Beyond the Divorce

Lauren did not give him a chance to speak and continued in a weak voice, "You don't need to feel guilty or anything. You don't have to take a woman like me to heart."

Her words were self-deprecating.

"Lauren..."

"Even if you do want to break your promise to your wife, you can easily find someone more suitable for you since you're an important man. I'm sure it won't be me. In the eyes of you and your wife, I'm just a shameless, lowly socialite. I'm not good enough to step into your home, let alone be your wife."

"It's not like that. Please don't misunderstand me," Oliver seemed anxious, and took a step forward to explain.

Lauren raised her hand to stop him, "You don't need to explain anything. Your words and actions have already said it all. I'm sure that I'm still smart enough to figure out what you want. Your wife is formidable. She triumphed over me even in death. She's looking down on me from beyond the grave. I have to admit defeat."Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

As Lauren spoke, a sad smile appeared on her lips. It was heartbreaking to watch.

"I was driven by vanity in the past, but I've grown up. I knew I had no value to you back then. I was just a tool, just an accessory, but I have no complaints." She took a breath and her face grew even paler. "But now, I want to live for myself. I want to live with dignity, and I don't want to depend on anyone else. I used to be just trash, but now I want to change."

Oliver watched as Lauren's face turned colder and more desolate. "I've never looked down on you, Lauren. I just thought you would understand me no matter what I did."

Lauren suddenly burst into laughter. "Understand you? No matter what you say or do? You overestimate me! I don't understand you, and I don't want to understand your game with your wife." "Chlo, please escort Mr. Oliver out. I need some rest," she said, looking at me.

"Give me a chance to take care of you. You've always been the one who took care of me. Don't treat me like this. You might hate me, but give me a chance."

Oliver looked at Lauren determinedly. He seemed concerned, but his eyes also held a hint of self-pity.

It was hard to imagine that Oliver, who was a prominent figure that many people admired, would be so humble at this moment.

The Oliver I knew had always been

aloof and would look down on everyone else with cold detachment. In the business world, everyone saw him as a chance to increase their wealth. He rarely spoke and merely observed those who fawned over him in disdain.

"Don't put me on the spot. Why would I possibly give you a chance? You've taken back everything I could ever have. Why are you here now, asking me this?" Lauren's tone was resolute.

Lauren put away her sorrowful smile

and looked up at the ceiling. She

said softly, "I hope I'll have my own home, a loving partner, and children. Even if have to scrape by, I'm willing to accept my fate as long as no one controls my life."

It sounded like she was making a wish for herself.

She turned to face Oliver. "I don't want to be haunted by curses until I die, Oliver. I want to live my own life. I want true independence."

Oliver's jaw tightened, but still he said nothing and listened to Lauren's accusations.

"I won't live without dignity. I won't be a puppet under your control. I refuse to live watching your every move and be cowed by your moods. I used to be cheap, but I want to live with pride for the rest of my life. Can you just let me go?"

"Lauren, I know I haven't been good to you in the past, but when you left, it really made me think about my behavior. I was selfish, so I don't blame you for anything that happened." Oliver's words surprised me. I couldn't believe what he just said.