Chapter 3

"Julia, it's all my fault," Henry said softly, his tone gentle and pitiful. "I was worried about causing trouble for you both, so I made the bouillabaisse for Jake today. Who could've guessed he wouldn't drink it, and even pushed and hit me…"

He gave a bitter smile. "It must've been my cooking. I must've made it so bad that it made him angry."

Even as he spoke, there was a faint glint of satisfaction in his eyes, though it was quickly masked by a look of gracious humility. He even tried to calm them down, pretending to be the peacekeeper.

Julia and I locked eyes. I yanked my wrist free from her grip.

"He accused me of pushing him," I said coldly. "All I did was teach him a lesson."

Ryan suddenly spoke up, glaring at me with disgust. "Dad, Ella and I both saw it. You pushed Uncle Henry. Why are you lying?"

My daughter bit her lip and echoed, "I saw it too. It was you, Dad. You pushed him."

Henry's mocking look deepened, though his voice stayed warm. "Don't argue because of me. It's my fault. Jake, please, don't take it out on the kids."

Julia sighed, her voice heavy with disappointment. "Jake, people say jealousy is the devil. Look at you now. You've turned into something hateful. Stay home and reflect on what you've become."

Just like in my last life, a single sentence was all it took for her to condemn me.

I suddenly laughed at myself for still trying to explain and expecting her to listen. However, it didn't matter anymore. There wouldn't be a next time.

They all gathered protectively around the "injured" Henry and left together.

I glanced at the ledger on the table, sorted it as quickly as possible, and finished packing my bags. Then I took out the divorce papers I'd already prepared and set them down in front of Julia.

"Julia, let's get a divorce."

Julia didn't even look at the papers. She picked them up, tossed them straight into the trash, and let out a mocking laugh.

"All this drama because of what happened today? He and I grew up together. He's sick and doesn't have much time left, yet you hit him. What more do you want?" Her eyes turned cold. "And you? A self-made upstart daring to talk divorce with me?"

From the look on her face, I could tell she wasn't taking me seriously at all. To her, I was just throwing a tantrum. After all, I'd loved her so much. How could I possibly walk away?

"Didn't Henry ask you to recognize him as your brother after he died? To put his memorial tablet in the Summers Estate?"

Julia froze.

"Where did you hear that?" she demanded.

"If Henry dies in the Summers household," she said, "he'll automatically deserve a place in the family shrine."

"Then what if I refuse?" I shot back.

She frowned, irritation flashing in her eyes. "What's wrong with you lately? You've been going against me over everything! It's just recognizing him as my brother. It's not like we're having a child together!"

"As long as I'm still your husband," I said coldly, "whether it's calling him your brother or having a child with him, I'll never allow it."

I pulled out another copy of the divorce agreement and slid it toward her. "You might as well just divorce me. Then your childhood sweetheart can finally get what he wants."

Julia's face hardened, her expression cooling instantly as she studied me, searching for any sign I might be bluffing.

"You'd really give up the title of my husband? You'd really walk away from your children?" she asked. "Jake, you promised when we got married that we'd grow old together."

"And you promised me," I said, voice sharp, "that you'd love only me in this lifetime. Yet here you are, planning to make Henry your 'brother'. Brother… What a joke. Everyone knows that in your world, 'brother' just means 'lover'."

My tone turned icy. "So if I stay, I'm only making it harder for you, aren't I? Besides, the kids clearly adore Henry. If divorce makes everyone happy, why shouldn't I go through with it?"