Chapter 5
The Breaking Point
Willow was the first to speak. "Sylvia, I'm sorry to intrude like this. I got you a small gift."
Her voice was gentle and humble, but the look in her eyes was full of triumph.
I ignored her and let her stand there holding the bag, but the child beside her snapped.
He lowered his head and charged straight at my stomach. "You bad woman! How dare you bully my mom! Get out!"
It was only when he was about to slam into my legs that Lawrence's expression finally changed. He grabbed the boy, his expression dark.
"Who taught you to talk to her like that?"
He looked every bit the strict, responsible father. It was just a shame that he wasn't behaving that way toward our child.
Miles was frightened by his tone and burst into tears, throwing himself into Matilda's arms.
Matilda, who had always been obsessed with cleanliness, let him smear snot all over her custom-made dress without a word.
She patted his back softly, soothing him. Her eyes were filled with affection, not a trace of surprise.
So… Matilda knew about this.
They were all in on it.
Willow's face stiffened. After Lawrence settled her into the seat beside him, he sat down next to me and said quietly, "She's still young, and it's her first time being a mother. Be a little more understanding toward them."
I watched the happy family before me, my heart growing colder by the second. I didn't say a word as I pulled a document from my bag and handed it to him.
Lawrence took it, didn't even look at it, and signed his name.
"In the future, just use the card for whatever you want. You don't need to ask me to sign anything. My money is your money. Spend it however you like."
Matilda had finished calming Miles down. She gave me an awkward smile.
"That's right. If this brat makes you angry in the future, just spend his money. Sylvia, children don't know any better. Don't be mad at him. You're Lawrence's wife, and that will never change. But our family also needs an heir."
Her words sounded like comfort, but they were clearly an indirect rebuke.
She was blaming me for not being able to have a child, failing to give the Ashford family an heir.
What she didn't know was that Lawrence was the one who didn't want children when we got married. He was the one who had a vasectomy long ago.
When I stayed silent, Willow lowered her head and began to sob.
"I'm sorry, Sylvia. I didn't teach Miles well. You can hit me or scold me."
As she spoke, she grabbed my hand and tried to slap her own face with it.
I instinctively pulled away, but she suddenly collapsed backward as if all strength had left her body, falling hard onto the floor.
Everyone panicked.
Lawrence was especially shaken. He shoved me aside and pulled her into his arms.
I lost my balance and slammed into the table behind me. A sharp, piercing pain shot through my lower back, and I crumpled to the floor.
Only then did Lawrence seem to realize what he had done. He hurriedly let go of Willow and turned to help me up.
Nevertheless, I felt nothing except bone-deep cold. I pushed him away, stood up on my own, and stuffed a copy of the signed agreement into his hand.
I said flatly, "Lawrence, let's get a divorce."
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