Semua Bab Better Brother, Better Life: Bab 211 - Bab 220

The one who got hurt had the right never to forgive, no matter how the other person begged or pleaded. The refusal to forgive was what it was.So, in a way, Phoebe was almost grateful that Connor had never actually loved her. At least he didn't cling or put on some pathetic act of devotion to "win her back". She got to walk away with her divorce certificate without any extra trouble.She also didn't have to sit through his fake grand gestures and hypocrisy, leading to another round of nausea, adding to the damage their marriage had already caused her.Besides, she deeply valued feelings. If Connor had pretended to love her, even just for a moment, she honestly didn't know how she would've reacted.The irony of the situation hit Phoebe all over again. The only good thing she could say about Connor was that he'd never loved her at all. Aside from that, nothing else made her think fondly of him.Divorce had always been inevitable. If she had to keep one thing about him, it would only

Still, there was such a large gap between Phoebe and Gideon. She stood to benefit much more than anything he could get from her. Unequal partnerships never lasted.She had been quietly worried about that, but after his words, the weight on her chest lifted. As long as the debt was something she could repay, she wouldn't feel like she owed him forever.And Gideon was a man of his word. He never went back on a promise.So, she said again, "Mr. Blackwood, you really are a good person."Gideon didn't reply.Another worry of Phoebe's dissolved at the same time. After returning from Ravenport, Gideon had been upset that she'd "celebrated her wedding anniversary" with Connor. She had even panicked and asked Simon for advice, though it had been useless.Nothing proved her loyalty louder than a fresh divorce certificate.By helping her that day, Gideon had effectively pulled her onto his side. The last thing she could afford was to look like she was still emotionally tangled with Connor.

Setting aside Evan's friendship with Connor, Phoebe thought that Evan was actually a pretty fun guy. As for the flowers…Phoebe thought for a second. "Give them to me."Evan's brows shot up in surprise."What?""I thought you'd refuse," he said."Normally I would."He was smart enough to see that she was taunting Connor with this. "Got it. If your ex knew you accepted flowers from me, he'd lose his mind. You're doing this to piss him off, aren't you?"He pretended to look heartbroken for Connor, but the roses were already being passed through the window.Phoebe took the bouquet, glanced at the blooms, then looked back up at him. Her cool eyes betrayed nothing. "So, are you going to tell Connor?""Of course I am. Why wouldn't I? You know me—I live to watch him make a fool of himself." Evan didn't give a damn about loyalty to his friend now. At that moment, he only had eyes for Phoebe.Post-divorce, Phoebe was radiant, like someone who had finally remembered how to breathe. Thi

Connor narrowed his eyes. "You don't believe me?"Evan smiled lazily. "Nope. But I'm dying to see if Phoebe would actually turn around and come back. You know I live for drama."That day, though, he planned to be part of the drama himself.The logic was simple. If there were even the slightest chance that Phoebe might rekindle something with Connor, Evan would personally make sure that chance died before it could turn into anything.For instance, he could stoke the flames and nudge Vanessa into the stirring pot. He could even find a random woman to play the jealous girlfriend. His exact move would depend on the situation.The bigger the scene, the better. He would make it blow up so spectacularly that everyone knew, and Connor would be permanently disqualified from ever fighting for Phoebe. He would truly become a chapter that she'd finished.Evan could already picture it. After that day, he and Connor probably wouldn't be friends anymore. To tell the truth, he hated the things C

"You've always known exactly what you want, and you don't waste energy on second-guessing yourself. That's why you live so freely." Phoebe's eyes gleamed with genuine admiration. "That's why I like you."Alexandra broke out in goosebumps. "Stop, you're scaring me! This is too weird coming from you!"Phoebe poured herself a drink and clinked her glass against Alexandra's. She had an effortlessly cool vibe that made even drinking a soft drink look as badass as downing liquor.Alexandra recovered quickly. This was the old Phoebe—sharp-edged, intimidating when she didn't smile, and the kind of woman who was clearly not easy to push around.Alexandra was the social butterfly who was good at chatting with others. But Phoebe could sit quietly in the corner and still be the most magnetic person there.The second Alexandra realized that the real Phoebe was back, she dragged her straight to a bar in town and ordered the hottest guys on the menu.The male escorts filed into the room, ready