Whether it was the announcement of the marriage or the notice of divorce, Iplied without a hitch. I thought that would be the end of it, that we would each go our separate ways.


    But I didn''t expect that even my mere presence would be intolerable to them.


    Ryan held me tightly, as if trying to meld me into his bones and flesh, his voice low and soothing. "No! Charlotte, that''s not what I meant. Don''t be so upset."


    "Then what do you mean?"


    I struggled to control my trembling body, speaking with biting sarcasm. "Are you saying you never thought about marrying her? Are you saying that sending me abroad was all for my sake?" What about the shot fired at me, or his defense of Bethany in front of Madam Shaw? What did those. count for? A joke? Or was it that I deserved it?


    I wouldn''t believe it again, and I didn''t dare to.


    The harsh words from Bethany and her mother, though stinging, contained truth-I was never in the same. world as Ryan.


    Once, because of Grandpa, I had briefly aligned myself in his direction, but it was nothing more than an illusory mirage.


    Even living under the same roof, we were like two parallel lines, never intersecting.


    Upon hearing this, Ryan''s movements paused, his grip on my back loosening slightly as he rested his forehead against mine, his gaze intense. "Just trust me, trust me onest time..."


    I instinctively flinched, feeling like I had been burned. I met his gaze/ "What should I trust you with? Trust that after three years of marriage, you didn''t even let me have a child?"


    That sentence he uttered on the day we went to get the divorce certificate was like a thorn, constantly piercing my heart. It wasn''t about myself-it was about that child who was never given a chance. His eyes were filled with regret and helplessness as he hesitated before speaking. "I said that because..."


    Knock, knock-N?velDrama.Org content.


    The door I was leaning against was suddenly knocked on. "Who''s there?"


    It was Frank''s voice, but it sounded stern and different from his usual nonchnt tone.


    This was the Shaw family''s territory, and Frank was familiar with Bethany. If he found out, he might casually mention it to Bethany.


    Then Bethany would surely find a way to cause more trouble for me!


    I really didn''t want to be entangled in these issues after the divorce. I pushed Ryan urgently, but he remained unmoved, lowering his voice to ask, "What''s going on between you and Frank?" "What''s it to you?"


    I was seething with anger, ring at him. "Let go of me If Frank sees you with me, your n to marry


    Bethany will be ruined..."


    Before I could finish, the force holding me was suddenly gone.


    In thest minute, he had been eager to make promises to me; in this second, he was afraid his fiancee would find out about his entanglement with me.


    I forced a smile, watching him leave, feeling a pang in my heart.


    I turned and opened the door, meeting Frank''s scrutinizing gaze.


    He looked past me and cast a cold, menacing nce into the courtyard before asking indifferently, "What are you doing here?"


    "I-I got lost after finishing breakfast and suddenly needed to use the bathroom. I saw the door open as I passed by..."


    Frank didn''t press further. He resumed hiszy demeanor, speaking softly. "This is not a ce you should be. Don''te here in the future."


    I shouldn''t have asked, but perhaps feeling a bit guilty, asked, "Why?"


    "Uninvited guests are not allowed inside."


    His long, pale hand rested on the door. He gently closed it, even changing the lock code in the process. The entire process was deliberate and meticulous, as if he feared damaging something.