Calvin pleaded with me. “Just listen to me. Since you’re stuck with him, and he’s not all that bad, why not just settle down and make it work? You used to be so in love with him. What’s stopping you from loving him again? If you fall back in love, things won’t be so hard.”
“Or, if you’re really determined to leave, then just be as annoying as possible. Cling to him, be needy. Men hate that. Maybe in a little while, he’ll get so sick of you that he’ll finally agree to a divorce…”
I didn’t say another word. With a grim expression, I hung up the phone.
After that, I contacted every lawyer I knew. They all started out eager and willing, but as soon as I mentioned Steven’s name, they’d start making excuses or trying to talk me out of it. It was clear they were all afraid of his power and didn't dare to take the case.
I clutched my phone, a fire of pure rage building inside me. I gritted my teeth. “Steven, you bastard!”
I was about to call and curse him out, but then I remembered I had blocked him. I took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to rein in my temper. If Steven were standing in front of me right now, I would have killed him.
Finally, as I walked toward the hospital, I called Rachel.
“Rachel, do you know any lawyers with some serious connections? Preferably someone who isn’t afraid of rich people. I need a few recommendations. I want to file for divorce.”
Rachel was stunned. “A divorce lawsuit? I thought Steven agreed to the divorce. What happened?”
Who knew what was going through that bastard’s mind? According to the timeline of my past life, this was when he was supposed to be realizing his feelings for Verna. My request for a divorce should have made him happy, not met with resistance. I hadn’t done anything to change the course of his feelings for Verna, so why was the outcome so different this time?
Unless… something had gone wrong. Something had altered the timeline. But who could have intervened? Other than the people directly involved, no one could have changed anything. Surely Steven hadn't changed his own destiny, right?
My thoughts were a jumbled mess. I bit my lip. “It’s a long story. The short version is that a negotiated divorce is off the table. I need money right now, and I have to win this case. Can you help me? Please?”
“Of course, of course,” Rachel said quickly. “Don’t panic. I’ll ask around. Just wait for my call.”
After hanging up, I hurried to the hospital to see Uncle Julian, but when I got to his room, only Horace was there, standing by the balcony. He was dressed in a casual blue and white outfit that looked bright and comfortable, and he was listening to something on his headphones. He looked sunny, handsome, and charming.
Horace stared at me, his gaze deep and intense. “I’m sorry.”
I rotated my arm. He had released me quickly, so the pain was already fading. “No need to apologize,” I said, changing the subject. “Where’s Uncle Julian?”
Horace smiled, one hand still gently rubbing my shoulder while the other pointed out the balcony window.
“He’s on the ground floor, talking to someone. Down by that lamppost. See him?”
I followed his finger. My eyesight was good, and though I couldn’t make out faces, I recognized Uncle Julian’s silhouette. He was in his wheelchair, turned sideways to me. In front of him stood a tall, slender woman. They seemed to be deep in conversation.
***

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