Chapter 72 Can You Understand Me?
With Edward's words, Anne had no choice. She brought the bowl to her lips, took a small sip, and frowned.
I pretended to be concerned, but a hint of cunning flashed in my eyes, and I said, "Isn't it much better than the herbs I drink for fertility? Finish the bowl, and you'll have a good night's sleep."
Anne nodded and then drank the rest in one go. When she put down the bowl, her eyes flicked to me with a look of annoyance. I knew that even if Anne didn't have sleep problems, this concoction wouldn't harm her.
I no longer cared where Edward slept at night. Even if he slept in my bed, nothing could happen during my period. For the next few days, I had Melissa bring Anne a bowl of the concoction every morning.
My heart was full of frustration. How could Edward, who used to be mine, be snatched away by Anne so easily? I kept my cool, waiting for the perfect moment. I needed to gather my strength and bide my time. Even though I couldn't be with Edward all the time these days, I used the extra time to work on my appearance. No more going out without makeup.
Every morning, I got up early to carefully dress up, picking the right makeup and outfit based on the weather and my mood. Even during breakfast, I made sure to look my best. All of this was for Edward and Anne to see. I wanted Anne to know that I was her biggest threat, her toughest competition. No matter what tricks she used to lure Edward, I could handle them all.
But it wasn't just about Edward and Anne. I had a client to meet.
My client, Alice Baker, was a big-time influencer with over ten million followers. In her videos, she came across as gentle and often showed off her loving relationship and family life. She was someone I used to envy a lot.
But she hadn't posted anything in a while. We arranged to meet at a small park pavilion.
I sat on the stone bench, watching Alice slowly approach. Her steps were heavy, and she looked pale.
She sat across from me, silent for a moment, then said, "Ms. Cooper, Mr. Scott recommended you to me. I know you don't have much experience, but that's okay. I chose you because you're a woman, someone who can understand me."
Alice draped a shawl over her shoulders, smiling as gently as she did in her videos. She had that typical gentle demeanor, a petite figure, and graceful movements. Her light makeup made her look even more gentle, but she always seemed so fragile.
She coughed lightly twice, pulled her shawl up, and said, "Ms. Cooper, I hope you can help me win this lawsuit. I won't shortchange you on compensation."
"But you and your husband seem very loving. I find it hard to understand why you insist on getting a divorce." I was eager to know Alice's motive for divorce to find the right direction for defense.
Alice smiled faintly, her voice soft, "The videos are just for show. I once told Mr. Scott that I had an affair and wanted a divorce, but the truth is, I have cancer and may not have long to live. My husband, Eric Allen, loves me very much. How could he bear to leave me? So I want a divorce and then go abroad alone to quietly wait for the end of my life." After speaking, Alice started coughing again.
I gently patted her back to help ease her discomfort.
Alice went on, "I can't imagine how heartbroken Eric would be if he knew about my illness. He would definitely shut down his account and take me everywhere for treatment, but I don't want him to see me lying in a hospital bed with tubes all over my body, without any dignity. I also don't want Eric to be stuck in memories of me after I die. So I told him I had an affair. I hope Eric hates me and divorces me. It's best if he can marry a healthy wife and start a new life."
Alice sat across from me, her face haggard, her eyes not showing much sadness but a sense of determination.
I could feel her deep love for Eric, a love that sacrificed herself for him. In her eyes, her soon-to-end life shouldn't be a burden on Eric's path to happiness. I wanted to comfort her, but any words seemed so powerless in the face of such truth.
As a lawyer, I shouldn't persuade her too much, but I struggled internally, thinking of something to say to comfort her. I said, "Maybe there's still hope. Medical technology is very advanced now..."
She shook her head, cutting me off, "There's no hope. I've already talked to the doctors. I just want to give Eric his freedom in my final days, not to be tied down by me."
She trembled slightly as she spoke, "I don't want Eric to suffer for a long time after I'm gone. I hope he can forget me quickly and start fresh."
She smiled again, but it was a smile filled with endless bitterness, "Ms. Cooper, you don't need to pity me. This is my choice. So, please, you have to help me win this lawsuit. Do you understand?"
"Yes," I replied gently but firmly.
At that moment, Alice seemed to find some release, burying her face in my shoulder and crying uncontrollably.
My heart was full of shock. Alice's love was so deep, deep enough that she gave up her marriage and the person she loved, just to not burden him. I suddenly felt that my previous understanding of love was so shallow.
I was also experiencing the terminal illness of love. We could only be our own doctors, holding the scalpel, peeling away the wounded heart layer by layer. So I would help her.
After crying, Alice told me that besides being an influencer, she also had an MCN studio. "My studio has several top-tier influencers. Even though I've stepped back, I can still benefit from the internet, and sometimes I even trend. The internet is a magical place."
I understood the implication in Alice's words: she wasn't short of money; I just needed to win her lawsuit. Suddenly, I admired this woman who could clearly separate emotions from interests.
At the same time, Alice reminded me, "I'm an influencer. Netizens scrutinize my daily life. As my attorney, you will likely be criticized online for handling my divorce case. Ms. Cooper, do you mind that?"
I shook my head. I was well aware that society often had various unfounded judgments and pressures on women in divorce cases, especially for influencers like Alice, who had a loving couple image.
Looking at Alice, I saw countless women, including myself, struggling in the mire of marriage.
I knew that every in-depth investigation and every confrontation with the opposing lawyer would be a tough battle. But as a lawyer, how could I retreat because of the difficulties? Alice entrusted me with her trust, and I would do my best for her. This was my mission. But I didn't expect the obstacles to come so quickly.
The small park was not far from the hospital where Alice was being treated. As I helped Alice back to the hospital, the sun gradually set.
I thought of Anne's young and vibrant face, and the jealousy in my heart grew like a wildfire. She always looked at Edward with those seemingly innocent eyes, and every smile seemed to be a provocation to me.
Anne's patience was too poor. I had just reconciled with Edward for a few days, and she was already trying her best to take Edward away from me.
Every deliberate approach by Anne was like a knife stabbing into my heart. But I never showed it. I also knew I couldn't just passively watch. Every morning and evening, whether Edward came to my room or not, I would send him a good morning and good night message on WhatsApp, occasionally with a photo of myself in a revealing outfit. I needed to remind him who his wife really was constantly.
I couldn't sit idly by. When I was ready to implement my final plan, I felt both nervous and excited. A few days later, my period ended completely. The time for my revenge on Anne had come. I wanted her to know that I could have Edward back in a snap.
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