The expression on his face was identical to the one from my past life—the look that told me I was nothing but a nuisance.
I thought my heart, already scarred and battered, had long since gone numb. Yet a fresh wave of rage surged through me, hot and visceral, making my entire body tremble.
My hand lashed out, connecting hard with his cheek.
*Smack.*
I rubbed my stinging palm and met Dominic Henson's incredulous stare.
"Weren't you the one who said the mushrooms were fine? You told me not to meddle." Ice dripped from every word. "So now that I've followed your instructions, you're unhappy? Dominic, you really are impossible to please."
"Y-you..." He stammered, eyes widening. "You came back, too."
His expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions before settling into grim resolve.
A deep breath.
"I wanted to wait to tell you this, but since we're already here, I won't beat around the bush." He straightened his posture. "Katherine, let's get a divorce. I know you love me to death, that you think you can't survive without me, but in this life, I will not let Caroline down again. I intend to spend the rest of my life with her."
The man wore a look of such deep, self-righteous devotion that laughter bubbled out of me—pure, bitter absurdity. "You want to marry Caroline Henson? Do you truly not care how society will judge you?"
"It was because I cared too much about public opinion in my last life that Caroline had to bear the burden alone." His jaw set with conviction. "In this life, I will give her a title. I will give our child a legitimate status. I am willing to stand beside her against the world!"
What a touching confession. I almost wanted to applaud his delusion.
"Since you two are so deeply in love, I certainly wouldn't want to be the villain who separates a pair of soulmates." My tone stayed flat, bored. "If you want a divorce, fine. If you want me to bury that surveillance video, that's fine too."
I stepped closer, gaze sharpening to a blade's edge. "Bring me ten percent of the company's shares and fifty million dollars in compensation. Do that, and I'll sign the papers. I'll even give you my blessing."
The corner of Dominic's mouth, which had just begun to lift in relief, flattened into a hard line.
He looked at me as if seeing a stranger, disappointment flooding his eyes.
"Katherine Fox, when did you become so mercenary? Is money the only thing that comes out of your mouth now? Can't we just separate peacefully?"
"Dominic, spare me the moral high ground." The words snapped out like a whip. "You cheated first. Furthermore, you are a murderer. What right do you have to negotiate terms with your victim?"
His face froze.
Cold indifference settled over me like armor. "If I calculate the timeline correctly, Caroline should already be pregnant, shouldn't she? Don't you want to stand proudly beside her? Or is the love Mr. Henson fought for across two lifetimes not even worth a little money?"
He gritted his teeth. "Let me think about it."
I watched his retreating figure, suppressing the cold laughter bubbling in my chest.
*Separate peacefully?*
*In your dreams.*
A notification chimed on my phone. I tapped it open immediately.
The private detective's report eased the tightness in my chest.
The group had been taken to the police station for questioning. After assessing the situation, the officers informed Caroline that her actions had endangered the students' safety. She would be detained.
The color drained from her face. She burrowed into Dominic's arms like a frightened doe, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Brother, I didn't do it on purpose! I'll never do it again. Save me—don't let me go to jail. I'm scared!"
Several parents, overhearing her plea, exploded.
"Now you know fear? What were you doing earlier? My child is still lying in the hospital, life and death uncertain! We are more scared than you!"
"Someone like you should rot in a cell!"
The parents grew more agitated by the second, the scene threatening to spiral out of control.
The company lawyer rushed forward to mediate.
"Parents, please, let's discuss this rationally. Getting angry won't help. We need to come to a decision that benefits the children." His voice dropped, turning conciliatory. "The damage is done, but the follow-up treatment and nutritional costs will be significant. That is not a small amount of money."
