SWNOVELS Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
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Lilliana's eyes flickered with grim intent and her lips curved into a faint smile.
She wasn't stupid enough to show her cards now, so she brushed it off with an effortless excuse.
«During your two years of marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a simple housewife, disconnected from her world. When you are firm, would she dare to say a word?
Joshua pursed his lips.
For the past two years, Alice had done everything for him, given him support and comfort. She had loved him fiercely, but in the end, what was the value of love?
Against all odds, he had managed to reach the top and had finally achieved the power he craved.
However, that success had not been easy, and it had not been love that had secured her position, but alliances with the powerful.
The prestige of the daughter of the Green family, that title alone, was worth much more than Alice's devoted love.
As these thoughts tormented his mind, Lilliana suddenly pressed her full red lips against his.
“Joshua,” she purred, her voice velvet, “congratulations on escaping the routine. “Shall we celebrate?”
For a moment, Joshua's gaze shifted to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Since he had left home, Alicia had not called him even once to ask about his whereabouts.
Before, if he had been angry with her, she would have called him scared.
A sharp, inexplicable irritation welled up inside him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, his voice hoarse.
"You're only a few weeks pregnant. Be careful."
Lilliana, as sharp as ever, realized he was distracted.
“Joshua, what’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Don't you want a divorce?”
Joshua's response was instantaneous.
"Of course I want a divorce."
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.
"So why don't you seem very happy?"
Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice firm but distant.
“My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's probably here to claim his inheritance. “I need to figure out how to handle him.”
Lilliana blinked, momentarily taken back.
“Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even have the name Yates anymore. What right does he have to fight you over the inheritance?”
Joshua's expression darkened.
Lilliana's eyes flickered with grim intent and her lips curved into a faint smile.
She wasn't stupid enough to show her cards now, so she let it go with an easy excuse.
«During your two years of marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a simple housewife, disconnected from your world. When you are firm, would she dare to say a word?
Joshua pursed his lips.
For the past two years, Alice had done everything for him, given him support and comfort. She had loved him fiercely, but in the end, what was the value of love?
Against all odds, he had managed to reach the top and had finally achieved the power he craved.
However, that success had not been easy, and it had not been love that had secured her position, but alliances with the powerful.
The prestige of the daughter of the Green family, that title alone, was worth much more than Alice's devoted love.
As these thoughts tormented his mind, Lilliana suddenly pressed her full red lips against his.
“Joshua,” she purred, her voice velvet, “congratulations on escaping the routine. “Shall we celebrate?”
For a moment, Joshua's gaze shifted to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Since he had left home, Alicia had not called him even once to ask about his whereabouts.
Before, if he had been angry with her, she would have called him scared.
A sharp, inexplicable irritation welled up inside him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, his voice hoarse.
"You're only a few weeks pregnant. Be careful."
Lilliana, as sharp as ever, realized he was distracted.
“Joshua, what’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Don't you want a divorce?”
Joshua's response was instantaneous.
"Of course I want a divorce."
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.
"So why don't you seem very happy?"
Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice firm but distant.
“My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's probably here to claim his inheritance. “I need to figure out how to handle him.”
Lilliana blinked, momentarily taken back.
“Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even have the name Yates anymore. What right does he have to fight you over the inheritance?”
Joshua's expression darkened.
A sharp pang hit Alice's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought the urge to cry. She quickly brought her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was then that she realized something startling.
Stunned, she looked at her hand.
The wedding ring—something she had held on to so tightly—was gone.
He had been gone for a day and a night, and he hadn't even noticed.
Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she had been carrying began to lift. She whispered, more to herself than to anyone else, “Yes, I have truly let go.”
Joshua was quick to notice.
He had turned back to record something quickly when his eyes fell on his hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, “Where’s your wedding ring?”
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