My Actor Husband's True Face

The Open Window [Part 3]

With that mentality, Maurice stopped Shannon, who was about to pass by her on the way to Becca's car.

“Oh, you are still here? Wow, incredible. I thought after being caught and confronted by Max, you would go home crying and desperately trying to please him. Or even more dramatically … begging him to kindly give you another chance to fix your relationship,” Maurice sneered sarcastically, her words laced with a condescending smile.

Accustomed to seeing Shannon display obedience, even to the point of “groveling” to Maxime, many members of the Caldrich family treated her poorly, especially those of the younger generation.

And Maurice was the worst of them. As Maxime’s younger sister, she shared a close bond with him. Being the youngest member of the family, with a significant age gap from Maxime, Maurice was heavily spoiled by both their parents and her older brother.

This had shaped her into someone blunt and unafraid to provoke others. People like Shannon were simply not worth taking seriously in Maurice’s eyes.

Scoffing coldly, Maurice offered a sly smirk before adding, “It is such a shame that all your efforts will be in vain, just a waste of Max’s time. Shannon, if I am being honest, why do not you just give up already? Divorce Max. You know, don’t you? You are not the kind of person he likes, and you never will be!”

Shannon was used to situations like this and was unsurprised by Maurice’s behavior. In the past, she would often listen to Maurice’s words and attempt to change herself. But over time, those attempts had only eroded her confidence and left her feeling despondent.

Even now, Shannon intended to ignore the insults and swallow them whole. But then, she heard Maurice’s final remark.

She wanted to laugh.

To laugh at herself.

To laugh at her foolishness all this time.

The foolishness of believing that someday, the person she loved would turn to her. Would see her waiting faithfully. Unbothered by how much time she wasted, how many efforts she made, and how great her sacrifices were.

However, in the end, all of it was not only futile but also left a lingering sense of regret.

When Shannon finally realized it, she had already lost so much.

She lost her best years, time she could have spent learning and building a foundation for her future. The time she wasted chasing after someone’s approval should have been spent enjoying herself with friends her age, trying new and exciting challenges.

Fortunately, she realized her mistakes before it was too late to make amends.

Shannon looked at Maurice and smiled sincerely, speaking in a soft voice, “Thank you for the reminder.”

Her response left Maurice stunned, confused by Shannon’s unexpected reaction. But, much like her older brother, that confusion quickly turned into skepticism.

As Shannon walked past her calmly, Maurice reached out to grab her but ended up clutching Becca’s shirt instead.

“Please, do not block our way,” Shannon said in a tone so unfamiliar that Maurice did not quite register it.

Unwilling to back down, Maurice’s spoiled temperament flared up at Shannon’s composed demeanor.

“I am not done talking to you. You’d better not walk away, or…” Maurice glared at Shannon, releasing her grip on Becca’s clothing and crossing her arms.

“…or I will report your behavior to Max and make him, ”

“Go ahead,” Shannon interrupted. Honestly, she was beginning to feel annoyed, partly because she had to support Becca’s weight and partly because Maurice’s earlier tug had thrown her off balance.

“You… Are you threatening me?! Shannon, I am not joking!”

Shannon let out a long sigh. Just as she was about to respond, Becca’s low, urgent voice interrupted her.

“Move… move aside… oh, let me go…”

Shannon turned to see Becca looking unwell, and a bad feeling crept over her. She quickly released her hold on Becca and stepped back.

Seeing the two of them in a rush, Maurice, still angry, tried to stop them again. She grabbed at Becca, who was the nearest, just as she had done before.

But what she never expected was that the moment she managed to grab Becca, a foul and revolting vomit splattered onto her clothes. Even Katie, who stood nearby, was not spared. Only Shannon remained untouched in the situation, though even Becca got a little on herself.

Both of them froze in shock before finally screaming hysterically. Shannon seized the opportunity to help Becca into the car and escape the chaotic scene.

"How was that? Am I not amazing?" Becca, lying on the back seat, spoke in a proud tone.

Shannon glanced at her through the rearview mirror, shaking her head slightly, but she replied, “Yes, amazing.”

“I’ve wanted to get back at her for ages,” Becca said again, her hatred barely concealed. “That girl, Maurice… tsk, she is so annoying! Good thing your brain finally started working again!”

Hearing that, Shannon did not feel offended in the slightest. How could she? She knew all too well that her best friend had always held back from confronting Maurice just for the sake of their friendship.

Feeling grateful, Shannon said, “Thank you.”

That expression of gratitude earned her a jacket thrown by Becca, slightly stained with vomit.

It was past midnight when they arrived at Becca’s apartment. Shannon quickly cleaned herself up and lay down on the bed. She tried to organize her thoughts and fall asleep, but sleep would not come.

Her mind was in turmoil, starting from the day she decided to file for divorce from Maxime to everything that had happened that evening.

This turn of events had never crossed her mind, leaving her slightly off balance. However, she could not deny that it brought a sense of relief and freedom.

It was as if a window that had always been tightly shut was suddenly flung open. The beautiful view outside, which she could only observe before, could now be felt. It was vivid and slowly brought a refreshing breeze into her stifling little room, carrying with it the scent of newfound freedom.

Shannon let out a deep sigh, eventually rising from the bed to write in her journal, something she had not done in a long time, as her sole purpose before had been to please Maxime.

At that moment, her phone buzzed. A message had arrived from an unknown number.

[You lied. Now, what else do you want to do to get my attention, huh?]