Chapter 4 Preparing for a Divorce

Giselle's expression fell, while William immediately tensed. "What did you just say? What happened to Grandma?" Jeanette said coldly, "She had a sudden heart attack. George called you a dozen times but couldn't get through. Do you think I'd have come looking for you if it weren't for that?" For a second, William froze. He lowered his gaze to his phone and noticed that it had died after his business dinner last night. He had been too drunk to plug it in, so no wonder the calls never came through. Without a word, he grabbed his car keys and turned to leave. Jeanette followed closely behind. When they arrived at the hospital, Cordelia had regained consciousness. The first thing she did after waking up was call for the two of them to enter the ward. No sooner had Jeanette and William taken their seats than Cordelia said, "Will, Jean, as you can see, I'm old and probably don't have much longer. "In my remaining years, my only wish is to see the two of you give me a healthy grandchild…" Jeanette froze. Her heart ached painfully as her eyes fell on Cordelia's aged face. The latter probably had no idea that William was preparing to divorce her. She instinctively stole a glance at William, who wore a face devoid of emotions. He softly told Cordelia, "Grandma, Jeanette's body needs nurturing before we can have a baby. Let's talk about it some other time." Jeanette forced a strained smile. Nurturing? Even if she was perfectly healthy, it doesn't matter if William never wanted to touch her. Even if both of them agreed to have a baby, she wouldn't have enough time left to bring a new life into the world. Cordelia sighed. "Don't use that as an excuse, Will. Spend more time with Jean because nothing matters more than the two of you being happy together." William nodded and murmured a few soothing words until Cordelia grew tired. Then, he led Jeanette out of the room. Once outside the room, Jeanette found herself glancing at him again. She had no idea why she harbored such a ridiculous flicker of hope, but at this moment, she truly wished he'd reconsider the divorce. However, he walked right past her and looked straight ahead without sparing her a single glance. Just then, Giselle appeared at the end of the hallway with anxiety etched all over her face. She breathlessly called out, "Will! How's Cordelia?" Jeanette looked up and saw that William's expression eased slightly as he softly said, "It's nothing serious. Don't worry." After settling her on a side bench for rest, he went downstairs to handle the hospital payments. Giselle nodded obediently and sank onto a nearby bench very close to Jeanette. The moment Wiliam disappeared from view, she suddenly said in a barely audible voice, "Jeanette, do you know that I'm pregnant?" The words crashed over Jeanette like the clap of thunder and rang in her ears until her breath hitched. She heard herself ask in a hoarse, strained voice, "What… did you just say?" Giselle laughed softly. "Are you playing dumb now? Stop lying to yourself, Jeanette. You know very well that if it wasn't for that accident three years ago, I would've been the one married to William right now." Her voice was laced with mockery as she continued, "You were nothing but a mistress who swooped in when he was at his weakest. Now that I'm back, don't you think it's time to step aside? "Making a scene won't do anyone any good, so be sensible, Jeanette." Each word sliced through Jeanette's heart like a sharp knife. Still, Giselle wasn't finished. Her tone turned soft as she added, "Even if you refuse to get a divorce, what's the point? William will only have a child with me, and to him, you're just a shameless opportunist clinging to a debt of gratitude. Even a stray dog earns more affection than you do. "If I were you, I'd just die and be done with it." Trembling with rage, Jeanette raised her hand and slapped Giselle hard across the face, leaving a swollen mark blooming on the latter's delicate skin. To Jeanette's shock, Giselle wasn't mad in the slightest. Instead, a smug smile curved her lips. While Jeanette was puzzled, she watched as Giselle's expression instantly shifted. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as she began to cry in a picture of fragile, beautiful innocence. Before Jeanette could react, a huge force shoved her away. She slammed into the cold wall so hard that pain shot up her spine. When she looked up, she found herself staring at William's dark expression. He was standing protectively in front of Giselle, confronting Jeanette—his wife—with icy sharpness. "What the hell is wrong with you, Jeanette? Apologize to Giselle now!" Jeanette was shuddering from head to toe in fury as she fixed William with a deadly glare. The face that once stirred her love now seemed utterly detestable. That was when Giselle clutched her stomach and let out a pained whimper. William immediately turned to her in panic. "Stomachache? Is it the baby?" Noticing his look of concern, Jeanette laughed. She'd first assumed they'd recently rekindled their affair, but from the looks of it, it must have been going on far longer than she'd ever imagined. No wonder William refused to touch her. He'd already gotten someone else pregnant! The sharp, metallic taste of blood rose in her throat and made her nauseous again. She fought back the agony and was struck with the sudden realization that she must look utterly ridiculous to be stubbornly holding onto her place as his wife. After lifting her head to look at William, she announced with a calm, final resolve, "I'll agree to the divorce, William."