Chapter 49

Sophia didn’t wait for Jayden to recover from his shock before sneering, “Jayden, I’m Joshua’s legal wife. How I treat him is a matter between us. It’s none of your business!”

“Sophia, you—”

“Jayden, stop,” I interrupted. “I don’t want to divorce Sophia.”

“Joshua! Do you even hear yourself?” Jayden turned, disbelief etched on his face. His dark eyes reflected shock and confusion.

Jayden clearly remembered Joshua saying he wanted a divorce from Sophia and to start taking care of himself. So why was he refusing now? What was going on? Had she threatened him?

That thought occurred to Jayden. He immediately turned back to Sophia. “He’s lost everything. What are you using to threaten him?”

“Joshua, have I threatened you?” Sophia asked with a half-hearted smile.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, as if joking, but I knew better. Beneath her smile was a sharp blade. If I dared to defy her, tragedy would surely befall those closest to me.

I couldn’t gamble anymore.

I turned to meet Jayden’s worried gaze and shook my head gently. “No, she hasn’t threatened me. I just… I can’t let go of her. I don’t want a divorce.”

“Why?” Jayden’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Joshua, you’ve loved her for years. Isn’t that enough? What has she ever given you besides pain? Why can’t you let yourself be happy?”

“Because I’ve loved her for so many years, I’ve grown used to it. I can’t imagine life without her,” I replied, clenching my fists.

The words tasted bitter, but I forced them out; they were exactly what Sophia wanted to hear.

Sophia’s lips curled in satisfaction. She cast a provocative glance at Jayden. “Now, do you understand?” Jayden fell silent.

Sophia glanced at me once more before saying indifferently, “I have other matters to attend to. I’m leaving.” After she left, Jayden sat on the edge of my bed, his face a mask of complicated emotions. The silence stretched until I broke it. “Jayden, don’t interfere in my affairs anymore.”

Jayden sighed deeply, his frustration evident. “What is she using to threaten you?”

I froze, caught off guard. But it made sense—Jayden was my closest friend. It wasn’t surprising he’d ask.

I let out a bitter laugh. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have much time left anyway. Once I’m gone, she won’t have anything to hold over me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, a mocking voice came from the doorway. “With me around, you’ll have plenty more days of wishing you were dead.” Jayden and I both turned, surprise etched on our faces.

Jayden stood and walked over. “Juliette, what are you doing here?”

“If I hadn’t come, I would’ve missed such a good show.”

Juliette walked to the side of my bed, replacing the nearly empty IV bag with a fresh one.

Afterward, her gaze fell back on me. “Joshua, honestly, seeing you live a life worse than death is incredibly satisfying.”

“Juliette!” Jayden frowned, his displeasure clear.

I opened my mouth, wanting to speak, but no words came out.

I knew Juliette harbored a grudge from the past and resented me for it. But that was still better than her learning the truth.