Chapter 4: I don’t want to leave

Alley Houston drives home, crying as she goes. She doesn't know what to do to keep Karimba Cellon by her side. In reality, love is not the only reason that makes her cling desperately to him.

While on her way back, Alley suddenly sees a familiar figure buying food on the roadside. She hits the brakes, quickly wipes away her tears, and opens the car door to step out.

Seeing Alley rushing towards her, Taylor Kindsley is slightly taken aback. It has only been a few days, but Alley looks disheveled beyond recognition. Her eyes are deeply sunken, her skin pale, and her body appears frail and lifeless. All of this indicates the extent of Alley Houston's despair following her divorce with Karimba Cellon. Taylor Kindsley doesn't know what to say, so she forces a smile.

"Alley, what a coincidence," Taylor Kindsley says.

Alley Houston breathes heavily, then gazes intently at Taylor Kindsley, her expression extremely disheveled. Alley pulls Taylor Kindsley aside to a less crowded corner of a cafe, sits down, and bursts into tears.

"I have to get a divorce, Taylor. He absolutely refuses to live with me anymore. What am I going to do?" Alley asks, her voice hoarse and tearful.

Hearing Alley Houston's hoarse voice, Taylor Kindsley can tell that she has been crying a lot. In this day and age, divorce is not uncommon, and for someone as cold, aloof, and never having loved anyone like Taylor Kindsley, it is not a big deal.

"He's that adamant, huh? What's the reason?" Taylor Kindsley looks straight into Alley Houston's eyes and asks.

Alley Houston shakes her head, muttering for a few moments before replying, "He said he's scared and tired of me. I don't even know where I went wrong."

"So what do you plan to do?" Taylor Kindsley continues to inquire.

Alley Houston shakes her head, her gaze somewhat confused. It seems she still can't accept the fact that she will be separated from that man. Alley wipes her tears, dejectedly answering, "I don't know yet. I'm so confused and scared right now. I can only stubbornly hold on to him and hope that he remembers the love we had for the past three years. You know, the thing I fear the most... In short, I don't want a divorce."

Taylor Kindsley remains silent, and suddenly, the atmosphere between the two young women becomes somewhat solemn. Taylor Kindsley knows what Alley Houston is afraid of. Even she herself cannot determine her own destiny, let alone a girl who has been under the control of her parents since childhood like Alley Houston.

"For now, why don't you temporarily stay at my place? If you go back to the Houston residence now, there's a good chance your parents won't forgive you," Taylor Kindsley ponders for a moment and gently advises Alley Houston.

"Would that be convenient for you? If my parents find out that I've been kicked out of the Cellon house and seek refuge at your place, they will definitely take it out on you," Alley Houston expresses her concern.

Alley Houston anxiously looks at Taylor Kindsley, as if her parents are about to chase her to this close sister's house. Taylor Kindsley smirks, a smile that carries a hint of arrogance and bitterness that perhaps only Alley Houston understands. She gently shakes her head and replies:

"If not here, then where else can I go? My parents need a significant investment from the Cellon family. They are preparing to launch a new research project that costs billions of dong. Without the long-standing sponsorship from the Cellon family, how could my parents afford to sustain our lives, sisters?"

Alley Houston bows her head, her breath becoming heavy. Taylor Kindsley is right. Both of her parents need money from the Cellon family, and her marriage to Karimba Cellon is the exchange they made to secure long-term funding from The Cellon Corporation, which involves enormous financial resources.

"Thank you, sis. That seems to be the only option," Alley Houston reluctantly responds to Taylor Kindsley, her gaze filled with uncertainty.

"You seem quite reluctant. Perhaps you can't bear to leave Karimba Cellon's house, can you?" Taylor Kindsley half-jokingly, half-seriously says to Alley Houston, making her look bewildered. Alley Houston is about to deny it, but upon reflection, Taylor Kindsley's words are not entirely wrong.

Their marriage wasn't based on love, but after three years of living together, seeing a handsome, wealthy, and sophisticated man like Karimba Cellon every day, Alley Houston's heart had unknowingly grown attached. She feared returning to the Houston family, and she also feared leaving Karimba Cellon. Right now, apart from temporarily avoiding her parents, she also had to find a way to convince Karimba Cellon and the Cellon family to retract their divorce intentions.

"I may have to leave, Taylor. The woman he loves is Brenda, not me."

"You mean Brenda Mclean?" Taylor Kindsley asks in surprise. "She's the niece of Karimba Cellon's stepmother, isn't she?"

Alley Houston nods, her eyes revealing exhaustion, pain, and jealousy.

"Could it be that his stepmother wants her niece to marry a billionaire like him to improve their lives? Or maybe they want to take over The Cellon Corporation?" Taylor Kindsley asks.

Alley Houston shakes her head, responding with indifference, "I don't know. Even if your guess is right, I have no right to interfere in the Cellon family's affairs. Karimba has already rejected me."

Taylor Kindsley sighs slightly. "What a fool she is! Karimba has lost his mind. How could he fall in love with a woman like her?"

Alley Houston smirks disdainfully and shakes her head. "I don't know. My mind is empty."

"Let's go to my house first, and then we can slowly think of a solution," Taylor Kindsley pats Alley Houston's shoulder, comforting her.

Ultimately, Alley Houston can not believe that Karimba Cellon would be so determined. On her way back to Taylor Kindsley's house, joyful memories between them resurfaced in Alley Houston's mind, both soothing and tormenting her at the same time.