Chapter 2
Anthea froze, whipping around to found Lance descending the stairs, still groggy from his hangover
She immediately motioned for the divorce lawyer to leave and only after he was gone did she turn back to lie.]
“Nothing important. You misheard. I was just consulting with a lawyer about some property matters.“[]
Despite full of holes in her story. Lance didn’t press further–simply because he didn’t care about her.[]
At this point, Hedy hadn’t yet committed suicide. So after their wedding, Lance’s attitude toward Anthea was merely cold, not hateful.[]
He gave a slight “Mmm,” rubbing his temples tiredly. “Sorry. Last night was… a good night. I drank too much. Well, uh… make up for it later.”
A good night?
Anthea’s eyes reddened again, against her will.
Lance, are you serious?
For the entire ten years of our marriage in my previous life, you’d get wasted every single day. Every time, you’d hold me while calling out Hedy’s name.
You were trapped–your love for her was too overwhelming–that lifelong regret was like a web that trapped you… and trapped me for my entire life.[]
She was about to speak when the butler approached with a respectful bow.[]
“Mr.Rhodes, Mrs.Rhodes, the car and gifts are prepared for your Post–Wedding Family Visit.“]]
Lance responded with a brief “Mmm” before extending his hand to Anthea, his dark eyes emotionless. “Let’s go.“]
Anthea hesitated for a second before placing her hand in his broad palm.
Warmth instantly spread through Anthea’s body from where their hands met, but it couldn’t thaw her frozen heart.]
On the road, they hit numerous red lights, the black Maybach stopping and starting.]
Anthea was about to close her eyes and pretend to nap when she heard a notification “ding” from Lance’s phone.
She instinctively glanced over, watching his long fingers slide across the illuminated screen.
From the corner of her eye, she observed his expression gradually darkening, eventually settling into a inky gloom.]
Suddenly, he flipped his phone ove and turned to her. “Anthea, something urgent came up at the company. I’m afraid I can’t go with you today. I’ll apologize to your parents another day.”
Before she could even respond, he was already stepping out of the car. []
Anthea lowered her eyes and lit up her own phone.[]
On the screen was Hedy’s Instagram post.
The photos showing her beaming with her blind date at Luna Park in Coney Island. The center photo, where they were holding hands and gazing at each other, was sickeningly sweet.
No man wants to see someone he cares about smiling so sweetly at another man, especially not Lance.[]
So there was no “company emergency“-this was the real reason he rushed away.
Outside the Orlando residence, Anthea’s parents had been waiting for quite some time.[]
Seeing their daughter step out of the car alone, they were momentarily stunned, then hesitant to speak.]
Anthea’s mother Stacy peered hopefully into the car behind Anthea and upon seeing it empty. She was about to say something but swallowed her words when she met her daughter’s composed gaze.]
3AM Betrayal with The Neighbor… My Childhood State His Empire To Claim Me!
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It wasn’t until they were at dinner that Anthea finally spoke up!]
“Dad, Mom, I’m divorcing Lance.”
The entire room froze.{}]
Her father Toby frowned. “What’s going on? Why the sudden divorce?”
Stacy was even more anxious. “Sweetheart, come on, there’s nothing can’t work it out? You’ve always liked Lance so much. And… you just got married yesterday–why would you-“]
Her words abruptly cut off.
Because Anthea had raised her eyes, revealing tears streaming from her reddened eyes.[]
“Mom, Dad, I’m not happy with him. I want out–to free him and myself. Please support my decision.“[]
Her voice was soft, but the more she spoke, the more fiercely her tears fell, as if she’d suffered some tremendous injustice.[]
Toby and Stacy had no idea what had happened, but seeing their precious daughter in so much pain instantly melted their hearts.[]
They quickly abandoned their utensils and rushed to embrace her, no longer questioning her decision. “Okay, okay, we promise. Whatever you want, sweetie. If you want out, we support you.“]
Anthea leaned into her parents‘ embrace, unable to stop her tears.[]
Anthea’s parents value her very much. In her last life, her parents had spent years worrying about her, turning their hair white in just a few short years. []
This time, she wouldn’t let that happen.[]
“Mom, Dad…. after the divorce, let’s move abroad. Let’s go to the UK.” Anthea choked out.
Toby and Stacy exchanged a glance before nodding. “Of course. Wherever you want to go, we’ll go with you.”
Anthea wiped away her tears and finally smiled.[]
This time, she wouldn’t let Hedy commit suicide, wouldn’t let Lance lose the love of his life, wouldn’t let her parents grieve over her suffering. And she wouldn’t condemn herself to a lifetime of suffering.
This time, she would give everyone a happy ending.
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