Chapter 2

Lincoln barely glanced at it before lowering his head.

He silently lit a cigarette and took a deep drag before speaking.

"I'm sorry. I did cheat."

He paused, then continued.

"But do you really think we're compatible?"

"You're thirty-five years old. When we go out, people always say you're my aunt."

"When I interviewed for that job last week, everyone called me Gianna Evans's husband."

"Don't I have a name?"

He spoke calmly, as if he'd rehearsed these words a hundred times in his head.

But I felt so devastated I could barely stand, as if I'd never known this person.

Yes, I was five years older than him.

Thirty-five wasn't exactly young.

But I didn't just become older than him today!

He used to say he liked his girlfriend's maturity and stability, that he appreciated everything I did to pave his way.

Now he'd turned all of that into a knife and stabbed it back into my heart.

But what right did he have?

What right did he have to enjoy all the benefits I brought while despising me for not withstanding the ravages of time!

The intense emotions made my stomach churn with nausea, but I still bit down and spoke.

"Lincoln, let's get divorced."

Perhaps he hadn't expected me to bring it up first. He froze for a moment.

"You're not in a good state right now. Let's talk about this when you've calmed down."

If this were an ordinary quarrel, I might have thought he was giving me a way out.

But now, I only found it laughable.

Whether we talked now or later, what would change?

If we were divorcing, we should do it thoroughly!

I suppressed my reddening eyes and pushed him away firmly.

"No need. Let me set you two free sooner."

In that instant, Lincoln's eyes darkened, then returned to normal.

"Gianna, don't give her any trouble."

"She's different from you. You've fought through society for so many years. You've weathered every storm."

"But she's just an innocent young girl. She'll be scared. I need to protect her."

In that moment, even though I was prepared for divorce, my heart ached so badly I could barely breathe.

What did he mean by "weathered every storm"?

I used to be a young woman who'd hide and cry whenever I faced difficulties.

But I had no one to rely on. I could only swallow my grievances again and again, forcing myself to become stronger!

Back then, Lincoln had held me in his arms and said that after graduation, he'd protect me for life.

But now that he'd graduated, he'd given all his tenderness to someone else.

At this moment, I really wanted to ask him:

Did promises only have a shelf life lasting as long as the moment they were spoken?

But before I could speak, his phone rang.

"Rachel, don't worry. I'll be right there."

He didn't even glance at me before turning to leave.

I instinctively grabbed him.

Actually, I just wanted to ask when we'd go file for divorce.

But he thought I was trying to stop him from leaving, and he shoved me away violently.

"Gianna, aren't you annoying?! Rachel is hurt. She needs me!"

With that, he left without looking back.

I collapsed onto the cold floor, a stinging heat building behind my eyes.

But I bit down hard, refusing to let them fall.

What good would crying do?

Would it make this man faithful again?

Would it rebuild this shattered marriage?

No!

If that was the case, not a single tear was worth shedding!

I directly called Lincoln's interviewer.

"Director Lee, regarding Lincoln's matter, just handle it professionally."

Then I called the hospital.

"Hello, please schedule an abortion for me tomorrow."

I'd found out the baby in my belly had deformities. Originally, I wanted to keep the child.

But thinking about how the baby would never receive a father's love from birth, perhaps abortion was the better choice.