"What?"
I was taken aback.
Richard casually said,
"Colton"
"Wasn't he the one who sent you home that night?
He just returned to the country and you couldn't wait to meet him,"
he spoke with a tone that was both mocking and self-deprecating.
My eyebrows knitted together as I met his gaze, disbelievingly I asked,
"Are you saying that I like Colton ?"
"Isn't that the case?"
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, looking at me both coldly and indifferently.
His mockery fell deeply into my eyes.
A surge of anger, unlike any I'd felt before, crashed over me and I suddenly slapped him hard,
"Richard, you bastard!"
Though I tried to control myself, I felt the wetness on my face.
Crying... then suddenly, I couldn't help but laugh.
How ridiculous.
After loving him wholeheartedly for so many years, all I got in return was the accusation,
"Are you divorcing me because of another man?"
How utterly ridiculous. Amelia appeared from somewhere, with Henry following behind.
He grabbed my arm and began to lead me out.
Looking back at the astonished Henry, Amelia snapped irritably, "What are you gaping at? Get her luggage, did you think we came here to watch a drama?"
Henry glanced at the suitcase, then at me, then at Richard, and then at Amelia... He felt utterly helpless.
He looked at Richard again, his voice trembling, "Richard , Brother Richard...." I felt like a thorn in my back, and in a matter of seconds, I heard Richard spit out two words, indistinguishable in rage or joy,
"Move on."
Three years of marriage.
Seven years of crushing on him. I never imagined that it would end in such a humiliating manner.
Most likely, when people are guilty, they like to pick on the other's faults first.
Richard was no exception.
The black G slowly merged into the stream of cars.
Henry started driving the car, and hesitated before asking, "Sister-in-law, are you really going to divorce Brother Richard?"
"What's it to you? Just focus on your driving."
Amelia rolled her eyes at him and then explained to me, "When you suddenly called to say that you were going to move, I couldn't find a moving company on such short notice, so I asked him to come and do the heavy lifting."
Hearing this, I looked at Henry through the rearview mirror,
"Once I've finished packing in the next few days, I'll treat you and Amelia to a meal."
"Okay then."
Henry answered with a giddy smile.
Amelia glanced at the car's GPS, sounding rather helpless, "Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place?"
"No need." Two years ago on my birthday, Richard had initially agreed to accompany me to Iceland to see the Aurora.
Just when we were about to reach the airport, he received a call.
Bianca ran away from home.
I was left at the airport.
He didn't go home for three entire days.
By the time he did, he handed me the keys to a luxurious flat downtown.
Delis Mansion, one of the most sought-after properties in California City.
It really can't be denied that men who feel guilty over wrongdoing know how to make it up.
However, at that time, I didn't know the relationship between him and Bianca, and was secretly glad that he was willing to appease me.
I was also very devoted to that apartment, overseeing the renovation, hiring a housekeeper and arranging for weekly cleaning.
Unexpectedly, now, it's ironically become the place to shelter me after my divorce.
A 270° panoramic river view awaits anyone who steps through the door, showcasing the high-rise buildings on the other side of the river, resplendent with flickering neon lights.
When Henry delivered my luggage and left, he was hastily dismissed by Amelia.
Before he left, he made a cheeky request "Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you in the car?"
"What are you waiting for, I'm not leaving tonight anyway."
Amelia tossed out these words, pushed him out, and shut the door.
I regained my composure somewhat and laughed wryly,
"What stage have you and him reached?"
"Simply put, it's just consensual amongst adults."
Amelia finished speaking, nestled herself into the couch, and started to order takeaway on her phone at the same time, giving me a thumbs-up.
"Do you know how shocked I was when I walked upstairs only to see you slap Richard across the face?
But that slap wasn't undeserved, it's just that I rarely see you that angry."
Drained, I leaned next to her and bitterly commented, "I didn't expect things to get so embarrassing."
Originally in my imagination, I would bring up divorce, and he would accept it willingly.
Dignified and straightforward.
Amelia asked, "Did he say something?"
"He said…" Thinking of that sentence, I felt unbelievably stifled, "He asked if it was because of Colton."
Amelia was dumbfounded and let out an ironic laugh,
"What was he thinking? Back in college, Henry and the others figured out that you liked him.
They even asked me once, and he thought you liked Colton??"
"So that's why I couldn't hold back and slapped him."
My eyelashes drooped slightly, sadness bringing a tear to my eye.
I had the feeling of working in vain for seven years.
Perhaps his thoughts have never rested on me, making it so that he couldn't even discern who I liked.
Not long after, the takeaway was delivered.
Amelia brought in two large bags of fresh dairy products and one by one, placed them into the empty refrigerator.
As I tried to lend a hand, she waved me away, "Have you forgotten you're pregnant?
Just sit down and rest."
"Who would have thought you had the ability for being the 'Goddess of Housekeeping'? I joked. "Caring for the baby starts with me," she responded.
After neatly tidying up, Amelia grabbed a few cans of beer, leaned against my shoulder, and took leisurely sips.
The city lights shone brilliantly outside the window.
The two of us remained silent for a long, long time.
Then, after a belch, she asked lightly, "Sophia, do you think there are good men left in this world?"
"Yes," I replied.
In my memory, my father was a wonderful man.
I often saw happiness on my mom's face.
Some people say that you can tell whether a husband is good or not just by looking at his wife.
Amelia squinted her eyes, smiling innocently, "Then I'll pray day and night, if you ever love someone else, make sure he's a gentleman."
"What about you?"
I asked. Amelia curved her red lips and shook her head mysteriously,
"I don't care, because..."
"I'm not a good woman myself!"
After saying that, she burst into laughter.
"Who says..."
Before I could finish my words, she, slightly tipsy, hugged my shoulders and continued,
"Sophia, don't be sad.
What's wrong with getting a divorce?
The earth would still spin without anyone; you'd be better off without Richard.
Don't be afraid.
All you need to do is to peacefully carry your baby until birth.
We'll raise them together.
The love I provide might not be any less than that of Richard, that terrible father..."
As I listened, tears rolled down my cheeks.
The person beside me continued to babble and her words gave me comfort and also strengthened my determination.
The next day, Amelia stayed with me and helped me to pack up all my belongings.
The empty, cold house finally regained a little sense of lived-in warmth.
On Monday, I went to the Lincoln Corporation with her.
She went to work.
I went to resign. When she learned that I intended to resign, she disagreed, "Why on earth should you resign?
They're the ones who've had guilty consciences, not you.
Stay, and let's see who gets frustrated first." "Out of sight, out of mind," I said.
She pondered for a moment, "True, you're pregnant now.
It's not good to get angry." ... Bianca got some news from somewhere and was actually sitting in my office waiting for me.
As soon as I pushed the door open, she dropped her facade, posture declaring victory,
"I heard Richard is divorcing you, eh?
Sophia you aren't so great after all, are you?" "It's me who doesn't want him."
I clenched my fist, stepping into the room with my soft flat shoes, speaking calmly,
"Trash should stay with trash."
"You..." Bianca was flustered, and with a change of thought, seemed to think of something, no longer sparring words with me, "Whatever, can't be bothered to argue with you.
Since you're getting divorced, shouldn't you give back the shares Richard gave you?"