The Neighbor’s Cat Destroyed His Lies

In that instant, Julian clenched his fists uncontrollably. He glared at me with seething rage.

After a moment, he regained his composure and turned to Ivy with concern.

“Are you okay?”

Ivy’s eyes were red from crying. “I’m fine. I accidentally misspoke. Ms. Hill was right to hit me. Mr. Shane, please don’t be angry with me.”

After seven years together, Julian clenched his teeth at me for the first time. “Get down and apologize to Ivy now!”

I sneered coldly.

“Why should I?

“She brought it on herself. She deserved the strike.”

Julian suddenly raised his hand and struck himself across the face with all his strength. His cheek instantly swelled and turned red.

“I’m taking this retaliatory slap on your behalf.

“Clara, I’m begging you. Please stop this madness.

“Did staying cooped up at home after your injury drive you mad? I promise never to abandon you, no matter what happens to you.

“I’ll give you anything you want. Just drop the divorce talk, okay?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Impossible.

“Julian, every second I spend with you makes me feel sick and suffocated.”

He was backing off, while I remained stubborn.

Both our parents were utterly disappointed with me.

Julian’s parents rose angrily, leaving behind a cold warning before departing. “If you insist on divorce, we’ll see it through! But don’t even think about taking a single penny from our family. No matter the cost, I’ll make sure you leave with nothing!”

My parents shook their heads at me and sighed. “Clara, you’re the one causing all this trouble. When you end up with nothing, you’ll regret it.”

Was I the one at fault?

No.

The person I bribed at Julian’s company promptly sent me a surveillance video clip.

I was watching it in the spare bedroom when Julian knocked and walked in.

To prevent him from discovering my actions and destroying the evidence, I quickly slipped on my Bluetooth earbuds. I listened to the audio while stashing my phone away.

“Clara, what purpose does divorcing me serve?

“You can’t have children. Another family like mine would never agree to marry someone like you.”

I looked at him with a cold smile. “Julian, why can’t I have children?”

During our marriage’s second year, I was injured.

Julian loved thrills. He would constantly pursue extreme sports and demand that I accompany him.

During a rock-climbing incident, he slipped and fell. I had risked my life and grabbed onto him to save him. He managed to steady himself on a protruding rock while I plummeted to the ground from exhaustion.

Everyone said Julian loved me. They said that he had traded his life for mine.

Before me, Julian hung his head in guilty silence.

Through my headphones came the clear, suggestive laughter of him and Ivy.

“Julian, skydiving was so thrilling! I had a great time. But honestly, just taking me out occasionally would already make me perfectly happy. Isn’t that a bit too risky to move me in next door to you?”

After a series of muffled kissing sounds, Julian replied, “That’s what makes it thrilling.

“These past years, Clara has become increasingly dull. Only you make me feel alive again...”