Chapter 4

After a day of observation, the doctor finally discharged me. As soon as I finished the discharge procedures, I received a message from the family court.

With the divorce certificate in hand, I took a taxi home. As I approached the main gate, I heard laughter and lively chatter from inside. I thought Chloe had returned early.

I intended to give her the divorce certificate and explain everything to her face.

The next second, I heard Mrs. Thompson, Chloe’s mother, and her second aunt, Aunt Margaret, speaking:

"If Chloe hadn't been so stubborn about marrying him back then, I never would have allowed him into our Thompson family!"

"Anyway, Chloe and Dylan have children now. Ryan is utterly useless. When he gets back, we'll just make him sign the divorce papers!"

Aunt Margaret immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes. The children are growing up in the blink of an eye. You should enjoy the blessings of having grandchildren."

I clenched my fists. So, their entire family knew Chloe had given birth to twins with another man, and I was the only one kept in the dark, foolishly believing her for all these years.

I pushed open the door, my face cold. The two women turned, startled.

"Are you a ghost! Don't you make a sound when you walk!"

Mrs. Thompson impatiently glared at me, her face darkening:

"What are you standing around for? Go make some tea! I don't know what you learned in all those etiquette lessons over the years. You're still so unrefined, a disgrace to look at."

Back then, Mrs. Thompson despised my humble origins. Although she agreed to my marriage with Chloe, she privately enrolled me in various etiquette classes, hinting repeatedly that I was unworthy of her daughter, and if I didn't practice diligently, her daughter would embarrass the Thompson family when taking me out.

Though I was utterly unwilling, thinking of Chloe’s difficult relationship with her mother because of me, I endured everything, doing exactly as Mrs. Thompson wished. But I never imagined that after all these years, she still looked down on me.

When I brought them two cups of hot tea, Aunt Margaret vigorously nudged Mrs. Thompson, giving her a pointed look.

Just as I was about to head upstairs, Mrs. Thompson directly flung a divorce agreement at me.

She said coldly, "Wait a moment. Sign this divorce agreement first."

She paused, then continued, "This is Chloe’s wish too. She's too shy to say it, so as her mother, I naturally have to help her."

"I assume you overheard what Aunt Margaret and I were saying. I won't hide it from you. Chloe has already had children outside this marriage. This divorce was bound to happen sooner or later."

I looked up at her. Regardless of whose wish it was, I already had the divorce certificate. This marriage was over no matter what, so what harm was there in signing another agreement?

With that thought, I signed my name in a flash.

Seeing my decisiveness, both women were stunned, as if they were dreaming.

"May I leave now?" I asked, looking at their shocked expressions.

Aunt Margaret instantly reacted, scoffing, "Yes, you should. You're no longer the Thompson family's son-in-law. There's no reason for you to overstay your welcome."

Mrs. Thompson immediately followed up: "Mr. Henderson, quickly tell the staff to pack up his things. Make sure he's out of the Thompson estate today."

Mr. Henderson heard her and was about to call the staff, but I stopped him:

"No need. I'll pack my own things."

Aunt Margaret, hearing this, her eyes glinted, mocked, "We'd better have someone watch him. Can't guarantee he'll be honest about taking his things. If anything goes missing, it'll be our Thompson family's money lost!"

I ignored her and went straight upstairs, packing a few of my most used clothes. I didn't touch any of the clothes Chloe had given me.

I also placed the divorce certificate in a gift box and asked Mr. Henderson to give it to Chloe.

After I finished everything, I dragged my luggage and left the Thompson estate. To my surprise, as soon as I stepped out the main gate, I overheard the servants saying they were preparing to welcome back the young masters who were living elsewhere in a couple of days.

Only then did I realize that Mrs. Thompson was so eager for me to divorce because she wanted to welcome Dylan’s two sons into the family.

The next day, Chloe returned from her time off, with Dylan trailing behind her.

She walked in and looked around. Not seeing me, a strange sense of dread pounded in her chest.

Dylan, however, scanned the living room, looking left and right, and asked, "Chloe, where's Maoqiu? Did Ryan throw him out while you were gone?"

Maoqiu was the Ragdoll cat's name.

Chloe frowned, remembering my allergy. She wanted to say something but didn't.

It wasn't until Mr. Henderson said the cat had been sent for vaccinations that Chloe’s expression softened slightly.

Then she asked, "Mr. Henderson, where's Ryan?"

Before Mr. Henderson could reply, Mrs. Thompson spoke from the stairs: "Ryan has left the Thompson estate."

Chloe looked confused: "Mom, what do you mean?!"

Mrs. Thompson usually had strong opinions about me and often taunted me; it was commonplace.

Chloe was about to say more, but her gaze shifted to the gift box in Mr. Henderson’s hand.

Mr. Henderson handed the gift box to Chloe:

"Master Ryan asked me to give this to you."

Chloe saw the familiar gift box, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

She remembered this was the box she'd used the first time she gave Ryan a gift. She hadn't expected him to keep it for so long.

Dylan, seeing the unusual look in her eyes, scoffed, "That box looks so old. Did Ryan just find some broken box to try and gross you out? Chloe, don't even look at it."

"What good thing could possibly be in such a piece of junk? Ryan is probably just trying to play a trick on you. You'll regret opening it."

The next second, Chloe opened it right in front of them. When she saw what was inside, her face instantly turned ashen.

Everyone looked on in shock.