Wesley sobbed, eventually covering his eyes with his hands. Despite his efforts, the tears continued to slip through his fingers.


    Witnessing his distress, Laura felt a wave of sadness wash over her. "Wesley, please don''t act this way," she pleaded, her voice thick with tears. "I don''t want this any more than you do, but I''m really frightened.


    "Wesley, throughout all these years of my illness, you''ve been right there with me, tirelessly finding treatments. Yourpanionship, care, concern, and love have always been genuine. Yet, sometimes I can''t help but feel trapped in my own mind.


    "If I hadn''t married you, I wouldn''t have drawn Cassie''s interest, wouldn''t have been poisoned by her, and wouldn''t have been apart from my child for over 20 years. Had I married someone ordinary, I might not have experienced the wealth and status of the Holden family.


    "Perhaps life would have been really difficult, but one thing is certain, I wouldn''t have been separated from my child."


    As Laura spoke, she lifted her head. "I realize these thoughts are wrong, yet I can''t help it. Being ill for so many years has twisted my mind.


    "Sometimes I reflect on all the years of hardship I''ve endured, but then I remind myself that my child is the Holden family''s sole heir.


    "He won''t have to worry about financial problems like kids from less fortunate backgrounds, nor will he need topromise his pride for a low-paying job. In a way, the struggles I faced were worth it for my child''s easier life.


    "Wesley, there are times when I feel like I''m losing my mind. It''s as if two opposing voices are constantly battling in my head. I''m not any better off than you are. I''ve wrestled with my own internal conflicts before reaching these decisions."


    As Laura spoke, tears streamed uncontrobly down her face. She covered her eyes with her hands, desperately trying to hold back her sobs.


    The couple, who had shared a deep love and supported each other through countless years, had once been passionately devoted to one another, caring and standing by each other through endless days and nights.


    The thought of parting was as painful as losing a part of themselves. Laura wept for a moment, then suddenly felt a warmth on her wrist. Wesley had reached out and grasped it.


    "Please, don''t cry," Wesley said, his voice rough. "Honey, I assure you, we''ll go through with the divorce."


    "Wesley," Laura said, gazing at him with tear-filled eyes, barely able to believe how readily he had agreed. "Wesley, I''ll walk away from this marriage empty- handed."


    Wesley gazed at her, attempting to muster a smile. "You''re right. My initial hope was for your recovery. I made countless prayers to the universe, promising to do anything if it meant you would heal. Even though I wasn''t the cause of your pain, you went through it because of me, so I share the me."


    He softly brushed Laura''s tears away with his fingertip. "Please, Laura, don''t cry."


    She copsed into his chest, shaking as tears streamed down her face. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry," she sobbed.


    "Darling, I''m sorry," she continued. "I don''t want your money. I don''t want anything. These things are just material possessions to me. But for you, they are the basis that enables you to live a happy, joyful, and free life."


    Wesley embraced Laura. "Don''t turn it down. Men might let you down, but money never will. Trust me, alright?"


    She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She felt selfish, contemptible, and unappreciative.


    She truly didn''t deserve it. "Wesley, I''m sorry. I don''t deserve your love."


    "You''re being silly. I''m the one who caused all these problems for you. I should be the one apologizing."


    Love often created a sense of obligation. Over the years, Wesley had always felt indebted to Laura


    Previously, he had always med himself for not properly caring for her, which led her to suffer


    unimaginable pain for years,


    unaware that Cassie was actuel


    responsible. Now, having leamed the truth, his feelings of guilt and


    remorse have intensified


    "Laura, I''ve been selfish," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "Perhaps it''s best if you leave me." He had already resolved this in his heart within these few moments.


    He nned to liberate Laura and then seek out Cassie for retribution. It didn''t matter that she was his biological sister. Her cruel actions toward him and Laura had severed any sense of familial duty,


    As a husband and, most importantly, a father, he couldn''t allow his wife and child


    to be harmed by any malevolence. Therefore, he resolved to handle certain matters personally.


    Wesley embraced Laura closely, fearing this might be hisst opportunity to hold his wife.


    "Laura, make sure you look after yourself. Stay happy and carefree," he said.


    "I understand," Laura replied as tears flowed down her cheeks. "You should do the same, Wesley."


    "I will," he assured her, nting a kiss on her forehead. "Come on, cheer up. I''ve agreed to the divorce. Let me see you smile."


    Laura wept, shaking her head in disbelief. Smiling seemed impossible. Divorce might seem straightforward, but the heartache wasn''t limited to just Wesley.


    "Please, just trust me," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he struggled to maintain hisposure. "I''ll handle everything. You just need to sign the documents."


    Laura was crying, her heart in deep pain. "Wesley, can I... have more time to consider it?" she pleaded through her sobs. "Please, just a little more time to think, alright?"


    "Sure, I''ll give you the time you need. Whatever you decide, I''ll be here for you," he replied softly, his voice rough yet tender.


    He gently brushed away her tears with his fingertip. "Honey, I love you."


    Out of love, he was ready to back every choice she made. Plus, the actions he nned to take would be easier to execute without involving his wife and son following the divorce.


    "Darling, I''m sorry. I''m so sorry."


    "You''ve done nothing wrong, so there''s no need to apologize to me," Wesley said, attempting to form a smile "Be good. You''ve done nothing wrong and there''s no reason to say you''re sorry." ''


    He continued, "Our son is grown now. He has the capability and resources to take care of you. Even if we go through with the divorce, I''ll beforted knowing you''re with him."


    The softer Wesley''s tone was, the harder Laura cried. If he hadn''t given in so easily, maybe she could have been more resolute. But now, Laura found it impossible to be unfeeling.