Chapter 15

“Oh? You want to join me?” Yenna asked in surprise. “Of course, if the opportunity arises. I have nothing else to do anyway.” I considered working for my family’s business and working my way up, but I was not interested in business. My parents were still in good health, so they didn’t need me to run the family business for the time being. I would rather reinvest in my hobbies and chase my dreams. Yenna smacked her thigh. “I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time now! You were the cello goddess back in college. It’s a shame you became a full-time housewife. Don’t worry, I will definitely recommend you if I come across any suitable concerts!” I clasped my hands in excitement. “Great! Thank you so much! Everything is on me tonight!” After a few drinks, I parted ways with Krystal and Yenna. I called Lee and told him to pick me up. When I hung up the phone, a familiar voice said, “Zena?” When I turned around, I saw Zachary standing there. “Zach, why are you here?” I asked. “I work part-time nearby and just got off work. Zena, have you been drinking?” Zachary probably smelled the alcohol on me. I covered my forehead and nodded, feeling a little unwell. The alcohol was getting to my head, clouding my judgment. “Zach, can you drive?” Zachary replied, “Yes. I can drive you home if you want.” What a sweetie! I threw the car keys to Zachary and called Lee to inform him that he didn’t have to come anymore. “Zena, is this your car?!” When Zachary saw my black Panamera, his eyes widened with surprise and envy. All men, regardless of age, liked nice cars. I replied in a daze, “Yeah, it’s mine. Please send me back to Maple Villas.” “Maple Villas?” Zachary was once again shocked because the property prices there were ridiculously expensive. He had most likely heard of it. “What are you doing standing there? I’m so dizzy.” I noticed that Zachary was a little dumbfounded, so I approached him and leaned on his shoulder. This unintentional drunken behavior seemed suggestive from a third-party perspective. Zachary came back to his senses and realized that I was too close to him, so he quickly helped me up. His face was flushed as he said, “Zena, be careful. Don’t fall over.” Zachary and Laurel turned out to have similar personalities. They were both honest people who would not be swayed by money. When Zachary discovered how wealthy I was, he remained rational. I pretended to be drunk and laughed. “Zach, you’re so attentive. Your girlfriend must be overjoyed to have you around, huh? Unlike me... My marriage failed, and all I have left is money. Look, this is the cheapest car in my garage. I can give it to you if you want!” Henry gave other women cars and houses, and so can I. This made me feel better. “No, no… Zena, you’re drunk. I’ll take you home.” Zachary quickly shook his head and helped me into the car. Zachary drove cautiously and slowly, probably because he was afraid of accidentally scratching the car and not being able to afford the repair costs. I closed my eyes in the passenger seat and occasionally opened them to check where we were. After a while, Zachary said, “Zena, we’re at Maple Villas. Which block are you staying in?” “A08,” I replied, my eyes closed. Zachary entered the detailed address in the navigation system and sent me to my door. After he parked the car, I took out a stack of cash from my wallet and handed it to Zachary. “Here, take it. This is your driver’s fee and a tip.” Zachary was dumbfounded. He quickly returned the money to me. “Zena, you don’t have to pay me. I’m just doing you a favor. This isn’t a business transaction.” “Just take it. It’s troublesome to take a taxi from here at this hour, so why don’t you just drive this car back? Call me tomorrow, and I’ll get my driver to pick up the car from you.” I unbuckled the seat belt and got out of the car, ignoring Zachary’s response. Then I walked into the house. As soon as I got home, I woke Edith up and asked her to make me a cup of hangover tea. Edith hurried to the kitchen without complaining. Three days later, Henry would attend a business summit. That was when he would meet the love of his life, and that was when I would be free of this marriage. After a while, I heard the sound of a car engine outside. Soon, Henry showed up. He glanced at me, who was lying flat on the living room sofa, and sat down across from me. He was no better than I was and reeked of alcohol. “Madam, the tea is ready.” Edith placed a cup of hangover tea in front of me and greeted Henry respectfully. “Welcome back, Mr. Pelham.” Henry glanced at her indifferently and didn’t respond. I sat up and gave Henry a bright smile. “Have you been drinking too? Here, you can have this cup of hangover tea. Edith, please bring me another cup.” Edith nodded and went back into the kitchen. “No need.” Henry didn’t even touch the cup. I was gloating because Henry’s future mother-in-law made this hangover tea all by herself. Henry would have a difficult time getting Edith's permission to date Laurel in the future. At the moment, Edith was just a nanny Henry could ignore as he pleased, but she would soon become his mother-in-law whom he had to impress. Edith poured another cup of hangover tea. I said to Henry, “I woke Edith up to make me this cup of hangover tea. You should at least take a sip so that her hard work doesn’t go to waste.” Edith quickly replied, “Sir, Madam, this is my job. It’s not difficult at all.” “Edith, don’t mind him. He has poor manners and a bad temper.” I spoke softly, belittling Henry in front of Edith. Since Henry was infatuated with Laurel, I would make his future pursuit of her more difficult. “No, no. Madam, you must be exaggerating!” Edith panicked. “Alright. You can go back to bed, Edith.” I waved my hand. After Edith left, I drank half a cup of hangover tea before going upstairs to take a shower. Henry went to sleep in the guest room, as he always did. Just as I came out of the shower, I found Henry sitting on the bed in the master bedroom, in his pajamas. I frowned. “Why are you in my room?” Henry had the same impatient expression. “My parents are here. They’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.” I was shocked and puzzled. In my previous life, my in-laws were looking forward to having a grandchild. Even so, they never came to Maple Villas to watch over us. Why would they be here today? “So suddenly?” I was caught off guard. “Is it sudden?” Henry sneered. “Don’t you remember what you told Evan?” Henry returned home tonight to deal with his parents. I didn’t expect Evan to snitch on me and even convince my in-laws to come over. The damned butterfly effect was getting complicated! “I didn’t tell him anything. I simply asked him to convince you to divorce me.” I didn’t want to be held responsible for this situation. “I had no idea he was going to tell your parents.” “How long are you planning to play this game?” Henry was already irritated, so his tone was harsh. I didn’t answer. Instead, I took out a divorce agreement that I had drawn up and signed beforehand. I didn’t want anything from Henry. All I wanted was a divorce. I handed Henry the divorce agreement and continued to wear my face mask. “You’ll find out if I’m playing hard to get as soon as you sign it.” In an instant, the air in the room froze as Henry’s expression darkened. There was a knock on the bedroom door just as he was about to tear up the divorce agreement.