Chapter 13

I read it expressionlessly and turned off my phone.

Meanwhile.

Rhys was engrossed in the seductive photos in black lace that Chloe had sent him, a glimmer of anticipation and excitement on his face.

[Last chance!]

He hesitated, wondering whether to go find Chloe, but today was my birthday.

Desire and reason wrestled, and ultimately, desire won.

He stood up, preparing to leave.

Just then, a housekeeper approached.

"Grandpa Hawthorne requests your presence in his study."

Rhys had no choice but to go to the study first. On the way, he ran into me.

Thinking about meeting Chloe soon, he held my hand and said,

"Sera, something urgent came up at the office. I have to leave early in a bit."

He lied calmly, but his guilt was evident; his eyes couldn't meet mine.

I took in his panic and his lie, a faint smile playing on my lips. I didn't expose him.

"I understand," I said flatly, no disappointment on my face.

Then I pulled my hand free and walked away.

Rhys watched my retreating figure.

For some reason, his heart suddenly dropped, as if something was breaking away.

He clutched his chest for a moment, then, without thinking too much, walked into the study.

Grandpa Hawthorne handed him the divorce agreement.

"Rhys, sign it."

Rhys's mind was filled with Chloe's seductive photos. He barely glanced at the document before scribbling his signature.

Then he said urgently, "Grandpa, I have an emergency. I need to leave now."

With that, he quickly turned and hurried away.

Grandpa Hawthorne watched his retreating back, sighing helplessly, then slumped into his chair.

I stood in the old estate's courtyard.

Soon, a housekeeper found me and delivered the signed divorce agreement into my hands.

Looking at the somewhat sloppy signature, I could imagine how eager Rhys had been at the time.

So desperate to go find his mistress.

He probably didn't even realize he was signing divorce papers.

But it didn't matter anymore.

I gazed at the few white clouds drifting across the sky, occasionally spotting a few birds flying freely.

A smile touched my lips.

Soon, I would be free too.

"What are you thinking about?"

A magnetic voice descended from above.

I turned around and met Julian's deep eyes.

I instinctively tucked the divorce agreement into my bag.

"Uncle Julian, it's best we don't meet alone at the family estate." I took a step back, my attitude turning distant.

Julian narrowed his dark eyes, a mischievous curve to his lips. "What, afraid our affair will be exposed?"

"Uncle Julian, do you want to be labeled as the man who messed around with his nephew's wife?" I asked.

Julian moved closer, his tall frame looming over me. "I don't mind."

"..."

I was silent for a few seconds.

"I'm leaving now."

With that, I turned to walk away.

But my wrist was grabbed by the man behind me. With a slight pull, I was yanked into his embrace.

"What are you doing?" I felt a surge of panic, struggling to break free.

Julian held me tightly, his chest pressed against my back, his large hand slowly resting on my flat lower abdomen.

"I heard they're all pressuring you to have children. Do you think there might already be one in here?"

My heart skipped a beat. I tried to sound calm. "How could that be? I always take my pills."

"If there is, you need to tell me. I'll take responsibility." Julian whispered into my ear, his tone serious.

"Uncle Julian, you're overthinking. That's impossible."

I forcefully broke free from his embrace, fleeing in a hurry, as if a ghost were chasing me.

Julian stood there, watching, his brows furrowed.

It seemed I was avoiding him.

Neither of us noticed that behind a nearby wall, a pair of eyes had witnessed everything.