The Villainess Files for Divorce (& Accidentally Marries Final Boss)

Chapter 5: Reclaiming Herself



[Location: Central District – Luxury Boutique]

The glass storefront reflected Lilly Li's silhouette as she stepped into the boutique, her heels soft against the marble floor. The store smelled of leather and faint perfume, the kind of place where everything had no price tags because the clientele didn't need to ask.

Lilly's gaze flickered to the hovering meter in the corner of her vision.

[Rocky Chan: -51 (Hatred)]

Interesting.

He was still lingering.

She hadn't seen him since returning the last of her things to his apartment three days ago. There had been no calls, no sudden visits. The envelope was delivered. The divorce was in motion.

And yet, the meter dropped.

Why?

The sales associate, a woman in her early thirties with bright red lipstick and sharp eyes, approached with a professional smile. "Mrs. Chan, welcome back."

[-2]

Lilly's lips curved faintly. Not for much longer.

"It's just Miss Li now," Lilly corrected smoothly, sliding her sunglasses onto the top of her head. "I'm shopping for myself today."

The associate blinked once but recovered quickly, her smile never faltering. "Of course, Miss Li. Is there something in particular you're looking for?"

Lilly's eyes traced the rows of handbags, jewelry, and dresses displayed like art pieces beneath soft lighting.

She almost said no.

But wasn't that the point?

She was here because she wanted to buy something that wasn't dictated by Rocky's taste—something for herself.

Her fingers brushed the edge of a deep emerald dress hanging by the far wall.

Lilly remembered the way Rocky's eyes always drifted toward neutral tones—simple, clean-cut designs that mirrored his own sleek style. The dresses he liked on her were always beige, white, or black.

Forgettable.

The lilac caught the light as she held it against herself, the silk draping like water over her skin.

[Rocky Chan: -49]

Lilly's brow arched.

"Wrap this one," she said softly.

The associate brightened. "Excellent choice."

The fitting room lights were softer, casting long shadows against the plush velvet chairs and full-length mirrors.

Lilly stepped out, smoothing the dress over her hips as she turned toward her reflection.

Bold. Elegant. Hers.

Her gaze lingered on the woman in the mirror.

It had been a long time since she saw her.

The system flickered faintly as the meter updated.

[Rocky Chan: -45 (Hatred)]

Lilly tilted her head.

"Is he having second thoughts?" she murmured under her breath.

There was no answer, only the quiet hum of the system as it hovered faintly at the edge of her vision.

Another knock at the fitting room door pulled her back.

"Miss Li?"

Lilly opened the door, and the associate offered her a slim black box.

"This was delivered for you earlier."

Lilly's eyes narrowed faintly as she took the box, the weight of it cool in her hands.

There was no card.

As she opened the lid, the soft gleam of diamond earrings stared back at her—small, intricate pieces shaped like coiling dragons.

Victor Zhou's style.

Her fingers brushed lightly over the edge of the earrings, and the system flickered.

[Victor Zhou: +40 (Neutral)]

Lilly's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Was Mr. Zhou here?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

The associate shook her head. "No, but he had them delivered to match the dress."

Of course he did.

Victor never made obvious moves. Everything he did was subtle—woven into the background of events as if he had been there all along.

And yet, he wasn't supposed to enter the picture until much later.

Lilly held the earrings up to the light, watching as they caught the glow.

"Perfect," she said softly, slipping them back into the box.

[Location: Rooftop Bar – Hantian Hotel]

The evening breeze carried the distant hum of the city as Lilly sipped her drink, the coolness of the glass grounding her as she leaned against the balcony.

She hadn't been sitting long when a familiar figure settled into the seat beside her.

Victor Zhou didn't speak immediately.

He didn't need to.

His presence alone felt deliberate.

"Buying gifts now?" Lilly asked without looking at him, swirling the ice in her glass.

Victor smirked faintly. "They suit you."

Her gaze drifted to the small pulse of blue floating above his head.

[Victor Zhou: +43 (Neutral)]

"They were a little much," Lilly replied, though she didn't return them.

Victor's dark eyes lingered on her for a long moment. "I don't believe in half-measures."

Lilly finally turned toward him, her brow arching faintly. "Is this part of some business strategy?"

Victor's smirk deepened, but he didn't answer immediately.

"I hear you've been busy," he said instead, his tone light but probing.

Lilly's fingers tapped lightly against the stem of her glass.

"Divorces tend to keep people occupied."

Victor chuckled softly, leaning forward just slightly, the edge of his sleeve riding up enough for the faint flicker of a dragon tattoo to peek beneath the fabric.

Lilly's eyes flickered toward it briefly but didn't linger.

Not yet.

The meter shifted faintly.

[Victor Zhou: +47]

"Rocky doesn't seem like the type to let go easily," Victor remarked, studying her closely.

Lilly's gaze narrowed slightly.

Neither do you.

She smiled faintly, lifting the glass to her lips. "I'm not concerned with Rocky."

Victor's eyes glinted faintly beneath the low light.

"Good," he replied. "You shouldn't be."

The red that had lingered in the corner of her vision for weeks flickered once—

And dropped just slightly more.

[Rocky Chan: -41 (Hatred)]


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