Chapter 6

I cleared my schedule and went straight to my parents' house.

"Charlotte? What brings you here at this time? You don't look so good," Mom said, putting down her gardening magazine and hurrying over.

Dad poked his head out of the study, his brow furrowing out of habit. "Did something go wrong at the company?"

Seeing the worry on their faces, I felt my throat tighten.

All these years, I'd kept the truth about Lily from them, partly to spare them the worry, and partly out of my own stubborn pride.

They only knew Matthew had taken in the daughter of the man who saved his life. They thought I was the endlessly patient, understanding wife. They had no idea what that "understanding" cost me day after day.

"Mom, Dad," I said as I sat down on the couch, doing my best to keep my voice steady. "There's something I need to tell you."

Mom sat down beside me and took my cold hand. "What's wrong? Did you and Matthew have a fight?"

I shook my head, pulled the divorce papers out of my bag, and quietly placed them on the coffee table.

The living room instantly fell silent.

"W-What?" Mom's voice shook as she tried to speak.

"Matthew and I started the divorce process today," I said. "There's a thirty-day waiting period, and then it'll be official."

Dad's tone grew serious. "Why? Did Matthew do something? Or was it you—"

"Dad," I cut him off, and laid out everything that happened after Lily came to live with us.

"He wanted us to just pretend to split up, but I'm serious about ending it," I said.

My parents stayed silent, the quiet hanging in the air for a while.

Finally, Dad broke the silence. "Alright, we get it. You're grown up now, and as long as you're sure about this, we'll stand by you. But let's not tell the Quinn family for now. No need to cause any trouble right now.

"I've been stuck at home for too long anyway. Maybe it's time I got out and stretched my legs."

I got what he was saying. He meant I didn't need to stress about the partnership with the Quinn family. Even if things went south, he'd have no problem finding another partner.

"Yeah, it's been forever since I hung out with my girlfriends. I kind of miss them," Mom chimed in.

Mom was basically telling me that when the marriage ended, no one would pin the blame on me.

She even hinted that after the divorce, she could set me up with someone way better in no time.

"Thanks, Mom, Dad," I said.

As I walked out of my parents' house, I finally felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Divorce in a family alliance wasn't just between husband and wife. It was a battle between two clans.

Whenever someone wanted to call it quits, they needed a solid excuse.

Divorcing over someone like Lily would make the Bennett family look bad.

Once the news broke, the Bennett family would be the ones taking the fall.

I couldn't let my parents get blindsided by all this.

I had to make sure they were prepared for the fallout.

As for the Quinn family, that was Matthew's headache now.

*****

Dinner at Skyview Restaurant was flawless. The view was amazing, the food was top-notch, and Matthew was extra sweet tonight. He even splurged on a gift, which was way pricier than any of his past "make-up" gifts.

I smiled as I accepted it, playing along and acting a bit more affectionate.

After dinner, he drove me back to our villa out in the western suburbs.

He hopped out after me and strolled right into the house, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Aren't you heading back? Won't Lily make a scene if you're not there?" I asked.

"No," he replied, casually slipping off his suit jacket. "Lily saw the divorce filing. I just called the housekeeper. She's in a great mood tonight and even practiced piano on her own. I told her I'd be working late, and she didn't fuss at all."

He was smiling as he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His warm breath brushed my ear. "Charlotte, stay with me tonight. It's been too long."

Ever since the pregnancy, my body had grown more sensitive than ever, craving him in ways I never had before. His touch sent a shiver through me.

I knew exactly what he wanted, and I was painfully aware of the changes in my own body.

Legally, we were still married.

I didn't push him away.