“Okay.”
“Even if you didn’t ask, I would’ve done it anyway.”
My sister’s voice crackled with fury. “She pushed my precious little brother to this point—I won’t let her get away with it.”
“Taking back the support and resources you gave her? That’s not enough.”
I knew her temper, and I knew her methods even better.
The thought of Evelyn facing my sister’s full wrath made me feel a faint twinge of pity. But I quickly buried it, nodded slightly, and said:
“Fine.”
“Do whatever you need to.”
The next morning, I got a call from Evelyn.
“Nate, have you not had enough of this?”
“I already told you—what happened between Lucas and me was a complete accident. You’ll still be the father of the three children. As for what happened yesterday with the scalding, I’m willing to let it go.”
“What exactly do you want?”
“What do I want?”
I was too exhausted to argue anymore.
“I want a divorce.”
“Sign the papers. We’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau today.”
“Impossible!”
She rejected it outright, then shifted her tone, suddenly soft and pleading.
“Don’t you remember the sweet moments we shared? All the things we went through?”
“The only person I’ve ever truly loved is you.”
“I feel safe and comfortable with you. Can we—”
“Stop.”
I cut her off, goosebumps crawling all over my skin.
“Evelyn, maybe you feel comfortable with me now.”
“But I’m pretty sure you and Lucas were feeling very comfortable together last night.”
“You—!”
She was silent for a few seconds. When she spoke again, her tone was low and serious.
“You’re really sure you want this divorce?”
“Absolutely. No doubt. One hundred percent sure.”
“…Fine.”
Her voice turned cold again. “I’ll agree—but only if you attend a banquet with me tonight.”
“It’s crucial for my company. It could make or break the IPO.”
“A scandal now would destroy everything. Even if you’re just a stay-at-home husband, I hope you can at least grasp what’s at stake.”
I froze.
Up until now, I’d actually thought she still had some lingering feelings for me. I’d even considered asking my sister to go easy on her.
But no.
Turns out this marriage only mattered because it made her company look good.
What a joke.
“Heh…”
“You really are something, Evelyn.”
No longer bothering to pretend, she spoke in a flat, transactional tone. “Just cooperate for now. Once the IPO is done, we’ll divorce. I’ll give you ten million.”
“That should cover your basic needs for the rest of your life.”
Beep…
I hung up.
One more second of her voice and I might’ve thrown the phone out the window.
I typed a message instead.
“I’ll go to the banquet tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will get the divorce certificate. This is my final compromise.”
“Push me again, and I won’t promise what happens next.”
A reply came quickly.
“Deal.”
…
That evening, I accompanied Evelyn to the banquet.
She was dressed to perfection—elegant, radiant, the center of every glance the moment we stepped into the hall.
As we entered, heads turned. Murmurs followed.
“President Carter, you just gave birth and you’re already back in the game?”
“Still attending events before your confinement’s even over—truly worthy of the Iron Lady title!”
“The key is that figure—still flawless—and your style hasn’t changed one bit.”
“You and your husband are as loving as ever. I also heard the company’s going public soon. You’re really winning it all—family, love, and career!”
“Don’t flatter me too much,” Evelyn replied with a sweet smile, clearly enjoying the praise.
To me, though, every word of their flattery felt like a jagged blade, reopening wounds that hadn’t even begun to heal.
And yet, she basked in the attention, beaming as she mingled.
Before long, the guest of honor arrived—the young heir of New York Trump Group, the biggest investor in her company. Under the bright spotlights, he made his entrance like a star, cocky and self-assured.
Just as I allowed the corners of my mouth to twitch into a smirk, the banquet doors slammed open.
A furious figure stormed in—Lucas, disheveled and wild-eyed like a man possessed. All heads turned toward him as he became the sudden center of attention.
“Nate!” he bellowed. “You’re vicious—beyond redemption!”
“We already told you! That night between Mr. Carter and me was just a drunken mistake! If you want to divorce her, fine. But what about the kids?”
“They’re not even a month old yet!”
“How could you poison them?! How can a human being be this cruel?!”
