Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Ruan left the school, glancing back and trying to convince himself that staying away was for the best. Seeing Chloe's ex-boyfriend court her had infuriated him, and the feeling tormented him all the way home.
However, he didn't stop in front of Grace’s house; he kept driving, knowing it was useless to hide and pretend nothing was happening. Chloe still haunted his thoughts—it was disturbing to obsess over his ex-wife this way. Megan was the one he should still love; Megan was the one he should be thinking about and mourning. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he focused on the road. He had a more important matter to handle this time.
Not only that, but he parked the car a few yards away. He turned off the engine and looked around, making sure the street was empty. Visiting his ex-mother-in-law's house wasn't suspicious in itself, but Ruan knew what he might find there. He also knew that all of Phoenix was talking about the incident involving Megan's current husband.
People used to look at him with pity, whispering around him in an attempt to intimidate him. Ever since the news broke, Ruan had been drawing curious stares from every direction. This time, though, the street was deserted. He quickened his pace. A car passed just as he crossed the street, but Ruan made sure no one recognized him.
He adjusted his baseball cap and pushed up his glasses, which kept slipping down his sweat-covered face. Standing in front of the door, he took a breath so deep his lungs ached before he finally raised his arm and knocked on the solid wood.
He heard footsteps coming from inside, his chest aching as his heart rate quickened. He shouldn't have come back to this place. Likewise, he shouldn't be foolish enough to look for more trouble.
The door flew open. No one could see his wide, fearful eyes as he dreaded what he might find on the other side, but Megan locked her eyes onto his, smiled, and threw herself into his arms.
“I knew you'd come back,” she said, kissing his sweaty neck and breathing in his scent as if it were the last thing she would ever do.
Ruan’s arms gently pushed her away. He had shared a love story with this woman and had spent years wishing to have her back, even while he was with Chloe. He could never treat her with indifference, even if Megan deserved it.
“I didn't come to talk to you,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “Just tell me if your husband is inside. It would save me the trouble of looking for him.”
“What…” Her voice cracked with frustration, and Megan stammered, “He isn't my husband.”
“Megan's husband isn't here,” Josephine said, stopping to grip the doorframe as she eyed him up and down. “You're very brave to come back here after what happened.”
“I'm no rat to go hiding under a bed,” Ruan said, brushing past Megan. He entirely ignored Josephine's presence and walked into the house. “I'm not leaving until I clear things up. I want you to tell me everything, or I'll find out the truth myself.”
Josephine let out a cynical laugh, making the wrinkles on her face look even deeper this time. She walked around the couch, watching Ruan sit down comfortably as if he owned the place. She assumed he was playing a dangerous game but that he was smart enough to know what he was doing.
“What exactly do you want to know?”
“Why didn't you tell me Megan was still married?” She scoffed at the question, finding it naive for a man his age. “And why did you take in a man who abuses your daughter?”
“Those are just rumors,” she said, rolling her eyes, though Ruan didn't notice because he was watching Megan's reaction. “Alexander has always been a good husband to Megan. He was always my favorite. You shouldn't be here claiming a place you lost when you cheated on my daughter with Chloe.”
“You know that's not how it happened.”
“Are you trying to convince me otherwise?” she suddenly snapped, raising her voice. Her rigid posture didn't faze him. “Everything that is happening is your fault, Ruan. You shouldn't have had an affair with a married woman.”
“Stop talking nonsense, Mom…”
“I would rather not hear a word from you, Megan,” she said, raising her fist. Ruan had never seen Josephine so unhinged. “Because of your little love affair, Alexander threatened to charge Megan with fraud and take everything we own.”
“Fraud?” Ruan stared at Megan. In that moment, he realized he had never truly known her. “On top of letting your husband beat you, you extorted him, Megan? What kind of person are you?”
Megan took a step toward him, her trembling hands reaching out for his.
“Ruan, I am still the woman you loved your entire life.”
“I don't doubt that,” he said, stepping back. He couldn't bear the thought of her touching him again. “But unfortunately, I'm just getting to know the real you now, and I don't like what I see one bit.”