Chapter 5
Seeing my unusual s
sexpression, Michael looked stunned.
I had forgiven him 32 times before. Perhaps in his eyes, that meant I would tolerate him forever–that he could do whatever he wanted.
Natasha was the best example. Because of my patience and his indulgence, she had the audacity to mock me.
“Yvonne, are you joking?”
Even though he had slept around and acted recklessly, somehow divorce still seemed like a heavy blow to him.
He couldn’t let go of Natasha’s tenderness, yet he also clung to the warmth of home.
“If you’re still upset over Tasha, there’s really no need to. I’ve told you before, she and I are just friends with benefits. A passing fling!
“Whatever’s between us has never affected my feelings for you. I’ve only ever loved you.
Friends with benefits?
I recognized every word he said, but strung together like that–it was absurd beyond belief. I couldn’t believe the shamelessness it took to say such things so casually.
Turning immoral and adulterous behavior into something that sounded like companionship and affection was just disgusting hypocrisy.
“So, in a society that upholds monogamy, why should I tolerate my husband keeping a sex friend on the side?”
Not to mention that Natasha’s existence damaged far more than just our emotional bond. She would gradually replace me, turning me into a discarded, slandered wife.
They were the ones at fault, yet I was the one who ended up) hurt..
As a lawyer, Michael knew better than anyone where the legal lines were. As long as he didn’t cross them, he would never restrain himself.
His words rendered all my arguments weak. Because in his eyes, I was never his equal. I was only his wife, not his opponent.
“Michael, you married me with motives. Yet, you want to keep me? That’s just laughable.”
To love someone one didn’t care about… even pretending to be heartbroken while trying to hold on after the relationship started falling apart–was textbook emotional manipulation.
“We signed the divorce agreement to give each other freedom. It’s a dignified end for both parties. But now you’re still playing mind games. What exactly do you want?”
Michael panicked. Now that the cooling–off period was over, he had no more excuses to keep this dying relationship going.
No matter how you looked at it, he was a heartless scumbag. Even if the law wouldn’t punish him, morality certainly would.
That went against his carefully crafted image as an elite professional,
I cleared my throat and stared him straight in the eyes. “I don’t have time to go in circles with you. Three days from now, we’ll meet at the courthouse. We’ll go our separate ways.”
With that, I turned and walked out without looking back.
But Michael’s voice suddenly rose sharply. “Yvonne, you’d better think carefully. You’re still working at my firm. Your career and future is in my hands. Can you really leave me?”
I had expected this.
Of course Michael wouldn’t give up that easily. If emotional manipulation didn’t work, he’d fall back on his usual tactic–threats.
Even now, in modern society, as long as someone held enough power, they could still dictate another person’s fate.
“Even if our feelings have faded, we’ve spent eight years together. I may not know you inside out, but I can guess most of your moves.” “Oh, I forgot to mention-
—
-I already quit. Everything was done by the book. The process was smooth. Even you can’t undo it. “You’re no longer my employer. I don’t have to obey you.”
I let out a deep breath.
After enduring Michael’s pressure for so long, I finally stood tall.
