Chapter 13

"Am I the only one who feels sorry for Chris?"

"I feel the same way. He’s clearly the Wilder family's son-in-law, but today, Jessica is bringing another man onto the stage. Isn’t that an embarrassment to him?"

No matter what others said, Chris’s gaze remained fixed on Jessica. After the cake was cut, the scene began to shift.

The lighting became much more romantic, and Chris slowly stepped back, leaving the central spot to allow the real couple space to develop.

It was unclear who handed Michael the microphone.

"Jessica, we've wasted so much time. We’re no longer as young as we once were. I think it’s time to make a decision. Back then, I didn’t intend to leave you, and now we shouldn’t care about what others think..."

Chris didn’t have the courage to listen to the rest. He walked directly up to the second floor, entered a room, and turned on the light, only to realize that it was Jessica's room before her marriage.

It was easy to recognize—the room was filled with photos of Jessica and Michael.

He felt like an intruder, standing in the territory of a couple, looking at all the details of their once loving relationship.

‘I knew it from the very beginning... Why am I still so sad?’ Chris asked himself inwardly.

The music downstairs changed, becoming even more ambiguous than before. Through the door, he could almost imagine how ecstatic Jessica must have been, leaning into Michael’s arms, displaying a look he had never seen before.

Finally, it was over. The divorce certificate was in hand. Once he made it through today, he could leave cleanly and begin a new chapter.

Just as he sat on the bed, ready to rest, the door suddenly opened. He thought someone had caught him sneaking into the room, but following the light outside, he saw Sophie’s face appear in front of him.

"Did you see that? Michael confessed to my sister, and she’s already agreed to be with him. From now on, there’s no place for you beside my sister. You should leave the Wilder family and make room for Michael."

"We’re already divorced. Don’t say these meaningless things."

Sophie furrowed her brows. She just couldn’t believe that Chris would really divorce Jessica.

"You’re willing to divorce my sister, you must’ve received quite a bit in return," she said, stepping closer to him.

"Over the years, my sister alone gave you a lot, let alone the money my mother has given you. This time, you agreed to divorce. I can only imagine you’ve received even more. Chris, you really haven’t changed a bit."

Chris tiredly rubbed his temples. He had drunk a couple of glasses of champagne downstairs, and now the effects were kicking in, with thoughts of Jessica flooding his mind.

After all, they had been together for many years. How could he just give up?

He gritted his teeth and left the woman he once loved, only to have to watch as they became a couple and endure Sophie’s mockery. Any person would find that unbearable.

"You know how I am," he said, leaning slightly forward and staring at Sophie. "If you don’t want me to leave your sister soon, keep talking. I can raise the price until your sister can’t bear it anymore and won’t want to divorce me."

"You!" Sophie glared at him.

Chris leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Sophie. "You know I’m a man of my word."