Chapter 4

I wasn't the least bit surprised to hear Natania say that.

Once she finished spitting out her harsh words, she turned to leave, deliberately ramming her shoulder into mine as she passed.

Silence returned to the living room. I sloppily patched myself up, and I had only just finished when the doorbell rang.

An anonymous parcel had arrived specifically for me.

Upon opening it, I discovered a pregnancy test stick and medical report.

Both belonged to Natania.

My fingers trembled slightly as I picked up the stick; the two bright red lines stabbed into my eyes.

A few minutes later, a message from Samuel arrived.

"Mr. Sander, did you receive my gift? Even a touch from you is enough to make Natania feel disgusted for three days straight, yet she's as passionate as a burning fire when she's with me.

"You're clearly the one who resembles Jonathan most, so how is it that you can't even compare to me as a substitute?"

For a long while, I sat there in a daze. Pain radiated from my fingertips to my heart, and tears dripped onto the report, blurring Natania's name.

I had spent years begging for Natania's love, but in that instant, something inside me died, taking with it the stubborn determination I had clung to for the past three years.

…

While waiting for my mother-in-law, Wendy, to return to the country, I didn't contact Natania again. I no longer chased after her or begged for a child as I had in the past. Even when Samuel deliberately provoked me, I pretended not to see.

Natania was clearly unused to my behavior, which eventually caused her to seek me out.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of giving up? You've been chasing me for the past three years, so it's about time you quit. My mother is returning soon, and we can have her witness the end of this.

"I've already had a lawyer draft a divorce agreement. Rest assured, you'll be well compensated."

A dreamy look crossed her face, as if she were already imagining life after our divorce.

"Once we divorce, Samuel and I will have a grand wedding. In a way, it's fulfilling a regret of mine. I'm warning you—know your place. Don't even think about stopping me."

If she had said this to my past self, I would've hung my head and pleaded with her not to divorce me. Now, however, I merely replied calmly, "You can do whatever you want. It has nothing to do with me."

Her eyes darkened, and she let out a cold snort. "You'd better keep your word."

Her tone was mocking, as if she were confident that I would never truly be able to leave her.

…

The day Wendy returned to the country, she called Natania and me to the Gilmore residence.

In a bid to provoke me, Natania purposely brought Samuel along.

When Wendy caught sight of Samuel, her brow furrowed into a deep frown; she didn't bother hiding her disdain. "Why did you bring a riffraff like him here?"

Displeased, Natania shot me a sideways glance. "Mom, you forced me to marry a murderer, didn't you? So what's wrong with me liking a normal person?"

I remained silent at her mockery, refusing to engage.

Wendy's gaze darted between us before she sighed. "I called you two over today to discuss your—"

Before she could finish, Natania jumped to her feet. "Mom, I want to divorce Leon! I would rather marry anyone else than continue being with him. I've had enough of the last three years!"

She slammed her pregnancy report onto the table and added, "Besides, I'm already pregnant with another man's baby!"

She placed deliberate emphasis on "another man", all while shooting me a smug smile.

Wendy's face darkened when she saw the report. "Well, this makes things much easier."

Natania looked surprised, not expecting her mother to react that way. As Wendy pushed a document across the table, Natania froze, her eyes widening.

"Sign the papers," Wendy said coldly. "Then it'll truly be over between you and Leon."