Chapter 12
Tears traced her cheeks. She never intended to take anything from Barbara. The Rivera family had been collapsing when Charles’s father approached her family, proposing a marriage alliance in exchange for the Lewis family’s finan- cial rescue.
She dug her nails into her palm, fighting for clarity, only to hear Charles’s icy, commanding voice: “Draw Margaret’s blood. I’ll take full responsibility.”
Beside them, Jin tugged at the chief physician’s coat, sobbing: “Save Aunt Barbara! Hurry and save Aunt Barbara!”
Until the needle pierced Margaret’s skin and blood flowed back into the tube, Charles didn’t leave with the child, re- lieved.
Margaret lay unconscious in the hospital for three days. On the third morning, Charles stood before her room,
holding a bouquet of sunflowers. Dressed in a white tracksuit, strands of hair danced at his temples in the breeze.
So this was how handsome Charles looked at eighteen.
“Barbara’s health has always been delicate. I can’t risk anything happening to her.”
He remained silent for a long time during the ride back, but eventually spoke up.
Margaret stared blankly at the sunflower, then offered a bitter smile.
The eighteen–year–old Charles would never be so cruel.
“The Lewis family is well–off. You’ve been pampered since childhood. Even if something happens, it won’t affect your future much. Besides, I’m still by your side.”
Margaret didn’t know what mindset Charles had when he said that, but it was the first time she directly faced the deci- sion he made.
He never cared about her.
It seemed that his staying by Margaret’s side was a great favor.
When they got home, a servant came to tell him the Tomato Basil Bisque was ready. He turned and went into the kitchen, then personally took it upstairs without even glancing at Margaret.
As he stepped onto the stairs, Margaret called out softly.
“Charles.”
Charles turned around, frowned slightly, and said nothing.
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Chapter 12
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“So you think this is all my fault, right?”
Just as his expression grew increasingly impatient, Margaret finally voiced the question that had haunted her for
years.
But Charles only furrowed his brow tighter, shoving the tray into her hands. “Stop asking pointless questions. This marriage was a mutually beneficial alliance between our families. The Riveras gained influence, and you secured your position through this union. As long as you know your place, this arrangement can continue.”
Margaret suddenly just laughed.
She, Margaret, the rising star of the business world, had cut through the competition as the second daughter of the Lewis family, stepping on every person who’d ever looked down on her until they could never rise again. Now her very name commanded respect. If it weren’t for love, would she have put up with so much from him?
Behaving properly?
Shouldn’t that describe him? The man completely misunderstood the Rivera family’s standing in Philadelphia.
She couldn’t tolerate it any longer.
Just as her anger surged, Victor’s soft, sweet voice floated downstairs: “Daddy, hurry up! Aunt Barbara’s starving.”
Beside him, Barbara gently interjected: “It’s fine, I’m not hungry. Mom and Dad need to talk…”
Those two voices dissipated Charles’s anger instantly. He called out warmly to announce his arrival.
Yet when he turned to Margaret, his tone turned icy: “There’s some left in the pot. Ask the housekeeper to serve you.”
He snatched the porridge bowl and walked away without another glance.
Margaret clenched her fist, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she never said a word to stop him.
Whatever. The waiting period for the divorce agreement was over.
She wanted nothing left here.
“Ms. Lewis, the divorce papers are ready, and the new house is prepared. Shall I assist with moving your belongings tomorrow? There’s a meeting in the US requiring your presence.”
Her assistant called, and Margaret flatly replied, “Alright.”
An hour later, the assistant arrived to organize crucial documents from the study. Margaret deleted all contact for Charles and placed the divorce papers on the desk’s most visible spot.
On the plane, Margaret closed her eyes, quietly savoring this rare pressure–free moment.
Finally, she shattered that dream.
