Chapter 6

Yvonne’s flawlessly preserved face was all warmth and kindness. Her smile was so wide that her eyes curved into crescents. Even through the photo, Nina could feel how happy she looked.

That kind of smile was something Nina had never received, not even once.

Throughout her marriage, what she had gotten from Yvonne was only disdain, judgment, irritation, and cold indifference.

The post itself was short. It contained only that single photo and a brief headline. Even so, it quickly went viral. Curious readers flocked to it, and countless clickbait accounts rushed to capitalize on the buzz.

Before long, the photo had spread across the entire internet.

Yvonne’s identity was well known. Everyone knew she had only one son, Miles Jackson.

Naturally, speculation about Mia’s identity erupted. The public quickly decided that she must be Miles’s wife, the long-rumored and mysterious Mrs. Jackson.

Nina forwarded the photo to Miles.

She did not say a word. She did not ask a question.

Her silence spoke for itself, striking directly at every promise he had once made.

William said nothing.

He simply sat there, waiting patiently for Nina’s response.

Moments like this were not the time for comfort. Wounds like these could only be soothed by those closest to her or by herself.

And William was neither.

To speak now would only make things worse.

But watching her eyes grow red, William frowned slightly.

His hands were folded on his lap. He leaned back in his chair, brows furrowed, words rising to his tongue but never quite leaving it. Every small movement showed his silent struggle.

“Nina…”

Before he could finish, her phone rang, cutting him off.

William glanced over. The first thing he noticed was the name flashing on the screen — “Hubby.”

Nina muted the call. She didn’t answer, but she didn’t hang up either.

The other side refused to give up. It was clear the calls would keep coming until she picked up.

Then the texts started flooding in.

“Honey, let me explain.

“You have to believe me. I had no idea about this.

“Honey, please answer the phone.

“Where are you?”

Nina locked the screen and let out a long, steady breath.

“Mr. Lawson, I’ve made up my mind.

“Divorce is the only path left for me and Miles Jackson.”

She was never one to hesitate once a decision was made. And once she committed to something, she never looked back.

“Please draft the divorce agreement. And prepare for litigation as well.”

This livestream was the perfect piece of evidence. It had saved her the trouble of hiring a private investigator.

In a way, Yvonne had done her a favor.

Nina knew Miles well. A settlement by mutual agreement was impossible.

She had asked him more than once. And every time, he had refused.

But even after all these years together, she didn’t want things to end in an ugly fight. If his infidelity were exposed publicly, it would hurt them both.

She didn’t want the man she had loved for so long to become someone she had to destroy.

She still wanted to try one last time.

William’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “Litigation takes preparation. It won’t be immediate.”

“How long?”

“Three days.”

“Alright.”

Then a thought occurred to her, and her brows furrowed.

“Mr. Lawson, Miles has already pressured the other lawyers not to take my case. If you help me, will this cause trouble for you?”

If it would, she couldn’t let him get dragged into this.

William’s voice was calm and to the point.

“This is my job, Nina. It’s what I’m supposed to do. All you need to do is tell me everything fully and honestly.

“For now, Yvonne Spencer’s livestream and that headline are your strongest pieces of evidence. I’ll do everything I can to secure the best possible outcome for you.”

He had handled countless financial disputes, many involving people far more powerful than Miles. One Miles Jackson was nothing to worry about.

“Besides,” he added, a rare softness in his voice, “you once saved my life. No matter how difficult this gets, I won’t turn my back on you.”

Their conversation finished, and it was getting late. Nina offered to take William back.

“Mr. Lawson, where are you staying?”

“I came straight to Harbor City the moment you called. I haven’t had a chance to book a hotel yet.”

The way he said it sounded ambiguous. Anyone overhearing might easily get the wrong idea about their relationship.

However, William remained calm and distant as always. There was nothing in his manner that invited closeness.

When he noticed her surprised expression, he looked genuinely puzzled. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing,” Nina replied, though inwardly she sighed.

It only took three hours to fly from Jersey City to Harbor City. Realistically, that would have left him with at least four hours of free time.

It had been nothing more than a polite remark, yet she had actually taken it at face value.

What she didn’t know was that, at the moment she had called him, William had been abroad.

There were no commercial flights available at that hour. He had taken a private jet and flown through the night just to come back.

The fading glow of the sunset fell softly across William’s face. As he looked at Nina, a trace of warmth appeared in his eyes, though it was nearly impossible to detect.

He had thought that, after all these years, he had finally let go.

Yet one phone call had shattered that illusion completely.

And when he heard her say the words “I want a divorce,” a shameful surge of joy had unexpectedly welled up inside him.

He still loved her.

He always had.

As the host, and as someone involved in the matter, Nina felt responsible for making proper arrangements for him. Besides, she had been William’s junior in school.

She booked a very nice hotel. Gritting her teeth, she paid for an entire week in advance. Then she personally drove William there.

Just before he got out of the car, William spoke. “Nina.”

“Hm?”

Nina turned her head in surprise, only to meet his deep, dark eyes head-on.

His features were perfect, and his gaze seemed to hold countless unspoken words that drew her in.

Nina’s heart skipped a beat.

In the small, enclosed car, his presence felt overwhelming, making her slightly uncomfortable.

When he remained silent, she nervously tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Mr. Lawson, is there something else?”

After a moment, William smiled faintly. His smile was soft and warm, like a gentle spring breeze.

“I hope this will be a pleasant partnership.”

Not far away, someone raised a phone and discreetly snapped a photo of the scene. A moment later, the photo was sent to Miles.

William stepped out of the car and watched as Nina drove away. He turned and walked in the opposite direction, lowering his gaze to hide the emotions swirling in his eyes.

Once again, he buried his feelings deep within, just as he had done so many times before.

Some things were better left unsaid. At least for now.

There was no rush.

There would be time.

She was about to get divorced. Wasn’t she?

*

Miles was growing frantic. He had tried calling Nina over and over, but her phone remained unanswered.

“Levi, I suggest you give me a damn good explanation for this.”

He tossed his phone onto the table. His temples throbbed painfully.

Something felt wrong. Very wrong.

“I told you to keep an eye on Mia. How the hell did she end up out in public with my mother?

“And where did that headline come from? Which outlet published it?”

A dangerous look flickered in Miles’s eyes.

“I’ve said it before. Anything involving my wife must go through me first. I should be the one to approve it.”

The moment the article appeared, Levi had immediately called the bodyguards assigned to watch Mia.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Levi explained. “Mr. Jackson, your mother took Mia out personally. The bodyguards assumed it was on your orders and didn’t report it.

“As for the headline, your mother sent the photo to the press herself and gave them permission to publish it.”

Levi hesitated, then added, “I suspect what happened at the business banquet wasn’t an accident. But if you want the full story, you’ll need to ask your mother yourself.”