CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: IT’S JUST NOT LOVE—NO ONE’S RIGHT OR WRONG

Eugene Vaughn’s hand left her body, supporting himself against the wall, burying his face in her neck and exhaling heavily.

The hot breath sprayed onto Victoria Sinclair’s skin, causing her to shiver slightly.

Her heart trembled, and her legs grew weak and unsteady from Eugene’s recent caresses and deep kisses.

Eugene’s voice was deep and cold, "Are you really determined to divorce me?"

Victoria replied firmly, "Yes."

"Because of him?"

"I don’t know who you’re talking about," Victoria explained rationally. "There is no third person between us; it’s simply that I don’t love you anymore, I’m tired, and I’ve had enough. I just want a divorce."

Eugene smiled bitterly with a sense of desolation, lifting his head from her neck, his eyes full of mist, a chilly disappointment in his gaze. His handsome face appeared weathered and haggard, his voice was soft and hoarse as he murmured, "Victoria Sinclair, you might as well kill me; you’d be just as free as a widow."

"Eugene, we’re both adults. Don’t say things in anger." Victoria clenched her fists in frustration, her attitude turning even colder. "Stop pretending to be deeply in love. We got married less than three months after meeting, which was indeed too hasty and entirely unsuitable. These two years of marriage are the best proof of that."

"It’s my fault."

"It’s just about not loving; there’s no right or wrong."

Eugene’s hands dropped weakly as he stepped back two steps, "It’s just not loving, huh? Yes, it’s just not loving. There’s nothing wrong with you wanting a divorce."

A trace of self-mocking sarcasm played on his lips as he turned unsteadily and walked out of the room.

Watching Eugene’s figure disappear through the room, tears Victoria could no longer suppress welled up and slipped down her pale cheeks.

She pressed her lips together, raised her hand to wipe away the tears, rushed over to close the door, and locked it.

Leaning against the door, she gazed upward weakly, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, feeling her heart ache in waves.

She always thought she was carefree, that she had seen through it, stopped loving, and let go, but why does it still hurt? Why is there still reluctance?

Ultimately, she had loved; ultimately, she was still trapped in this cold marriage, and it takes time to completely move on.

After the divorce, Victoria believed she would definitely get better!

——

Victoria wanted to find a suitable research institute before renting an apartment, hoping the work location would be close to her residence.

But for now, she couldn’t continue living with Eugene to avoid any complications.

Angela couldn’t help her as she was living with her parents and brother.

Other friends didn’t have a close enough relationship to bother them.

Victoria thought it over and could only consider her parents’ home.

The research institute had to move out by August, and it was already June, so at most, she would be staying with her family for about a month.

The divorce was something her family would eventually know, and Victoria had no plans to hide it.

On a weekend afternoon.

Victoria bought gift boxes and blocks that Little Ze liked to take back to her parents’ home.

Her parents had returned from their trip and didn’t know that Little Ze’s broken arm was caused by Molly.

Timothy Sinclair begged her not to call the police, not to pursue it, and not to tell their parents.

Out of respect for her brother, she swallowed her anger and let Molly off this time. If it happened again, not even a king’s plea would make her let it slide.

In the bright living room, her parents, brother, and sister-in-law were all there. Little Ze had gone to kindergarten. Victoria mustered her courage and calmly said, "I’m getting a divorce from Eugene. I haven’t found a suitable place yet, so I want to stay back home for a while. I won’t disturb you for long, just about a month."

"Divorce?" Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair were very shocked.

Molly’s lips curved into a mocking smile, her expression somewhat sullen, seemingly dissatisfied with Victoria staying there, but unable to refuse.

Timothy, feeling pity and love, said, "Sister, has your brother-in-law wronged you? Tell me, I won’t let him off."

"No third party, brother. It’s just that I don’t want to live with him anymore," Victoria quickly explained.

Mr. Sinclair, irritated, pulled out a cigarette, biting it as he lit it, "Fine, get divorced. There are plenty of rich men out there. You’re young and good-looking; you won’t have trouble remarrying."

Mrs. Sinclair agreed, "Yes, your dad is right. You’ve been married to him for two years, and he hasn’t given us a cent, let alone bought any gifts. He’s stingy and parsimonious. Find someone else; you’re beautiful, find someone richer."

Timothy, annoyed, said, "Dad, Mom, she hasn’t even divorced yet; can you not speak like that?"

Mrs. Sinclair innocently said, "We’re not saying anything wrong."

Timothy, angry, clenched his fists, feeling full of concern and helplessness for Victoria.

Victoria, always clear-minded, wasn’t influenced by her parents’ words — she simply ignored them.

At this moment, Molly spoke, with a hint of acidity in her words and tone, "It’s not that you can’t stay at home; after all, you bought this house, but you should contribute to the household expenses."

As Timothy was about to rebuke Molly, Victoria immediately stopped him, "Brother, sister-in-law is right."

Timothy, about to speak, glanced at Victoria.

Victoria pulled out the five thousand yuan she had prepared and handed it to her mother, "Mom, this is my household expense for a month. I’m usually very busy. I only have breakfast at home; the other two meals are at the research institute. Is this enough?"

Mrs. Sinclair beamed, quickly taking the money, "It’s enough."

Timothy usually gives household money, but due to heavy debts, he only gives three thousand a month for the entire family’s food expenses, making life very tight.

The personal and entertainment expenses of Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair are mostly covered by the money Victoria gives them every month out of filial piety.

Timothy felt guilty towards his sister, but he couldn’t provide a better life for his parents and could only watch as they leech off his sister.

He hated his impotence yet was helpless.

"Sister, I’ll go clean up your room for you." Timothy stood up.

Suddenly, Molly grabbed his wrist displeased, "She’s not without hands; why should you clean up for her?"

"Timothy, your sister can clean herself. You have a rare half-day off, so just take a good rest." Mrs. Sinclair advised while counting money without lifting her head.

Victoria was long accustomed to her parents’ preference for sons and her sister-in-law’s eccentric jealousy, seeing it as perfectly normal.

Timothy’s face darkened as he angrily flung off Molly’s hand.

Victoria feared her brother and sister-in-law might clash because of her.

"I can clean up myself."

She stood up and entered the room.

The room was small with no bathroom. The furniture was dusty, and the corners cluttered with bottles, cans, and even Little Ze’s unused high chair and walker piled there.

Victoria sighed lightly, rolled up her sleeves, took a clean towel from the wardrobe, and went to the bathroom to fill it with water.

She carried a basin of clean water into the room, with Timothy following her, silently starting to move the clutter outside.

Victoria, wiping the cabinet, looked back at him, "Brother, I can move it myself; I really don’t need your help."

Timothy straightened up, "If I can’t help you with any big matters, and I can’t even help with this little thing, I don’t deserve to be your brother."

Victoria felt grateful, "Thank you, brother."

"Sister, I don’t know why you want to divorce your brother-in-law, but speaking honestly, he really loves you. A brother wouldn’t be mistaken."

Victoria kept her head down, continuing to wipe the table, "You really are mistaken this time."