Chapter 3
Over the next few days, Nikolai paraded Anneliese around Manhattan like she was his prized trophy.
She refused to wear designer gowns or jewelry, always appearing in simple solid–colored dresses with her long black hair straight or in a high ponytail, completely makeup–free–like a breath of fresh air in their corrupt elite world.
Nikolai went on social media constantly gushing about how “authentic” and “different” she was.
Soon, socialites and heiresses started copying her minimalist style, and designers began creating entire collections inspired by her aesthetic.
[o treat Anneliese’s vision problems, Nikolai spent tens of millions flying in specialists from around the world to form a consultation team.
Congenital vision loss was irreversible, but they could prevent it from getting worse.
Nikolai flew into such a rage that he nearly damaged his own eyes just to be disabled alongside her.
Meanwhile, Veloura lay alone in her hospital bed, feeling utterly desolate as she doom–scrolled through endless news updates about Nikolai and Anneliese’s romance. Her heart was slowly dying.
It turned out Nikolai’s love for her could be replicated–he could copy–paste that same crazy devotion onto any woman who caught his eye.
Veloura went to visit her unconscious brother.
Three years ago, Austin had been in a car accident on his way to school.
Nikolai had moved heaven and earth to save him, assembling the world’s top medical team to snatch him back from death’s door.
But Austin never woke up, surviving only on machines and medication.
Now, Veloura held her brother’s hand, her eyes red with tears.
‘Hey, Austin. I’m getting out of here. Don’t worry–I’m taking you with me.”
“I used to think Nik was my whole world, you know? God, I was such an idiot.”
She found an outlet for her pain, pouring out all her grievances and sorrow to his unconscious form.
After lunch hour, she finally wiped her tears and got down to business.
First, Veloura went to the registry office to cancel both her and Austin’s residency documents, using expedited processing that would be ready in seven business days.
Then she went to the Hamptons estate Nikolai had given her, carefully packing up all the gifts she’d once treasured. She contacted auction houses to consign them, then found a small law firm to transfer the property back to Nikolai.
Finally, she returned to the penthouse and gathered all the handmade gifts she’d created for Nikolai over the years–photo albums, pottery, a scarf she’d krutted–stupid little things he used to adore.
Now she threw them into the fire one by one.
In the blazing flames, she saw flashes of their sweet past–they had truly loved each other deeply.
But that happiness had been as fragile as soap bubbles.
As the flames died out, their past disappeared with them.
Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face.
She wiped them away and turned around, only to find herself face to face with Nikolai’s probing stare and Anneliese’s cold expression.
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Go Play Your Duet with Your Mistress: Mr Life
Chapter 3
“What’s the bonfire for?” Nikolai looked at her with casual indifference.
Veloura froze for a moment, then replied flatly, “Just getting rid of some junk.”
Nikolai nodded casually and ordered, “Tind that jade bracelet I gave you before and give it to Année.”
Even though she’d been expecting this, Veloura’s heart still clenched painfully. That bracelet was the Virellic family heirloom, tradizionally town only to the legal wife of Virellic’s heir.
Now Nikolai wanted to give it to his side piece.
Veloura’s fingers curled slightly, but she kept her voice steady.
“Sure thing. I’ll grab it now.”
They were divorced–the bracelet no longer belonged to her anyway.
Anneliese followed Veloura upstairs to retrieve the bracelet. Looking at the walk in closet filled with designer clothes and jewelry, a flash of jealousy and hatred crossed her eyes before she smoothed her expression.
Veloura took out the pear wood box and handed it to Anneliese, not noticing the vicious glint in her eyes.
“You know you look pathetic, right?” Anneliese said sweetly, “You’re divorced. Why haven’t you left yet?”
“None of your damn business. I’m leaving.” Veloura glanced at her coolly.
“Don’t act like you’re being generous or something. I didn’t get this because you’re letting me have it–I earned every bit of it myself.
Anneliese’s mask was slipping now, her voice turning nasty.
“And I absolutely won’t let anyone stand in my way.”
She ripped the bracelet from the box and smashed it violently on the marble floor, then shoved Veloura down the stairs.
Hard.
“Ah!” Veloura cried out, tumbling down the staircase completely unprepared, her head cracking against the banister. Blood immediately began flowing.
Anneliese then calmly sat on the floor and ruthlessly used the jade fragments to cut her own leg.
“Nik! Help! Something happened to Veloura!”
The loud crash alerted Nikolai. He glanced at the bloodied Veloura at the bottom of the stairs, then without hesitation ran upstairs to scoop up Anneliese.
Seeing the blood on Anneliese’s leg, his expression turned deadly cold. “She hurts you?”
Anneliese nodded toward the shattered bracelet, tears in her eyes.
“I told her I didn’t deserve something so precious. She said she’d rather destroy it than let me have it, then threw herself down the stairs to frame me.”
Nikolai barely glanced at Veloura and called for staff to tend to Anneliese’s wound. “Let’s get you cleaned up first. I’ll deal with this.”
Moments later, Nikolai had his bodyguards drag Veloura to the living room.
“What’s gotten into you lately?” Nikolai looked down at her like some disobedient pet.
“I specifically told you to stay away from her.”
Veloura struggled to prop herself up, meeting his gaze through the blood. “She pushed me down the stairs, you asshole!” she said through gritted teeth.
Nikolai laughed–actually laughed. “You’ve been acting crazy jealous for weeks. Since you won’t admit to what you did, we’ll handle this the
17:13
Go Play Your Duet with Your Mistress My
Chapter 3
old–fashioned way.”
“Check the fucking security cameras!” Veloura struggled in panic.
“No need. Annie wouldn’t lie to me. You, on the other hand, have been way too jealous lately.” Nikolai waved his hand, and the butler brought out a
cane.
Veloura’s body trembled uncontrollably. His obsession with this girl had officially crossed into psycho territory.
Crack!
Without giving her another chance to explain, the cane struck her back viciously. Her flesh split open, blood soaking through her clothes as she bit her lip to keep from screaming.
Under Nikolai’s cold gaze, Veloura gave up begging for mercy, closing her eyes in despair as she endured wave after wave of excruciating pain.
She remembered how years ago, when Grandfather Virellic opposed their marriage, he’d had Nikolai beaten in the family shrine for three days and nights–three hundred lashes total–until he was barely alive. But Nikolai never gave up.
Even while unconscious, he’d cried out that he would marry no one but Veloura, that he’d love only her for his entire life.
He’d said she was more important than his own life, that he’d never let her suffer even the slightest grievance, that he wanted the whole world to know Veloura was his wife.
But now, for another woman, he was punishing her for crimes she didn’t commit.
So much for “just playing around,” right, Nik?
