CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: THE FREEDOM I OWE YOU, I RETURN TO YOU

Looking at his reddened eyes, Victoria Monroe shook her head, "Julian Fordham, it’s too late."

"How could it be late?" Julian held her hand.

His gaze carried deep affection, "Victoria, I never intended to invest too much emotion in that child. His existence was merely to ensure the Fordham Family’s lineage wouldn’t end."

"I didn’t expect that fireworks display would lead to such a series of misunderstandings. Ultimately, it’s my fault! I shouldn’t have wanted it all."

"Victoria, I’ll sever all ties with Rachel Hayes. After signing the contract, I’ll clarify that you are my wife."

"I can transfer all the property under my name to you. I just want you to return to me, just like before, focusing on being my wife at home, alright? I can bring you to the places Rhys Hawthorne can."

Victoria Monroe scrutinized the guilt-ridden face. Her own face revealed no emotion as she softly asked, "What about the child?"

Julian continued, "I can adopt Autumn’s child as ours, or if worse comes to worst, go to an orphanage and adopt one we feel a connection with. If you don’t like that, being childfree for life is fine too."

"When we’re old, we won’t have to look after grandchildren, or worry about children. Living a lifetime together isn’t necessarily unhappy."

Upon hearing these words, Victoria Monroe tore open the bloody truth with one sentence, "No matter if it’s adoption or fostering, it’s never Julian Fordham’s 100% lineage. You aren’t at ease, and your mother wouldn’t be willing either. It can’t be guaranteed that when the child grows up, they won’t turn against you, filled with too much uncertainty."

"Only if you find someone to bear your own bloodline, would you and your mother be satisfied. This benefits the Fordham Family entirely, needing only to sacrifice my interests alone. You’re forcing me to compromise, relying on the bond of eighteen years between us."

Victoria Monroe’s pupils were pure and clear as she unraveled his schemes, "In your heart, first comes career, second family, third child, and last is me. Whenever my interests clash with the first three, you unhesitatingly choose the first three."

"Victoria, it isn’t like that..."

"You understand these principles, from the start you wanted to sacrifice me to fulfill yourself. Now that your plan is collapsing, it’s not that you realize you’re wrong, you’re just scared."

Victoria Monroe took out a wet wipe, gently wiping away the remaining blood on his cheek like she used to.

"Actually, I should hate you, hate you for leaving me in the bathtub. Last night was so cold, I was scared and afraid. I prayed countless times in my heart for you to turn back, but I waited for a long time and you never came."

"For the whole night, every inch of my skin felt worse than death. At that time, I really thought I was going to die."

Victoria Monroe gave him a gentle smile, "Julian Fordham, I remember your kindness, and forgive your mistakes, but it doesn’t mean I can let go of all the pain and harm you’ve caused me."

"The issues between us go far beyond a child. The man who wholeheartedly loved me vanished in the past years, so this time, I’ve truly prepared to divorce you."

"If you really want to make it up to me, then sign the papers. I still say, I hope we can part on good terms."

Julian Fordham looked into her eyes filled with gentle warmth, his fingers clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

Before coming here, he was prepared for this, even if Victoria Monroe swung a golf club at him like Rhys Hawthorne had, his heart would feel better.

But she didn’t; she even said she understood his choices.

The Victoria Monroe he knew held grudges closely, clearly such a stubborn woman, yet she had restrained all her defenses for him.

Even at the last moment, she showed no malice towards him.

He knew more than anyone the reason - because in her heart, he occupied a wholly significant position.

She loved him, loved him so much that she didn’t want to assign any blame upon leaving.

Yet what had he done to such a gentle Victoria Monroe?

The better she was, the more it highlighted his deplorable state, making him even more reluctant and unwilling.

"Victoria, you said that even those who make mistakes deserve a chance to correct them, I truly understand now."

Victoria Monroe gazed at the man kneeling at her feet, his tailored white shirt neatly tucked into his pants. Even while kneeling, his sturdy form was upright and proper.

Several strands of hair fell haphazardly, adding a touch of disarray, complemented by his reddened eye corners, eliciting a trace of pity.

The once cold academic, a stern and commanding CEO, now kneeling at her feet, pleading for her forgiveness.

She wasn’t the least bit happy, instead feeling a pang of bitterness.

Victoria Monroe recalled a saying, don’t feel sorry for men, it brings misfortune.

Suppressing the emotions swirling inside, she calmly gave him the answer, "I already gave you the chance, but you didn’t cherish it."

"Victoria, we’ve spent most of our lives together until now; I can’t live without you. Can you really abandon me?"

"Julian, the alley cats are free but without a home, the dogs within the walls have a home but must bow their heads for life. No matter how you choose in life, there are regrets. Now, I want to see the world outside the walls."

After finishing, Victoria Monroe tried to move his hand away, but realized his palm was still stained with blood.

Her expression was momentarily dazed, then she withdrew each finger from his palm.

"If you hesitate at crucial moments, you’ll face chaos."

They locked eyes. Julian Fordham saw the despair and decisiveness in her gaze, knowing she’d made up her mind.

There was no point in further entanglement. At least at this critical juncture, his persistence was a burden for her, worsening matters.

Victoria Monroe wanted to ring the bell, but his hand covered hers.

His gaze fixed on her eyes, as his lips parted slightly, "Victoria, can you be happy by divorcing me?"

She nodded, "At least I will feel free."

He gave her a deep look, as if trying to imprint her face in his mind.

After a moment, he forced a bitter smile and spoke with resignation, "Fine, I promise you."

Victoria Monroe seemed surprised, not expecting he’d agree so easily.

In the next second, the warm hand on her back gently pressed down, he proactively rang the bell, leaning forward to whisper by Victoria Monroe’s ear, "Victoria, the freedom I owe you, I return to you."

His deep, torn voice rasped as it seeped into Victoria Monroe’s ear, like a grain of sand slipping through her body straight to her heart, causing a slight pain.

The door opened, and Dominic Scott stood at the threshold with a briefcase, having awaited for some time.

Julian Fordham had already withdrawn his hand, and Victoria Monroe regained her composure, speaking calmly, "Attorney Scott, thank you."

Dominic Scott closed the door, replying smoothly, "No need for courtesy, Ms. Monroe."

He retrieved a divorce agreement from his bag, handing it over, "President Fordham, please review it. This is the divorce terms drafted according to Ms. Monroe’s instructions. If there are no issues, you may sign it."