Chapter 4

Charlotte let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Don't mess with her?

Back then, Richard's mom Linda Ford never liked her, always teaming up with other relatives to make things hard for her.

But Richard would always shield her, standing up to his whole family for her.

"I only love Charlotte in this life. She's not like any of you. She's got a pure heart, can't handle your dirty tricks. If you've got a problem, come at me, leave her out of it," Richard had said.

But now, karma had come full circle, and the boomerang was hitting her right where it hurt.

Seeing Charlotte's tear-streaked face, Richard's heart tightened, and his tone softened a little. "Charlotte, life's long, you know? It's tough to stay in love with one person forever.

"But don't worry, you'll always be my wife. I'll keep Olivia as my mistress, and I promise she won't ever get in your way."

As he spoke, Richard reached out, about to wipe the tears from Charlotte's face.

But then, his phone started blowing up. Dozens of messages and pictures flooded in.

Charlotte snatched the phone before he could, and with every image she saw, her heart broke a little more.

She jabbed a finger at the screen, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is this your idea of 'innocent'? Dressing up in racy lingerie and throwing herself at someone else's husband?"

Richard's face went cold, and he tried to snatch the phone back, but Charlotte dodged him.

Even though she knew it would tear her apart, Charlotte read through every single message Olivia had sent. She saw every word, every line, no matter how much it hurt.

In the chat, Olivia called Richard "hubby," and he called her "babe" right back.

Charlotte always thought Richard was a typical guy. He was totally clueless about romance, never the type to sweet-talk a girl.

But Richard actually learned to say all those romantic lines, to make Olivia happy.

He would even buy clothes for Olivia's parents for the holidays, to please her.

But he never did any of that for her.

Even after they got married, almost nobody even knew about it. Richard never even met her parents.

She used to think Richard was too busy, too caught up in work, and that he didn't really get all those little relationship rituals.

But now, the truth was right in front of her, hitting her like a slap in the face.

It wasn't that he didn't get it. He never cared enough to do it for her.

Richard snatched the phone back, his voice cold and furious. "Charlotte, you're the one out of line here."

Her eyes were red like a rabbit, every word hit like a bullet. "You're the one who cheated, you're the one who lied to me. And now you say I'm the one out of line?

"Richard, tell me. Who's really out of line here?

"Olivia's some nobody actress. She managed to cling onto you. Do you really think she's some prize?"

Richard's eyes went cold, and his words hit like daggers. "Charlotte, weren't you some nobody in showbiz back then? I never judged you for it, so what gives you the right to look down on her?

"If we're being honest, you're not any cleaner than she is."

Charlotte's chest tightened, her breath catching.

The man who used to have eyes only for her, who wouldn't let anyone say a single bad word about her, now looked at her like he wanted to rip her heart out.

Charlotte's body went limp, her gaze hollow as she stared at him. "Alright, since you despise me so much, since it matters so much to you.

"Let's get divorced."

"Charlotte, don't keep repeating yourself. I won't warn you again," Richard said coldly. "Don't make a scene, or you'll end up embarrassing yourself."

Right then, Richard's phone rang again. It was Olivia calling.

She said she missed him. Without a second thought, Richard grabbed his coat and walked out, not even looking back.

People really changed.

Back in those days when Charlotte returned from abroad, Richard wouldn't let her out of his sight, treasuring every moment they had together.

But now, after barely five minutes, he walked out without even glancing back.

He'd forgotten how she always said she couldn't stand waiting for anyone.

So this time, she was the one walking away.