Chapter 11: I Want a Divorce

Evian’s body swayed, and her vision blurred. She nearly fainted. Selena, with a worried expression, steadied her.

David’s temples throbbed visibly. He radiated a menacing aura, like a dethroned alpha lion fixated on encroaching prey. With a subtle gesture, he dismissed Alfred, who promptly left. Alexander, the new alpha, had already begun issuing instructions via his phone.

The Lawson family remained oblivious to the escalating situation.

Witnessing the Quirk family's firm resolve, Jasper’s gaze hardened as he addressed Evian in a condescending tone. “Are you really going to make a fuss over such a trivial matter? Since when have you become so petty?”

Evian slowly raised her head, her bloodshot eyes filled with despair. The sight jolted Jasper. “Why?” he asked.

Evian felt the absurdity of it all. She believed he’d married her only out of obligation—to atone for his inability to win back his true love and to take responsibility for their child. Yet, she’d learned he'd been with his mistress the entire time.

Why didn’t he ask for a divorce then? Why is he stringing me along? He even dares to blame me for everything! How can he be so shamelessly self-righteous? she thought.

“What do you mean, ‘why’? Fine! If you can’t accept him, we won’t adopt him. I’ll send him back tomorrow.”

That night, Evian’s erratic behavior unsettled Jasper. He decided to adopt a more cautious approach.

Evian, still repelled by Jasper's condescending demeanor, saw the illusion of his superiority shatter, revealing his true nature.

Isabella, equally disgusted, was unaware that Evian and the others knew the truth. She yearned to expose the gossip but, unable to do so directly, resorted to subtle manipulation.

“Send the child away? You claimed his mother was missing, yet you seem well-informed of her whereabouts! Are you secretly still together? An investigation is necessary to determine if you've contacted or met the child's mother over the years. We can’t let Evie raise your child after being cheated on, can we?”

Jasper’s pupils flickered in shock. His voice betrayed a hint of panic. “Spreading rumors about me? My mother was right; you lack manners!”

Alexander intervened curtly: “Shut up.”

The two words, though quietly spoken, pierced Jasper, leaving him momentarily stunned. Only their need to conceal their ability to hear Isabella's thoughts prevented them from immediately exposing his hypocrisy.

Isabella scoffed, wagging her finger at Jasper, then at the silent Sean. “Look at your son’s expression before you deny it.”

Children are less adept at lying than adults. Sean's flustered reaction confirmed Isabella's suspicion.

Before Jasper could respond, Selena interjected, “Sweetheart, tell us, have you ever met your father before? Remember, good kids don’t lie.”

Sean, unable to contain himself any longer, tugged Jasper’s sleeve. “Dad, let’s go home. Mom is…”

Jasper, panicking, abruptly pulled his sleeve away, accidentally striking Sean’s face. The force of the blow sent Sean tumbling from the couch, startling everyone.

The handprint starkly contrasted against Sean’s delicate skin.

Chaos erupted.

Isabella quickly scooped up Sean, shielding him from further involvement. Sean wept. Evian, noticing Isabella’s ineptitude at comforting him, gently took him into her arms.

Sean’s sadness deepened. He found Evian kind and gentle, yet his parents were bullying her, tormenting his conscience. Finally, summoning his courage, he confessed: “My parents have always lived together, only occasionally apart. They told me I was an illegitimate child and that the only way for me to have a normal life was to trick you into adopting me. I didn’t understand. I really didn’t, but I knew it was wrong!”

Silence descended.

He clung to Evian, softly apologizing for his unwitting participation in the deception.

Overwhelmed, Evian wept.

Paula, bewildered, grabbed Jasper. “Jasper, did you really…”

Jasper’s demeanor shifted. Terrified of exposure, he stubbornly insisted, “Nonsense! This child has been taught to lie, to frame me. He wants me to get back with his mother. That’s why he said that. Evian, you’re not doubting me, are you?”

Sean stared at his father in disbelief at his blatant lie.

Without Isabella’s “Gossip System,” the Quirk family might have fallen for Jasper’s feigned indignation. But his current performance was foolhardy. He refused to admit wrongdoing, dismissing Isabella’s deductions as mere coincidence. He’d meticulously maintained his facade for nine years, leaving no room for criticism.

The Quirk family would have dealt with me long ago if they knew the truth. But how credible is a child’s word? Besides, Sienna is leaving the country. Even if they suspect something later and try to find her, they won't be able to, he reasoned.

Jasper frantically plotted his defense.

Suddenly, Evian stood, surprising everyone. She grabbed the half-eaten fruit platter and hurled it at Jasper.

The platter’s impact echoed through the room, startling Paula and Sean. Jasper’s head bled; he was covered in fruit and shattered dishware. His glasses lay broken on the floor. He stared, dazed, at the usually gentle woman whose temper had finally exploded.

“You’ve lost your mind!” Jasper raged, his authority challenged.

“Jasper, I’ve never wronged you; you wronged me! You and Sienna treated me like an idiot! You both have no conscience!” Evian’s suppressed anguish erupted in a heart-wrenching scream. The realization hit her with full force.

Panic seized Jasper. He could no longer threaten Evian. He stammered, “D-Don’t falsely accuse me! I—”

Before he could finish, Alexander tossed his phone onto the table, revealing an active video call.

A cry for help echoed from the phone: “Let me go! Who are you people? You’re trespassing!”

The screen showed Sienna, casually dressed, forcibly restrained in a chair.

“It’s Mom!” Sean cried.

Jasper’s face contorted as he heard additional sounds from the phone.

“Mr. Alexander, we’ve found it. Here are Mr. Lawson’s work documents, traces of his life, and some photos. It appears to be where they lived…” a professional voice reported.

Jasper was stunned. Before he could react, a whip cracked through the air.

A bloody lash tore across Jasper’s face, eliciting a cry of pain. He stumbled back, but the whip relentlessly pursued him.

It was a horsewhip, brought by Alfred for David.

Jasper’s years of infidelity and his audacity in expecting Evian to raise his illegitimate child had provoked even the usually composed David to murderous rage.

Jasper fell to the ground, completely overwhelmed by David’s wrath, too stunned to flee.

Paula rushed to her son’s aid, crying out in despair. Sean, too, pleaded, “Stop hitting my dad, please! I beg you, stop!”

Witnessing Sean’s brave intervention, David finally stopped.

Jasper, covered in whip marks, twitched uncontrollably in pain.

“Divorce, Jasper,” Evian’s voice, raw with emotion, cut through the silence. “I want a divorce!”