Chapter 238
The divorce papers were identical to the ones Sharon had prepared before—the same proposal to split their assets evenly.
But Carter had refused them back then. He wanted her to leave with nothing.
In the end, she had agreed, just to be done with it all.
And yet, on the day they were supposed to go to the courthouse, he never showed.
Sharon had long since learned: if she didn’t fight for herself, no one else would.
Carter’s expression darkened. “Sharon, are you really going to keep using divorce to threaten me? Is that all this is to you? I missed one appointment-just one-and you’ve been making a scene ever since.
“If you’re really that upset, fine. Tomorrow-no, we can go right now. Wherever you want. A trip, dinner, anything.”
Sharon looked at him like he was speaking another language.
“A date?” Her voice was flat. “Carter, are you insane? I asked you to go with me to finalize a divorce, and you think I’m asking you out?”
Thinking of Kelly’s interference and Nate’s mockery, Sharon could guess where this absurd idea had come from. 1
She gave a short, cold laugh. “I say I want a divorce, and you people say I’m trying to get your attention. I ask you to go to the courthouse, and you think I’m manipulating you into a date? If this is how you all interpret basic human language, then tell me…
Her eyes, clear and dark, fixed on his face-on that flawless, almost unreal profile.
“What exactly do I have to do to make you believe I truly want a divorce?”
The words hit him like a blow. Carter flinched, barely perceptibly.
When he didn’t respond, Sharon went on, “Of course, you can keep telling yourself I’m playing games. Trying to get your attention. But just so we’re clear-I won’t be signing the letter of forgiveness for Nate.
“His detainment might not be long. But for someone like him -an heir of a prestigious family-one mark on his record is enough to shake his standing in the company.”
Carter’s pupils contracted. “Sharon, how can you be so vicious?”
“Vicious?” Sharon let out a soft, almost amused breath. “Your dear friend insults me, curses me, storms into this place like a madman-and that wasn’t vicious? Now he’s reaping what he sowed, and suddenly I’m the one who’s cruel?”
She was still smiling, but her eyes had turned to glass.
“If fairness looks like cruelty to you, then maybe you shouldn’t be alive. This world might be too toxic for someone like you.”
Carter stared at her, unblinking. His gaze held the quiet force of a storm just waiting to break. “Sharon. Are you sure you want to divorce me?”
She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. “I’m sure.”
“Fine,” he said with a nod. “Same terms as before. You leave with nothing. I’ll sign the papers.”
The way he said it-like he was doing her a favor-made Sharon laugh.
“Carter, you’ve got it backward. You’re the one asking me now, not the other way around. If you want to sign, we can end this cleanly. That’s ideal.”
1/2
“But if you don’t?” She lifted her shoulders slightly. “Then we can take it to court. It doesn’t matter to me. Just know-your precious friend will be rotting in there in the meantime. I heard Nate scratched his own face so badly he nearly disfigured himself. Even if the wounds heal, he’s likely to scar.
“After all, his skin was exposed to some of the compounds Mr. Malcolm developed – some of them extremely toxic. And considering he nearly tore down the entire clinic, well… Mr. Malcolm despises him now. He wouldn’t lift a finger to make an antidote.”
