Chapter 8

Stella's POV

"Mr. Hunt is so heartless. His wife got burned so badly and he doesn't care, just runs off with his mistress."

"Who doesn't know Mrs. Hunt is just for show? Sophia Warren is his true love."

Listening to these comments, the corners of my mouth curved into a smile of relief.

I didn't cry, nor did I ask for help. I straightened my back and, step by step in my high heels, walked out of the banquet hall with grace and determination.

In the restroom, I rinsed my wounds with cold water. Looking at the woman in the mirror with a pale face but determined eyes, I knew this seven-year torment was finally coming to an end.

One month after the divorce.

At nine in the morning, I arrived at the Hunt family mansion.

Due to busy affairs and the fact that divorce proceedings did take some time, I hadn't returned recently to get the divorce certificate. Today I happened to be free, so I came to the Hunt mansion to pick up the divorce papers.

I wore a simple white shirt and jeans, my arm still wrapped in gauze. I arrived early and waited in the living room, my expression as calm as if I were waiting for a cup of coffee.

At nine-thirty, Ethan Hunt finally showed up.

He wore a custom-made suit, his brow furrowed, with faint dark circles under his eyes. I heard that Sophia Warren had been emotionally unstable at the hospital all last night, and he'd barely slept.

Seeing the gauze on my arm, his eyes flickered and his tone was somewhat stiff. "Your hand... is it better?"

"I won't die." My tone was indifferent as I reached out directly to ask for the divorce certificate. "Please hurry. I'm in a rush."

"Stella, have you really thought this through?" Ethan gritted his teeth, lowering his voice. "After you get the divorce certificate, you won't be Mrs. Hunt anymore. You left with nothing. You won't get a single penny! What will you live on?"

"None of your concern." I didn't even glance at him. "Just give it to me."

Anger showed on Ethan's face as he said with implicit sarcasm, "Stella, don't regret this!"

I took the divorce certificate without even looking at it and stuffed it directly into my bag.

"Ethan Hunt, goodbye forever."

I turned and left the Hunt mansion. Sunlight fell on me, as if coating me in a layer of new life's radiance.

I hoped Ethan Hunt would realize something. The Stella who only had eyes for him, who always waited for him at home, who would cook for him. She had truly disappeared completely.

Outside the Hunt mansion gates, a black Maybach slowly stopped in front of me.

The car door opened. A man in a silver-gray suit with a cool and distinguished air stepped out. He was New York's top attorney and also my former college classmate, Adrian Cross.

"Congratulations on your rebirth, Stella." Adrian's lips curved in a gentle smile as he opened the car door for me.

"Thank you." I responded with a brilliant smile, one I'd never shown during my seven years with Ethan Hunt.

Ethan Hunt chased out the door. He happened to see me getting into Adrian's car.

"Stella!" I heard him calling me, but I just closed the car door, leaving him with a merciless view of my back.

We sat in New York's most exclusive revolving restaurant.

I raised my wine glass and clinked it lightly with Adrian's across from me.

"Celebrating designer Stella's happy divorce and rebirth." Adrian's eyes were gentle, reflecting the lights outside the window.

"Thank you." I drained it in one gulp, my red lips parting slightly, my smile radiant and flamboyant.

Without the shackles of being Mrs. Hunt, even the air I breathed felt sweet.

As for Ethan Hunt's life or death, it had nothing to do with me anymore.