Chapter 33

Sophia thought, “Joshua lied to me! He’s sick, but it isn’t terminal cancer. He colluded with Jayden and the entire hospital staff to stage an elaborate charade for me.”

She clenched her teeth, grabbed the stack of test results, and stormed out. Edison’s lips curled into a wicked smile inside his office when he saw her furious reaction. “Joshua, this time, I believe Sophia will divorce you,” he thought.

Moments before composed, the doctor rubbed his hands together and eagerly looked at Edison. “Mr. Stone, about the agreement…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my promise,” Edison replied in a low voice before stepping out to enjoy the unfolding drama.

Sophia strode directly to me and flung the test results in my face.

“Joshua, what do you have to say for yourself?”

The papers stung my skin. I didn’t flinch, meeting her enraged gaze calmly. “What do you want me to say?”

“Why did you lie to me about having terminal cancer? You’re just dealing with gastrointestinal bleeding, yet you roped so many people into this ridiculous act! Joshua, what’s your endgame here? Why would you stoop so low?”

Her anger burned, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at me.

I met her gaze evenly and said firmly, “Sophia, I never lied to you.”

“You’re unbelievable! The evidence is right in front of you, and you still have the nerve to claim you didn’t lie!”

In the face of her fury, I remained calm.

After a moment of silence, I said, “Sophia, let’s get a divorce.”

“Divorce? Don’t even think about it! I’ll never agree!” she shouted, her voice trembling with rage.

Her conviction solidified her belief that this elaborate act was to end our marriage.

She stepped closer, grabbing my collar. Her grip was tight and unyielding. “Joshua, you were at the scene the day Edson died. You’re a suspect in his murder! Don’t think for a second you can escape me. You deserve nothing but pain and torment!”

Whatever guilt she once felt vanished instantly.

Before I could speak, she slapped me.

“Divorce isn’t an option unless you want the people you care about to stop living!”

After issuing her threat, she turned and walked away.

I raised a hand to cover my reddened, swollen cheek, staring down at the scattered test results as a dull ache spread through my chest. If only all of this was just a performance.

I took a deep breath, looked up at her retreating figure, and called, “Sophia.”

She paused momentarily but didn’t stop.

Edison sauntered over, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. “Joshua, you know how much Sophia hates being lied to. Why would you conspire with so many people to deceive her?”

“It was you, wasn’t it?”