Chapter 7

Leslie hung up the phone, her grip on it tightening with every passing second.

She wanted to see for herself how arrogant Luke could still be without the Marsh family's support.

For the next few days, Luke didn't come home at all.

Leslie had already gotten the divorce papers ready, but Luke hadn't shown up. She couldn't tell if he was dragging things out on purpose or if there was something else going on.

With no other options, she had someone find out where Luke was staying and went there in person with the divorce agreement.

Leslie had just found out for the first time that Luke actually owned property in another part of town, not just the house they lived in together.

This place was even bigger and more stunning than the villa they'd bought together.

Apparently, he often brought Abbey over here.

So, besides the home he shared with Leslie, Luke had set up a secret love nest with his mistress.

Standing at the door, Leslie couldn't help but feel like the biggest joke.

Here she was, pouring her heart into saving their marriage, while Luke had already moved on and started playing house with someone else.

She stood outside the door all the way till night, and only then did Luke finally show up.

When Luke saw Leslie, his brows furrowed in displeasure, and his voice was cold. "How did you even find this place?"

After a pause, he added, "Are you here to apologize?"

Leslie ignored him and waited until he was inside. Then, she pulled the divorce papers from her bag and shoved them toward him.

"Sign these," Leslie said flatly.

Luke was silent for a moment, then let out a cold, mocking laugh.

He took the divorce papers from Leslie, gave them a quick once-over, and tossed them carelessly onto the table. His eyes were full of lazy contempt as he looked up at her.

"So you actually think you can divorce me? Trying to scare me with these papers?" Luke sneered.

He narrowed his eyes, sizing her up. "You've been living off me all these years. Now you're past your prime. Who else would even look at you besides me?"

Those cutting words might've broken Leslie's heart once, but now she was completely numb inside. Nothing he said could touch her anymore.

Leslie's tone was icy. "Who wants me is none of your concern. Just sign the divorce papers and let's get this over with."

Luke's face darkened as he stared at her, his expression shifting rapidly. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist, yanked her down onto the couch, and pressed her beneath him.

"What are you doing?" Leslie shouted. She struggled frantically, desperate to get away.

Luke's strength was terrifying. He pinned her down, his other hand clamping her jaw with a cruel grip.

"Leslie, why are you doing this to me?" Luke growled.

Leslie yelled as she struggled to break free. "What are you even saying? Let go of me!"

Luke's eyes burned with fury. "How dare you? How could you just throw it all away? So everything you promised before was just a lie, huh?"

His hot, ragged breath hit her face, suffocatingly close.

Leslie's bones ached under his weight. She looked up at the furious Luke. Every trace of the youthful confidence he once had was completely gone.

All at once, Leslie felt a sudden calmness settle over her.

Maybe it was because she'd endured so much over the years that everyone was convinced she was hopelessly in love with Luke, including herself.

To the point that nobody ever thought she'd actually have the courage to leave him.

But after days of heartbreak, Leslie finally had an epiphany. It hit her that Luke was just a regular guy, nothing special at all.

All those things she thought were great about him were just the rose-tinted filter of her own love.

Leslie looked up at his face, reached out, and brushed her fingers lightly over his features. Her voice was calm and steady as she spoke.

"Luke, I only got with you because I thought you were easy on the eyes. But after all these years, I'm so over you," she said, her tone flat.

Her words burned Luke, leaving him stunned and reeling.

He jerked his hand away, suddenly looking panicked and completely at a loss.

Leslie sat up, pulled a wet wipe from her bag, and scrubbed away every spot he'd touched, her expression full of revulsion.

She spoke with a slow, deliberate calm. "This was always just a deal. I was in it for your looks. You wanted my help. Now I'm tired of it, so it's over."

Before she could finish, Luke snapped, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Oh, so now you think we're even?"

His face was stormy with rage. "I only agreed to be with you because you saved my mom. Did you really think I wouldn't figure out where that money came from?"

He continued, "I've put up with your crap for twelve years, and now you've actually got the guts to ask for a divorce?"

His eyes were bloodshot, like he could snap any second. He snarled, "Why is it that you get to live in comfort while I'm stuck suffering? Now you think you can just up and leave? In your dreams!"

Leslie couldn't help but laugh. So Luke had always thought the money she gave for his mom's hospital bills was tainted.

But that didn't stop him from taking it. He spent every penny without blinking.

He despised her deep down, yet never hesitated to use her cash, and still had the nerve to act like he was the one getting screwed over.

"Luke, with a twisted heart like yours, everything looks tainted," Leslie said, her voice dripping with contempt.

Leslie didn't waste another word. She just fixed him with a cold, unflinching stare. "Abbey's been carrying your child for three months now. So tell me, where do you get off judging me?"