My reaction was intense, and Jonathan seemed taken aback by my anger. The more calmly he remained, the more hysterical 1 seemed bin /bparison.

    “If you insist on causing trouble for her, I’ll have bsomeone /bkeep an eye on you,” Jonathan said. “Grandpa doesn’t have much time left. I can’t allow you to cause trouble during this period.”

    That was it.

    Whether it was for his grandfather or for Alicia, I was always the one who could be sacrificed without a second thought.

    “You’d really lock me up just to stop me from bothering Alicia_”

    Even though I had long forgotten the past and erased all the feelings I once had for him, leaving behind only a hollow bmemory/bb, /bI still couldn’t help but ask why for the sake of that girl who had been so broken by him that she once considered ending her life.

    Tasked Jonathan, “Why did you marry me in the first ce?”

    I thought bthat /bif the 35–year–old Elise was still here, she would balso /bwant to know the answer to that question

    I didn’t understand why he married me in the first ce, when it was so clear he didn’t care about me and had his eyes only on Alicia.

    Jonathan stared at me.

    It was clear he had not expected that question. Naturally, he also had no intention of answering it.

    A heavy, indescribable silence settled between us.

    This was always how things went between us. If I didn’t bask/b, he wouldn’t speak

    If I did ask, he still wouldn’t answer.

    b“/bbJon/bb. /b

    Suddenly, a lock on the bdoor /binterrupted, followed by Alicia’s sweet voice.

    In that instant, the fragile thread of emotion between us snapped, and the atmosphere shatteredpletely.

    I suddenly didn’t want to know the answer anymore.

    Without thinking, I pushed him away. Jonathan gave me a displeased look, then called btoward /bthe door, “What is it?”

    Alicia hesitated. His tone wasn’t as indulgent bas /bshe had anticipated.

    After a long pause, she softly said, “I’m sorry. Did I make you two argue bagain/b? It’s all my fault…”

    “Jon, I’ve always seen you as an older brother. You’ve been important to me ever since bwe /bwere childrenb. /bbGrandpa /bsaid you would take care of me, so I’vee to rely on you. If Elise misunderstood, I can apologize. I’ll do anything to stop her from getting the wrong bidea/bb. /bI never wanted to be your wife. I just don’t want to disappoint the elders,” she added, sounding genuinely remorseful.

    When she finished, bJonathan’s /bexpression softened.

    He said calmly, “I bunderstand /bDon’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything:”

    I let bout /ba coldugh, wondering what exactly he nned to handle. Was it me?

    Even with a bdoor /bbetween us, I could picture Alicia’s expression perfectly,

    She let out a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good. Grandpa said he wanted to see you.

    “I know. I’ll head over in ba /bbit,” bJonathan /breplied.

    Alicia lingered a moment longer before finally walking away.

    I had to admit, she lunew exactly what she was doing

    She managed to lower his guard by pretending not to ding to him, when in btruth/bb, /bshe was simply ying the long game.

    I didn’t know if jonathan btruly /bcouldn’t see th

    through her, or if he simply didn’t care. But to me, it no longer mattered.

    For the first time, I looked Jonathan in the eye without a btrace /bof anger or emotion I calmly asked, “What will it take for you to agree to a divorceb?/bb” /b

    bJonathan /bheld my gaze. His impatience was even more obvious than before. “Why are you so determined to get a divorce?”