Chapter 4
Ethan looked like I’d just punched the air out of his lungs.
He stumbled back a step, staring at the divorce papers in my hands like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.[]
I acted like I didn’t notice his shock and held the papers out a little farther.[]
“Whether or not the perfume was from me, the fact is Sophia had a serious reaction.“[]
7 was careless, and that’s not the kind of woman who deserves to be the Ashbourne family’s matriarch.“[]
Ethan stayed silent for a long time before he turned his head and muttered through clenched teeth-
-0
“Playing hard to get now? Trying to win by backing off?“||]
“Lillian, I’ve gotta say you’re good.”
He looked me straight in the eye.]]
“You think I don’t have the guts to actually divorce you?” You
I shook my head, innocent. “Ethan, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.“]
“Sophia’s carrying your child now.“[
“She should be the one stepping into this role.“]]
His expression shifted–something dark and unreadable passing through his eyes.[]
He stared at me like I was a stranger.
“Are you being serious right now?”
I nodded firmly.
“Of course.”
“You and Sophia are clearly in love.”
“I don’t belong in the middle of that.“]
I thought my answer was mature, calm, and exactly the kind of thing he wanted to hear.
But suddenly his whole demeanor changed.[]
He stepped forward, towering over me, the heat of his breath sharp against my face.
His hand claniped around my wrist.]]
“Lillian, I asked you to behave.“[]
“I didn’t tell you to shove me away.“]]
His voice was low, furious.
“Are you blaming me now?”
Push him away?
I didn’t understand.[]
He’s the one who left first.]
He’s the one who spent a fortune turning Sophia into a tabloid darling, America’s new sweetheart.]
He let her taunt me, humiliate me, while I spiraled alone
He spent countless nights in bed with her while I lay awake in an empty room]
Lowing a Liar Billionaire My 5 Year Scan Marriage Exit Plan
Chapter 4
And when I tried to talk to Sophia, all I found were endless flirty photos and videos of them tangled up together.
It was like watching my five years of effort-
Five years getting 99% of the way to winning his heart-
Fall apart, bit by bit.
Until the night they went viral together on social media.
That same night, Sophia sent me photos of a red dress and a suit lying crumpled on the floor.[]
And in one of those pictures was the very tie I’d picked out for Ethan that morning-
The one I tied myself.]]
My progress dropped from 1%… to zero.
The system offered me a way out.]
L
If I didn’t want to feel the pain of failure; I could activate the perfect partner protocol-
And become whatever Ethan needed me to be.[]
I remember hesitating.
I asked, “What if he notices something’s off?”
The system’s voice was cold as ever, but that time, it hit even harder.[
“He doesn’t love you anymore,” it said. “He won’t notice.”
And it was right.]
Ethan didn’t love me.]
The Ethan who used to look at me like I was his whole world-
He was gone.
e.0
I stared up at him now, blazing with anger, and whispered,[]
“Isn’t this what you wanted?“]]
Something exploded in his eyes.[]
Fury.
Resentment.
Maybe even something like hurt.
He glared at me like I’d ripped the ground out from under him.]
And finally, he raised his fist.]
“Lillian–0
You really outdid yourself.“]
Lowing Lase Willestre My 5–Year Sam Marriage Ex Plan