Chapter 2 A Misunderstanding

Paisley slowly stood up, clutching her stomach. "I'm sorry, Kathleen, about your belongings ... " "Don't act so close!" Kathleen cut her off, her smile barely there. "People might start to believe we're actually sisters. After all, if we were, I might've already killed you!" "Kathleen!" Rhett shot up suddenly, grabbing Paisley's arm and throwing a fierce look at Kathleen. "If you have a problem, take it out on me. What's the point of attacking a pregnant woman?" What a warm-hearted man, hah! He was married for two years, and he barely ever came home. When he did, he acted like his wife didn't exist. It turned out Rhett wasn't indifferent—he was just completely heartless toward her. No matter. She was done wasting time on someone so rotten. "I'm disciplining my aunt's daughter. What does that have to do with you?" Kathleen shot back with irritation and began gathering her things. "Hold on!" Rhett's eyes landed on Kathleen's neck, his expression shifting cold. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed her shirt, and yanked forcefully. Two buttons popped off, instantly revealing a broad stretch of skin above her chest. There, against her pale skin, clusters of red kiss marks were fully visible. "Oh! Kathleen, what's that on your neck?" Paisley exclaimed in feigned shock, raising her voice. Behind her act, though, a malicious, victorious glint flashed in her eyes. "Rhett, you jerk!" Furious, Kathleen trembled slightly, using one hand to hold her shirt closed while the other delivered a sharp slap across Rhett's face. Slap! The slap left Rhett stunned, frozen in place. "You're disgusting!" Grinding his teeth, Rhett seized her wrist and hauled her up the stairs, pulling her into the bedroom. Bang! The door slammed shut. Rhett tossed Kathleen onto the bed with force. "You despicable woman!" He snarled, stepping closer to the bed. "Just divorced, and you're already rushing to meet someone new, huh?" Kathleen sat up quickly, her eyes flashing with anger. "Rhett! We're divorced. If you dare to assault me, I'll call the police!" "Divorced?" A dangerous glint filled Rhett's gaze. "Now you're finally free and enjoying yourself, right? Jumping into bed with whoever you want, isn't that so?" "Rhett! Stop making things up! You were the one who cheated, and now you dare accuse me? You're beyond shameless!" Kathleen attempted to slide off the bed, but Rhett swiftly blocked her, gripping her shoulders and shoving her back down. He pulled a pile of photos from the drawer, tossing them onto her with a sharp thud. "I'll make you see the truth! Kathleen, you liar! You pretended to be pure just for me, but you were with other men all along! Did you think I wouldn't find out?" In shock, Kathleen stared at the scattered photos, hurriedly picking them up one by one to inspect them. Every single photo—each showed a man and a woman in bed together! She didn't recognize the men, and they were all different, but the woman was unmistakably the same ... that face, exactly like hers! Even the tiny red mole near the corner of her left eye was in the exact same spot. "This isn't me!" After a moment of shock, Kathleen quickly steadied herself, regaining her composure. So, he hadn't touched me throughout our two years of marriage because of these photos? "Of course, you won't admit it's you!" Rhett stepped closer, his eyes filled with cruel mockery. "Who doesn't know that you are the most pristine and frigid beauty in the entire city? Are you going to claim these pictures are fake? Or are you going to say your mother gave birth to a twin sister? Huh? Do you really think I'm that gullible?" He tightened his grip around Kathleen's neck. "You cheap! Worthless woman!" A wave of humiliation washed over Kathleen. Clenching her teeth, she summoned all her strength and shoved Rhett back onto the bed. Seizing the moment, she rolled off and away from him. Before he could rise, she landed a powerful kick to his groin. "Believe it or not, the person in those photos isn't me!" She swiftly walked away and exited the bedroom. Rhett curled up on the bed, clutching his groin with both hands, his face contorted in pain. Kathleen! You'll be back soon, crying and begging me! Do you really think divorce means the end of our relationship? Dream on! Your nightmare is only just starting! As Kathleen rushed downstairs, she bumped into Lucia Franklin, Rhett's mother, who was helping Paisley. She had spent the past two years insulting her as "a barren woman." Paisley was quick to bring her mother-in-law back into the picture. "Kathleen, are you alright?" She feigned concern. "Paisley, why do you care about a barren woman? Be careful. You might bring bad luck upon yourself!" Lucia seized Paisley's arm and shot a disdainful look at Kathleen. "You've got the divorce certificate, so why are you still hanging around our home? Do you still want to take advantage of my son's assets?"