Chapter 3
I clutched the divorce papers tightly in my hand, my heart a tangled mess as I stepped into Richard's office.
His office took up the entire top floor, with the best view in the building.
The second I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Richard and Emily embracing on the couch, their lips almost touching.
I'd always had good eyesight. But now, I hated it. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have seen the desire in Richard's eyes.
Spotting me, Richard quickly let go of Emily, looking startled.
Then he shot me an annoyed look, his voice full of complaint. "Why didn't you say anything when you came in?"
I let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Bennett, did you forget? I checked in at the front desk before coming up.
"I didn't expect you'd be putting on a show like this so soon. If I'd been any later, I would’ve caught you in the middle of a proper private show."
Richard frowned, annoyed. "Emily saw something on my face and was wiping it off. Don't be so dirty-minded."
I stared at him. His face was clearly flushed. His shirt was unbuttoned two buttons down, exposing his marked collarbone.
I blinked hard, holding back tears.
"I'm not stupid. What kind of mark requires a mouth to clean?" I said.
As I spoke, I set the divorce papers down in front of Richard.
The moment he saw them, his face turned stormy.
He stood up, his voice tight with anger as he slapped me hard across the face. "You're divorcing me over such a tiny thing?
"Don't you forget, everything you have is thanks to me. Without me, your so-called relatives would've eaten you alive. I've supported you like a useless parasite for ten years.
"I told you before. If you want a divorce, we settle the accounts first."
His words cut deep, but I felt no pain.
My heart must have died long ago.
I even managed a laugh, though it must have looked awful.
I said calmly, "I don't have any money. But when we got married, my parents gave me some shares in the Hayes Group.
"I'll transfer all of them to you and walk away with nothing. All I want is a divorce."
Without glancing at his furious face, I turned and left.
As I stepped out of the building, I felt lighter than ever.
It was like the weight I'd been carrying for years suddenly disappeared. From now on, I could finally start living for myself.
My phone kept buzzing. It was Richard calling.
I stared at the vibrating screen, sighed, and finally picked up.
His angry voice exploded from the other end. "Charlotte, are you crazy? You actually want a divorce?
"Don't forget your parents are still in the hospital. I'm the one paying their medical bills.
"You always cared so much about them. Are you going to let them die?"
Hearing Richard bring up my unconscious parents hurt me and made me panic for a second.
But I quickly calmed down. "Don't threaten me. My parents have their own shares. Their dividends are more than enough to cover their medical costs."
I hung up and blocked his number right away.
But I underestimated how cruel Richard could be.
The next day, after I'd packed my things, the hospital called.
"Mrs. Bennett, your parents are in the emergency room. We can't reach Mr. Bennett. Please come immediately," they said.
The vase in my hand crashed to the floor. A sharp piece sliced my calf.
I ignored the pain and rushed to the hospital.
When I reached the emergency room, I could barely breathe as I stared at the bright red light.
The nurse leading the way looked at me with disapproval. "How could you do this? They're vegetative patients, but they're still alive. You can't cut off their medical fees."
"You and Mr. Bennett aren't struggling. Why would you do this? If you really had money problems, you could have asked the hospital for help."
My mind was a mess; the nurse's words kept echoing in my ears.
Richard had done this.