Chapter 2
“Just ignore her.”
Ralph’s indifferent tone struck Lia like a blow. It was tormenting her.
He had always believed that she had exploited him knowing that he needed her help back then.
He couldn’t be more relieved now that Lia initiated the divorce.
Lia smiled mockingly. Displayed on her face was a blend of despair and determination.
She turned and strode away without hesitation.
She had loved him but there was a limit to everything.
She wouldn’t allow anyone to trample on her dignity and not do anything to regain it.
Getting a divorce was not shameful. But, trying to hide the truth after knowing that her husband had cheated on her was shameful and absurd.
She would rebuild the dignity she had lost all by herself.
Lia returned to their new house.
She had been putting effort into decorating their house meticulously. It was to hope that whenever Ralph returned home, he would feel a sense of warmth.
Yet, at this moment, the spacious mansion felt so empty. Ralph had only been back for a day last month, and his stay was brief. However, his rare returns were enough to pleasantly surprise her.
Over these three years, he must have spent most of his time with Amber and Hugo. Just the thought of it filled her with disgust.
Lia went upstairs to pack her things. Then, her maid knocked on her door.
“Mrs. Walters, Mr. Kaye is here.”
She hesitated for a moment before walking out.
There was a suitcase beside Gerald Kaye, Ralph’s assistant. It looked like he had just gotten off the plane.
Gerald was holding a jewelry box and a bouquet of flowers. With a smile on his face, he handed them over to Lia.
“Mrs. Walters, Mr. Walters prepared these presents for your third wedding anniversary.”
Lia paused slightly. Then she lifted her gaze to look at Gerald.
It suddenly dawned on her. The presents she received every anniversary had always come from
Chapter 2
Gerald. Besides, Ralph was busy celebrating his son’s birthday at the moment. So, how could the presents be from him?
2/9
Lia let out a despondent laugh and made no moves to take the presents. With all the disappointments shoved into her face, she could only admit her own failure.
“Gerald, Ralph didn’t even remember what day It was. You’re the one who prepared all these presents, right?”
Gerald smiled awkwardly. It was clear that he was trying his best to keep up his smile.
“Mrs. Walters…”
His reaction explained everything.
Lia felt relieved after knowing the truth.
There was a stark contrast between her past and present. She used to be ecstatic upon receiving the presents. But now, she only found the current reality to be ridiculous.
She had been so naive that she only realized the truth now.
Lia didn’t speak anymore and went back upstairs.
She took out her phone but hesitated to call her family.
Back then, her family had objected to her marriage to Ralph. So now, she deserved to face the consequences alone.
Instead of calling her family, Lia scrolled through the news online. The sensational trending news’ headlines caught her eye.
“Shocking News! Lia Adams: History of Abortions and Infertility Revealed!”
“The Walters Family is Childless? Unbelievable!”
“Ralph Walters: Trapped in a Marriage With an Infertile Wife!”
“The Perfect Match: Ralph Walters and Amber Gray!”
“Lia Adams’ Chaotic Private Life Exposed After Marrying Into the Walters Family!”
These were all the news available online.
Lia was the victim of this incident, yet she was the one facing such accusations.
Her hands trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears. The droplets of tears fell onto her hands.
“Ralph Walters, you’re so ruthless! You’re so quick to destroy me just because I wouldn’t do what you want? All the better, I should thank you for leaving me zero doubts,” Lia thought.
With a bitter smile on her face, she stopped crying. Gradually, her gaze turned icy and resolute.
Chapter 2
355
She had finished packing her belongings, and only took with her what she had brought into the house.
Lia was going to complete the divorce proceedings tomorrow. Then, she would walk out of Ralph’s life.
While she was sleeping in the middle of the night, she heard the sound of a car outside. But, she paid it no mind, because she was certain that it couldn’t be Ralph.
A while later, Lia heard. the heavy footsteps approaching her room. Then, the bed sank right next to her, and she felt a cool hand touching her.
She startled in fear and immediately jolted awake.
Lia pushed the hand away and instinctively shielded herself.
Amidst the darkness, the atmosphere grew tense.
She knew that it was Ralph when she caught the familiar scent of his cologne. It was mixed with a hint of alcohol.
Unexpectedly, Ralph had returned tonight. There was no reason for him to come back here.
But then, Lia thought, “Perhaps he had returned to settle the score from the banquet.”
With the bitter feelings she bore, she distanced herself from Ralph.
The next moment, warm light flooded the entire room.
With a cold gaze, Ralph stood in front of Lia. “Haven’t you caused enough of a scene yet?”
“Did he really dismiss my reaction as just causing a scene?” She thought indignantly.
Lia lowered her gaze to conceal her bitterness and revealed a watery smile. “I’m serious about the divorce.”
Ralph’s eyes darkened.
Holding back his anger, he stared at Lia and said, “Have you lost your mind? Are you afraid that Hugo will affect your position? That’s why you deliberately said those things to attract my attention, didn’t you?”
Lia appeared to be shocked, and her face turned pale. Upon seeing her reaction, Ralph believed that he had seen through her dirty tricks.
He sneered, “Let me tell you…”
But before he could finish his sentence, Lia got down from the bed. She then put on her coat and retrieved her packed suitcase from the walk-in closet.
Ralph froze and narrowed his eyes sharply. She looked as if she was about to leave anytime.
Her eyes were empty and indifferent as she stood there staring at him. Ralph had always assumed only the worst of Lia, and it wouldn’t change this time as well.
Chapter 2
4/5
“You had better go to the courthouse to complete the divorce procedures tomorrow. Otherwise, I’m going to expose all the dirty laundry of the Walters family to the media.”
She knew his weakness, and she was ready to use it against him.
She knew she was right when Ralph’s gaze became even sharper and more dangerous. But she was no longer afraid of him as she was not afraid to lose him anymore.
Lia was ready to accept their failed marriage and leave him calmly. Despite the lingering sorrow deep
in her heart, she believed that she could overcome it all.
Here and now, she decided to leave immediately. There was not a second longer that she could bear staying in this house.
With a hint of darkness in his eyes, Ralph looked at her condescendingly.
“Lia Adams, don’t you regret it!” He declared coldly as he gripped her wrist.
Lia was confident that she would never regret it, so she walked away firmly.
It was early autumn and the nights were cold.
Lia’s eyes misted with tears that rolled down as she stepped out of the house. She finally released her pent-up emotions.
Chuckling softly, she called her best friend, Anisa Carson.
“Anisa, come get me.’
||
Anisa was stunned, but she composed herself and replied quickly, “Alright, I’ll come over now.’
Anisa was Lia’s best friend, and they grew up together. When Lia had decided to marry Ralph, Anisa was the one who held the strongest objection. But, Lia had refused to listen to anyone else’s opinion.
At present, she had experienced profound affliction from her marriage. It was only then that Lia finally realized who truly cared about her.
Over the past three years, Lia had purposely reduced contact with her friends and family. She had been trying to hide her struggles from them to avoid creating trouble if they found out the truth.
Now that she reflected on her past, Lia thought she was a fool.
In less than ten minutes, Anisa arrived.
When they saw each other, they became teary-eyed.
Looking at the suitcase beside Lia, Anisa understood the situation. She felt both anger and distressed
for Lia.
“Let’s go. Come home with me first.”
The Carson family was one of the most prominent families in Fallburgh City. So, Anisa lived in a luxurious mansion in the city center.
As the heiress of the family, Anisa had every right to be a proud and assertive woman. She couldn’t help but launch into a tirade the moment they stepped foot into her mansion.
“I was so fucking infuriated when I saw the news earlier today. Is that son of a bitch heartless? How could he do this to you? He even tried to force you to acknowledge another woman’s child as yours. It’s so disgusting!”
While they were on the topic, Lia had expected to feel hurt and dejected. Yet, she didn’t feel anything. It felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
She faked a smile and declared, “We’re getting a divorce tomorrow.”
