Chapter 196

I finally saw it clearly. Edward’s illness was probably never that serious. It was just an excuse to keep Alicia close by.

He had always been biased. Her grandfather was his old war buddy. The two of them pulling something like this wasn’t surprising at all.

Still, I was curious. “Did you know all along, or did you just finally lose your patience?”

Jonathan didn’t answer right away. His brow furrowed slightly.

After a long pause, he said quietly, “I just found out.”

There was a hint of resistance in his voice, like he didn’t want to admit he had been fooled for so long.

And honestly, it made sense. A man like him, so proud and stubborn, so used to having the upper hand his whole life, would never accept that even he had been deceived. Especially not by the one person he trusted most–his grandfather.

I said nothing more. I simply closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up again, I found myself in a familiar bedroom.

I sat up slowly. “Is this Willowcreek?”

Jonathan was beside me, already removing his dress shirt and suit. He pulled back the covers and climbed into bed.

Startled, I shifted away. “What are you doing?”

I clutched the blanket to my chest, eyeing him warily.

He glanced at me, voice calm. “I’m not in the mood tonight.”

I rolled my eyes. What kind of tone was that? Was he worried I might accuse him of something?

“You’d better not be in the mood for anything.”

He lay down behind me without another word and pulled me into his arms.

I had intended to push him away. But thinking about what I had to do, I let out a quiet sigh and stayed still.

I felt his hand gently brushing through my hair. After a long while, he let out a quiet sigh.

“Don’t give me the silent treatment again.”

I pretended not to hear him. I shifted slightly and closed my eyes.

He smiled faintly and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

But my heart was cold. Jonathan, it was already too late.

I had left Frederick and the others plenty of time. Over the past few days, I stayed by Jonathan’s side, playing the part he liked best: Obedient. Quiet. Loyal.

Whenever he didn’t have meetings, he came home early. If not for the glowing articles in the financial papers, I would’ve thought the company was on the brink of collapse.

Not that it mattered. I wouldn’t be around to see it.

After one last phone call, I received confirmation. All the documents were ready.

I took a deep breath. I didn’t know if what I was doing was right. But it was the only path I had left.

The door opened. Jonathan stepped inside.

He had been coming home earlier each day. Sometimes, he would whisper in my ear, “Elise, let’s have a child.”

His words made my skin crawl.

I shoved him back. “Jonathan, I don’t care what happens between us. But I will not drag an innocent child into this mess.”

He stared at me with those dark eyes. “You really think having a child with me is a bad decision?”

“What do you think?”

I looked him straight in the eyes. Maybe the way I had been acting lately made him believe I was truly that docile. Maybe it gave him the illusion that I would always submit.

This moment of resistance should remind him of who I really was.

I had done everything I needed to do. So, why should I care what he thought anymore?

“Jonathan, let me go.”

I took out a small voice recorder and held it up. “If you agree to a clean divorce, I won’t report you.” Silence fell.