His Sweetheart Leaked My Nude, He Called It Trivial, I Divorced

Chapter 3

Normally, I would have defended myself. This time, I didn't bother.

"You're right. I brought all of this on myself. None of it has anything to do with you."

"Mirabelle, you really forgive me?" Lila looked as innocent as ever. But I still caught the flash of triumph in her eyes.

It didn't matter anymore.

I turned around and walked out of the room. Jeffrey followed me.

Seeing me struggle to walk, he hesitated. "I..."

Before he could finish, Lila suddenly cried out from inside the room.

Jeffrey looked at me apologetically. "Mirabelle, go get your injuries treated first. I'll come find you afterward, okay?"

I smiled faintly. "What if I said no?"

"Jeffrey!" Kate hurried out into the hallway. "Didn't you hear Lila? She's not feeling well."

Jeffrey stepped forward and wrapped me in his arms. His voice was soft beside my ear.

"Mirabelle, Lila's still young. I can't leave her here in the hospital by herself. You understand, don't you?"

Understand?

I'd been understanding for three straight years. All I'd gotten in return was for them to push even further. Wasn't that enough?

Before I could answer, Jeffrey had already let me go and hurried back into the room.

I let out a bitter laugh. Leaning against the wall, I registered myself at the outpatient clinic.

After my wounds were treated, I declined the doctor's recommendation to stay overnight and left the hospital.

I dragged myself home, exhausted.

Night slowly fell. Jeffrey never came home. He didn't even call once.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, I received a video.

In it, Jeffrey was holding Lila after she'd woken from a nightmare. He gently patted her back over and over.

His movements were unbelievably tender. Even his voice overflowed with affection.

"Jeffrey... will you always stay with me?" Lila asked between sniffles.

Jeffrey stroked her hair. "Of course. I'll always be here for you."

"You're the best."

"Now get some sleep. Tomorrow morning I'll drive over and buy you those famous cakes you love."

Lila smiled obediently. The video ended.

The restaurant was in the next city. Driving there and back took five hours. To make it back in time for breakfast, he'd have to leave before dawn.

I remembered when Jeffrey and I had first gotten married. Once, I had been craving those exact cakes.

Jeffrey promised he'd buy them for me. I was so excited.

The next morning, though, he came home with ordinary ones from the shop downstairs.

I had been disappointed. Even so, I smiled and ate every last one.

I knew exactly why Lila had sent me that video.

Still, my heart sank.

Not because I still loved Jeffrey. But because what I had once considered an impossible dream was something someone else could have with almost no effort at all.

I felt sorry for the woman I used to be. Fortunately, I wouldn't be hoping for any of that anymore.

The rumors continued spreading online. Through my lawyer, I sued several influencers who had spread the worst lies about me.

I also asked the police to release the official details of the stalking case.

Gradually, public opinion began to calm down.

During that same time, Jeffrey followed Kate's wishes and accompanied Lila to a vacation home outside the city so she could "recover."

A week later, Jeffrey finally called. I was sitting in my lawyer's office.

"Mirabelle, you're not home?" His deep voice came through the phone.

Looking at the stack of documents in front of me, I answered calmly, "I had a few things to take care of."

He paused before speaking again. "Mirabelle, I know you've been through a lot lately. But Lila gets scared easily. I couldn't just leave her alone. I hope you understand."

"I do." There wasn't the slightest ripple in my voice.

Jeffrey seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "Should I come pick you up? I bought you a gift. I even planned a candlelight dinner. Tonight, it'll just be the two of us."

His words were full of unmistakable implication. But my heart remained perfectly still.

"No need. I'll be home soon."

"Okay. I'll wait for you."

After hanging up, my attorney, Robin White, pointed at the documents in front of me.

"Ms. Stone, your brother, Mr. William Stone, has authorized us to complete the withdrawal of the five hundred million dollar investment. The paperwork is ready. When would you like us to announce it publicly?"

I understood immediately. William had left the final decision entirely in my hands.

Without changing my expression, I slowly pushed the documents back toward Robin.