Chapter 160:
Kristian blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes. “What?”
“Do you feel bothered watching Freya being swept away by someone else?” Lionel’s tone was earnest, probing deeper into Kristian’s shielded heart. “Next Wednesday, the divorce decree will come through, and Freya will be free from you. Then, it’ll be someone else offering her comfort and support. You’ll be reduced to just a passing shadow in her life.”
Lionel fixed his gaze on Kristian, his voice soft yet insistent. “If you feel nothing hearing this, then perhaps proceeding with the divorce is the right decision. But if there’s even a flicker of regret, then maybe you should give it another thought.”
Kristian bit back a surge of emotion, his voice steady yet distant. “That won’t be necessary.”
Since he had resolved to part ways, he needed to follow through with his decision to divorce, even if it felt uncomfortable or if lingering possessiveness made it difficult. It didn’t mean anything beyond a habitual attachment from years of being together.
Moreover, he had made a commitment to Ashley about their future together, and he was determined not to let her down.
“Kristian Shaw!” Lionel bellowed, his voice sharp with irritation at Kristian’s unyielding attitude.
“I have no doubts about how I feel about Freya,” Kristian replied, his tone unwavering and serious. “The decision to divorce was made after thorough deliberation. I’m an adult, Grandpa, and I’m well aware of my actions.”
“Do whatever you think is best,” Lionel snapped back, his patience wearing thin. “Just don’t expect me to pick up the pieces when things fall apart.”
Kristian remained silent, absorbing the gravity of Lionel’s words.
M𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝑔𝒶𝓁𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈.𝒸𝑜𝓂
Lionel’s glare intensified. “If you dare go through with marrying Ashley, consider yourself disowned from the Shaw family.”
“Grandpa, please try to see the good in her. She’s a decent woman,” Kristian implored, his voice deep and earnest.
“A decent woman?” Lionel scoffed, his disbelief clear. “A decent woman wouldn’t interfere in another’s marriage. Would she have drawn you in, knowing you were still married? Would she have pushed you to divorce Freya just to be with her? Open your eyes, Kristian—can’t you see what’s really happening?”
Kristian shifted uncomfortably at his grandpa’s words and simply replied, “I initiated the divorce proposal; Ashley has nothing to do with this.”
“I just don’t understand why you must be with her,” Lionel retorted, his voice laced with anger and anxiety. “What makes her so extraordinary? Didn’t your relationship with her end previously?”
“The breakup stemmed from my misunderstanding,” Kristian clarified. “I assumed she departed because I failed to support her adequately, but I later discovered she was battling a life-threatening illness and wished to spare me the anguish, deliberately severing our connection.”
Lionel stared back in utter bewilderment.
“Six months ago, she reached out to reveal the truth—her illness had been cured.” Kristian struggled to articulate the emotions churning within him.
In truth, he questioned whether genuine love for Ashley resided in his heart.
Upon learning of her circumstances, he merely desired to provide her with security—a sanctuary where worries would dissipate. Beyond this simple wish, his thoughts hadn’t wandered further.
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