Chapter 60 The Ex-Husband Who Didn't Divorce
Sloane's POV
Arthur was clearly unhappy with Jared's attitude. He snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm and condescension. "Jared, I've watched you grow up. You know Keira's personality better than anyone - she's just spoiled by her family, throwing little tantrums. Making such a scene over an outsider doesn't look good for the Montclair family's reputation either."
Outsider.
That word successfully stung me and stirred up the rebellious streak I'd been suppressing for so long.
I poked my head out from behind Jared, meeting Arthur's meaningful gaze. A cold smile curved my lips. "You're joking, Uncle Arthur. Jared and I aren't divorced yet. Legally, I'm still the lady of the Montclair family. I wasn't aware that in your high society circles, someone like Miss Keira - who knowingly pursues a married man, clings to him relentlessly, and even threatens his wife with a gun - can have all that summed up as just 'throwing a little tantrum'?"
My voice wasn't loud, but every word was crystal clear, cutting straight through his fake respectability.
Arthur's face instantly darkened. The way he looked at me was no longer scrutinizing but filled with undisguised hostility and disgust, as if I hadn't just contradicted him but had burned a Bible right in front of him.
That intense hatred hit me like a wave, making my heart skip a beat for no reason.
Jared clearly sensed the tension too. He calmly pulled me further behind him, trying to smooth things over. "Uncle Arthur, Sloane's just shaken up. Don't hold it against her." He paused, but his tone remained firm. "But this isn't her fault."
His unhesitating favoritism was the last straw for Keira.
"Fine, fine! You're all protecting her!" Keira struggled up from the ground, not caring about her disheveled state. She pointed at us, crying as she ran toward the other side of the street, screaming as she went, "I never want to see any of you again!"
Arthur's face turned ashen. He glared at me viciously, his eyes like poisoned daggers.
He hurriedly gave some instructions to the person beside him, then rushed off after Keira. As he left, his muttered "ungrateful trash" clearly reached my ears.
I watched them disappear, my tense nerves slowly relaxing, my body going weak.
The composure I'd forced myself to maintain instantly crumbled, leaving only endless exhaustion.
Jared turned around, looking at me anxiously, at a loss as he tried to check if I was hurt.
I didn't dodge. I just looked up at him quietly.
Looking at his back as he shielded me, at his profile as he defended me without hesitation, at his eyes now filled with concern.
Almost possessed, I reached out and gently buried my face in his solid chest. Through his thin shirt, I could clearly hear his heartbeat, thrown into chaos by my initiative.
The cedar scent from his body enveloped me - an absurd yet comforting smell.
"Thank you," I said softly, my voice carrying a hoarseness and dependence I hadn't even noticed myself.
Thank you for standing on my side tonight.
Jared's body stiffened, then a pair of strong arms wrapped tightly around me, as if trying to merge me into his bones.
He lowered his head, his burning breath on my ear, his voice unable to suppress his joy and a hint of cautious probing.
"Sloane," he asked hoarsely, "do we... still have to get divorced?"
That one sentence was like a bucket of ice water, jolting me awake.
I snapped back to reality instantly. That bit of warmth and dependence in my body quickly faded, leaving only cold rationality.
I pushed him away, stepped back, and re-established a safe distance.
The light in his eyes dimmed at a visible speed, replaced by disappointment and pain too thick to dissolve.
I lowered my eyes, not daring to look at him anymore.
I couldn't figure out Jared's thoughts. Sometimes cold, sometimes violent, sometimes like tonight - showing protection and tenderness he'd never shown before. He was like a complex puzzle, and I'd long lost the patience to solve it.
Back at the hospital, Lila saw my exhausted expression and dazed state, thinking I was just tired, and urged me to rest in the break room for a while.
I really did need a quiet place to sort out my thoughts.
I'd just sat down on the break room sofa when there was a gentle knock at the door.
Jessie walked in carrying a cup of hot milk and a small plate of cookies, her face showing both gossipy curiosity and the shyness typical of a young girl.
"Sloane," she set the things in front of me and sat down beside me, asking quietly, "Did I... say something wrong earlier? That really handsome man - is he really your... husband?"
I nodded, picked up the milk and took a sip. The warm liquid slid down my throat but couldn't warm my cold heart.
"Oh my god," Jessie dramatically covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. "But didn't you say... you two were getting divorced? The way he looked, he was so worried about you - he doesn't seem like someone who wants a divorce at all."
She propped her chin on her hand, like a professional relationship analyst, saying seriously. "Sloane, let me tell you, I understand men best. The way he looks at you - he's totally crazy about you! Is there some kind of misunderstanding between you two?"
Misunderstanding? Looking at Jessie's clear, innocent eyes, a bitter smile rose in my heart. If this could be called a misunderstanding, then Jared and I were probably separated by enough misunderstandings to drown all of New York.
Crazy about me? This description coming from a naive young girl was innocent to the point of cruelty.
What he loved was an obedient pet, a decoration to show off his status, the bit of Lancaster family blood in my veins.
Everything but me.
David had walked over at some point and happened to hear the second half of Jessie's analysis.
He helplessly ruffled Jessie's hair, his tone gentle but brooking no argument. "Jessie, don't make trouble."
He turned to me, his blue eyes apologetic. "Sorry, Sloane, Jessie she..." He frowned, confused. "But didn't you say earlier that you two..."
I gripped the warm milk cup, my fingertips tightening slightly. To avoid unnecessary trouble in front of Jessie, I had indeed lied in my panic.
"We had a fight," I said, lowering my eyes, giving a vague but passable explanation.
This explanation clearly won Jessie's sympathy. She immediately categorized Jared as a "bad man who wronged my idol," indignantly patting her chest. "Don't be sad, Sloane! You don't need a man like that! In a couple days I'll introduce you to the handsome new guy in our department - he's really nice!"