Chapter 4

His clothes were pressed right up against Vanessa’s, intimate and close, as if they belonged to a married couple.

Behind me, Vanessa had just opened her mouth when Tyler barged in first and said casually, “Those clothes of yours are basically rags anyway. They were just taking up space. Might as well throw them out.”

Just then, Vanessa saw the shattered photo frame in my hand and frowned.

“I’ll have someone print another copy of that photo in a couple of days. Tyler is young and careless. Don’t take it personally.”

After saying that, she turned to Tyler at the door and reminded him with concern, “Don’t come in yet. The room is a mess. You might hurt yourself on the broken glass.”

I let out a cold laugh in my heart.

I suddenly remembered the time Vanessa and I went hiking.

We had already agreed on the route, but halfway through, Tyler insisted on changing paths and taking an unmarked trail.

I tried to stop him, but Vanessa blamed me for ruining a young person’s sense of adventure.

Later, under Tyler’s lead, we got lost.

To keep him warm through the night, Vanessa gave Tyler every piece of clothing from my backpack.

I was so cold my entire body went stiff.

When the rescue team finally arrived, she was crying beside Tyler, saying again and again, “Thank God. Thank God Tyler is okay.”

Maybe that was when I should have woken up from this dream.

Thinking of that, I said calmly, “No need to print it. The divorce papers I mentioned last time are already on the table. Sign them when you have time.”

Vanessa froze.

Then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she snapped in anger, “It’s just a messy room. Do you really have to make that kind of joke?”

Before I could speak, Tyler suddenly rushed in.

“Vanessa, come eat with me. I peeled the lobster just for you.”

Then he turned to me and let out a mocking laugh.

“Wow, I didn’t know old men played the divorce card too. Watching too many short videos lately?”

In the past, if I had heard that, I would have fired back in anger on the spot.

But now, I simply shut the door.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Vanessa knocked twice outside, then went quiet.

After packing up my things, I confirmed the pickup time with the delivery company.

I did not know how long had passed before the laughter in the living room finally faded.

Vanessa opened the door. She was holding the divorce papers in her hand.

She placed them on the table. For once, she did not use an accusing tone. Instead, she spoke softly.

“I know what you’re angry about. You’re upset because you think I care about him more than I care about you, right?

“But you should try to understand me too. I grew up together with him. Over the years, I haven’t just supported him. He’s also given me many happy memories.

“We’re not siblings, but we’re closer than siblings. You can’t expect me to cut him out of my life completely.”

Looking at the tenderness that filled her face whenever she mentioned Tyler, I truly wondered whether she had even fooled herself.

Anyone could see the possessiveness in Tyler’s eyes.

Only she seemed blind to it.

No.

Maybe she did see it.

She just wanted to enjoy it.

She had said things like this many times before, and I had believed her many times before.

But now, I would never believe her again.

Seeing that I said nothing, she took my hand and continued gently, “All right, don’t be angry anymore. I’ll pretend I never saw the divorce papers. It’s only a messy room. I’ll call a cleaner later and have everything tidied up.”

I understood.

She was giving me another way out.

But I had no intention of taking it.

I said flatly, “No need. I’ve already packed. I hope you sign the divorce papers as soon as possible. Taking this to court won’t benefit you.”

With that, I picked up my clothes and left.

Vanessa was about to stop me when Tyler’s special ringtone suddenly sounded from her phone.

She immediately answered it with a smile.