But her hand was cold, and her gaze held no warmth.


    Cynthia said, "For so many years, you''ve been saying you never meant to hurt me, yet you keep doing things that do."


    Noah was left speechless, his eyes filled with guilt and heartache.


    "Cynthia," he said, a choked sob in his voice, trying to exin, but she cut him off again.


    "If I had known how much you love Nic, I never would have married you. Then I wouldn''t have to be the viin who broke up your family," Cynthia said with a self- deprecating, coldugh.


    "That''s not it," Noah immediately denied, shaking his head. "My rtionship with Karina had problems long before you. Our divorce had nothing to do with you. I love Nic, but I love you too. The two aren''t mutually exclusive."


    Cynthia replied, "If you love Nic, you should give her aplete family. Noah, you''re a good father, and I can''t stop you from being one. So let''s get a divorce. That way you won''t have to juggle them and me. Even if you''re not tired of it, I am."


    "Cynthia, what nonsense are you talking about? I won''t divorce you," Noah said,pletely stunned. He never imagined that just taking Nic on a trip to the ind would cause so many problems, even leading Cynthia to ask for a divorce.


    "I''m serious, Noah. Think about it carefully, and when you''ve made up your mind, we can discuss the divorce. Don''t worry, I won''t take any of the assets you gave me. After all, you have a daughter, and she''s the one who has the right to inherit everything from you..."


    Before Cynthia could finish, Noah pulled her into his arms.


    He held her tightly, his whole body trembling. He was truly terrified of losing her.


    "Cynthia, don''t say things like that. I won''t divorce you. We have a baby on the way."


    "I''ll take care of the baby. You don''t need to worry about it," Cynthia said, breaking free from his embrace Shey down on the bed and coldly turned her back to him. ContentTM


    "I''m tired and want to rest. You should go."


    Of course, Noah didn''t leave. While Cynthia slept, he sat by her bed and watched over her for the entire night.


    The next morning, the weary, bloodshot strain in Noah''s eyes caught Cynthia off guard, pulling at her heartstrings despite herself But then she remembered how Noah had probably stayed by Nics bedside just like this when she was sick, and suddenly, it all seemed pointless.


    ...


    Yvonne was quite surprised when she heard that Noah and Cynthia were getting a divorce.


    Cynthia had yed such a long, calcted game to secure Noah and this marriage; it seemed impossible she''d just walk away now.


    Was this what Noah called a strategic retreat?


    But threatening a man with ''divorce'' might work once or twice. Do it too often, and it loses its power.


    "Is Cynthia really nning to divorce Noah?" Yvonne couldn''t help but ask Bet.


    "A marriage between two major families isn''t something you can just end on a whim," Bet replied with a chuckle.


    "So she''s using divorce to manipte Noah?" Yvonne asked again, looking like a curious child.


    Yvonne and Bet were childhood sweethearts with a deep bond and no third party toplicate things. So, she really didn''t understand what Cynthia''s next move would be and was very curious.