Chapter 3

Anya POV

I picked up the divorce papers, my gaze fixed on their intertwined hands.

After a long moment, I took a deep breath.

"This time, I won't remarry you. Never."

I turned and went upstairs, grabbed my passport, and left.

Ethan, drinking the black coffee Serena poured for him, watched my retreating figure with an indifferent expression.

"The divorce will be finalized in a month. You won't back out, will you?"

"I'll be there."

"Has the Reed family thought about how they'll apologize to me? This time, the divorce isn't my fault."

His attitude remained arrogant.

My face was pale, and I clutched my stomach, leaving without a word.

Indeed, a leopard never changes its spots.

If it happens once, it will happen countless times.

Tears streamed down my face as I walked.

I cried for my own momentary weakness.

And I cried for the child who never got to see this world.

A month after submitting the divorce application.

I completed the asset division and made a call.

That afternoon, I was working at the office when Ethan suddenly burst in and grabbed my wrist.

"What did you do to Lily? She came home crying and wanted to drop out of school, saying you spread rumors at school that her mother broke up a family!"

Ethan's eyes were fierce as he stared at me, enunciating every word.

"She's only an eight-year-old child. Do you really need to pressure her like this?"

"What?"

I was about to speak, but Serena, with red-rimmed eyes, interrupted me from behind.

"Ethan and I have no relationship whatsoever."

"He just took pity on me, handled my divorce case, and let me temporarily be his administrative assistant."

"Why would you slander me like this and make my child suffer!"

She cried, looking disheveled and frail. Given her age, many people thought I was being unreasonable this time.

"I heard Mr. Blackwood has finally settled down. Why is the Reed heiress still so relentless?"

"Exactly, she even went to the school. How can that child live with this?"

"Rich heiresses really do love these public humiliation games."

The overwhelming accusations made me laugh bitterly.

"What evidence do you have that I did this?"

"Who else would it be but you?"

Ethan's cold gaze fixed on me.

"You've ruined that actress before, spreading rumors about her being a mistress. This time is no different."

I was speechless.

"Before, I did that because I wanted to divorce you..."

"Go apologize to the school immediately!"

Ethan didn't want to hear it.

I was practically dragged to the school's parent committee office.

Ethan said coldly.

"Now, admit in front of everyone that you spread rumors, and apologize."

I shook my head indifferently.

"Impossible. I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

I would never back down.

Serena immediately broke down.

She rushed forward and slapped me twice.

My cheeks stung fiercely. I was completely stunned.

It had always been me, the Reed heiress, doing the slapping. No one had ever dared to hit me like this!

Especially not my husband's old flame!

"You!"

I, furious and humiliated, raised my hand for a slap.

But Ethan gripped my hand tightly!

I looked at him in shock.

"You watched me get hit?! Ethan, are you out of your mind?!"

Perhaps the anger and pain in my eyes pierced Ethan, because his grip loosened.

Once free, without thinking, I rushed forward and kicked Serena in the stomach.

Sending her sprawling to the floor!

Thud!

Coincidentally, there was a stair step right there.

"Save me!"

Serena helplessly tumbled down the stairs.

Her cries faded into the air.

I froze.

Ethan, even more frantic, rushed down.

"Serena!"