Chapter 3

"I'm sure it's all my fault. It must be because the fish chowder I made wasn't any good that Raelynn lost her temper," Leah said with a sob.

It was amazing how Leah still managed to put on an understanding appearance while crying, telling Holden and the others not to argue with me.

I met Holden's gaze and shook his hand off. "I only taught her a lesson because she falsely accused me of pushing her."

Charles suddenly spoke up, his gaze filled with hatred and disappointment. "Sierra and I both witnessed you pushing Leah. How could you still lie at this point, Mom?"

Sierra pressed her lips tightly together before saying, "I saw it too—it was Mom who pushed Leah."

Leah sobbed until her eyes were bloodshot. "It's all my fault, so please don't argue over me anymore. I'm begging you, Raelynn—please don't take this out on the children."

Holden sighed, his voice full of disappointment while saying, "It is said that jealousy can turn people into monsters—and look at what you've become, Raelynn. You should just stay home and reflect on yourself for the time being."

Just like countless times in my past life, with a single understated sentence, Holden pushed the blame onto me.

I merely smiled to myself, mocking myself for having been foolish enough to explain things to him just moments ago. I thought it didn't matter to me anymore, though, as there wasn't going to be a next time.

Holden and the others crowded around Leah, the woman I had supposedly "harmed," and left together as a group.

I glanced at the account book, sorted it out as quickly as possible, and hurriedly packed my luggage. I then placed the divorce agreement I had drawn up long ago on the table right in front of Holden. "I'd like to get a divorce, Holden."

Holden didn't even glance at it. He simply tossed it into the trash can and asked with a sneer, "You're pulling this stunt with me just because of what happened today, aren't you? Leah is a childhood friend of mine. She's now sick and doesn't have much time left.

"What else is there to be bitter about when you've already slapped her? You come from a nouveau riche family, Raelynn. What will your parents think of you if you divorce me? Do you not feel any shame?"

I could tell from Holden's expression that he didn't take it seriously; he just thought I was throwing a tantrum. I knew that he thought that since I had loved him so deeply, I couldn't possibly bring myself to walk away from this marriage.

I merely asked, "Didn't Leah ask you to acknowledge her as a sister and allow her to be buried in the family mausoleum after her death, Holden?"

I watched as Holden's figure stiffened in front of me. "Where did you hear that? What's the harm in giving her an official status if she passes away while being with the Gunning family? Do I no longer possess the authority to make such decisions in the Gunning family?"

I asked, "What if I don't agree to it?"

Holden looked at me, a sudden irritation rising in him. "What's gotten into you these past couple of days? You've been going against me at every turn! It's merely acknowledging her as a sister—it's not as though she is bearing a child of mine!"

I took out another copy of the divorce agreement and said, "I won't agree to it as long as I'm still in this household—be it acknowledging her as a sister or you having children with her. It would be better for you to divorce me just so you can let your childhood sweetheart get what she wants, Holden."

Holden's expression quickly grew cold the moment he noticed that I was being serious. He stared hard at me, trying to see if I was just bluffing.

"Do you really want to relinquish your position as the lady of the house and leave our children behind, Raelynn? You said you wanted us to grow old together when we got married back then."

I stated flatly, "You also promised me that you would only love me in this lifetime, yet now you want to take Leah in as a sister. It might sound nice, but everyone knows that in your elite circle, a 'sister' is equivalent to a sister wife!"

I then said coldly, "If I don't take the hint and get out of your way now, then I'll just be putting you in an awkward position, Holden. I also noticed that Charles and Sierra love Leah very much. Why shouldn't I go through with the divorce if it would make everyone around me happy, Holden?"

"Have it your way, then!" Holden snapped, signing the divorce agreement out of pure spite. "You'd better not regret this later, Raelynn!"