I let out a cold chuckle and responded, “So I’m the problem? How about you take a look at yourself?”
Before Irvin could say anything, I pressed on. “Don’t make me say it. Let’s have the audience weigh in instead. Aren’t you two exactly the star–crossed lovers they’re all whispering about?”
I turned to the women who had been gossiping when Irvin walked in with Julianne earlier.
“Come now, ladies. Tell us what you were thinking and saying when you saw my dear husband
Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
escorting my beloved sister inside.”
The women’s faces paled instantly.
It was one thing to gossip in private or murmur discreetly, but to speak openly on the record was impossible. Not a single one dared step forward.
1 chuckled and continued, “If you won’t speak, allow me to recount it for you. ‘I heard Emilia and Ms. Sinclair were kidnapped together, and Mr. Sawyer didn’t hesitate to save Ms. Sinclair. I didn’t believe it before, but now I do.”
“Emilia truly means nothing to Mr. Sawyer.!
“She deserves this for forcing herself between two lovers when she’s clearly unwanted!” “‘And didn’t Mr. Sawyer and Ms. Sinclair grow up as childhood sweethearts? If Emilia hadn’t thrown her money around and forced him to marry her when he was down and out…”
When I recited their words perfectly, their faces turned ghostly pale in embarrassment.
I don’t know how loving Irvin turned me into someone so willing to endure. But the real me- the one who never tolerated injustice and always held grudges–was resurfacing.
Especially now, when their words had caused Grandma such worry.
saw you
“It wasn’t just them,” I added. “Plenty of people were thrilled when they and Julianne together. You say I’m petty and see filth everywhere. Are you saying all these people are petty, too?
“Are you two the only pure and innocent ones here? So pure you could lie under the same blanket and do nothing but chat?”
Someone in the crowd couldn’t hold back a laugh.
The look on Irvin’s face was awful.
“Emilia, can’t you stop making a scene in public?” he snapped, stepping forward as if to grab
- me.
I stepped back and retreated quickly as though avoiding something filthy.
My disdainful evasion made his expression twist with rage.
Then, before he could say another word, I abruptly switched to a tearful expression and said, ” You always say I’m causing a scene, that my mind is filthy. But have you ever stopped to look at yourself? If I were the only one suspecting something, that would be my problem.
“But everyone thinks the same. Are we all wrong? Are you the only one without a problem? Do you not know the awful things people say about me, how they mock me? If there’s really nothing between you and Julianne, then prove it!
“Tell everyone here, right now, that there’s absolutely no romantic relationship between the
+25 BONUS
Chapter 13
two of you! That you don’t have the slightest feelings for her! Also, was I the one who forced you to marry me? No! It was you who pursued me!”
It was Irvin who chased after me and made me fall so deeply in love that I couldn’t pull myself out. After using me, he now wanted to discard me while blaming me for ruining their “true love“.
He was despicable and shameless.
And yet, he had the nerve to act like I was the villain who tore them apart!
“And since when was helping someone out of financial ruin a crime? If you really think I forced you to marry me back then with the money I had and that I destroyed your so–called star–crossed love, fine!
“Pay me back every cent with interest right now, and I’ll divorce you immediately. I’ll even give your both my blessing! You don’t want to divorce me because you don’t want to split the assets, yet you still want to play the victim?
“I don’t owe you anything, so what gives you the right to trample all over me?”
If he didn’t want to divorce and divide the assets, trying instead to drive me insane, then fine
I’d play crazy. I’d expose everything and drag their sordid affair into the open.
IV
I wouldn’t let them get away with it. I wouldn’t allow them to play innocent while making me out to be the deranged, troublesome wife everyone laughed at..
The crowd was visibly shocked.
Wasn’t I supposed to be the desperate wife who was unwilling to be cast aside? Yet here I was, seemingly eager to divorce, while Irvin was the one stalling.
If that was true… Irvin certainly came off worse in this situation.
Sensing the shift in the crowd’s perception, Irvin grew angrier.
He wondered how I could think that way. How could I suddenly be so convinced that his reluctance to divorce was about money? He and Julianne truly had nothing going on. What more could he say to make me believe him?
Frustration brewed within Irvin. However, when he saw the usually composed me now on the verge of tears as though I was enduring unbearable humiliation, he couldn’t muster the anger.
This was Grandma’s birthday celebration. He hadn’t even arrived with me and then left me to endure all the gossip. That was his fault.
With that thought, Irvin softened his tone considerably and said, “There’s seriously nothing between Lianne and me. You’re overthinking it. It was my mistake for not accompanying you today. But this is Grandma’s birthday. Don’t cause a scene here. It’s not appropriate.”
He even reached out to affectionately pat my head.
Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
Faced with his sudden gentleness, I finally understood why the old me in the journal had been so conflicted and tormented. She had wanted to let go but couldn’t.
When it came to someone she loved so deeply, even the smallest kindness or glimmer of hope would make her hold on and try desperately to make things work.
But I wasn’t her anymore. I wouldn’t torment myself in the cycle of despair and hope he orchestrated.
Sneering, I replied, “If that’s the case, then say it right here in front of everyone. Say that you and Julianne have no romantic entanglements and that you will never be with her.
“Make it clear to everyone so they’ll stop spreading rumors about me. If anyone dares mock me again, you’ll make them pay. Can you do that? If you can, I’ll believe you.
If Irvin was so insistent on denying it, then I would let him deny it thoroughly. People who crawled out of the gutter had no right to act like saints.
I expected him to look grim or even lash out at me for “causing a scene“.
But to my surprise, he didn’t hesitate to turn to the crowd and declare firmly, “Lianne and I share nothing more than the bond of siblings who grew up together. There’s absolutely no romantic relationship between us, let alone some tragic love story.
“Emilia is my one and only wife. I hope everyone here stops spreading baseless rumors. If anyone continues to insult my wife, they’ll be making an enemy of me!”
