Chapter 4 How Long Will You Keep Pretending

Henry sounded uninterested. It was as if he spoke of the weather.

Owen immediately barked, "Quiet, you! I didn't ask for your opinion!"

Though Natalie did feel upset, it wasn't as heartbreaking as it used to be.

In the past, his indifferent manner would have pained her greatly.

It no longer did, though.

Natalie realized letting go wasn't as difficult as she thought it would be.

Henry's detached attitude only further solidified her determination to get a divorce.

Seeing how Owen was about to continue scolding Henry, Natalie spoke up, "Grandpa, Henry's right. It's not necessary.

"Henry and I won't be celebrating our third wedding anniversary, or any other anniversary for that matter."

Silence took over the living room.

After staring blankly for a while, Moira finally asked, "What are you saying, Natalie? Did Henry do something to upset you?"

"He didn't, Grandma. I just think we're not suitable for each other."

Natalie looked dead serious as she continued, "We're about to get a divorce, so it won't be necessary to host the banquet."

Initially, she had been troubled by how she would bring this up to Owen and Moira.

They had been so kind to her all this while. She felt bad to suddenly announce she wanted a divorce.

But at that moment, Natalie came to a realization.

When a relationship didn't involve mutual affection, it wasn't just the couple who suffered. Even those around them would be concerned and affected as well.

She didn't want to carry on living like this.

The moment she finished speaking, Owen cast a furious glare at Henry and ordered, "Come with me to the study."

Henry did as told. He stood up and followed Owen to the study.

However, his expression was as cold as ice.

He never thought Natalie would ask for a divorce right in front of his grandparents.

Once Owen shut the door to the study behind him, he aimed his cane at Henry and snapped, "You fool! What did you do?"

Henry deftly avoided the cane and frowned. "Doesn't she always play these games for attention, Grandpa? Give it a couple of days, and she'll drop it."

"She'll drop it, you say? Is this how you usually treat Natalie? Is she the one playing games, or have you been kicked in the head?"

Owen walked to the desk. He grabbed a stack of photos and tossed it at Henry.

The photos were scattered all over the floor, but Henry could see what they depicted.

They showed scenes of him and Juliet at the airport together, as well as them sharing a meal.

Two days ago, Henry had returned from a business trip. He ran into Juliet at the airport by coincidence, and she struck up a conversation with him.

He didn't pay much attention to her. When he found a random restaurant to have a meal, he ran into Juliet again. She chose to join him at his table and eat with him.

Henry never thought someone would take photos of them!

The photos were even sent to Owen!

Henry's eyes darkened.

Who took these photos?

Was it Natalie?

She was asking for a divorce. Yet, at the same time, she hired someone to take these photos and deliver them to Owen!

She even brought up the divorce when Owen and Moira talked about organizing a banquet for their wedding anniversary. By doing so, she made herself seem like the perfectly innocent victim!

He had underestimated how cunning she was!

Henry's silence only made Owen turn pale with rage. "Shouldn't you be explaining yourself to me? Henry, have you forgotten what that woman did a few years ago? When it comes to matters of love, can't you be wiser?"

Henry's expression wasn't any better. "There's nothing to explain. I did what you asked me to do. I married Natalie and promised I wouldn't be the one who asked to end the marriage. That's all I can give her."

"What kind of nonsense is that? Don't forget that you're her husband! How can a husband treat his wife like that?"

Henry sneered. His icy gaze flashed with contempt as he said, "No wife would drug her husband just to get in bed with him either, right? From the moment she started scheming to marry me, she should've known what kind of life she'd be leading!"

Outside the study, a pair of hands froze on the door. They belonged to Natalie, who had come to say goodbye to Owen.

Just then, the door opened, and Owen's angered voice rang out, "Is this your reason for messing around with other women? Stop right there, Henry! I'm not done yet—"

Owen faltered when he saw Natalie standing on the other side of the door.

Henry's expression was stormy. Ignoring Owen's and Moira's scoldings, he dragged Natalie out of the villa.

…

The car raced down the road. Sitting in the driver's seat, Henry looked like he had dark clouds looming over his head.

Natalie sat in silence and stared out the window. As she thought about all the sacrifices she made over the past three years, everything seemed like a joke to her.

Just then, the wheels screeched as the car came to an abrupt stop.

Henry shot Natalie an icy glare. "Go on. What is it that you want this time? A house? Money? Company shares?"

"What?"

"First, you hired someone to take photos of me and have them delivered to Grandpa. Then, you act all hurt and ask me for a divorce …" Henry was full of contempt. "Well, isn't this what you're after?"

"What photos?" Natalie was utterly confused.

Henry snorted. "Since you did it, why don't you have the guts to admit it? How long do you plan on keeping this act up, Natalie?"