CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 263 ARCHER GIVES ALEXA DIVORCE PAPERS

But her breath caught when she saw Archer standing there. He wasn’t wearing his usual smile. His face stayed stiff and cold, impossible to read.

"WHAT?!" she screamed at him, her voice shrill and shaking.

Archer didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look at her at first, just walked past her into the room, a folder clutched in his hand.

When he finally turned, his gaze was distant, heavy with disappointment. "I used to like you," Archer said quietly, though his words struck like a blow. His lips curved into a bitter smile, one that never reached his eyes. "I thought I could change you, maybe even save you from yourself." He shook his head slowly. "But right now I don’t even recognize you."

Before Alexa could speak, he opened the folder and pulled out freshly printed warm papers, placing them on the bed.

Divorce papers.

Her entire world seemed to tilt. Her stomach dropped, her knees went weak. "N-no... wait..." she stammered, her panic flaring. Her parents had already disowned her. The internet was crucifying her name, stripping her reputation piece by piece. If Archer left her too, she would have nothing—no safety, no money, no shield.

"I’ll... I’ll think about it," she forced out, her voice trembling, desperately clinging to some sense of control.

Archer didn’t answer. He simply placed the pen on top of the papers, gave her one last look—a look that said everything was already over, then turned and walked out, closing the door with finality.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Alexa’s chest rose and fell in ragged gasps as her nails dug into her palms. No. I can’t lose him. Not yet.

Her eyes burned with fury, her lips curling into a twisted smile as a single thought consumed her mind.

I won’t let go of Archer until I get Leo. One way or another, I’ll have him. I’ll make sure of it.

A dark light flickered in her eyes. Madness. Determination. Obsession.

********

Meanwhile, Bella was sprawled across the bed, rolling this way and that with her phone in hand. Her cheeks were pink from excitement, her feet kicking lightly against the mattress.

"Really—you’re coming in two days??" she squealed into the phone, her voice bursting with happiness. "We’ll have sooo much fun! And you can finally meet me as Isaac! Hehehe!"

Scarlett’s laughter rang through the line, bold and teasing as always. "Yes!! Hahaha, I can’t wait to meet you as Isaac. Maybe..." her tone dipped playfully, "maybe we should date?"

Bella froze. Her eyes widened, her whole body stiffening as though lightning had struck her. "D-dat... d-d-date??" she stammered, sitting up so fast that her hair tumbled over her face. Her heart thudded against her chest. She had never dated anyone before.

Scarlett chuckled wickedly at her reaction. "Yeah, of course! You’re the perfect guy, Isaac. I would definitely like to date you." She paused for effect, then added slyly. She had seen Bella’s selfie in disguise—God, Bella looked so handsome she couldn’t believe it was really her.

Bella’s jaw dropped, and she pressed her phone tighter to her ear, her face flaming red. "...Umm... o-okay," she whispered, sounding like a nervous bunny caught in headlights.

Scarlett burst into even louder laughter on the other end. "Oh my God, Bella! You’re too much! I cannot wait to see your face when I call you Isaac in public. This is going to be golden."

Bella groaned, hiding her face in her pillow as her heart hammered. Scarlett’s teasing words echoed in her ears, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop smiling.

"By the way, you still haven’t told me about your boss, Zion?" Bella asked, curiosity lighting up her voice.

Scarlett let out a dramatic sigh. "Oh yes, Zion..." she drawled, then laughed. "He’s my new boss now, and he actually wants me to work on his project personally. Do you know everyone is scared stiff of him? They whisper that he has underworld ties, that he’s connected to the mafia..."

Then Scarlett immediately broke into laughter, the sound warm and infectious. "But I’m not scared of him. You know why?"

"Why?" Bella asked, blinking at her phone screen as if Scarlett could see her.

"Because I have my Bella," Scarlett said simply, with such ease that Bella’s entire face flamed red.

Her heart squeezed at those two words. My Bella. It sounded so casual yet so sincere. She hugged her pillow tightly, biting her lip to hide the smile spreading across her face.

"...I will protect you," Bella whispered, her voice unexpectedly low and serious, as if she meant every word.

"I know you will," Scarlett replied softly, and for a moment, her teasing tone melted into something genuine. Then she perked up again, playfulness returning. "Now! Tell me everything. I heard there was drama at that birthday party. Don’t you dare leave out a single detail!"

Bella buried her face deeper in her pillow, half embarrassed, half thrilled. Talking to Scarlett always felt like sunshine and mischief rolled into one.

After Bella finished recounting everything that had happened at the birthday party—the humiliation, the stolen jade, the way Leo had almost lost his temper, and finally how she gave out punishments—Scarlett was practically squealing on the other end of the line.

"Oh my God! I can’t believe this! Perfect, just perfect!" Scarlett’s voice buzzed with excitement. "But, Bella... honestly, you should have punished them way more harshly. I have ancient lists of how to torture people!"

Bella blinked. "Ancient?" she echoed, sitting up straight.

"Yes, yes!" Scarlett said dramatically. "Do you want me to tell you?"

Bella hesitated, curiosity winning over her common sense. "...Tell me."

Scarlett’s voice dropped low and ominous, clearly trying not to burst into laughter. "First, we get a giant pot. Then we fill it with water and let it boil and bubble. After that, we hang those three women upside down above it... and let the steam slowly creep up their faces, scaring them until they—"

"Scar!!!" Bella gasped, clutching her pillow tight. "What creepy things are you even reading?"

On the other side, Scarlett was pouting, but Bella could hear the muffled laugh she was trying to hold back. "You’re scolding me? Really? But come on, they deserved more punishment! You’re too soft, Bella."

Bella shook her head, cheeks puffed in indignation. "I’m not soft! I just... don’t like being cruel."

Scarlett giggled, and Bella could picture her grinning ear to ear. "Fine, fine. You’re the cute, merciful one. I’ll just be the scary one for us both. We balance each other out."

Bella’s lips curved despite herself.