Chapter 3

"Despise me all you want, but I've always cared for your mother as if she were my own," Brianna rambled. "I beg you, regardless of your anger, don't make light of her health like that!"

Noel rushed in, instantly embracing her while shooting me an exasperated look. "Cornelia, Rian genuinely cares about your mother. Why must you constantly create problems for her?"

"Care?!" I scoffed bitterly, my hands trembling as I accessed my phone. "Is this what you consider care?"

I thrust the phone at him, playing the security footage I'd discovered. Although the camera hadn't captured the visuals, her words were unmistakable.

"You worthless old woman! Why don't you just perish?! Your daughter is as shameless as you!"

The recording continued, her tone harsh and merciless. "Eat! Go on! If you refuse, I'll beat you until you're dead!"

In the background, Mom's weak cries pleaded for mercy.

But Brianna only taunted my mom further and intimidated her. "Don't you dare tell anyone unless you want Noel to despise your daughter even more. You see, your son-in-law adores me. Do you think he'd believe a feeble old cripple like you over me?"

Each statement cut deeper, and my body quivered with fury and anguish.

Had I not stumbled upon this evidence, I might never have known what my mom endured these past months.

Yet Noel? He didn't even react as the recording ended. His expression darkened as he exhaled, his disappointment aimed squarely at me.

"Rian warned me this might occur. The moment we left for our trip, she predicted your jealousy would lead you to accuse her of mistreating your mom. I didn't believe her then, but now? Cornelia, have you no decency? Fabricating a video like this? Have you lost all sense of morality?"

Behind him, Brianna clung to him, peeking out to smirk at me. Her lips formed each word silently: Pitiful old hag.

My vision clouded with rage. Before I realized it, I'd struck her across the face. "Repeat that! I dare you!"

"Cornelia!" Noel immediately intervened, protecting Brianna from me. His icy glare pierced through me. "Haven't you learned anything?! Do you want me to evict you and your mom?! Apologize to Rian! Now!"

"I'm through with your threats!" My voice broke, but I stood my ground. "Noel, I want a divorce!"

His expression froze, and tension filled the air. For a moment, he seemed unable to comprehend my words. "What... did you just say?"

"I said I want a divorce," I repeated firmly. "From now on, whoever you're with is of no concern to me."

His face darkened. He stared at me, his disbelief quickly turning to anger. "You're ending our marriage over something so insignificant?!"

Insignificant? Wow, Mom's suffering was truly nothing but "insignificant" to him.

I gazed at the man I had shared three years of my life with, and suddenly felt like a fool.

Before I could respond, Cong Yuan began weeping, clutching her cheek dramatically. "Nellie, it's all my fault! Please don't divorce Noel because of me—I don't need an apology. Just... just don't leave him, Nellie, please!"

"Rian, stop blaming yourself," Noel said, softening as he turned to comfort her. Then his gaze snapped back to me, cold and unforgiving. "What, you think you can intimidate me with divorce? Fine. Let's see how you and your mom manage without me!"

I remained silent. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the exit.

Behind me, a glass shattered at my feet as Noel's voice boomed after me. "If you walk out that door, don't think you can come crawling back! I won't forgive you!"

Brianna chimed in, her tone gentle and imploring. "Nellie, think of Auntie. You and her wouldn't have survived these past two years without Noel. Don't be so obstinate—apologize, and we'll forget this ever happened."

Blood trickled down my leg where a shard of glass had cut me, but I barely noticed. I just kept walking straight out of that door.

Behind me, Noel's cold laugh echoed. "You really have the audacity, huh? Go ahead. Leave. But don't bother returning once you walk out of that door. Even if you kneel and beg for forgiveness, I won't give you another chance!"