Chapter 503

“It’s not like that,” Annabelle said. “Don’t portray Mr. Hughes in such a negative light. My child—”

Before she could finish, Natalie sharply interrupted. “Are you trying to say the child isn’t Jeremy’s? Spare me your excuses; they won’t work. Besides, don’t you find it exhausting to maintain this facade? If you want him, why not be straightforward and admit it?”

Turning to Jeremy, she continued, “And you, I find it hard to believe. You can get her pregnant and refuse to acknowledge your relationship? I don’t understand your reasoning, but one thing is clear—your affair is undeniable, no matter how you try to cover it up.”

Jeremy struggled to respond. “Nath, go home now. Let’s talk when you’ve calmed down in a few days.”

“There’s nothing left to discuss,” Natalie replied. “Please have the divorce agreement signed soon, Mr. Hughes. Once that’s done, there will be little connecting us. And are you planning to drive Annabelle away? Whether she stays or goes is irrelevant.”

Every time she saw Jeremy now, her thoughts raged. The scenes in the video were becoming increasingly clear. She walked to the ward doorway, glanced back at him, and saw the pain in his eyes. She was momentarily stunned, a sharp ache spreading through her chest. However, a second later, she wondered if he could ever understand her pain.

“After this, please contact Truman Harper directly, Mr. Hughes,” Natalie declared resolutely. “He is my lawyer, and I’ve entrusted all divorce matters to him.”

Jeremy’s face turned pale. In his eyes, she had always seemed in need of protection, a child who never grew up. Now, she was handling their affairs with ruthless decisiveness and without hesitation.

Annabelle’s heart ached. She knew Jeremy treated Natalie well, but seeing his concern firsthand felt like a series of slaps. It deeply hurt her.

“Mr. Hughes, she knows everything,” Annabelle said. “Can I stay in Jipsburg? I won’t appear in front of you both again. Is that okay?” She pinched herself to remain composed.

Jeremy remained silent, his back to her, his demeanor unforgiving. Receiving no response, she slumped weakly against the hospital bed, questioning whether she could stay. Perhaps Jeremy simply lacked the strength to deal with her.

When Skylar finished work, she was accosted by Simona Parkinson, a young woman of eighteen or nineteen. Simona dressed edgily, in a carefree style reminiscent of Caleb. She was uninhibited in her self-expression. To Skylar, youth meant embracing such carefree wildness.

“Caleb says you’re his type,” Simona said. “But aside from being prettier than me, you’re so dull. Working here, you have no energy. You can’t compare to me. Has he lost his mind? How could he like someone like you?” Simona didn’t hide her feelings, blurting out her thoughts.

Skylar understood instantly. Caleb must have used her as a shield to reject Simona.