Chapter 3

Many people came to talk to me after they heard about our divorce.

Even Mrs. Sterling, usually so proud, came to find me with Leo.

At the time, I was packing my luggage.

Mrs. Sterling grabbed my hand, a smile in her eyes.

"You don't need to move out. You've been a housewife for so many years without working; how will you support yourself if you move out?"

Mrs. Sterling pulled my hand, leading me to sit on the sofa.

Leo, standing nearby, pouted at me, muttering under his breath.

"She's just petty. She's just jealous we like Chloe more."

Mrs. Sterling feigned anger and scolded Leo for a few moments, then continued holding my hand and speaking.

"I know you're upset. You know Julian; he doesn't mean any harm. He just has an emotional disorder."

I pulled my hand away. "Didn't you want him to divorce me all along?"

Mrs. Sterling let out a few dry laughs.

"How could I possibly want you two to divorce?"

She seemed earnest, as if she truly hated to see me go.

But I hadn't forgotten that not long ago, after my miscarriage, she had visited me and casually tossed out, "How useless, can't even keep a child."

Privately, she often told people, "Audrey Stone doesn't deserve my son at all."

I gave Mrs. Sterling a cold glance.

Sure enough, the next second, I heard her say:

"Julian's career is on the rise right now. If news of your divorce gets out at this time, what will people think of him?"

With that, Mrs. Sterling's tone shifted, hardening slightly.

"So, for now, please don't publicly announce the divorce. Can you do that?"

Before I could reply, Leo pushed me.

"Hey, hurry up and agree! Chloe was right; you're just selfish, always only thinking about yourself."

Leo's words were like a sharp knife, piercing my heart precisely.

I stared at him, stunned.

The old Leo used to cling to me the most, repeating over and over, "Mommy is the best person in the world, I love Mommy the most."

But... he had Julian's blood flowing in his veins after all.

He was just like Julian, able to abandon me and side with Chloe so easily.

My face grew cold. "Leo!"

Leo jutted out his neck, not thinking he had done anything wrong.

Just then, the door opened.

Chloe and Julian walked in side-by-side.

Leo's eyes instantly reddened, and he ran to Chloe.

"Chloe, I hate that woman! She yelled at me. Can you help me kick her out?"

Chloe crouched down, gently comforting Leo.

Only then did she look up at me, her eyes filled with disapproval.

"Audrey, you're going too far. A mother who abuses her child like this should have her parental rights revoked."

Julian stood beside her, his displeased gaze falling on my face.

"Audrey, why are you becoming so unreasonable?"

I rolled my eyes at him and slammed the door as I left.

As I got into the elevator, Chloe chased after me.

She clutched her stomach, looking at me provocatively.

"Audrey, you won't be coming back, will you? I'm pregnant. It's Julian's baby."

I gave a bitter smile. Everything was as I expected.

How could she truly just be a muse?

In that studio, he certainly wasn't just painting her nude portraits.

Chloe coughed awkwardly.

"Julian just hopes my genes can be passed on..."

"It has nothing to do with me. Julian and I are divorced."

My expression remained unchanged.

Chloe leaned closer, lowering her voice to provoke me further.

"He also said that only with me did he truly experience passion between a man and a woman. With you, it was utterly boring."