Chapter 6
“You insolent boy! What kind of man sides with another woman against his own wife?” William, still strong despite his age, grabbed his cane and strode to the doorway, striking Travis hard on the thigh.
The blow was quite powerful as William used to be a veteran – Travis’s face went pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Yet even after the blow, Travis remained defiant, standing straight as he spoke each word deliberately. “Grandpa, Nicole’s been spreading lies to you again, hasn’t she? I won’t apologize to her – it’s impossible!”
Travis paused deliberately, casting a cold glance at Nicole. “She’s the one who should apologize to Lucy! She’s the reason Lucy’s in this wheelchair! Can’t you see how vicious this woman is?”
William was heartbroken seeing how deeply Travis misunderstood Nicole.
“You fool, the way you treat Lucy – one day you’ll definitely regret it!”
Travis sneered, his voice firm, ”If I ever regret it, may I be struck dead crossing the street!”
“You… you…!” William broke into a coughing fit.
Nicole quickly moved to support him, gently patting his back. “Grandpa, it’s my fault. Please don’t get upset – it’s not good for your health!”
As she spoke, she helped him to his chair and poured him a cup of tea.
Under Nicole’s care, William’s agitation gradually subsided.
He patted her hand, his aged eyes growing moist.
“Oh, my dear, I’ve failed you!”
Nicole shook her head. “Grandpa, you raised me. No matter what happens between Travis and me, you’ll always be my family, and I’ll always take care of you.”
Her words made his heart clench. He gripped her hand tightly. “Nicole, don’t talk nonsense! Rest assured, you’re my only granddaughter-in-law! As for others…”
He cast a deliberate glance at Lucy before continuing, “I won’t accept any other woman trying to take your place!”
Seeing William’s hostility, Lucy let out a deliberate whimper.
“Mr. Graham, you misunderstand! I never wanted to replace Nicole!”
William cut her off harshly. “Be quiet!”
Lucy’s tears spilled instantly, making her look utterly pitiful.
Seeing her cry, Travis once again stood up to his grandfather.
“Grandpa, don’t waste your energy. Even though you forced me to marry Nicole, I’ll never love her, never truly care for her! Lucy is the only one in my heart!”
Lucy felt a secret triumph seeing Travis defy his grandfather for her sake.
She glanced sideways at Nicole, hoping to see hurt, sadness, or anger on her face.
In the past, whenever Travis defended Lucy like this, Nicole would become distraught, her eyes reddening with distress.
This time, Lucy expected to see Nicole’s usual discomfort and loss of composure.
But she was wrong.
Nicole stood there calmly, her expression distant, as if everything happening around her was someone else’s story.
Even when Travis declared Lucy was the only one in his heart, Nicole remained unmoved, like she was listening to a stranger’s tale.
“You ungrateful boy! Have you forgotten who your wife is? How can you be so inconsiderate of Nicole’s feelings? You scoundrel!”
William’s emotions flared again at Travis’s words.
As he started to rise, ready to strike Travis again, Nicole stopped him.
“Please don’t hit him, Grandpa. I’m not angry anymore – I don’t care. I only care about your health now. As long as you’re healthy, that’s all I need.”
Nicole held onto his cane, her eyes pleading.
Travis watched this scene, assuming she was only trying to protect him from being hit.
He scoffed inwardly – did she think this would make him appreciate her, make him fall in love with her?
Hah, impossible.
William saw the sadness in Nicole’s eyes.
They say there’s no greater sorrow than a dead heart.
And right now, Nicole’s eyes showed exactly that.
“Nicole, you…” Are you finally giving up on Travis?
William couldn’t bring himself to finish the question.
Nicole stepped back, faced William, and slowly bowed.
“I’m sorry, but I must fail your expectations. Your kindness in raising me – I’ll carry it in my heart forever.”
She performed three deep bows.
Her gesture deeply unsettled William.
“Nicole, I know how much you’ve suffered. I know everything!”
His voice caught in his throat.
He couldn’t continue.
All these years, he’d witnessed every cruel thing Travis had done to hurt Nicole.
Her three bows spoke volumes – he understood their meaning perfectly.
He let out a long, heavy sigh. “So be it. You can’t force love. I respect your decision.”
Nicole raised her head, wiping away her tears.
She had no attachments left to the Graham family – except for William, who had truly loved her.
She stood up, managed a smile for William, then turned to Travis and said deliberately, “Let’s get divorced.”
Travis’s mind exploded at those words.
This woman, actually asking for a divorce?
Impossible. It must be another one of her manipulation tactics.
So without thinking, he immediately agreed.
“Gladly! Nothing would make me happier!”
Nicole smiled with relief. “Good. Tomorrow at 10 AM, let’s meet at the courthouse with our IDs and marriage certificate.”
Travis’s heart jumped.
Was she serious?
He couldn’t back down now, so he replied, “I’ll be there.”
Lucy, surprised by Nicole’s proposal, rushed to offer fake consolation. “Nicole, don’t be rash. There’s nothing between Travis and me! You chased after Travis for so many years, finally got what you wanted – how can you give up so easily?”
The words seemed conciliatory, but each one was like salt in Nicole’s wounds, mocking her years of unrequited love.
Yes, she had pursued Travis for years, finally marrying him with William’s help.
She’d gotten what she wanted, but what had these three years of marriage given her?
Her hand moved to her hearing aid, then to the cigarette burns on her arm, and finally to her still-aching abdomen…
