Chapter 4

"I'm fine," Bethany muttered, her heart skipping a beat as she shook her head in panic. Of course, Megan must have met with Trystan the moment she arrived, or maybe Trystan had gone to the airport to pick her up. After all, Megan's return would have filled Trystan with immense joy. Not just him but Serene and the Lawson family as well. Everyone must have been eagerly anticipating her return. "It's good that you're okay," Megan replied affectionately, reaching out to hold Bethany's hand. Bethany recoiled instinctively and looked up, feeling guilty. There was no hint of blame in Megan's gaze; instead, she smiled gently. "If anything had happened to you, Trystan and I would never forgive ourselves," Megan continued. Bethany's chest felt tight. She couldn't breathe. "Beth, I know I shouldn't have returned, and I definitely shouldn't have sent you that message—" "No," Bethany interrupted urgently. Tears shimmered in Megan's eyes. "I thought I would never return, that I would never want to see Trys again, but..." She trailed off, unable to contain her tears any longer. "But I realized I missed him every day when I was away from him. I couldn't bear it anymore, Beth. Can you forgive me?" "Meg, I don't blame you!" Bethany shook her head vigorously. Megan had done something wrong. Why would she ask for forgiveness from others? "Will you agree to divorce Trys, then?" Megan grabbed Bethany's hand, her eyes pleading. Bethany hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes, I will. The divorce papers are ready. Once Trystan signs them, we'll go to the courthouse." Megan wiped away her tears and said, "That's good. Trys has been busy lately, but I'll remind him." Just as Megan stood up to leave, Bethany called after her. "Meg, about what happened a year ago—" "Let's not dwell on the past. Beth, I'll head back now. I'll come visit you when I have time," Megan interrupted gently. But Bethany began explaining, "Meg! A year ago, Trystan was the victim of the incident, and I..." Megan came to a halt, tilting her head slightly to face Bethany, waiting for her to continue speaking. Bethany didn't know what else to say. Would Megan believe her? After all, even Serene didn't believe her. After a moment of hesitation, Bethany spoke again, "But I know, no matter what happened, you were the biggest victim. I'm sorry." Megan left quickly without a response. She went straight to Lawson Group. Lawson Group dominated the metropolitan skyline, representing money, power, and prestige. Megan locked her eyes on the top floor, which was her target was. Trystan was the current head of the Lawson family. On top of that, He had established his reputation within Lawson Group at just 27 years of age. Who wouldn't want a man like him? Before Megan had flown out yesterday, she had called Trystan right away. However, Trystan had claimed that he had wounded Bethany and wouldn't be able to pick Megan up from the airport. Megan had rushed immediately to the hospital after her flight had landed. She had been relieved that Trystan hadn't been there. Of course, why would he stay with that manipulative woman? Megan smirked and called Trystan again. She soon arrived at Lawson Group's CEO's office on the top floor. "I went to the hospital shortly after I got off the plane. I was terrified that Beth might be gravely injured. But, luckily, she's fine," Megan commented as she sat on the sofa, observing Trystan from a distance. He had become even more mature and attractive after a year apart. His beautiful face retained its calm and serene look, revealing little of his feelings. "What did the doctor say?" Trystan asked. "Hmm?" Megan froze for a while, only to realize that Trystan had inquired about Bethany's condition. "Oh, the doctor said she was fine. She can be discharged from the hospital at any time. But you know Beth. She's weak. She may need to stay in the hospital for a few more days." Megan chuckled. Trystan grunted in response, his gaze locked on the paperwork. The two fell into a brief silence before Megan rose from her seat and approached Trystan. "Trys? Are you still standing by what you said earlier?" Megan asked. Trystan glanced up from the documents, his fingers pausing their movements. Megan continued, "As long as I'm willing, will you still marry me?" Trystan finally closed the file and looked up at Megan. "Yeah. The divorce process will take some time." "Alright. I'm not in a rush," Megan responded, her eyes welling up with tears of joy. "But there's something else I'd like to ask of you. Could you consider giving Bethany a bit more in the divorce settlement?" Megan asked, her demeanor serious. Her request made Trystan's expression darken momentarily. "Is this something she asked you for?" Trystan's tone turned cold, his distaste for Bethany evident. Megan hesitated before denying it. "No, it wasn't. But you know Beth can't fend for herself. She's helpless—" "That's her problem!" Trystan snapped and furiously opened a file. His disgust for Bethany was palpable. He silently vowed to initiate divorce proceedings as soon as Bethany's leg had healed. "Don't speak of her like that. Beth has had a tough life. You know about her parents," Megan interjected softly. "She used to follow me around when we were kids, copying everything I did, even my drawings. But she had no talent, and that held her back," Megan said dismissively. "I've secured a position at Baruy Studio since my return. They valued the awards I had received abroad and offered me a position as a director. If Beth still wants to pursue art, I could help her find a position as an illustrator." "You're only complicating things for yourself," Trystan retorted sharply. "I'm helping her out as her cousin," Megan countered, her mind racing. "By the way, does your mom know I'm back? Maybe I could go home with you today." "Let's talk about it later," Trystan replied. He had clearly run out of patience. Megan had no choice but to take her leave. She knew that as long as Trystan and Bethany got divorced, she could have whatever she wanted. ... A week later, Bethany was finally discharged from the hospital. She remembered her promise to Megan and immediately sent a WhatsApp message to Trystan. "Have you signed the divorce papers? Let's schedule a time to handle the formalities." Bethany knew Trystan was busy, so she didn't wait for his reply and went to see Jenny first. "Beth, you're finally here!" Jenny exclaimed. Jenny knew about Bethany and Serene's strained relationship. So, she had suspected that Bethany had been detained against her will because of her decision to get a divorce. However, Jenny was dumbfounded when she learned that Serene was pushing for the divorce instead. "Honestly, I wouldn't believe a single thing your mother says," Jenny remarked, sensing something fishy in the situation. "Unless... Megan isn't your mother's biological daughter, is she?" Jenny speculated. "How is that possible?" It seemed ridiculous to Bethany. The differences between Megan and Bethany were as stark as night and day. But Jenny had her doubts. "Otherwise, how would your mother benefit from Trystan divorcing you and marrying Megan?" Bethany hesitated long before replying, "Maybe she just doesn't like me." But Bethany knew it was more than that. Was there something she was unaware of in all of this? Just then, Bethany's phone rang. Trystan was calling her.