?Chapter 45:


    Kristopher frowned, his gaze shifting to the window as he remained silent.


    Belinda wasn’t surprised by his reaction. She turned away, continuing to touch up her makeup.


    Soon, the car pulled up outside the Cox family estate.


    Belinda exited first and started towards the house.


    After a moment, Kristopher caught up with her.


    “Why the hurry?” he asked, his voice cold. He grasped Belinda’s hand and hastened her steps toward the house.


    Belinda instinctively tried to pull away. “Do we really need to do this?” Previously, she had suggested they hold hands when visiting the estate to keep Anthony from suspecting trouble in their rtionship.


    It was their only disy of affection outside their bedroom.


    But now, with their strained rtionship no secret and Anthony already informed, hand-holding felt pointless.


    The harder she tried to free her hand, the tighter Kristopher’s grip became.


    He didn’t stop walking as he said, “Until we’re divorced, you’re still my wife.” He quirked an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with holding my wife’s hand?”


    Belinda rolled her eyes in exasperation.


    He was beingpletely absurd.


    Before, when she wanted to hold his hand, he always looked at her with contempt, as though she was taking advantage of him.


    Now, as they teetered on the edge of divorce, he suddenly felt the urge to grasp her hand?


    She resisted his grip a moment longer before her strength waned, and she relented with a sigh.


    Together, they walked into the house, passing through a corridor adorned with flowers, until they reached the main building.


    Upon entering the living room, Belinda noticed it wasn’t just Anthony who was there to meet them.


    Anthony was seated prominently at the head of the room, nked on his left by Carol and Helen, and on his right by Rosie and Maggie. Beside Maggie sat Cathy, d in a hospital gown, her face obscured by bandages.


    Cathy dabbed at her eyes with a tissue as they entered. “Anthony, I know I’m not your favorite, but I was at your birthday celebrationst night. I was assaulted at your own party… you can’t just overlook that…”


    “Yes, Grandpa.” Maggie interjected, pulling Cathy into a protective embrace. “Cathy is a renowned actress. Her appearance is crucial to her career. With her face injured like this, she’ll be out of work for a while. It’s a serious setback for her!”


    Rosie chimed in, “This is all Belinda’s fault!”


    As Belinda listened to the three women ming her, it dawned on her that they hade to bring their grievances to Anthony about the previous evening’s events.


    Yet, what baffled her most was the fact that it was Maggie who had pped Cathy. How could this possibly be pinned on her?


    “Grandpa.” Kristopher interjected, his brow furrowed in concern, still clutching Belinda’s hand.


    His voice cast a silence over the room, drawing everyone’s eyes to them.


    When Cathy caught sight of Kristopher holding Belinda’s hand, a shadow of jealousy crossed her features.


    “You two seem quite close,” Anthony observed with a smile, nodding towards their joined hands. “Considering the rumors fromst night, I was under the impression you were on the brink of divorce!”


    At Anthony’s words, Belinda’s expression tightened, and she attempted to withdraw her hand from Kristopher’s firm grasp.


    “Anthony, you’ve got it all wrong. We…”


    “We find that our bond is stronger than ever.” Kristopher cut in, his grip on her hand growing firmer. “Belinda was just a bit upset yesterday, and that’s why she said what she did.”


    Holding her hand even tighter, he dered resolutely, “I am not going to divorce her.”


    .


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