Chapter 5
For the first time in a long time, I unblocked James and called him.
“Lillian? Is that you?”
“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
“Did you rest after the miscarriage? Are you okay?”
He bombarded me with questions the moment he answered.
I sighed. “James, I heard Sophia got divorced.“.
“She’s free now. You can finally be with her.”
“Congratulations.”
“Oh, and don’t forget to sign the divorce papers.”
Silence.
“…That’s why you called?” he asked quietly.
“What else?” I said.
“You didn’t ask how I’ve been. Or if I was okay.”
“You just want to finalize the divorce.”
“You didn’t use to be like this, Lillian.”
His voice cracked at the end.
“That was ‘the old me.”
“The old me loved you. But I don’t anymore.”
“James, let’s end this properly so you can be with the person you actually love.”
Before he could say another word, I hung up.
13:30
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
55.9%
That weekend, I visited the orphanage with gifts.
The director, an elderly woman who raised me, rushed out when she saw me.
“My sweet girl, look at you.”
The children peeked at me with wide, curious eyes–hopeful, careful.
They were just like me once.
I smiled, handing out the treats I brought for them.
“Have you been well?” the director asked, eyes scanning my face with concern.
“You’ve lost weight.”
I laughed lightly.
“Don’t worry, I’m doing fine.”
If there was anything in this world I would miss, it was this place.
Before I left, I donated every last dollar I had to the orphanage.
A final thank–you for the only real home I’d ever known.
I wiped away my tears as I stepped out of the orphanage gates–only to stop in my tracks.
James stood there, eyes red–rimmed, waiting for me.
“I knew you’d come here.”
He stepped closer, arms reaching for me.
“I finally found you.”
I dodged his embrace, and his face fell.
My voice was cold. “Unless it’s about the divorce, there’s nothing left to say.”
“There’s nothing between us anymore.”
13:30
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
56.2%
1 brushed past him, catching a bus home.
But as I got off, another familiar figure was waiting.
William.
Hands in his pockets, he turned to face me, his expression unreadable.
“Lillian,” he said. “Marry me.”
1 blinked. “What?”
His tone was calm, indifferent. “If all of this was just you throwing a fit over Sophia, fine.”
“I divorced her.”
“For you.”
“Are you happy now?”
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
“Mr. Carter, I was never throwing a fit.”
“I meant every word.”
“I don’t want anything to do with your family.”
“So no, I won’t marry you.‘
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