Chapter 4

Early the next day, Juliet contacted Jesse Londale, who was Asher's assistant. She asked about the progress of their divorce agreement. "Mrs. Greene, Mr. Greene went on a business trip early today. He was in a rush when he left, so the document i-isn't signed yet." "Alright." Juliet hung up, but she was not surprised. Asher always behaved like this. He just ignored and avoided things. He would leave her alone and wait for her to give in. It was a pity that things would not go his way this time. After a week, Juliet called Jesse once more, but he said that Asher was still on a business trip. It was obviously untrue. Asher was clearly avoiding her. The doorbell rang. Juliet opened the door, and Ariane rushed in, laden down with bags of groceries. "Oh my! You've decorated this place so beautifully!" Ariane stuffed all the groceries she had bought into the fridge. "Congratulations on finally getting out of that miserable place, Jules! You finally have your life back, so we've got to celebrate tonight with a big meal!" Juliet felt a warm feeling in her heart as she watched Ariane bustle around on her account. "That ex of yours isn't giving you any trouble, is he?" Ariane asked, sticking her head out of the kitchen. "He's on a business trip." "Psh. He's so pretentious." Ariane grimaced. "I'm sure he thinks that you'll go home of your own accord in a couple of days." Juliet smiled and said nothing. While they were preparing the ingredients, the doorbell suddenly rang. Ariane looked through the peephole, and her expression changed. "Damn! All the monsters have ganged up and come over. There's that horrible mother-in-law of yours, and Evangeline as well." Juliet paused in the act of wiping her hands dry. The doorbell was ringing insistently, as if they would knock the door down if it wasn't opened soon. Ariane shielded Juliet with her body. "Don't open it. Just pretend that there's no one home." "It won't be of any use. She knows I'm here." Juliet walked around Ariane and opened the door. Asher's mother, Amanda Carter, was standing outside, looking impatient as she stood right at the center. She had taken a lot of care to preserve her looks, and she looked proud and angry. Two well-dressed relatives stood behind her, pointing and whispering at the door. Evangeline stood behind them, wearing a simple dress and looking worried. Amanda lifted up her chin when the door opened. "You've gotten bold, Juliet. You just ran away from home without saying anything, and you're threatening divorce?" The Greene relatives beside her immediately chimed in. "Yes, Juliet! What has Asher ever done to you? Why are you kicking up such a fuss?" "Do you really think you're an ugly duckling who became a swan? Don't forget that your mother used to mop the floors for the Greenes. You're lucky to have married Asher!" Amanda snorted and walked straight into the living room. She looked as if she had come to inspect the place, and she was scornful of the tiny apartment. "Is this all because Asher didn't spend your anniversary with you? Why are you so immature at your age?" Amanda sat down heavily on the sofa, making a loud noise. "Men need to work hard on their careers. How can they have time to play juvenile mind games with you?" Evangeline took Amanda's arm, and her eyes reddened as she said, "Don't get angry, Mrs. Greene. I'm sure that Juliet didn't mean to cause a fuss. She just cares too much about Ash." Evangeline looked guilty. "I'm sorry, Juliet. Ash was just worried about my baby. You're still the most important person to him." This made Amanda even angrier. She patted Evangeline's hand, looking sorry for her. "You are just too kind, my dear. How can anyone blame you for this? Some people are just petty and can't behave properly." Ariane's temper flared up, and she stepped forward. "Hey, you old hag! Do you even know what happened? Your precious son was the one who had an affair! How can you come here and make false accusations like this?" She glared at Evangeline. "As for you, since you claim that it's your fault, then tell us what you did wrong! "Was it when you called him in the middle of the night despite knowing that he's married? Or is it because you were with someone else's husband when you're pregnant?" Ariane's barrage of questions made Evangeline turn paler. Amanda raised her eyebrows in outrage. "What right do you have to say anything? These are the personal affairs of the Greene family!" "Family affairs?" Ariane scoffed. "It soon won't be. Once Jules gets the divorce papers, you won't be family anymore!" "You—" Amanda's fingers shook with rage. A commotion soon broke out in the living room, but Juliet did not interrupt. She merely sat there and watched the ridiculous drama unfold, knowing how it would inevitably end. She looked at Amanda's furious expression, at the Greene relatives' contempt, and at how piteous and meek Evangeline was. She had seen the same thing far too many times over the years. In the past, she would always choose to endure it and back down for Asher's sake. As everyone watched her, Juliet sat down calmly with a cup and blew on the steam rising from it. "Have you finished, Mrs. Greene?" Amanda looked outraged at Juliet's attitude. Juliet took another sip and continued at a measured pace. "If you're done, please leave. My apartment is small, and it doesn't have space for so many people." "Juliet, don't take a mile when we give you an inch!" Amanda slammed her hand down on the armrest of the sofa. "Didn't you buy this lousy place with the money that Asher gave you? You rely on our family for everything you eat and wear!" Juliet looked down at herself. She was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. "You must be joking, I used the money I earned for this apartment and these clothes. "I don't want anything from the divorce, and I didn't take anything from you. I'm not going to change my mind about the divorce." She looked at the Greene relatives, who had declared that Juliet was batting out of her league. "Whoever wants to be part of the Greene family is welcome to do so."