Chapter 4
His exposed chest was covered with suggestive red marks.
Below the photo was a provocative message.]
“Elena, Adrian’s not coming home tonight. He said only here with me can he truly relax.”
So the supposed allergy and hospital visit was just an n excuse to get a hotel room.
Adrian Cross, you’re really something else.
I expressionlessly screenshot the photo and message, sending them straight to my lawyer.]
Then I forwarded them to Adrian with the caption: (Giving her the house isn’t enough–now you’re giving her yourself too, Fight?]||
After receiving the message, Adrian came rushing back home, his face showing a hint of guilt at being caught.
“Elena, let me explain. It’s not what you think. Victoria and L.”
“Shut up.” I coldly cut him off, not wanting to hear those tired excuses.]
He tried to reach for my hand. []
“Come on, stop being dramatic. There’s really nothing between us.“]
I jerked my hand away in disgust and went to the study, returning with a thick stack of debt collection notices.
“Adrian Cross, look at these!” I pointed at the bills, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. I
“Do you remember? When your family went bankrupt, I moved into that sunless basement with you, ate one meal a day with you!”
“To pay off those tens of millions in debt, I gave you all my savings, worked in office buildings during the day and drove nights!”
“When
you passed out drunk on the street, I carried you home. When your old friends humiliated you, I stood in front of you and fought them! Where was Victoria Sterling then?”
“And now? You’ve made your comeback, you’re the high–and–mighty Mr. Cross again. You’ve got your first love, so I’m just in the way?”
By the end I was practically screaming, throwing the bills hard in his face.
“What you owe me–how are you going to pay that back?“]
The bills hit like slaps, making Adrian’s face cycle between red and white. []
Ashamed and furious, his last bit of patience evaporated.]
CLlenallen.
He roared in humiliation: “We’re married–what’s the point of keeping such detailed accounts? I work my ass off for this family every day, and all you do is nitpick over these trivial expenses! It’s completely unreasonable!“[]
Just then, the doorbell rang at the worst possible moment, interrupting Adrian.
He opened the door to find an anxiously arriving Victoria.
Seeing the tense standoff inside, she immediately started subtly blaming me.
0
“Elena, Adrian works so hard for the company and has so much pressure. Why can’t you be more understanding? He’s such a wonderful man–why don’t you treasure him?“]]
Every word hit Adrian right in his feelings, and his gaze toward me grew even colder.[]
I laughed at this shameless reversal of right and wrong, snorting coldly. I walked around Adrian and slapped Victoria’s fake innocent face hard.
SLAPI
The crisp sound made the air freeze instantly.]
Before Victoria could react, Adrian snapped back to reality and shoved me hard, protecting Victoria.[]
Caught off guard, my lower back slammed hard into the corner of the coffee table, making me gasp in pain.[]
ard into the corner of the coffee table, making me gasp in
“Elena! Have you lost your mind?” He glared at me furiously.
Watching him protect another woman, my heart sank completely to the bottom
Adrian supported Victoria, looked at me with disgust, and threw out: “Stay here and reflect on yourself!“]
With that, he left with Victoria without looking back.
The door slammed shut, cutting off all warmth and hope
I sat stunned on the floor, memories of our beautiful past few years flashing before my eyes. Love used to be so good–pure and burning hot.]
Tears unconsciously streamed down my face.
Just three years, and he’d forgotten everything. Only I remembered. Only I was trapped.
After a long while, I bitterly pulled at the corners of my mouth and slowly stood up.
I went into the bedroom and started packing my things.
When I finished, I took out the divorce papers my lawyer had prepared and placed them on the living room coffee table.]
Next to the agreement, I placed my wedding ring.
That diamond he’d promised I’d wear forever when he proposed now glittered with cold, unfamiliar light.[]
