were broken long before the divorce," he snapped. "And now you're putting on a show just to make yourself the victim?"
Amari's eyes were like frost.
If you have the nerve to show your face here with her, don't blame me for how I respond, she thought.
She held her tongue, letting the public speak for her. Then, with a cool smile, she replied,
"You're welcome. Is that how Mr. Clavel now treats his ex-wife?"