Chapter 6
Waldo's eyes widened in disbelief.
He never expected Robin would tell his mom about the divorce.
He'd thought Robin was just throwing a tantrum.
But seeing her so calm and indifferent now, Waldo couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease.
"Robin, I..." Waldo frowned, straightening up, about to ask her something.
With a soft thud, Judy closed her eyes and collapsed right there.
Waldo's face went pale as he scooped Judy up in his arms and bolted out of the room. "Call 911 right now!"
The villa instantly erupted into chaos. Nobody spared Robin a second glance.
Just before leaving, Lucy grabbed Robin's wrist and said hurriedly, "Robin, whatever it is, let's sit down and talk it out. Don't bring up divorce so casually.
"You know how Waldo is. If you really go through with the divorce, and later regret it, it'll be almost impossible to change your mind."
Robin just smiled, but she didn't tell Lucy what was really on her mind.
This time, she was dead set on it.
There was no way she was ever getting back together with Waldo.
For the next few days, Waldo didn't come back to the villa at all.
He claimed he was working late, but he was at the hospital, spoiling Judy rotten.
Even an old friend Robin hadn't heard from in ages messaged her. [Did you get hurt and end up in the hospital?]
Robin replied with a question mark. Then, her friend sent over several long voice messages.
She said, "I was at the hospital for a check-up, and the nurses were all gossiping about it. They said that Mr. Nash literally moved his office into the hospital to take care of you.
"He even skipped out on several multi-million dollar deals.
"He was worried you couldn't sleep well, so he had soundproofing installed in your room. I heard he spent seven figures on it.
"On top of that, he personally cooks every meal for you, switching up the menu every time to make sure you're eating well.
"Robin, you've been in love with Waldo for so many years. Looks like you finally made it!"
Robin opened her mouth, but she just didn't have the heart to tell her friend the truth that Judy was the one who was hospitalized.
The Waldo her friend described sounded like someone she didn't even know.
Robin'd always gotten takeout from Waldo when she was sick, but for Judy, he was suddenly playing chef.
He'd always missed Robin's birthday because of some million-dollar deal, but for Judy, he would drop the deals just to be there for her.
*****
It turned out that Robin had never had even a sliver of Waldo's affection from the beginning.
Robin forced a numb smile as she spoke into the phone, finally telling her friend the truth. "I'm not in the hospital."
Her friend's breath caught. "Wait, seriously?"
Robin gave a bitter laugh. "Waldo and I already signed the divorce papers."
Just then, the door was flung open. Waldo stood there, his long black coat covered in snow, looking cold and grim, a half-smoked cigarette clutched between his fingers.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes landed on Robin's phone, still connected to the call. He suddenly let out a mocking smile, unable to hide the sarcasm.
"Robin, are you broadcasting our divorce to the whole world just to put pressure on me, hoping I'll come and beg you?" he sneered.
Robin stared at him in disbelief. "How could you even think that? I really want a divorce."
Waldo didn't say a word. He just stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray, then calmly handed her phone back to her.
"You sent all these to my mom," Waldo said.
It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
He continued, "On one hand, you think I'm messing around with Judy, so you send those AI pics to my mom, hoping she'll get on Judy's case and push her to marry someone else.
"On the other hand, you're out there telling everyone you're about to divorce me.
"Don't you think you're contradicting yourself?"
Robin stared at the phone screen, completely stunned.
There were screenshots of Judy messing around with all sorts of guys overseas.
Robin was floored. Even with this undeniable proof right in front of him, Waldo still refused to believe it.
To make things worse, he actually accused Robin of sending those to Lucy.
Robin drew in a sharp breath, her tone cold as ice. "Whether you believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever laid eyes on these videos and photos.
"I never tried to turn your mom against anyone.
"You keep saying I'm contradicting myself, but have you ever really thought about that I already don't care about your relationship with Judy?"