CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: AWAKENING AND SEVERING ALL TIES WITH HIM

She had answered Rhys Hawthorne several times that she did not regret her choice.

But today, she regretted it.

Regretted stepping into this marriage without looking back.

Rhys Hawthorne gently wiped away her tears, his eyes filled with a hint of pity and heartache, "It’s okay, life’s margin for error is higher than you think. If you stop the loss in time, it’s not too late to start over."

Victoria Monroe looked into his deep eyes; on this cold winter night, he gave her great comfort and confidence.

"Ms. Monroe, you are still young. Whether or not you keep this child, you have the courage to start anew."

"As long as you firmly move forward, nothing can hold you back."

It turned out that it was never Julian Fordham holding her back, but her own heart.

She stubbornly clung to eighteen years of friendship, unwilling to let go, stubbornly believing they could still be like family and friends.

Stubbornly trusting him in her heart, believing he merely made a mistake, not a true betrayal.

Reality slapped her in the face, forcing her to wake up completely.

With tears in her eyes, she tilted her head back and said to Rhys Hawthorne, "You’re right, no matter how thorny the road ahead, I can carve out a world of my own. The current situation isn’t worse than when I first entered the entertainment circle back then."

Back then, she could dive repeatedly, take being slapped thirty-some times; now her starting point isn’t lower than it was then. What is there to fear?

Victoria Monroe released Rhys Hawthorne, "Thank you, I know what to do now."

Rhys Hawthorne took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the tears from her face.

He didn’t ask much, just stayed with her in the simplest way.

The car did not immediately return to the hospital. Victoria Monroe looked at him puzzled. The man’s pupils were deep and dark, as vast as the sea. He explained, "Your eyes are so red; if your grandmother sees them, she’ll worry. Besides, you just threw up all your food; maybe you need to relax and eat something to regain your strength."

His comprehensive approach and his composure curious her about the family he came from to develop such a stable character.

She had seen many playboys and wealthy second-generation sons, but never one with such a family background and demeanor like Rhys Hawthorne.

He took her to a courtyard that preserved the old style, with elegant and charming scenery.

The food was delicious, light yet flavorful. Having cried for so long and vomited too much, this time she didn’t throw up and even ate a lot.

Her emotions gradually stabilized, looking at the snow falling gently outside the window, her gaze became increasingly determined.

As they strolled under the corridor, the wind mingled with snowflakes, Victoria Monroe suddenly spoke, "I’ve made up my mind."

Rhys Hawthorne had already stepped into the snow, turning around upon hearing her voice.

The lantern above was swaying in the wind, and under its dim light, every flake of snow falling was clearly visible.

Dressed in a long black coat, he stood firm in the snow, like bamboo or pine, straight and strong.

He looked at Victoria Monroe against the light, the soft light outlining his handsome profile more prominently, his eyebrows lowered, the wind and snow shrouding his entire body, vividly interpreting his innate dignity and severity.

He said nothing, quietly waiting for Victoria Monroe to speak.

Victoria Monroe’s hands were in her down jacket pockets, the hat capping her head, revealing only her small face.

She said word by word, "I want to completely sever ties with him."

Rhys Hawthorne keenly realized her meaning.

Before, she only proposed divorce, which wasn’t a true end.

This implied that after the divorce, she could still maintain some contact with him.

Perhaps as family, perhaps as friends.

But now, she wanted to sever all connections with Julian Fordham unilaterally.

Rhys Hawthorne was not gloating over her misfortune.

He knew they had been together for eighteen years. Even after the divorce, her love hadn’t changed, yet she suddenly made such a decision.

After so many years, Julian Fordham was like a piece of flesh that had grown into her body, already part of her being.

And now she’s looking to cut out this piece of flesh herself — how painful would that be?

He only responded mildly, "Okay."

One word, neither sad nor happy.

Like a deity on high, coldly looking down upon all.

Always a bystander, witnessing the joys and sorrows of others.

Victoria Monroe kept the photos sent by Rachel Hayes as evidence.

Until now, Victoria Monroe had always felt that women shouldn’t make things difficult for each other.

If Julian Fordham didn’t want this child, how could Rachel Hayes have appeared in front of her?

She placed all the blame on Julian Fordham, believing that Rachel Hayes was at fault, but not unforgivably so.

Therefore, she had never sought trouble with Rachel Hayes, nor did she think of revenge.

But now, Rachel Hayes had recklessly rushed forward, truly thinking Victoria Monroe was kind and gentle?

If exposing this evidence would create small waves, then that wave is far from enough for Victoria Monroe!

Only when one falls from great heights is it most painful.

She would personally lift Rachel Hayes to the pinnacle, then harshly push her down, only then would it all shatter into pieces!

Before that, she would cut all ties with Julian Fordham.

Victoria Monroe touched her flat stomach, these two days her pregnancy symptoms were intense, constantly reminding her of the little one inside.

In the deep, quiet nights, she had wavered with the thought.

This child wasn’t just Julian Fordham’s but half of her own blood too.

If she aborted, perhaps in the future she’d never conceive again.

At this moment, Victoria Monroe had no such thoughts anymore.

She would rather age alone, solitary, than be chained for the rest of her life.

She had done her utmost for Julian Fordham; from now on, she could afford to be heartless.

Sincerity may not bloom, but she could make it full of thorns.

Anyway, she already bore bloody scars all over; she didn’t mind having Julian Fordham, the Fordham Family, and Rachel Hayes sharing in her pain!

Her grandmother had almost died.

Her child was also to meet its end.

She might even be infertile for life.

So what cruel, heartless thing had she done to deserve all this pain and suffering?

If she can’t live freely, then let’s die together.

Upon reaching the hospital, Victoria Monroe thanked Rhys Hawthorne and got out of the car.

At the moment she closed the door, she took out her phone and dialed a number.

She didn’t notice Rhys Hawthorne had rolled down the car window.

Rhys Hawthorne heard Victoria Monroe’s cold voice, "Director, it’s me. I’ve decided; I will not keep this child."

"It’s about ten days away, but I can’t wait that long; make it seven days, and then help me abort it."