All Chapters of When Opposites Stop Attracting: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

第1章

Surprise flickered across Derek's earnest eyes."You're signing? Just like that?"I slid the divorce papers across the table toward him.He didn't take them. His gaze stayed locked on my face.I could see my reflection in his eyes. Perfectly calm."I'm not the type to make a scene. Besides, you've been more than fair."The house your family bought before the marriage is yours. The house I bought after is mine."You didn't ask for a single share of my company. I have no reason to put up a fight."Derek let out a bitter laugh."I'm asking you for a divorce, and all you can think about is who gets what?"Do you even have feelings?"I scoffed."Vivian hooking up with her married supervisor. Now that's what I call feelings."Derek flinched, then hardened his voice."Watch what you say about her, Claire."I love her."The conviction in his eyes was painfully familiar.He'd worn the exact same expression when he first told me how he felt."Claire, I love you."I'm certain of it. You'll be the

第2章

I remembered the first time I saw Vivian.A few years earlier, Vivian was still the problem student who gave Derek constant headaches.I'd heard him complain about her antics more than once.She'd once run across the school field waving sparklers and screaming about freedom, nearly setting the lawn on fire.She'd also once rushed to play hero without getting the full story first.After Derek got a call from the police, we rushed to the station in the middle of the night to pick her up.Vivian was tiny, huddled on a bench at the station.The moment she saw us, her face lit up and she ran to Derek."Derek, you actually came!"Derek shook his head, exasperated."That girl was just a bystander watching the commotion. Why would you hit her!"Vivian lifted her chin, her eyes rimmed red."I thought she was the other woman! You know how much I hate homewreckers!"Derek froze, a flash of guilt crossing his eyes.I smoothed things over and drove Vivian back to her dorm.It wasn't until we got ho

第3章

The day we'd agreed to finalize the divorce, I was just about to head out.I opened the door to find Derek standing there with his parents, Richard and Patricia Lawson.I looked at Derek, puzzled. His face was dark.Understanding at once, I stepped aside and let them in.Patricia sat across from me, her expression eager to please."Claire, whatever Derek did to upset you, I'll set him straight."You know how couples are. You fight, you make up. Don't do anything rash."Divorce isn't something to take lightly. You need to..."Derek finally broke. He stepped in front of me."Don't bother asking. It's me."I fell in love with someone else."Richard shot to his feet and slapped Derek hard across the face."What do you mean, fell in love with someone else!"I was against this marriage from the start, and look what happened!"You threatened to jump off the roof, swore she was your true love, and now she's suddenly not!"Derek stood his ground in front of me, voice unwavering."Vivian and I a

第4章

"Claire, honey. Sorry to bother you."Vivian was wearing a loose, flowing dress. Not her usual style at all."I can't reach Derek. Is he here?"I nodded and turned to Derek."Your true love is here."Derek scrambled to his feet, but he wasn't fast enough.Patricia charged to the door and dragged Vivian inside."So you're the tramp who's been seducing my son!"Shameless little homewrecker!"Vivian stumbled and nearly fell.Derek rushed forward, pulling Vivian into his arms."Mom! If you want to punish someone, punish me!"Leave Vivian out of this!"What a devoted pair of star-crossed lovers.I stood to the side, quietly adjusting the angle of the security camera.But Vivian wasn't done with me.She gently pushed Derek aside and walked toward me."Claire, honey, I know it's hard to accept that Derek doesn't love you anymore."But you can't force someone's heart. Even if you pressure him through his parents to save the marriage, what's the point?"You need to learn to let go."Confident.

第5章

(Third person’s POV)Watching Claire walk away, Derek felt a sudden stab of frustration.He wanted to ask if she needed a ride home.He used to drive her to and from work every day.He opened his mouth, but someone looped an arm through his."Babe, let's go get married!"He turned and met Vivian's beaming smile.The certainty he'd carried suddenly wavered.Derek felt a flash of doubt.Was this really what he wanted?But Vivian wasn't about to let him hesitate."Babe! The baby's getting impatient!"Vivian patted her belly, chirpy as a little bird.Derek shook his head and smiled.Probably just old habits dying hard.Derek and Vivian got married, and she moved into his house.At first, Derek was genuinely happy.Vivian really was nothing like Claire.She revolved around him every minute of the day, not buried in work the way Claire had been.She was like a ball of energy, filling the house with noise and life.She was always coming up with something new, keeping him thrilled, keeping him

第6章

(Claire’s POV)Five in the morning. Derek's message came through.I'd just slipped away from the celebration party for my company's expansion.I looked at the flash drive beside me and replied."Of course. I even got you a present."Whether you can handle it is another question.Two days later, I walked into Derek's university right on time.I pushed open the conference room door. The room was buzzing.Derek had mentioned that one of today's candidates was the board chair's daughter.So nearly every faculty member on campus had turned up to watch.I'd planned to find a seat in the back and enjoy the show.But the moment I sat down, I found myself face to face with Derek and Vivian.When Derek spotted me, he lit up.He jogged over."You made it! I was looking all over for you."I smiled."Your big day. Of course I'm here."A heartbeat later, Vivian linked her arm through his.Her eyes couldn't hide the suspicion."Claire, honey, what brings you here today?"Derek frowned, visibly annoye

第7章

The conference room was dead silent.The university president looked at me on the stage and spoke."Please have a seat. We'll...""That won't be necessary."I smiled."I'm just here to deliver the evidence."I turned to leave.Vivian lunged at me."Claire, you bitch! I'll kill you!"Derek moved fast, grabbing her before she could reach me.I didn't hesitate for a second. I walked straight out.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the audience.People were already hunched over their phones, typing with barely contained excitement.By that afternoon, the story was trending on every platform."University professor caught cheating. Ex-wife crashes his promotion review."The accompanying photo showed me in an elegant dress.A hysterical Vivian. Derek on his knees.The comments section was on fire.Thesis adviser: "Your data isn't rigorous enough."His wife: "Funny, mine's pretty rigorous. Here, I've got a flash drive for you.""So when is the school publishing the investigatio

第8章

Derek fled.I went back to scrolling through the comments under the video.Nora was nothing if not efficient.The comment section was now teeming with insiders.Dropping bombshell after bombshell about Vivian, identities half-concealed.As it turned out, Vivian's family hadn't been destroyed by some other woman at all.The truth was the opposite. Her mother had been the other woman, clawing her way into another woman's marriage.Then, when Vivian's biological father went bankrupt, her mother had divorced him without hesitation.She'd tried the same trick again with another man, but this time it hadn't worked out.The man was spineless and had only ever wanted a fling.After he ruthlessly tossed her aside, Vivian's mother killed him.But Vivian was clever.Starting in high school, she'd only dated boys who ranked in the top ten of their class.Her grades had climbed steadily through each relationship she cycled through.She'd scored high enough to get into the university where Derek tau

第9章

Vivian whipped around at the sound.Derek stepped forward and wrenched her away."Vivian! I told you to stay away from Claire!"Tears spilled down Vivian's cheeks, but her lips curled into a smile."Derek, you're finally willing to see me."I've missed you. I've missed you so, so much."Disgust flickered across Derek's face as he shook off her hand.He walked straight to me, eyes full of concern."Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"I'm sorry. I didn't know she'd come after you. We're in the middle of the divorce."I'll have it finalized soon..."Derek's hand slipped into his pocket, then froze.I watched his body go slack, then crumple to the ground.Blood poured from him in a steady stream.Vivian didn't even seem to see it. She dropped the knife.She wrapped her arms around Derek and held on tight."Derek, I really do love you."Why won't you believe me? That woman doesn't love you."I'm the only person in this world who truly loves you. Don't you know that?"The noise around us w

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