Chapter 127 Read Her Diary
Half an hour later, Liam dropped Josephine off at a restaurant entrance. Stuart was waiting for her.
"Have a good talk," Liam said, still worried. "You sure you don't want me to stay?"
"No need," Josephine replied. "You don't have to wait either. I'll head back after."
"Go on in," Liam said. "Call me if anything happens."
Josephine walked into the empty first-floor lobby. The lobby manager quickly approached her. "Ms. Kalmien, right? This way, please."
The second floor was also quiet. Did Stuart book the whole place?
The manager led her to the fanciest private room, knocked gently, and opened the door when there was a response. "Please come in."
Josephine knew Stuart liked to make a big show, but booking the entire restaurant for a divorce talk? He must have too much money.
The door closed behind her. She looked up. The dining room was huge, with a table that could seat dozens. Stuart sat alone at the head, his cold eyes devoid of warmth.
Seeing he was alone, Josephine frowned. "Where's the lawyer? Didn't you say I was here to sign the agreement?"
If Stuart hadn't said that, she wouldn't have come. She knew his charm left her defenseless. Even if he was a bad man, his looks, demeanor, and cold gaze captivated her.
Josephine admitted she was weak. If she could control herself, she wouldn't fall for a man like Stuart. But she couldn't, so she decided never to be alone with him again. That's why she asked about the lawyer right away.
Stuart's face darkened. His cold eyes fixed on her. "I'll ask you one last time: do you really want a divorce?"
After Josephine's outburst, the shareholders' meeting ended hastily. For the first time, Stuart was distracted from work by personal matters. The summary report was on the big screen, but all he could see was Josephine's face.
Stuart was angry, but beyond that, other emotions made him feel unfamiliar and anxious. He hadn't expected Josephine to be so bold, airing everything in front of so many people, leaving him no way out. Losing face was one thing, but his pride was trampled.
However, in that moment, Stuart's concern wasn't about his lost dignity. After much internal conflict, he confirmed one thing: he didn't want a divorce. No matter what the future held, right now, he didn't want to divorce.
When he got home, he found out Josephine had Andrew's help. He didn't know what she had told Andrew about the divorce, but Andrew even asked him not to take it out on the Kalmien family. Only then did Stuart realize he had nothing to use against Josephine. This realization made him feel a bit panicked, but the emotion quickly flashed through his mind.
Stuart found some of Josephine's personal items in their bedroom and decided to contact her to meet.
When Stuart asked his question, Josephine replied bluntly, "Yes, I want a divorce."
"Why?" Stuart demanded. "No excuses. I want the truth, Josephine. Otherwise, even Grandpa can't protect you."
Josephine sneered inwardly. The truth? The truth was she loved him deeply, even though he was a bad man. To stop herself from sinking further, she needed a divorce. But she couldn't say that—it would be humiliating.
"You have someone else in your heart and don't care to build a family with me," Josephine said, "Divorce suits you, so why are you being so aggressive?"
"Don't talk about my reasons," Stuart said, tapping the table. "Talk about yourself. Why do you want a divorce?"
Josephine got angry. "Stuart, are you trying to back out?"
"Josephine, I almost fell for your trick." Stuart stood up, leaning on the table. "Your plan is really brilliant."
Josephine frowned. "What plan?"
"Still won't admit it?" Stuart picked up something from the table and approached her. "You don't really want a divorce, do you?"
Josephine took two steps back. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have made such a big fuss."
Stuart said, "Of course, it's because you want my attention, to make me focus on you."
Josephine took a deep breath. "Stuart, when did you become so narcissistic?"
"Narcissistic?" Stuart sneered and threw the item onto the table. "Indeed, I have the right to be narcissistic."
Josephine thought he was being ridiculous. He had thrown a black, square box, about the size of a notebook.
"Enough," she said. "Get a lawyer to discuss the divorce. Then you'll know if I have any ulterior motives."
"Aren't you going to open it?" Stuart nodded towards the box.
Josephine didn't want to interact with him any longer or waste time on pointless things. "Stuart, we were once married. Let's part on good terms."
"If I hadn't read your diary, I would have been fooled by your acting." Stuart sneered. "I almost believed you really wanted a divorce."
"What?" Josephine almost doubted her ears, feeling intense.
Stuart gestured towards the box again. "Take a look."
Josephine hesitated, then reached out and opened the box. Inside was a notebook with a smoky gray cover. Her pupils dilated, eyes filled with disbelief. She stood there, feeling her eyes sting and her throat choke.
This was her diary from when she first married Stuart, filled with love and unspoken thoughts. Every word was her expectation of love, her attachment to Stuart. Later, she locked away her heart and the diary, placing it in the most hidden corner. She never expected Stuart to find it.
She reached out with a trembling hand, wanting to touch it, but slowly pulled back. She wished this was a dream, but she knew it was reality.
She took a deep breath and spoke with difficulty, "Did you read my diary?"
