Chapter 4
Michael knew she was deliberately provoking him, using the most cutting words possible.
He tried to stay composed, but he couldn't stand Charlotte belittling him like that.
"Fine. Let's get divorced," Michael said with a cold, mocking laugh. "Sophie's stuck by me for years, she deserves a proper place.
"She might not have your fancy status, but to me, she's ten thousand times better than you, princess."
With that, he shot to his feet and strode toward the door.
But when he got to the doorway, his steps faltered and he paused.
He said, "You're the one who filed, but I've never shortchanged a woman who's been with me. I'll have my lawyer draw up the agreement. Don't worry."
Ten years of devotion, ten years of trusting him with her life, and he had flattened all of it into one careless phrase. What she had been to him, in the end, was a woman who had been with him.
Charlotte let out a faint, self-mocking laugh.
"Don't worry, Mr. Quinn. Even if I'm barely breathing, I'll still sign. Just make sure you don't stall on purpose," she replied, her voice calm but dripping with sarcasm.
Michael's back seemed to stiffen for a split second.
The next second, the door slammed shut with a bang, making the walls shake.
All that unforgettable, soul-deep love they once had was now ripped apart, no hesitation, no mercy.
Michael was quick to act.
The next afternoon, the divorce papers were delivered to Charlotte's hospital room.
The lawyer, Keith Carter, was a middle-aged man in a perfectly tailored suit, his manner respectful but with a hint of caution.
Charlotte slumped back against the pillows, her belly still throbbing from the wound.
She took the thick stack of papers, skipped the complicated clauses and asset lists, and flipped straight to the last page, where Michael had already signed.
"Pen," she said, reaching out, her tone flat.
Keith quickly handed her the pen he'd prepared, but couldn't resist saying something.
"Mrs. Quinn, Mr. Quinn wanted me to remind you to look over the agreement carefully, especially the property split, so there won't be any confusion later," he said, choosing his words with care.
He picked his words with care.
Michael's actual words were simple. He said, "Make sure she reads it carefully, so she doesn't come back trying to stir up trouble."
Charlotte curled her lips in a bitter smile, but didn't say a word.
Seeing she had zero interest in reading the papers, Keith remembered Michael's instructions, cleared his throat, and read out the terms, word for word.
He said, "According to the agreement, all marital property, including but not limited to shares, investment income, bank deposits, and real estate, goes to Mr. Michael Quinn.
"Your premarital property, the villa at Maplewood Estate in the West District, remains yours. There will be no other division of assets or compensation."
She bought Maplewood Estate with her own money after she first came to Bayview.
Charlotte was always so attached to that place. She felt like it was packed with memories she could never leave behind.
So for ten whole years, even after Michael became a billionaire, they never moved out.
When Keith finished, he watched Charlotte for any reaction.
Her face was pale, calm, completely unreadable, not a trace of anger or disappointment.
That actually made him a little uneasy.
Michael was worth billions, and with this divorce, Charlotte was walking away without a single dollar, left with nothing at all.
He'd seen the way Sophie was living lately, all the luxury and attention. Compared to that, the way Michael was treating Charlotte was downright harsh, almost heartless.
But that wasn't his place to comment on.
His job was simply to make sure this "cost-saving" agreement was carried out exactly as Michael wanted.
"Mrs. Quinn, if you have any objections to the terms, I can relay them to Mr. Quinn and we can discuss..." Keith said, testing the waters.
He tried to be accommodating, adding softly.
"No need," Charlotte replied.
Without a second thought, Charlotte signed her name on the paper.
She gently pushed the agreement back. "It's done."
Keith gathered the documents, secretly relieved.
He was surprised at how smoothly it all went.
He nodded respectfully. "I'll handle the rest of the paperwork as soon as possible, Ms. Blake. Please take care of yourself."
As Keith left, the hospital room fell silent once more.
Charlotte lay back, staring at the pale ceiling.
The pain in her abdomen crept through her, but inside, all she felt was a numb, hollow calm.
Ten years of pouring her heart into this, twice nearly dying to protect him, a child who never saw the light of day, and losing forever the chance to be a mother, only to walk away with nothing but herself.
So this was what Michael called "not shortchanged."
It really was humiliating.
It was just as well.
That way, when she struck back, she would not soften.