Chapter 6

I stared coldly at his face, feigning deep emotion.

My stomach churned violently.

The lunch I had just eaten threatened to rise in my throat.

I turned to leave.

Escent Roland quickly blocked my path.

His voice was deliberately soft:

"Isabella, I've been reflecting seriously these past three days."

"You're still angry, aren't you?"

"Is it because the last bangle wasn't good enough? I've ordered a top-quality Imperial Jade Bangle, it will arrive the day after tomorrow."

"Come home with me, please?"

I almost laughed out loud.

Six years of dating, four years of marriage.

I had never realized he could twist the truth so shamelessly.

His audacity was astonishing.

The fundamental reason for the collapse of this marriage was his three-year-long affair.

One betrayal after another.

Yet now he casually dismissed it as me being dissatisfied with the bangle's value.

Shifting all the blame onto me.

And still so confident that I would return to him.

Where did he get such confidence?

"Escent, you are utterly absurd."

"Since you don't understand, I'll say it one last time."

"I don't want you anymore."

"All I want now is a divorce."

Escent was stunned.

His eyes instantly reddened.

He reached out to hug me, but I pushed him away fiercely.

"Isabella, why are you suddenly so resolute?"

"Have you heard some rumors and misunderstood me again?"

"I can explain everything that's happened recently."

He opened a jewelry box, pointing to a row of jade bangles inside:

"This Imperial Jade Bangle, I gave it to you because I was afraid Sophia Lefèvre might do something drastic."

"She tried to commit suicide on her birthday, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

"This Belle Bangle was for your birthday."

"Posting that photo with my ex was just a game, a dare I lost."

"And this carved bangle..."

I couldn't be bothered to listen further.

I walked to the neighborhood entrance and bought a cup of milk tea.

Escent followed behind me, babbling incessantly.

Until even he couldn't continue.

I took a sip of the milk tea and interrupted directly:

"Do you even believe these words yourself?"

Escent was completely panicked:

"Isabella, actually on the day I proposed, Sophia Lefèvre called me."

"She said she wanted to come back and marry me, but I refused her."

"Because I refused, she impulsively married someone else, then quickly divorced."

His voice grew lower, filled with guilt:

"I'm being nice to her now because I feel I owe her."

"Even if she abused cats, being forced abroad alone by my mother Eleanor Roland, she's so pitiful."

"I promise I won't contact Sophia Lefèvre anymore, will you come back?"

I paused mid-sip.

So on the day he proposed, Sophia Lefèvre was also vying for him.

I remembered the first time I met Escent six years ago.

At a business gathering.

I wore a white evening gown, stunning everyone alongside my best friend Olivia Sherwood.

We always lived freely.

We were having a great time during the dance.

Suddenly Escent approached and interrupted.

He draped his suit jacket around my waist.

I was about to get angry.

He bent down and whispered:

"Miss, your period has stained your dress, use mine to cover it."

My cheeks instantly burned.

"Thank you."

At that moment, I noticed him.

The only son of the wealthiest man in Yichun.

As attentive and considerate as the rumors said, a tall, rich, and handsome man.

I never expected that when he proposed, he chose me over Sophia Lefèvre.

My stomach churned again.

It was truly nauseating.

I stared at him coldly:

"Do you think telling me this would make me moved and forgive you?"

"Her impulsive marriage and divorce weren't caused by me, nor by you."

"She made her own choices and must bear the consequences herself."

"Yet you want me to take the blame."

"Tolerating her interference in our marriage!"

"You're always so self-righteous."

"I'm growing more and more disgusted by you."

I stood up to leave.

Escent grabbed me again:

"We're innocent! Isabella!"

"Still lying?"

I shook him off fiercely, enunciating each word:

"Twice last night, three times the night before, twice the day before that!"

"Escent, what are you still pretending for now?"

I shouted so loudly that people around us turned to look.

Escent guiltily lowered his head.

"How... how do you know?"

"If you don't sign, I'll sue you for adultery."

I turned and left.

Escent called after me:

"Isabella, is there really no chance for us?"

"None. I just want a divorce."