Chapter 152: Humiliate Me? Then I'll Fight Back
Late at night, Charlotte brought Lily back to the apartment.
Even though they were exhausted from the night's chaos, they couldn't sleep.
Charlotte made Lily some hot cocoa, wanting to comfort her but unsure how.
Lily sat on the sofa, holding the cocoa, and after a while, asked softly, "Charlotte, do you think I'm cheap?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Never."
She knew all about Lily's troubles.
Lily lowered her eyes, tears falling into the cup. She had truly loved Robert, even if he was a jerk.
Lily's voice trembled. "I want a cigarette, Charlotte."
Charlotte took out a pack from Lily's purse. Lily lit one with trembling hands, took a deep drag, and continued.
"Tina had an amniocentesis; she's having a boy. Robert's parents brought her home, treating her like royalty."
Lily looked at Charlotte. "I want a divorce."
Charlotte agreed but worried Robert wouldn't let go easily.
Lily gave a bitter smile. "Robert doesn't care about me. He's just worried about Tina's baby. If he divorces me and Tina can't deliver, he'd be a joke. That's why he hasn't mentioned divorce."
Charlotte was stunned.
Lily finished her cigarette and spoke softly, "I'm just afraid my situation with Bradley will affect you. I heard you and Nicholas are doing well, but his mom is tough."
Charlotte patted her hand. "Lily, it's no big deal."
But Charlotte had a feeling Nicholas's absence tonight was related to Bradley and Lily's situation. Still, she wouldn't blame Lily. Lily had always been there for her.
That night, they shared a bed, both lost in their thoughts and unable to sleep well.
Early in the morning, Robert showed up, red-eyed.
"Lily's here, right?"
Charlotte nodded and let him in, calmly pouring him a glass of water. "I'll call Lily out."
Charlotte's calmness surprised Robert. He hesitated before asking, "How is she?"
Charlotte smiled faintly. "Your parents brought Tina home, and you still ask about Lily? People used to envy your marriage, and now they're shocked."
Robert rubbed his nose, uncomfortable. "I was just fooling around, and Lily, didn't she also with Bradley..."
Charlotte said nothing more and went to get Lily. "You two should talk."
Lily came out, looking dazed. "Let's get a divorce," she said.
Robert stared at her. After a long while, he said, "Tina was brought over by my parents. I didn't mean it. Lily, you'll always be my wife. Just cut ties with Bradley, and we can be like before."
Lily stared out the window, her voice distant. "What about the baby?"
Robert was speechless. Lily was important, but so was his baby. Tina, pregnant and protected by his parents, had an unshakable position.
Seeing his expression, Lily laughed. "Robert, how was I so foolish to be with you? Look at you. Do you even look like a man? Honestly, since I got with Bradley, I haven't cared about you. Whoever you want to be with has nothing to do with me."
Robert thought about her being with Bradley and his parents' harsh scolding. There was no point in staying together.
"You want a divorce, fine! But you leave with nothing! Also, we'll finalize the paperwork in six months. By then, Tina will have given birth, and I can get the birth certificate for my baby."
Lily laughed in anger. She was the one at fault?
But she was too tired to argue; she just wanted out of the marriage.
She nodded easily, making Robert uncomfortable.
"You can stay at our house for now," Robert said.
"No need, I'll move out today!"
Her firmness surprised him.
Robert held a cigarette to his lips but forgot to light it. He felt a bit sad. He had truly loved Lily. Back when Charlotte and the others were still growing up, Lily had already blossomed like a white rose, delicate and beautiful. He had pursued her for a long time before winning her over.
Tina was different. From the beginning, Tina was just someone who spread her legs for him. But for someone like that, he was divorcing Lily.
Robert suddenly couldn't bear to look at Lily. He couldn't stand that they had come to this point, couldn't stand that Lily despised him and had turned to Bradley.
Charlotte spent two days helping Lily find a place and move. She wanted Lily to stay with her, but Lily said they were adults and had their own lives.
Charlotte thought, maybe Bradley was going to stay over at her place. Her thoughts were seen through by Lily.
Lily flipped her hair and said nonchalantly, "Women have physical needs too, and Bradley is much better at it than Robert ever was!"
Charlotte blushed.
Lily deliberately asked, "You and Nicholas haven't..."
Charlotte hadn't even kissed Nicholas. She didn't know what was wrong between them; their relationship was just bland and uneventful.
Mentioning Nicholas, Charlotte realized he hadn't contacted her in the past two days. She had a vague suspicion.
Just then, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
Charlotte stepped outside to answer the call. On the other end was a dignified older woman.
"Miss Russell, I'm Nicholas's mother. I'd like to meet with you."
Half an hour later, Charlotte walked into a very upscale café and immediately saw a very elegant woman sitting by the window. She looked somewhat like Nicholas.
Charlotte walked over, sat down, and smiled faintly. "Are you Nicholas's mother?"
Mrs. Lawson took off her sunglasses. She scrutinized Charlotte sternly. Charlotte, having been through a lot, remained composed.
After a long while, Mrs. Lawson spoke indifferently, "Miss Russell, you are even more beautiful than I imagined! No wonder Nicholas fell for you at first sight and insisted I meet you. You are my classmate's stepdaughter and I know a little about you. But it was only recently that I discovered just how colorful your private life really is."
Charlotte remained expressionless. "Go on."
Mrs. Lawson arrogantly lifted her chin.
"Nicholas's cousin Bradley is entangled with a disreputable woman, who I hear isn't even properly divorced. What kind of family are we to marry such a woman? And I hear you are not only a classmate but also a good friend of Miss White and even had a past with Frederick, isn't that right? Miss Russell, I'm very worried Nicholas will end up like Bradley."
Mrs. Lawson continued, "So, Miss Russell, if you want to be with Nicholas, the first thing you need to do is cut ties with Miss White, and also keep your distance from Frederick. After all, people talk! It would be best if you went abroad for a while until people forget your past. Then I might consider your relationship with Nicholas."
Mrs. Lawson finished speaking and elegantly took a sip of her coffee. She thought, a smart girl would know what to choose.
Charlotte, however, chuckled lightly, "Thank you for your advice. But I can't do that."
"Not only will I not cut ties with Lily, but I will also stay friends with her for life," She further explained. "As for my past with Frederick, I don't find it shameful at all. Mrs. Lawson, if you're interested, you can dig deeper. I also had a four-year relationship with the son-in-law of the Hawkins family! How's that? Exciting enough?"
Nicholas's mother's face turned pale. She pointed at Charlotte, trembling with anger. No one had ever dared to talk back to her like this!
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