The Ex-Wife He Couldn't Forget

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"I told you I don't want an abortion!"

Samantha's voice rang out as Mendel pulled her toward the car.

She forcefully shook off his hand and took a step back. Her face was red with anger, and her chest rose and fell heavily as she stared at the man standing in front of her.

Mendel's expression remained cold.

"Then let's get divorced."

The words came out without hesitation.

"I have no intention of staying married to a woman who's carrying another man's child."

Samantha felt her heart sink.

Even after everything she had explained, Mendel still refused to believe her.

"What exactly do I have to do to make you understand that this child is yours?" she demanded.

Mendel laughed mockingly.

"You still want to continue this lie?"

"It's not a lie."

"It is."

His voice became colder.

"You can repeat it a thousand times, Samantha, but it won't change anything."

Before Samantha could respond, a familiar voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Mendel."

Amanda walked toward them with a worried expression on her face.

The moment she reached them, she looked at Samantha and sighed softly.

"Samantha, please stop this."

Samantha immediately frowned.

Amanda continued before she could speak.

"Mendel already knows everything. There's no point hiding your affair with Desmond anymore."

Samantha's eyes widened.

"What affair?"

Amanda looked as though she was trying to be understanding.

"I know you're upset because Mendel and I are close."

The words made Samantha almost laugh.

Amanda wasn't finished.

"I understand jealousy. Any woman would feel uncomfortable seeing her husband's first love around him."

She lowered her head slightly.

"But that doesn't mean you should repay that jealousy by sleeping with another man."

The accusation was so shameless that Samantha was left speechless for a moment.

Amanda looked toward Mendel.

"If my presence is causing problems in your marriage, then I'll leave."

Her voice sounded gentle and selfless.

"I don't want to be the reason you two keep arguing. If my existence is only bringing trouble, I'll stay away from both of you."

Mendel's expression immediately softened.

Seeing that reaction made Samantha feel sick.

Amanda was the one creating problems.

Amanda was the one spreading lies.

Yet she was acting like the victim.

Samantha finally let out a bitter laugh.

"It's good that you're finally becoming self-aware."

Amanda looked surprised.

"What do you mean?"

Samantha folded her arms across her chest.

"You know very well that Mendel is a married man."

Amanda's expression stiffened slightly.

Samantha took another step forward.

"A decent woman would know how to keep her distance from another woman's husband."

Amanda's face immediately changed.

"Samantha—"

"Or maybe that's impossible for you."

Samantha's voice became sharper.

"Maybe women like you enjoy chasing after men who already belong to someone else."

The words landed heavily.

Amanda's eyes widened.

Mendel's face darkened instantly.

"Watch your mouth."

Samantha ignored him.

Her eyes remained fixed on Amanda.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

Amanda's lips trembled slightly.

"Mendel, I wasn't trying to—"

Before she could finish speaking, a loud sound echoed between them.

Slap!

Samantha's head snapped to the side.

For a moment, everything became silent.

Even Amanda looked shocked.

Samantha slowly raised her hand and touched her burning cheek.

She couldn't believe what had just happened.

Then she slowly turned her head and looked at Mendel.

The man she had loved for ten years was glaring at her as though she were his enemy.

Mendel's face was flushed with anger.

His breathing was uneven.

The slap had happened so quickly that even he seemed momentarily stunned by his own actions.

Yet he didn't apologize.

Instead, he pointed at Amanda and said harshly, "Amanda is kind and understanding. She has done nothing but treat you with respect, yet you insulted her right in front of me."

Samantha stared at him without saying a word.

Mendel continued speaking.

"I don't even want to imagine how you've treated her when I'm not around."

The accusation hurt more than the slap.

Amanda was the one spreading lies.

Amanda was the one trying to destroy her marriage.

Yet somehow Samantha was the villain.

"Amanda is a good woman," Mendel continued firmly. "I knew her long before I ever met you, so don't try to poison my opinion of her."

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm warning you right now. Watch what you say to her."

Amanda immediately stepped forward and grabbed Mendel's arm.

"Mendel, please don't be angry. Samantha didn't mean it."

Her voice sounded soft and concerned, but Samantha could see the satisfaction hidden behind her eyes.

Amanda was enjoying this.

She was enjoying every second of it.

Meanwhile, Samantha stood completely still.

The side of her face throbbed painfully, but that wasn't what hurt the most.

The real pain came from the fact that the man who had hit her was the same man she had spent ten years loving.

For ten years, she had chased after him.

For ten years, she had endured his coldness.

For ten years, she had convinced herself that one day he would finally see her sincerity.

"Mendel, you shouldn't have slapped her."

Amanda immediately wrapped both hands around Mendel's arm and leaned against him as if she was worried about Samantha.

"Samantha is pregnant. What if something happens to the baby?"

Her voice was soft and caring.

Anyone who didn't know the truth would think she was genuinely concerned.

Mendel's expression softened slightly.

Amanda glanced at Samantha before lowering her eyes.

"It's okay. I'm used to it."

Samantha frowned.

Amanda continued speaking as though she were the victim.

"Samantha has always hated me. Sometimes she slaps me, sometimes she pushes me, and sometimes she throws me out because she doesn't want me near you."

The accusation was outrageous.

Samantha stared at Amanda in disbelief.

Yet Amanda continued her performance.

"But I understand her."

She tightened her hold on Mendel's arm.

"She's just afraid of losing you."

Mendel's gaze immediately turned cold when he looked at Samantha.

"You should learn from Amanda."

Samantha remained silent.

The corner of her lip was bleeding slightly from the slap. She raised a hand and wiped away the trace of blood without saying a word.

Mendel continued speaking.

"Amanda is forgiving, understanding, and kind. No matter how badly you treat her, she never complains. She's nothing like you."

Samantha almost laughed.

Nothing like her?

Of course Amanda was nothing like her.

Amanda was better at pretending.

Amanda was better at manipulating people.

Amanda was better at making herself look innocent.

Unfortunately, Mendel was too blind to see it.

Amanda sighed softly.

"Samantha, you should just agree to the abortion."

She sounded as though she genuinely cared.

"I'm saying this for your own good."

Samantha slowly lowered her hand.

Then she looked directly at Amanda.

"I don't want an abortion."

Her voice was calm.

Firm.

"I will keep this child no matter what."

For the first time, there wasn't a trace of hesitation in her words.

The slap Mendel gave her had destroyed something inside her.

For years, she tolerated his cold attitude.

For years, she tolerated his harsh words.

For years, she convinced herself that one day he would appreciate her love.

But today was different.

Today, he raised his hand against her while knowing she was carrying a child.

Some things could be forgiven.

That could not.

Mendel looked at her coldly.

"Fine."

The single word surprised both women.

"If that's your decision, then I'll have my lawyer prepare the divorce papers."

His voice was completely emotionless.

"I'll also tell Grandmother everything."

Samantha looked at him quietly.

Mendel continued.

"I'll tell her that you cheated on me and got pregnant with another man's child."

His lips curved into a cold smile.

"When she hears the truth, she'll hate you even more than I do."

The words should have hurt.

Instead, Samantha felt strangely calm.

Maybe because she was finally exhausted.

Maybe because she no longer wanted to fight for a man who never stood on her side.

"As you wish."

Mendel frowned.

The response wasn't what he expected.

Samantha looked directly at him.

"I agree to divorce."

For the first time, surprise appeared in Mendel's eyes.

Samantha continued before he could speak.

"We'll divorce after this child is born."

Amanda's smile immediately froze.

Mendel's face darkened.

"What are you talking about?"

Samantha took a deep breath.

"When the baby is born, we'll do a DNA test."

She pointed at her stomach.

"If that test proves you're not the father, I'll sign every paper you put in front of me."

The confidence in her voice caught everyone off guard.

Then Samantha looked directly into Mendel's eyes.

"But if the DNA test proves that this child is yours..."

She paused.

"...I want you on your knees apologizing to me."

Silence instantly fell.

Amanda's face became ugly.

Mendel's eyes narrowed.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm completely serious."

Amanda quickly stepped forward.

"Samantha, don't make things difficult for Mendel."

She forced a smile onto her face.

"You're only three months pregnant. Are you really asking him to wait that long?"

Samantha immediately turned toward her.

The hostility in her eyes made Amanda uncomfortable.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

Amanda stiffened.

"What?"

Samantha took a step forward.

"Can't you wait to take my place?"

Amanda's face instantly changed.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Samantha let out a cold laugh.

"You've been hanging onto him all day."

Her gaze dropped to Amanda's hands wrapped around Mendel's arm.

"You act like you already own him."

From a distance, nobody would believe Mendel and Amanda were merely friends.

They looked exactly like lovers.

Before Amanda could respond, Mendel stepped forward.

"Enough."

His voice was filled with irritation.

"Stop saying ridiculous things."

Samantha looked at him.

Mendel didn't avoid her gaze.

Instead, he said the words she would never forget.

"Amanda is nothing like you."

Samantha's expression remained calm.

Mendel continued.

"You forced your way into my life."

Every word struck like a knife.

"You were the one who begged Grandmother to pressure me into marriage."

Amanda lowered her head, hiding the smile threatening to appear on her lips.

Mendel wasn't finished.

"If it wasn't for you, Amanda would have been the mistress of this family a long time ago."

The silence that followed felt endless.

Then Mendel delivered the final blow.

"So don't forget this."

His eyes met Samantha's.

"The only woman I've ever loved is Amanda."

Everything became quiet.

Amanda looked pleased.

Mendel looked firm.

Meanwhile, Samantha simply nodded.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Not because she was happy.

But because she finally felt sorry for herself.

For ten years, she chased after a man who loved someone else.

For ten years, she believed her sincerity could change his heart.

For ten years, she kept hoping.

Now she finally understood how foolish she had been.

Three years of marriage had changed nothing.

Amanda was still the woman in Mendel's heart.

And she always would be.

Mendel glanced at Amanda before speaking again.

"Amanda will stay at the villa from now on."

Samantha looked up.

Mendel continued casually.

"Her apartment is being renovated."

The statement made Samantha laugh in disbelief.

"We're still married."

"So?"

"You want to bring another woman into our home while we're still husband and wife?"

Amanda immediately looked embarrassed.

"Mendel, maybe I should stay somewhere else..."

"No."

Mendel interrupted her.

Then he looked at Samantha.

"As long as we're legally married, I'll continue providing everything you need."

His voice was indifferent.

"You can stay in the villa until the divorce is finalized."

Samantha shook her head.

"I don't agree."

"You don't need to."

The answer came immediately.

Samantha stared at him.

Mendel's expression remained cold.

"I don't need your approval."

Then he delivered one final sentence.

"If you don't like it..."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"...you can leave."

Now she felt foolish.