Chapter 137
I watched him, suddenly seeing everything clearly, as if a vell had been lifted. To William, family, love, and responsibility were commodities to be traded. Money could solve everything.
He was a dying father making final arrangements for his son, like closing business deals before retirement.
I was trapped in a no–win situation. If I agreed to divorce, my marriage would be manipulated by others. If I refused, I’d face a dying
man’s condemnation.
I felt suffocated.
“You love my son?” William asked with disdain, his eyebrows rising sightly. “If you truly love him, you should consider what’s best for him!”
I remained silent for a long moment, the weight of his words sinking in.
“I don’t love him anymore,” I finally said, the words feeling strange on my tongue.
A strange relief washed over me as I spoke those words. This scene reminded me of movies where wealthy parents offer money to girlfriends to leave their sons.
But real–life wealthy families had more class even facing death, William maintained his composure, no dramatic crying or shouting.
I decided to accept the “take the money and leave” option. Perhaps this was my way of setting Blake free. Maybe it was even a kindness to both of us.
I smiled at William, surprised at how genuine it felt. “How much are you offering?”
His gaze held a new appreciation, like he was seeing me in a different light. A worthy opponent, perhaps.
“Blake also asked me to find a way to divorce him,” I revealed, watching his reaction carefully. “This failed marriage has no hope. It can’t be saved.”
William nodded, saying he’d arrange for his lawyers to discuss compensation until I was satisfied. His voice had the practiced ease of someone discussing a routine business transaction rather than the destruction of a marriage.
I stood up, smoothing the wrinkles from my dress, but hesitated before leaving. There was one more thing.
“William,” I asked, “let me be clear about something. If it meant sacrificing Claire for Blake’s sake, would you do it?”
I was giving him a warning, preventing another heart attack when he eventually learned about the trouble–Claire caused.
“Claire? I’m quite fond of her. Is that necessary?” he asked, confusion flickering across his face.
I looked directly into his eyes and nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“She’s nothing but a bastard child from God knows who,” he said, his voice gentle but terrifying in its casualness. “She can’t compare to my son.”
I helped him adjust his oxygen mask before turning to leave.
It struck me then, with painful clarity – Caroline had devoted years to the Wright family, yet neither she nor her daughter held any real value to William.
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Chapter 137
In such wealthy familles, genuine love meant nothing. It was all business, bloodlines, and appearances.
I felt lighter as I left the room, my steps more purposeful than when I’d arrived. Letting go of pointless struggles was the best medicine for myself. No more fighting for a marriage that existed only on paper.
The hospital corridor was quiet, with only the occasional nurse hurrying past. The soft lighting cast long shadows against the pale walls. I took a deep breath, savoring the sense of decision, of finally moving forward instead of being stuck.
When I opened the door, I froze. A tall figure leaned against the wall outside – dark tailored suit, perfectly pressed trousers, Italian leather shoes polished to a shine…
The sudden encounter sent a sharp pain through my body. It felt like all my internal organs had been violently twisted together at once, an acute abdominal agny that made me gasp for breath.
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