Chapter 13 Jealousy
For a moment, Daisy felt like she'd done something wrong. Her heart skipped beats, and the sudden panic irritated her.
Come on, we're getting divorced, he's already slept with another woman, and I'm just applying some medicine—what's there to feel guilty about?
Vincent stood in the doorway, his gaze cold and scrutinizing.
The lab still had a lingering pungent smell in the air. There were water splashes on the floor, and several researchers looked at each other, holding their breath and staying silent.
Vincent walked in step by step, his face dark.
"Daisy, what are you up to now? I sent you the divorce papers days ago. Does it really take this long to sign?"
His gaze shifted to Ethan with contempt. "If you really don't want the divorce, we can talk about it again. But in the meantime, shouldn't you keep your distance from other men? Otherwise, it makes me think you're a loose woman."
He deliberately drew out those last few words, and everyone could hear the sarcasm in them.
Daisy's face immediately flushed with shame and anger.
"Vincent, you have the nerve to say that to me? Even if Vanessa isn't pregnant, at least you two slept together, right? You were unfaithful to our marriage first! What right do you have to criticize me? Besides, Mr. Reed and I are just..."
"What right? I'll tell you what right!" Vincent cut her off, walking up to her step by step, saying coldly, "Because you shamelessly climbed into my bed, got pregnant, and forced me to marry you."
"Because I'm the one who's been working hard out there! Because for the past six years, everything you've eaten, used, including this lab, I've given you."
"Because that divorce agreement—once you sign it, you'll get more money than you could earn in thirty years of hard work."
"So, you have to listen to whatever I say, you can't talk back, and you have no right to tell me what to do."
Daisy felt as if thousands of sharp swords were stabbing her heart, stripping away the dignity she had struggled to maintain piece by piece.
A lump stuck in her throat, but she couldn't get out a single word of rebuttal.
Just as she stood there helpless, Ethan stepped in front of her and said, "Mr. Black, I think you've misunderstood something. As the project investor, it's perfectly normal for me to check on the project's progress. Seeing Ms. Hart injured and helping her apply medicine—I don't see anything wrong with that."
He laughed, "But you, Mr. Black—since you've already decided on divorce, what right do you have to tell Ms. Hart what to do?"
Vincent sneered, "You think you're qualified to question my rights?"
His jawline tightened sharply, his eyes cold and piercing. "As long as we haven't gotten the divorce certificate, she's still my legal wife. Our business is none of an outsider's concern!"
"What a 'legal wife.'" Ethan laughed, his laughter tinged with mockery, "Here you are, acting jealous over your soon-to-be ex-wife, then turning around to shower care on your childhood sweetheart. Mr. Black's character has really opened my eyes."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to spread the word about this."
Vincent's fist suddenly clenched at his side.
Ethan stopped looking at him and turned to Daisy, "Don't worry about what this person says. Do your work well. Everyone on the road to success has to hear some criticism."
Daisy's eyes had already reddened, but hearing this, she was slightly stunned, then broke into a smile through her tears.
"Thank you."
To Vincent, these words were a blatant slap in the face.
His expression instantly darkened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.
"Ethan! You think I can't deal with you?"
"Vincent, don't think you're all-powerful."
Seeing the two men at odds, as if they might start fighting any second, Daisy quickly said, "Vincent, if you're here to push me about the divorce papers, then rest assured, I have no intention of backing out. I'll sign and send them to you within three days!"
"As for now, please leave."
Vincent was furious. He took a deep breath and said, "I'm not so idle as to come here personally for this. Your grandmother called me, said she suddenly couldn't reach you and was worried something happened to you. If you're fine, call the old lady back."
Grandmother?
Daisy was slightly stunned, only then remembering that she'd been so busy these past two days trying to make time for the weekend family dinner that her phone had been either off or on silent, and she might have missed her grandmother's calls.
A wave of guilt washed over her.
Vincent was about to leave when Daisy hesitated, then said hoarsely, "Um... can you come with me this weekend?"
"Grandma's getting old, I don't want her to worry. About the divorce, I... I'll tell her gradually."
Vincent laughed coldly, mocking, "Is that how you ask someone for a favor?"
Daisy's cheeks burned, and she turned away in anger.
Fine, if he won't come, he won't come. It's not like he's come with me many times in previous years anyway.
Thinking this way, Daisy was annoyed at herself for even asking such a question. Knowing he wouldn't agree, why did she have to humiliate herself like this?
But then Vincent said in a cold tone, "I'll pick you up here this weekend. Bring Luna."
"No need, I'll go myself."
"How are you going to drive with your hand like that?" Vincent frowned, his gaze falling on her right hand wrapped in gauze. He didn't know how badly she was hurt, but that glaring white color gave him an inexplicable pang in his heart, though his tone remained harsh.
"Stop being stubborn. If you were really this tough, you would have sent me the signed divorce papers by now."
Vincent left, slamming the door behind him, leaving Daisy fuming alone.When the weekend came, Vincent actually showed up. Luna sat in the passenger seat, hugging a toy rabbit, yawning boredly.
Daisy hurriedly changed and came downstairs, habitually going to open the passenger door. She froze.
Luna complained, "Mommy, you're so slow! Don't call me for things like this again, okay? Auntie Vanessa had already promised to take me to the amusement park this weekend!"
Daisy's hand tightened on the car door handle, then she said calmly, "Okay."
Then she closed the door and got in the back seat.
This actually surprised Luna.
What's going on? Why isn't Mommy nagging?
Usually at times like this, shouldn't she be saying a whole bunch of stuff, like how Great-grandma loves little Luna the most, Luna needs to be good and we'll be back soon, and then she could take advantage and make a bunch of demands?
Why isn't she saying anything?
And she's not forcing her into the child seat in the back anymore?
She must have learned from Auntie Vanessa, Luna thought. Mommy finally knows to try to please me, but no matter how much she learns, she'll never be as good as Auntie Vanessa!