Chapter 7
Luna shot me an admiring look from an angle her parents and brother couldn’t see.]
Kai opened his mouth but couldn’t get a word out.[]
“Well, explain yourself! What exactly were you thinking?“]
Mrs. Hawthorne was shaking with rage, “How did I raise such a heartless son?! Only three years of marriage and you’re already pulling this nonsense!“]
Luna added at the perfect moment: “Mom, you don’t even know the worst part–Raven posted on Instagram implying that Phoenix was stirring up trouble, saying Phoenix was maliciously attacking her. She did something shameful and then tried to blame the victim.“]]
Mr. Hawthorne finished looking through all the evidence and let out a heavy sigh: “Phoenix, my son was wrong here. But isn’t there any way you could give him one more chance?“]]
I shook my head.[]
Just as Kai was about to say something else, my phone suddenly rang.[]
It was an Instagram notification.[]
Raven had just posted: [Thank you for the hug, it brought me warmth on this cold winter day.]]
The photo showed her and Kai embracing outside the school, in an intimate pose.[]
She’d even tagged Kai.[]
Perfect timing.
I handed my phone around for everyone to see.[]
Mrs. Hawthorne took one look at the photo and fainted.[]
“Mom!” Kai rushed to catch her, then frantically explained: “This isn’t what it looks like! She was crying hard and I just wanted
to comfort her!”
I watched this scene with detached calm, the last shred of attachment in my heart finally disappearing.]]
He still didn’t understand that a married man having inappropriate contact with another woman was wrong in itself, no matter how noble the excuse.[]
“Looks like Kai Hawthorne’s promises can’t even last one day.“[]
I stood up and grabbed my purse, “I’m seeing a lawyer tomorrow to prepare divorce papers. This marriage is over!“[]
With that, my parents and I walked out of the Hawthorne house without looking back.]
Behind us, I could hear Kai’s desperate shouting: “Phoenix! Let me explain! It’s not what you think!“]]
Chapter 7
But I was done listening to explanations.]
After leaving the Hawthorne house, I went straight back to my parents‘ place.[]
I stayed there for six months.[]
During that time, Kai tried countless times to contact me, but my parents turned him away every time.]
Luna kept texting me updates about the Hawthorne family drama.[]
I could tell she was really fed up with everything too.[]
[Phoenix, my brother’s gastritis flared up again–he was hospitalized for three days.]]]
[Raven’s getting closer and closer to my brother now, and she keeps coming over for dinner.][]
[My mom’s warming up to Raven now, says she’s gentle and caring, really good at taking care of people.]]
[My dad thinks Raven’s great too–says she’s well–mannered and a good girl.]]]
Reading these messages, I just smiled faintly.]
Without my stomach remedy recipe, of course Kai’s gastritis would keep recurring.[]
And Raven was swooping in during his vulnerable moments, showing concern when he was sick–naturally she’d win over his parents.]
But none of this concerned me anymore. I was determined to get divorced.[]
I was only having my lawyer handle negotiations out of consideration for our families‘ business relationship–I didn’t want to cause a huge scene.[]
But apparently, my attempt to preserve everyone’s dignity was being mistaken for weakness.[]
[Phoenix, my brother says he absolutely refuses to agree to the divorce.]]]
I texted back: [Tell him I won’t be preserving the Hawthorne family’s reputation anymore. I’m filing for divorce. I don’t need his agreement–the court will decide.]]
Luna quickly replied: [I confronted my brother and asked him what his deal was. He still insists he only sees Raven as a sister and has no romantic feelings for her.]]
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He Wanted His Childhood Sweetheart? Congrats, She Just Won a Bankrupt Man and a Rotten Heart
