Nelson stared at her intently, his eyes filled with shadows. The explicit photos had shattered his willpower. Rationality screamed for a firm response, but he couldn’t utter a single word.
Callie forced a smile, trying to break the silence with understanding, “I understand that you don’t believe me.”
She pulled away from him and took a step back, a defensive posture. “This issue has caused too much damage, even affecting the Oconnor Group. We must divorce to minimize the losses.”
Nelson had never imagined they would reach this point.
“No matter what, I won’t divorce.”
He spoke each word deliberately.
“… What if I say that being with you makes me feel disgusted? I hate that you always side with outsiders, hate your busy work, and hate being Mrs. Oconnor. If it weren’t for you, my father wouldn’t have been missing. I hate you, Nelson.”
In an instant, the sound of dripping blood and the sensation of a blade cutting through flesh felt like a red frenzy.
Nelson’s expression remained unchanged. He doubted his ears or thought the person in front of him wasn’t Callie.
She had transformed from gentle to sharp.
The wind howled, blinding his eyes. A man’s dignity couldn’t withstand such provocation. He suddenly grabbed Callie’s chin tightly, with force, and moved closer. All signs of pain vanished as he gritted his teeth, “I won’t agree to a divorce, Callie. If staying with me makes you sick, then so be it.”
He enunciated each word: “After all, we are equally matched.”
Nelson turned and left. A hot tear fell on Callie’s hand. She looked down and wiped her eyes; they were dry. She hadn’t cried.
The man walking away was a business tycoon. Even in such a situation, his back remained straight, exuding an aura that kept others at a distance. No one could break him.
How could he cry?
Much later, Anthony recalled that this was Nelson’s most difficult time.
The Oconnor Group was under constant threat from outsiders. His wife had been defiled and he had to endure all kinds of slander. It was an immense humiliation. Yet when he humbled himself to protect his wife, she chose this moment to ask for a divorce.
Divorcing now meant the Oconnor Group’s market value would continue to plummet. Callie was pushing Nelson into a corner.
Anthony couldn’t understand how Callie could be so cruel.
Nelson fought against the Oconnor Group’s struggles in the stock market. Despite others urging him to rest, he refused to listen, using work and adversity to escape his agitation and heartache.
In a battle of wills, Nelson never expected to lose so miserably.
Returning to the hospital room, Callie didn’t go in but sat in the hallway. An elderly couple nearby was getting an IV drip.
Seeing her despondent state, they raised their frail hands, “Young lady, do you have something on your mind?”
Callie looked down at her clasped hands, covering the trace of a hot tear.
She gave a bitter smile, “Yes.”
“Cheer up. There’s nothing in this world that can’t be overcome.”
Callie took a deep breath, “I… made a huge mistake and lost my marriage.”
The elderly couple exchanged loving glances and smiled kindly, “Do you know how we met?”