Chapter 5
I had just finished discussing the divorce agreement with my lawyer when Alexander
texted me.
“Mom wants to see you.”
“Get back to the estate now.”
I couldn’t care less about Alexander,
But his mother had always been kind to me-
She gave me the kind of warmth I never got from my own.
I didn’t want to upset her, so I called a rideshare and headed straight over.
As soon as I walked through the front door, I heard laughter.
“Well, look who came crawling back just because I sent a text from my brother’s phone.”
Vivian, Alexander’s sister, was draped over the couch,
Her arm linked with Charlotte’s, as she sneered at me.
“She’s only ever had one skill–seducing my brother into marrying her.”
“But now that you’re back,” she turned to Charlotte,
“Everyone knows you’re the one who belongs here.”
“You’re the only sister–in–law I recognize.”
Charlotte gave a soft laugh and glanced at me,
“Vivian, don’t be too hard on her. She didn’t grow up with much.
She’s a little tacky, sure, but that’s not her fault. It’s just… a lack of exposure.”
13:17
He Cheated. I Left. Now He’s Crying Outside My Lab
3.5%
Chapter 5
Right. Everyone always assumed I’d begged Alexander to marry me.
Everyone thought I wasn’t good enough for him.
Everyone believed it should’ve been Charlotte standing at that altar.
I was just some nobody from nowhere, not even worthy of a seat at the table.
“Vivian. Apologize to me.”
Vivian scoffed.
“And why would I do that?”
“Okay, fine.” I raised my phone.
“I recorded everything.”
“I’ll go play it for your mom right now.”
Their faces changed in an instant.
Mrs. Westwood had always been sweet, but Charlotte?
She was the one person the old lady couldn’t stand-
Especially after the whole betrayal scandal.
If she heard what they’d just said, Vivian was definitely getting an earful.
Charlotte shot Vivian a look–don’t blow this-
Then patted her hand and turned to me,
“Don’t think just because she likes you now that your place here is secure.”
Secure?
I never planned to stay in this house anyway.
13:18 O
He Cheated. I Left. Now He’s Crying Outside My Lab
Chapter 5
I was about to walk in and say hi to Mrs. Westwood when Alexander came around the
corner,
Helping his mother down the hall.
“What are you doing here?”
I opened my mouth to tell him about the trash his sister and mistress had been spewing,
But the smile on his face caught me off guard.
It looked real.
I hesitated.
Charlotte stood up, head lowered, her whole vibe trembling–innocent.
“Lillian said I don’t belong here. That I’m just an outsider.”
“She told me to leave…”
“Lillian?”
The warmth in Alexander’s expression vanished like it was never there.
“She’s always testing my patience, but Charlotte’s here out of respect.
She hasn’t been home in years, and she wanted to honor my mother.”
“And you show up late, then try to kick her out?”
He glanced at his mother, who looked mildly displeased, and kept going-
“Mom, you see it, don’t you? Lillian has no manners.”
“You really can’t blame me for any of this.”
“I regret marrying her every damn day.”
Charlotte covered her mouth like she was embarrassed,
13:18 O
He Cheated. I Left. Now He’s Crying Outside My Lab
3.99%
Chapter 5
But her eyes flashed smug satisfaction.
Vivian crossed her legs and sat back like she was watching a show,
Waiting for me to break down and lose it.
But I didn’t.
Because suddenly, I realized something.
I felt nothing.
Not anger. Not sadness. Not shame.
Not even a flicker of emotion at Alexander trashing me like that.
4.1%
1318 O