Chapter 79
Austin looked upset, but thinking of Phoebe, he still sent a velor imessage. “Courtney, I don’t want a divorce. I’ll give you everything that belongs to you and sign the agreement. But Vershort you. Whatever compensation the Lewis family owes you, we shouldn’t let them off the hook.”
He hesitated before sending it his nerves fraying Heep down, he feared Courtory might take the bait and demand an excessive amount.
Courtney Have me what you our ime first. Then, we can talk about the Lewis family’s comprmation. They hurt me, and I won’t let them off easily Hot right now, I want to resolve our faancial dispsite.
Austin sighed. “She demanding the old mansion and the redevelopment ent
compensation money. If we don’t return those to her, the won’t negotiate
Aarden tilted her head weighing her options. “Then give it
“And how am I supposed to do that Austin mapped, his temper flaring. “The house was told, and the money’s already been spent–by you
Mariben, sensing his growing agitation, decided not to press further. “A long as you don’t distance her, none of that matters,” she said, a sly smile creepose anto her face.
Marilyn now thought that having Austin divorce Courtney could become a hassle. “I goe Vera agree to temporarily end your marriage just to keep Coumes at bay?”
To Marilyn, as long as Ausm and Courtney stayed married, there were countless ways Courtney could meet an unfortunate end. If she died while marrjed, just like before, everything would beking only to Austin
Courtney didn’t have close relatives, and her so–called aunt hadn’t been seen or heard from. Even if the shows up someday, the just another loose and Throw some money at her, and shell disappear.
was Courtney gone.
For Marilyn, divorce wasn’t an option. What she wanted was Courtney
“Hun with all my mistakes, how could Country not want a divorce? She’s made up her mind. Austin held his forehead, fully aware that Courtney was determined to get divorced
“Then sign the divorce agreement, Marilyn instructed, her words cunning. “But don’t use your usual handwriting. Tell her you’ll find a way to return the house and money. Let her focus on getting compensation from the Lewis family for now. Stall her,”
Every suggestion from Marilyn’s mouth was more insidious than the last.
“But what if she takes the signed agreement and tries to finalize the divorce?” Austin asked, his anxiety growing
Marilyn ineered. “A divorce agreement without official registration is meaningless. All you have to do is claim that you never signed it. Even handwriting analysis won’t hold up in court. It’s not legally binding
Her expression turned even more calculating. “Once Vera is out and taking care of Phoebe, if Courtney still insists on divorcing, we can create shared marina debes she can’t repay. If that happens, not only will she lose her parents‘ inheritance, but she’ll also be saddled with massive debc. Do you think she’d dare leave then
Marilyn’s que pierced through him like a blade.
Austin sucked in a sharp breath, staring at her in horror. The sheer cruelty of her schemes left him speechless.
“Austin, being ruthless is the only way to stay on top,” Marilyn said, standing and glancing at her watch. “People with a conscience never make it
“Time is running out. Handle this quickly. Don’t make me step in myself,” Marilyn warned before turning to leave.
Austin frowned as he watched Marilyn leave. Her tactics were ruthless. No wonder she had managed to bring the Lewis family to where they were today
Courtney Caine to meet Austin at Bensburg General Hospital
Austin’s agreement to sign
ent to sign the divorce papers was something Courtney hadn’t expected. It seemed there was nothing he wouldn’t sacrifice for Vera
“Courtney, Austin called softly, waiting for her at the cafeteria entrance
“Sign the papers, Courtney said, holding the papers tightly, her tune firm.
Austin’s palins were sweaty as be besitated, avoiding her eyes “Courtney, aren’t you hungry! Let’s eat first. The chef who makes the pork ribs hasn’t
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Chapter 79
changed all these years–it’s still the same flavor you loved?
Courtney didn’t say a word, staring intently at Austin, afraid he might go back on his word. She wanted to be free–desperately so.
This marriage, stretched thin by five years of separation, had suffocated her. The very bond that once kept her alive in South Weidan now left her breathless and in pain, as though her very soul was being perled away.
‘Til keep my promise, but let’s cat first, Austin said quietly, lowering his head as if to ease the tension.
After a moment of silence, Courtney followed him into the cafeteria.
The hospital’s cafeteria looked the summe as
e same as five years
years ago–frozen in time. Even the staff hadn’t changed.
Perhaps the only things that had changed were time and their hearts.
“Pork ribs Austin said, placing a plate on the table. “And lasagna. I remember how much you loved these” He’d ordered a spread of Courtney’s old
Favorites,
Once, these dishes had been her comfort as a medical trainee during grueling days. Back then, she had barely had time to eat between handling infectious disease cases–dangerous work with overwhelming patient loads,
Austin used to bring her meals when she was too busy, carefully picking the lean pieces of pork from the ribs and packing them into a thermos. They would sneak bites together in the stairwell during stolen moments of peace.
In those days, Courtney had thought pork ribs were the best food in the world.
But now, staring at the table full of dishes, Courtney typed a simple message on her phone, “Austin, I don’t like these anymore.”
