Chapter 158
Arthur was devastated, staring blankly at Chloe.
"Chloe, you..."
"After all this time, you still don't understand. I don't love you anymore, not because of someone else, but because you no longer make me feel loved. Just like now—no matter how many times you claim to love me, it doesn't move me at all. If anything, it makes me feel sick."
Chloe took a few steps back.
"Let's go inside. This is our only option."
She turned around as she spoke, only to see Howard standing just a few steps away, watching her.
Howard wore a black trench coat, his gaze deep and intense, locked on her face as if studying a priceless treasure—focused and burning with emotion.
Chloe felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
"Didn't Teddy say you had a meeting?"
"I postponed it. Chlo, this is an important moment for you. I didn't want to miss it."
Howard's tone was gentle and soothing, reminiscent of an old piano melody—rich and melodious.
A stupid grin tugged at her lips.
Neither spoke as they walked side by side toward the entrance.
Arthur watched them from a distance.
He suddenly understood that perhaps Chloe had vanished from his life long ago, but he had refused to see it, stubbornly holding on.
Arthur painfully rubbed his temple as he stared at the harsh reality of the courthouse before him.
He simply couldn't bear losing Chloe, that was all.
Inside the courtroom, as the proceedings began, Chloe recounted the hardships and sorrows she had endured throughout their marriage.
Arthur watched her silently.
Had he hurt her that much?
How had Chloe managed to endure during those unbearably painful days?
Just as his lawyer was about to speak, Arthur suddenly stood up.
"I consent to the divorce."
Chloe looked at him.
Arthur gazed at her face with nostalgia and said softly, "Chloe, if this is what you want, I'm willing to set you free."
Chloe's eyes showed no emotion. Soon, everything was settled.
When the judge announced the verdict, Chloe felt lighter than she had in years.
It was finally over.
Chloe and Howard walked out side by side. By the time Arthur emerged, they were already gone.
He stared wistfully at Chloe's retreating figure.
Chloe, I would win you back.
He had made too many mistakes in their relationship, but everything they had experienced together was real.
No one could replace the most important chapter they had written in each other's lives.
So he would do everything in his power to win Chloe back.
Letting go was only temporary. If he didn't let go now, Chloe might resort to more drastic measures. They had already come this far—further hurting each other would be pointless.
He wouldn't allow Chloe to fall in love with someone else.
Once in the car, Howard looked at Chloe and said quietly, "Arthur was watching you. He probably wanted to tell you something."
"It doesn't matter anymore. We're finished."
Chloe gazed out the window.
She had expected today's court proceedings to be difficult and draining.
She never imagined Arthur would have a sudden change of heart and agree to the divorce so readily.
Regardless, the outcome was the best possible result for her, and that was enough.
As for everything else, Chloe didn't want to think about it right now.
When Adeline heard about the successful divorce, she immediately sent her congratulations.
"Chloe, congratulations! Your suffering is finally over, and you've regained your freedom."
Chloe smiled faintly.
"Yes, I'm free."
This painful, unbearable chapter had finally ended.
Like waking up from a nightmare.
Perhaps the teenage Chloe never imagined that marrying the man she loved would become her life's worst nightmare, causing her so much pain.
She unconsciously touched her empty womb, feeling a sense of loss.
Along this journey, she had lost Anais, lost her baby, and only now successfully divorced Arthur. She couldn't even tell if her younger self, who had recklessly entered marriage for love, had been foolish or simply seeking an uncertain happiness.
Hearing Chloe's silence, Adeline suggested they go out.
Chloe declined.
"Princess Pearl is coming, and this time she's bringing her sister, Princess Faye Garcia. I can't afford any mistakes with this design, so I'll be swamped lately."
"Being busy is good," Adeline didn't press the matter. "Just take care of yourself and don't overwork."
"I will."
Adeline was scheduled to attend a business event and didn't go out. Early the next morning, as soon as she arrived at the office, she heard everyone gossiping about the Williams family.
Adeline wasn't interested until she heard Kelvin's name, which made her pause.
She approached the employees who were chatting.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ms. Taylor..."
"It's fine, don't be so formal. Just tell me what you were discussing."
Seeing that Adeline didn't seem to be looking for trouble, the junior employee relaxed and explained, "Ms. Taylor, it's about Mr. Kelvin Williams from the Williams family. Early this morning, the media revealed that he's not Mrs. Elora Williams' biological son but was adopted. The news has exploded everywhere—they've even released DNA test results."
"I heard Kyle was planning to have him return and inherit the fortune, but now that's all ruined. The power struggles in these wealthy families are so intense. Overnight, the heir apparent has become just an adopted child."
"It's been exposed?"
Adeline was shocked. She immediately took out her phone and searched for the news.
Sure enough, stories about Kelvin's background were everywhere, along with malicious speculation.
Some claimed he was born to a mistress, and that his mother had deliberately fabricated lies to deceive Elora just to get him into the Williams family.
Others called him a thief who had stolen someone else's life.
Most of the online comments about Kelvin were hostile and presumptuous.
Even as an outsider, Adeline found it all rather frustrating.
The comments made her laugh bitterly.
Suppose Kelvin truly was after the Williams family fortune, as the comments suggested. In that case, he'd had plenty of opportunities to return and take down Arthur during those years he was presumed dead. But he hadn't—he had stayed away from all the drama.
If the Williams family hadn't actively sought him out, everyone would still believe he was dead.
And now, ironically, the Williams family had created this huge scandal themselves, thrusting Kelvin into the center of public opinion.
At that moment, Adeline suddenly understood Chloe's choices. The destruction that public opinion could bring upon a person was beyond imagination.
As a businesswoman working in the entertainment industry, she was accustomed to these underhanded tactics, but had forgotten that ordinary people could hardly withstand such pressure.
After some thought, Adeline took out her phone and sent Kelvin a message.
[Are you free? Let's meet at our usual place]
But Kelvin didn't respond until late afternoon.