Chapter 7
Angelina finally realized that now wasn't the time to blame Phoebe. She needed to plead for help instead.
Her attitude did a complete 180. She hurried over to Phoebe, grabbed her hand, and put on her best puppy-dog smile.
Angelina said, "Phoebe, look, this... It's all just a big misunderstanding.
"Lewis just lost his head for a moment. You know how men are. When they're out at business dinners, they mess up sometimes. It's normal.
"Don't hold it against him, okay? Let's not get divorced, alright? Whatever happens, let's keep it between us and sort it out ourselves.
"Just delete all that evidence, and we can live like we used to. Everything can go back to normal."
Phoebe looked at Angelina's face, which shifted so quickly, and felt nothing but disgust.
Phoebe thought, 'Back to the old days? Does she really think I'd want to go back to that?'
Phoebe scoffed inwardly. 'Back to the days when she and Lewis ganged up on me, when I had no dignity at all? No way!'
She jerked her hand free and stepped back, putting some space between them.
She said, "Angelina, it's way too late for this. I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm telling you that I'm divorcing him, and nothing's going to stop me."
Her voice was sharp, leaving absolutely no room for doubt.
Angelina's face froze in shock.
She said, "Do you really have to be this harsh? What about your kid? He's still so little. Can you really stand letting him grow up in a broken home?"
'Here we go again. She's dragging the kid into this again,' Phoebe thought.
Phoebe just laughed, cold and unimpressed.
She shot back, "Angelina, do you really think a family where the father cheats, and the mother is suffocated, is truly whole?
"Do you honestly believe it's good for a kid to grow up surrounded by lies and deception?"
She added, "I want him to know his mom isn't a coward who just puts up with everything.
"I want him to know that when you do something wrong, you have to face the consequences. Even if that person is his father."
After saying her piece, Phoebe turned away and headed back to her room, not sparing them a single glance.
This time, she left the door wide open.
She didn't need to lock it anymore. There was nothing left to fear.
The power dynamic had completely flipped.
Now, it was Lewis who had every reason to be afraid, not Phoebe.
Back in her room, Phoebe pulled out the suitcase she'd prepared in advance and started packing her things.
She didn't have much to pack. She bought most of the things before the wedding.
After getting married, she hardly ever bought herself any decent clothes or jewelry.
Lewis would always say, "You're just staying home. Who are you trying to impress?"
'Yeah, who was I supposed to dress up for?' Phoebe thought with a wry smile.
She zipped up her suitcase and opened the door.
In the living room, Lewis and Angelina were still frozen in place, like statues that had turned to stone.
When Lewis saw Phoebe wheeling her suitcase out, he snapped back to reality.
He rushed over and blocked her way, his voice tinged with desperation. "Phoebe, please don't go. I messed up, I really did."
Lewis pleaded, "Just give me one more chance. I promise I'll break things off with her for good. It'll never happen again.
"I'll let you handle all the money. Spend it however you like. I'm begging you, don't leave me."
He tried to grab her hand, but Phoebe dodged him without hesitation.
Phoebe stared at him.
Lewis finally learned to back down, but she doubted he did this out of love or guilt.
Lewis was just scared, afraid of losing everything he owned, afraid his reputation would go down the drain.
His pleas were so insincere and cheap, it was almost funny.
"Lewis, it's too late," Phoebe said coldly.
Phoebe shook her head, stepped around him, and walked toward the door.
"We were over the moment you tossed that 30 dollars at me," she added.
Angelina came running over, sobbing, and clung desperately to Phoebe's leg.
She wailed, "Phoebe, you can't leave! If you go, this family will be finished! I'll kneel for you if that's what it takes! Just don't go!"
As Angelina said it, she really started to kneel down.
Phoebe felt a wave of disgust wash over her.
She thought, 'What's the point of regret? Did they ever show me any mercy when they pushed me to the edge? Trying to win sympathy? It's too late.'
"Let go," Phoebe said, her voice cold as ice.
Angelina clung to her even tighter.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Phoebe looked up.
Two uniformed cops were standing outside the door.
One of them was Simon Wesley, her childhood friend.
Simon frowned when he saw the scene inside.
He shot a look at his partner, then turned to Angelina.
"Ma'am, please let her go. We got a call about a domestic dispute here. We need you to cooperate with our investigation," Simon said.
'Police? When did Phoebe call the cops?' Lewis and Angelina both froze in shock.
Phoebe gave Simon a grateful smile.
Then she looked down at Angelina, who was still clinging to her leg, and said, "Angelina, if you don't let go right now, I'll report you for unlawful restraint."
Unlawful restraint.
Those words struck Angelina like a bolt of lightning.
She jerked back in fright, instinctively releasing Phoebe's leg.