CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: HONEY, I WILL WAIT FOR YOU FOREVER

This apartment suited Victoria Monroe’s taste well. The decor was elegant, and the entire house was equipped with smart home technology, which aligned with the preferences of today’s young people.

There was also a dedicated music room, where a million-dollar Steinway piano quietly stood in the distance, showcasing the homeowner’s wealth.

Aunt Xu took the vacuum cleaner to the master bedroom; Victoria assumed she had studied the layout in advance and didn’t think much of it.

This time, she mainly moved her clothes and small, valuable items like jewelry.

Aunt Xu swiftly cleaned up and also purchased some essential household goods for her.

Victoria stood on the empty terrace, gazing out at the sunset.

See, once you’ve made up your mind, even moving house takes only half a day.

Besides life, what else is so hard to let go of?

Victoria’s gaze was dyed by the sunset, and she displayed a gentle yet determined smile.

From today, her life would enter another phase.

After the divorce, her luck seemed to improve; that night, Director Lancaster called to invite her to participate in a reality show.

She and Rhys Hawthorne had appeared at a private charity gala the night before. Even just a short two-minute clip at the entrance had dominated the entire entertainment section.

After hanging up the call, invitations from various producers and directors poured in like snowflakes.

Victoria clearly knew that Rhys Hawthorne didn’t wield that kind of influence in Kenton.

There was only one reason: Julian Fordham had lifted the shackles on her.

He wanted to please her in this manner.

But Julian Fordham, divorce isn’t child’s play; you can’t just cry when unhappy, then disperse the gloom when you’re happy.

Suddenly, a notification for a credit alert came on her phone.

5,201,314,000.

Over 5.2 billion.

Postscript: Darling, I will wait for you forever.

The moment Victoria received the money, it felt like a dream.

She always thought he was up to tricks, but he neither stopped her from moving nor lifted the entertainment industry ban on her, and he transferred such a significant amount of property.

She hesitated for just a moment, and the next second, the image of the camera she discovered herself appeared in her mind.

Julian Fordham must still harbor ill intentions!

She put her phone on silent, ignoring anyone further.

Most people reaching out now wanted to take advantage of her comeback momentum; Victoria was no longer the naive rookie without choices when she first entered the industry.

She approached the piano.

This was one of the few instruments she could play.

At seven years old, her mother ran off with a wealthy man; living in a slum, how could she afford to learn art?

Entering the entertainment industry, there was a role as a top pianist, and to get into character, she spent three months practicing day and night.

This skill stayed with her, and Victoria’s slender fingers gently fell on the black and white keys.

She played "A Step Away," a majestic yet melancholic dance tune.

Life is like a tango; even if you make a misstep, just change direction and continue.

With each key press, her wrist would ache.

She had to stop before finishing the piece.

About five seconds of silence passed before a melodious violin sound came from upstairs.

Continuing from where she left off.

Victoria opened the window, and the sound became even clearer.

Three seconds later, unexpectedly, the cello from downstairs joined in.

The violin was elegant and pleasing, while the cello was subtle and luxurious, crafting a perfect symphony in this cold winter.

At the climax, the cold wind swirled with snowflakes, performing one last ethereal and beautiful dance between heaven and earth.

Once the piece ended, no sound emitted from upstairs or downstairs again.

Victoria leaned against the window, wondering what kind of person her neighbor might be?

Perhaps a twelve or thirteen-year-old child, a well-known professor at a university, or a beautiful teacher.

The piece cast a touch of mysterious allure on this dark winter night.

In the unfamiliar room, Victoria had trouble falling asleep; she gently caressed her lower abdomen.

It was two weeks until her scheduled abortion.

Because the embryo was too small, the doctor couldn’t make an accurate assessment.

Conditions in the coming days would have to be observed to confirm any abnormalities.

Perhaps at this very moment, it had already ceased to develop.

When this thought crossed her mind, Victoria’s first reaction wasn’t relief but piercing sadness.

Deep down, she realized she wanted to keep it.

After all, it was the small life she had hoped for many years to have.

Just as a hint of maternal softness rose in her heart, she recalled that night she was tied in the bathtub.

With a father like that, she felt deeply ashamed.

"Baby, if you’re still alive, please stay with Mommy for the final two weeks."

Victoria slowly closed her eyes.