Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Walker Grant said, ”He was also taking a gamble.”

”That’s why I said he’s a moron,” Claire Monroe said bluntly. ”He had it coming, getting shot. I just hope this teaches him a lesson.”

Chloe Reed couldn’t help but glance at her.

Claire Monroe noticed her gaze and let out a soft laugh. ”Don’t be surprised. I’m just disappointed in him. He’s got no talent for anything but causing trouble—he’s first-rate at that. I just wish he’d grow up and stop doing such childish things.”

Chloe Reed looked down. ”He did it for Iris,” she said softly.

Claire Monroe sighed deeply. ”Ah, the things people do for love. If only he’d come to his senses and confessed to Iris sooner, none of this would have happened. I have no idea what goes on in his head. His brain must be made of mush.”

Chloe Reed: ”...”

The car fell silent.

By the time they reached the hospital, Nathaniel Monroe was out of surgery and had been moved to a private room.

The bullet had been removed from his thigh, but he hadn’t woken up yet.

The room was filled with the smell of antiseptic, and Mr. Monroe was standing off to the side, talking with a doctor.

When he saw them arrive, he waved a hand, dismissing the doctor.

He looked at Claire Monroe and said, ”Your mother is upstairs. Go check on her in a bit. This gave her quite a scare.”

Claire Monroe nodded. ”Got it.”

Mr. Monroe added, ”When he wakes up, you tell him to have a divorce agreement drawn up for him to sign. Get the proceedings started.”

Claire Monroe looked at him. ”Why don’t you tell him yourself?”

Mr. Monroe’s expression immediately turned cold. ”Because he’ll listen to you.”

”Hah...” Claire Monroe scoffed. ”I wouldn’t be so sure this time. Marriage was his idea. He has feelings for Iris; he was so close. Why would he give up now?”

Mr. Monroe’s face darkened. ”I know Iris is a fine young woman, and I know young people these days have their own way of life, but that should stay private. Now, her business is all over town. If our Monroe family still takes her in, won’t we become the laughingstock of Breyburn? Your mother and I can’t afford that kind of humiliation. They have to get a divorce!”

Claire Monroe’s brow furrowed slightly. Just as she was about to say something, a weak voice suddenly came from the hospital bed. ”I’m not getting a divorce.”

Standing in the back, Chloe Reed closed her eyes the moment she heard those words.

’Another chaotic mess.’

She felt as if she were seeing her past self—desperately wanting a divorce, but trapped in a situation with no way out.

Iris had been taken by William Quinn.

’When she returns, only to find out Nathaniel won’t divorce her... what will she think?’

The color drained from Chloe Reed’s face. A wave of self-blame washed over her again. ’I should have stopped them.’

Mr. Monroe glared at Nathaniel Monroe. ”Have you lost your mind? After a humiliation this public, you still won’t divorce her?”

”It wasn’t her fault!”

Nathaniel Monroe glared back at him. ”I don’t even care, so why are you in such a hurry?”

”You!”

Mr. Monroe was livid. He snorted coldly. ”If you don’t divorce her, that man will target our family. You saw him—he’s ruthless and shows no mercy. I suppose you’ll finally agree when your mother and I are both dead!”

With that, Mr. Monroe stormed out of the room.

Claire Monroe looked at him, a wry smile on her face. ”Well, you certainly have some backbone.”

Nathaniel Monroe closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Walker Grant. ”Walker, do you know where William Quinn went?”