Chapter 19: Let’s Get a Divorce Editor: Henyee Translations

Noelle Sutton’s fingers curled tightly.

"Of course I’m sure," Joshua Lawson said cheerfully. "If it’s a gift for Sophie, I can still watch it whenever I want. And if Sophie knows she got this collection because of me, she’ll definitely like me even more, right?"

The fabric Noelle was holding suddenly dropped to the floor. It landed with a dull thud.

Tristan Lawson and Joshua turned their heads.

When Joshua saw Noelle, a flicker of light appeared in his eyes. He hadn’t seen his mother in many days, and he missed her.

Just as he was about to stand up and run to Noelle, he remembered that his mom didn’t seem to like Sophie staying at their house.

If his mom came back, she might kick Sophie out again. Then Sophie wouldn’t be able to go with him to the paper-cutting competition.

So, a part of him hoped his mother would leave. He stayed seated on the sofa, not moving a muscle.

If he were cold to Mom, maybe she would go away.

Noelle bent down and picked up the fabric in the bag. She hadn’t expected Tristan to be home. Neither father nor son paid her any mind. Just as she was about to go into her room, Tristan stopped her.

"Pack your things. We’re going to the family estate."

Tristan wanted to head back early. His grandfather was craving her chicken soup. If they left too late, there wouldn’t be enough time to make it.

Noelle tucked the fabric under her arm and signed with her hands, "I’m tired. I don’t want to go."

Tristan’s expression immediately darkened. He looked down at Joshua and said, "Go to your room and change your clothes."

Knowing they were going to the family estate, Joshua obediently went to his room.

When Tristan turned back, Noelle had already entered the bedroom. He got up, walked over, and closed the door. Noelle was putting the fabric away when Tristan grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.

Their eyes met.

A frosty look settled in Tristan’s eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Noelle shook off Tristan’s hand and turned her head away, unwilling to spare him another glance. She couldn’t speak anyway, and she didn’t want to say another word.

Tristan felt a surge of frustrated anger. "You were never like this before. Is it because that bastard outside has given you courage?"

Furious, Noelle snapped her head back, glaring at Tristan with red-rimmed eyes. Their marriage had become like this, yet he was blaming it all on her.

Tristan laughed in anger.

Noelle’s eyes were beautiful. They were dark and bright, with long lashes like the petals of a sunflower.

In their seven years of marriage, she had never given him a cold look. Her beautiful eyes had always overflowed with a gentle light.

But today, she had flared up at him.

Tristan’s cold, deep eyes stared at her. "If you care so much about that man outside, why did you publicize our marriage certificate?"

She didn’t. She didn’t know why he was saying that. She didn’t want to explain, but she also didn’t want him to make baseless accusations.

"Let’s get a divorce." Her gestures were swift. Her slender, jade-like fingers moved with fluid grace.

Tristan’s jawline tightened. He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, raised a hand, then dropped it, and planted both hands on his hips. His sinister gaze looked like it could pierce right through her.

He sneered, "Found yourself a backup, have you? So eager to divorce me now, is that it? You don’t want your son either?"

It’s not like she could get custody anyway. Besides, what would happen even if she did? She only has six months to live. After she dies, custody of Joshua will go back to him.

She continued to sign, "Our divorce is between us. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

"You publicized our marriage certificate without my permission, and I haven’t even settled that score with you yet. Now you’re the one demanding a divorce? You’ve got some nerve."

Noelle turned her head away. She couldn’t speak, so of course, she couldn’t win an argument against him. What’s the use of more explanations if he won’t believe them?

Seeing her refusal to communicate, Tristan continued, "You’re a disabled person living a perfectly peaceful life. What the hell are you trying to stir up?"

A new project he had been preparing for a long time was about to launch. He didn’t have time to deal with these matters.

Noelle’s fists clenched, her knuckles turning red. In his eyes, she was just a disabled person. She should be eternally grateful for the life she has now.

Even though she couldn’t speak, she could have lived a wonderful life. If it weren’t for this family, she never would have ended up in this state.

Noelle remained silent.

This nearly pushed Tristan to his breaking point.

"Even if you’re going to throw a fit about a divorce, you are coming back to the family estate with me today!"

It was his grandfather’s birthday, and he had to bring her.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

A knock came from outside the door.

"Dad, Mom, are you ready? Great-Grandpa just called me. He’s rushing us to leave."

Joshua pushed the door open and came in, sensing that the atmosphere was a little off. He frowned, tilting his small face up to look at Tristan. "Dad, Mom looks unhappy. Is she mad because Sophie is staying with us?"

Tristan’s thin lips were pressed into a tight line. He didn’t answer. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Joshua guessed that was the reason. He walked over to Noelle and took her hand.

As Joshua suddenly took her hand, her fingertips tensed.

Joshua gently swung her hand, whining playfully, "Mom, Sophie is only staying with us because she gets allergies easily in hotels. Don’t be so petty, okay?"

Noelle lowered her head.

Joshua’s eyes were innocent and pure, yet the words coming from his mouth were the most hurtful of all.

Her husband brought his beloved woman into their home, and her own son was siding with an outsider. And if she showed the slightest bit of emotion, she was the one being petty.

A sour, aching feeling spread from her stomach all the way to her eyes. She pulled back her trembling hand.

Since both father and son think Sophie Hughes is so wonderful, let Sophie go with them to the family estate.

As she signed, her fingertips trembled, "I’ll say it again. I don’t want to go to the family estate."

Tristan raised his hand, and just as the slap was about to fall, Noelle squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face to the side.

A rush of air swept past as Tristan’s hand stopped just beside Noelle’s face. For a moment, she felt no pain.

Noelle slowly opened her eyes.

Tristan’s eyes were bloodshot as he pulled his hand back.

"You won’t go, is that right? Then get the hell out of the Lawson family!"

He didn’t have the patience to stand there and try to reason with her.

With that, Tristan picked up Joshua and left the villa without a backward glance.

Noelle stood alone, her heart feeling as if it were about to shatter.

Outside, the sound of a car engine started up, then gradually faded away.

Noelle packed a few sets of clothes, putting them in her luggage along with her small toolbox and the fabric. She came out, pulling a suitcase behind her.

Mrs. Miller was standing at the door of the master bedroom, watching her with a pained expression. "Ma’am... why must you do this? You and the master have been married for seven years, and you have the young master. Are you really going to leave this home? If you go, aren’t you just making room for someone else? Can you bear to leave the young master?"

It was far too great a loss.

Besides, Sophie Hughes seemed to treat the young master well for now, but what about in the future?

A stepmother is never as good as a real mother.

Noelle didn’t say a word. She silently picked up her suitcase and left Westhill Villa.

Tristan took Joshua back to the Lawson family estate. Old Master Lawson and Tessa Lawson were both peering behind them.

Tristan said irritably, "Stop looking. She didn’t come."