Chapter 4

"Sit down."

Ignoring the pain on her cheek, she closed the door and pulled Shawn back onto the couch.

He didn't resist because he wanted to hear her explanation.

Crystal sat beside him. The imprint on her face had become more pronounced, but her expression remained calm. She was a rational woman, otherwise she wouldn't hold the position of president at Stewart Corporation.

She understood clearly that she didn't want to lose this marriage.

"First, we need to agree on something. After leaving the hotel, I didn't contact anyone. That means there's no possibility of me colluding with anyone. Otherwise, my explanation won't hold any weight. Do you agree?"

Shawn nodded. "Yes."

"Good."

Crystal took out her phone, found Frank's number, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and chose to make the call. If it weren't absolutely necessary, she wouldn't make this call.

After all, she was a millionaire. Some things were just embarrassing.

With the speakerphone on, the call connected quickly.

"Hello, Crystal."

Frank's voice came through. Crystal took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone casual. "Frank, I'm really sorry about what happened earlier. How's your injury?"

There was a moment of silence, then a very controlled laugh. "Injury? Physically, I'm fine, but psychologically... I don't think I can get over it! This is the first time I've ever been hit."

Clearly, he meant that this matter was far from over.

Worried, Crystal glanced at Shawn. "I'm really sorry. I've already taught my husband a lesson. If you want, I can apologize to you in person tomorrow!"

"No need. He's him, and you're you. This won't affect our collaboration."

Crystal let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"You wouldn't usually call me for no reason. Is there anything else?"

"There's one thing I want to ask. Why did you propose a condition like that earlier?"

As she spoke, Shawn raised an eyebrow.

A condition? Maybe things weren't as he thought?

After all, there was a difference between being proactive and reactive.

"The condition… Oh! You mean when we got out of the car at the hotel? Haha, you know my feelings for you. You'll earn at least $10 million this time thanks to me, so is it too much for me to ask to link arms with you?"

"Let's not do that again. It might give my husband the wrong impression," Crystal said with a sigh.

It was because of this condition that she almost got divorced, which left her deeply hurt. After saying that, she hung up without waiting for Frank to respond.

The room fell silent, both of them somewhat at a loss for words.

Shawn, frustrated, lit a cigarette and spoke in a deep voice, "I begrudgingly believe you this time, but it can't happen again."

Crystal's big eyes shimmered with tears, her red lips pouting, looking utterly wronged. "You accused me, hit me, and demanded a divorce. You owe me an apology."

"For hitting you, I apologize. I'm sorry."

No matter what, it was wrong to lay hands on the woman he loved, so Shawn readily apologized.

Hearing this only made Crystal feel more aggrieved. Huge drops of tears fell from her eyes, and she refused to wipe them away. She looked at him stubbornly.

Shawn's heart ached. If he didn't love her deeply, he wouldn't have reacted like that.

He felt an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her.

But he didn't. There was a thorn in his heart that wouldn't go away. After hesitating for a long time, he said what was on his mind.

"The most important thing in a marriage is trust. You lied to me and hid the fact that you were going out for dinner with another man. That's not right. Furthermore, agreeing to his condition for money is disrespectful to me. In my eyes, it's outrageous. I think we should cool off for a while."

Since he had verified that she was not in an affair with that man, he wouldn't go as far as getting a divorce, but Shawn couldn't forgive Crystal just yet.

Time would have to heal that wound.

With that, Shawn got up, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed towards the bathroom.

Crystal said nothing. Tears continued to fall from her eyes, leaving trails on her fair, smooth face as they dripped to the floor.

She felt aggrieved and angry. Why had her kind husband suddenly become a different person?

Had she really done something wrong?

But even if she had, it wasn't as bad as him hitting people.

For a while, neither spoke, one unable to resolve the emotional knot in his heart, and the other seething with anger.

When the lights were finally turned off, the couple lay on the bed with their backs to each other.

Shawn couldn't sleep, feeling inexplicably pained. He felt like something was subtly changing in this familiar house.

In front of him was a desk with a frame holding their wedding photo.

In the picture, he was laughing, while his wife looked sweet and radiant. They were a perfect match, and even the photographer praised them as an ideal couple.

Shawn undeniably loved his wife. Otherwise, given his capabilities, he could have started a business that would surpass Stewart Corporation. It wouldn't have been difficult for him.

He regretted opening the app for no reason. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have seen that scene, and maybe their love would still remain flawless.

No, there's no point thinking about that anymore. Some things were irreversible. He had to face reality...

Lost in thought, he gradually fell into a troubled sleep.

On the other hand, Crystal tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She felt angry and resentful. She had never been hit before, after all.

Covering her cheek with her hand, she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. The moment her husband mentioned divorce, her heart had nearly stopped. The agony was beyond words.

Frank Truman, why did you have to propose that stupid condition? Why did my husband have to see it?

She regretted it. Had she known this would happen, she would never have agreed.

Fine, she would apologize first. It shouldn't be that hard.

With that thought, she gently nudged Shawn with her arm.

Once, twice.

No response.

Soon, she heard his steady breathing.

Crystal's eyes widened. He's asleep? How could he fall asleep?

Fuming, she sat up angrily and turned over, pressing down on him.

Woken abruptly, Shawn opened his eyes, feeling both angry and amused. "What are you doing? Why aren't you sleeping?"

Crystal, with teary eyes, sat on his lap, pouting as she looked at his chiseled features. He was still that boy she fell in love with, tall and strong.

"I'm angry! I'm sad! Yes, I hid things from you, but I was doing it for our family, for our future! I didn't cheat on you! How can you hit me, then ignore me?"