Ex, It’s Over！I've Found My True Love

Chapter 5 Who Is She With?

Warren's POV:

Lynne stood before me, her elegant dress accentuating her graceful curves. Her golden curls framed her face, her makeup was flawless, and her demeanor exuded sophistication.

It was as if she had transformed overnight. She was no longer the plain, dutiful housewife who revolved around me.

She looked radiant, captivating even, while I—exhausted from a sleepless night—hadn't even bothered to shave my growing stubble.

"Warren!" Esther waved the card in my face. "This has to be stolen! There's no way you'd give her so much money!"

"I didn't," I replied, pressing a hand to my throbbing temple. "I never gave her any money."

"Aha! I knew it! She's a thief!" Fiona shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Lynne. "You country-bred b***h! Thief!"

"Accusations like that can have legal consequences," Lynne snapped, snatching the card back. Her voice was sharp with indignation. "I wouldn't touch a penny of your family's filthy money!"

She reached into her bag and pulled out a check. "Mr. Sterling," she said, her tone icy, "everything you bought me over the past three years is still in your villa. As for the money, this check more than covers it. I'm giving it back to you—now we're even."

She called me "Mr. Sterling". The formality of it struck a chord, a chill running through me.

Then she tossed the check at me.

A simple piece of paper and that detached address combined to pierce me in a way I couldn't explain.

As she turned to leave, I instinctively grabbed her wrist. "Lynne, did you find another man? Where did you get this money?"

"Do I owe you an explanation?" she retorted, her head held high, a cold smile playing on her lips.

"Mr. Sterling," she said, her voice cutting, "all you need to do is confirm that the money in this card isn't yours."

"It's not mine," I admitted, my voice betraying my unease. "But who gave it to you?"

"No comment," she replied with a haughty snort, her composure unshaken.

Her reddened eyes betrayed an inner turmoil, and for a fleeting moment, my heart faltered.

"Lynne, I don't care if you're mad at Warren." Esther's shrill voice cut through the tension. "But I still need you to iron my clothes!"

"And clean my room while you're at it," Fiona added, her tone icy. "Just like last time."

"I've divorced Warren. Don't you understand?" Lynne's voice was laced with fiery defiance. "Go boss someone else around. I've had enough of all of you!"

Their bickering felt like a slap to my face. It hit me, for the first time, just how my family had treated Lynne.

I had ignored her and failed to see how they humiliated her time and again. It was clear—she'd reached her limit.

"Warren." Esther turned to me, her expression outraged. "Are you seriously letting your wife talk to us like this? She's lived off you for years, and now she's acting this arrogant?"

"And threatening us with divorce?" Fiona sneered. "She was desperate to marry you. There's no way she'd willingly let go!"

"Enough!" I roared, my patience snapping. "Yes, Lynne and I are divorced. And the way you've treated her is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Divorced? Really?" Esther froze, then broke into laughter. "It's about time! A woman like her never belonged in the Sterling family."

"Exactly," Fiona chimed in, her words vicious as ever. "If it weren't for your grandmother forcing the match, I'd never have allowed this country bumpkin to marry you!"

"Warren Sterling," Lynne shook her head, her smile bitter. "I wish you and your family all the happiness in the world. But as for you and me—this is goodbye, forever!"

With that, she yanked her wrist free, grabbed her shopping bags, and stormed off haughtily.

"Lynne, we're not done talking!" I rushed to block her path.

"There's nothing left to say." She brushed past me without even a glance back. "Talk to your family. We're over."

*****

Fiona and Esther's voices continued to grate on my ears, but I couldn't make out their words anymore. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by one question. Who was Lynne with right now?

Who had given her the money for the expensive clothes and jewelry she now wore?

Yet her figure disappeared from view before I could get an answer.

The check she'd tossed at me lay on the floor like a piece of trash, the amount written on it mocking me.

This was actually from Lynne!

She wiped away our three years of marriage that easily.

I let out a hollow laugh. How had things come to this?

"Warren!" A soft voice called out, breaking my thoughts. I turned to see Shirley approaching.

She wore a flowing white dress, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders. Her complexion was pale, almost sickly.

"Warren, I waited for you at the hospital, but your assistant told me you came to see Lynne?" she said, pointing toward the store entrance. "I saw her leaving in a luxury car—a man was driving."

A luxury car? Driven by a man? My chest tightened at the thought.

"Darling," Shirley said sweetly, slipping her arm through mine. "Don't be upset with Lynne. Maybe she's found her true love. We should just wish her well."

"Does your leg not hurt anymore?" I asked, pulling my arm away. Her overly sweet tone grated on me. "Did you really run out of the hospital like this?"

"Oh, of course it still hurts!" Shirley's expression turned pitiful. "But I don't blame Lynne. I know she didn't mean it."

"Shirley," I sneered. "Do you really think I still believe you? All those misunderstandings you created—you just wanted to drive Lynne and me apart. Well, congratulations. You succeeded."

"Warren, you're being unfair!" Tears welled up in Shirley's eyes as she shook her head. "I only did it because I love you. I just want to be with you..."

She raised a hand to wipe her tears, accidentally brushing back her hair and exposing the scar on her forehead.

That scar—she'd gotten it protecting me during an attack.

Guilt weighed heavy on my chest. "I'm sorry," I muttered hoarsely.

"Warren," Esther interjected, wrapping an arm around Shirley's shoulder, "Our grandmother didn't approve of Shirley before, but now she has dementia. Maybe you and Shirley can start fresh?"

"I agree," Fiona chimed in eagerly. "Shirley is the perfect match for the Sterling family—a true Taylor heiress, unlike Lynne, who's just a nobody from the countryside."

I didn't respond, but Shirley leaned into me, her voice trembling with anticipation. "Warren, my love, I've waited so long for this moment. Will you love me the way you used to?"