Chapter 5

Nina's face paled. Maybe my words had struck a nerve, or maybe she had never expected me to treat her this way.

I ignored her attempts to stop me, got into my car, and drove away without looking back.

…

With my plans put on hold, I had no choice but to stay and keep working in the city for the time being.

During this period, Nina called me several times, but I didn't want to talk to her. I just continued filing for divorce through my lawyer.

Half a month later, my boss took me to meet one of the company's biggest clients at an upscale restaurant in the city.

I never expected to run into Nina there. There she was with Mike, who was putting food on her plate. Their hands were tightly intertwined on the table, and they looked like two lovers completely smitten with each other.

Nina saw me, and I caught a flash of panic in her eyes. She quickly pulled her hand away and stood up to explain.

"Andrew, don't get the wrong idea. We were just…"

I didn't even want to hear it. I simply replied, "Sorry. You must have confused me with someone else."

Nina hurried over and blocked my way, then said indignantly, "Andrew, I'm your wife. How can you just ignore my feelings?"

My stomach churned with disgust. I pointed at her belly and sneered, "Nina, can you have some shame? You know very well who the baby's father is. I already signed the divorce papers and gave you a chance to walk away with some dignity. You're the one dragging this out.

"Our relationship is over. So please, think about your baby. Don't let that bastard child grow up being a disgrace too."

Nina didn't know what to say, and hurt and resentment flashed in her eyes.

Mike couldn't stand by and watch anymore, so he stepped in to defend her.

"Andrew, can't you be a little more understanding? Deep down, Nina still has feelings for you. Did you really have to humiliate her in front of everyone?"

I fought the urge to punch him in the face and shot him a glare. "Mike, don't you think that's a pretty ridiculous thing to say?"

We'd made such a scene that my boss came over and patted me on the shoulder, asking if I wanted him to call the police.

I waved him off and started upstairs to meet the client.

But Nina wouldn't let it go. She blocked my way, pulled out her phone, and threatened me, "Andrew, if you walk away now, I'll call your parents and tell them how horribly you've been treating me."

She actually had the nerve to bring up my parents?

I clenched my fists and glared at her, my anger boiling over. "I already said you don't have the right to mention my parents."

Seeing my reaction, Nina thought she'd found the last thing she could use against me. She smugly dialed Mom's number. "Now you're regretting it, huh? This won't be over until you apologize to Mike and me."

But the phone rang for a long time with no answer. Nina looked confused and called Dad instead, but no one picked up either.

"What the hell? Andrew, did your family plan this together just to embarrass me?"

I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. I slammed my phone down on the table and pulled up a photo from my parents' funeral. "Nina, my parents are already dead because of you. What the hell are you pretending for?"