Chapter 491

"You've wrongly accused Mr. Hughes," Annabelle interjected. "He came to see me for work. We're not having an affair. Mr. Hughes truly loves you. Please don't misunderstand him."

Her excuses for Jeremy were a far cry from the braggadocio of the mistress she'd been the previous night. Jeremy must have adored such an understanding mistress; why else would he have gotten her pregnant?

Natalie laughed coldly. She found Jeremy as revolting as Annabelle. "Do you think I'm an idiot?" she shrieked. "Jeremy, I want a divorce. You two won't need to sneak around anymore. You can be together openly. I'm not worthy enough to be Mrs. Hughes!"

Jeremy's expression changed drastically.

Annabelle was initially dumbfounded, then glee overwhelmed her. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. Was Natalie really going to divorce Jeremy so easily?

She glanced at Jeremy and felt a punch to the chest. Inexplicable terror engulfed her. His pale face and the simmering fury within were testament to how much he cared for Natalie.

"Nath, you should go home first. I'll provide a reasonable explanation," Jeremy said, reaching for Natalie. He hoped she would forgive him. Divorce was impossible; he would never marry another woman.

"Please believe us, Mrs. Hughes," Annabelle added, unable to calm down. She knew she had to exploit this opportunity. Natalie's request for a divorce had to be used to her advantage.

"Shut up!" Jeremy roared.

Annabelle jumped.

Natalie laughed harder at Jeremy's scolding of Annabelle. "Stop putting on a show," she said. "Don't disappoint me further."

Turning to Skylar, she said, "Skye, let's go." She'd said what needed to be said and wanted to go home to prepare her divorce agreement. She needed to divorce Jeremy as soon as possible. The thought of Jeremy with other women terrified her; she feared she would go mad if she stayed.

Skylar put an arm around Natalie's shoulders. As they left, Skylar glared at Annabelle.

Annabelle hadn't expected Natalie to bring Skylar. Jipsburg was too small. And why did Skylar's gaze pierce through her, as if seeing all her secrets? Goosebumps covered Annabelle.

*Jeremy said to Skylar, "Skylar, help me console her. I'll handle this."

Skylar stared at him emotionlessly. "Nath is my best friend," she said. "Of course I'll stay by her side."

Handle it? How would Jeremy handle this? Natalie had already seen a recording of him in bed with another woman. Did he think he could make everything go back to normal? Pretending everything was alright never solved problems. Moreover, Natalie valued her honor; she would never settle for a compromise and couldn't act as if nothing happened.

"There's no need to continue talking to him," Natalie said. "From today onward, I have nothing to say to him. We're done. Let's go! I can't stay here a second longer."

"Alright," Skylar said, leaving with Natalie.

In the twilight hours, events unfolded beyond Jeremy's expectations. He never imagined Natalie would find out. He'd thought he'd been discreet; everything should have been settled by now. Why had Natalie found out today, of all days?

"Mr. Hughes, what should we do now?" Annabelle asked, feigning terror. Her pale face and pitiful question painted her as the victim.