Chapter 15

Autumn blinked her big doe eyes, not thinking much as she said, “Mama said she’s not going home anymore. My classmate Jamie told us his parents don’t live together, and he said it’s because they’re divorced.”

Silvia didn’t know if she should feel sad after hearing this from her daughter.

The divorce rate had been increasing rapidly throughout the years, so much so that little children are used to the topic at this point. They might not understand the concept of divorce, but somehow, the word had already been added into the dictionary in their minds.

Ryan, however, was narrowing his eyes. It was clear he was shocked by his daughter’s unexpected explanation as well, as she shouldn’t have had to learn something like this at such an early age.

The two adults couldn’t bring themselves to say anything when faced with their naive daughter’s words. Before they could come up with an appropriate answer, the little girl spoke up once more.

“I know you’ll ask me who I’d choose to stay with, but I won’t choose either of you! I want to live by myself.”

“Jamie said his parents asked him to choose too. He was so annoyed by their questions!”

Silvia couldn’t bear this any longer, and let her emotions flow through her tears.

Although she had promised herself to not cry about this, her daughter’s words were simply too painful to listen to. She felt as if she had been stung by thousands of bees.

Seeing her face full of tears, Ryan’s frown deepened even more. He placed Autumn in the car and said, “I have to talk to Mama for a bit.”

After closing the door, the two continued standing before the vehicle, as Silvia hung her head low. She hadn’t composed herself just yet, as she always thought Autumn would choose to live with her without any hesitation.

To think the little one intended to not choose either of them, and live by herself instead.

This was extremely hurtful for a mother who had been by her daughter’s side for three whole years. At that moment, she felt dejected and disappointed; as if she had just been abandoned.

Ryan placed both his hands in his pockets, still frowning and pressing his lips together. He could tell she was suffering, which was why he didn’t understand her persistence in getting a divorce when it hurt her so much.

For the past five years, her absolute obedience gave him the illusion that she was far from an hot-tempered person. However, this incident made him realize that she too had very strong emotions within her.

‘No, I should’ve known when she insisted on marrying me back then.’

However, he hadn’t paid any attention to her at the time. Naturally, he wouldn’t take notice of her emotions or her personality either.

He wouldn’t understand that this whole mess was a lose-lose situation for Silvia. No matter what she chose, she would only be subjecting herself to more pain.

Hence, between the two extremes, she chose to protect herself and took the option that would hurt her less: divorce. By choosing that, they could cut each other off and they wouldn’t have to keep up this loveless relationship. Plus, she wouldn’t need to face his past with Mariah.

Only then would she finally be set free.

Her daughter might bring her some sadness in some cases, but it wouldn’t be something that would crush her heart completely.

The two continued to stand there silently, face to face. Just as Ryan was about to speak, his phone started ringing.

The ringing was somehow able to snap Silvia out of her sad musings. She glanced at him, wiping her tears with her hands.

She knew exactly who the caller was. His gentle tone and worried expression said it all. The only person who had the privilege to see this side of him was none other than Mariah Sommers.

Silvia wasn’t sure what Mariah said over the phone, but it made Ryan glance at her and ask, “Now?”

Silvia could then hear light sobbing. She watched as his expression shifted drastically and he said hurriedly, “I’ll be there in a few.”

For some reason, Silvia felt like raising a question right after he hung up. “Do you really think it’s a coincidence that you two went to the cafe I frequented? And is it really a coincidence that I was able to overhear your conversation?”

She initially didn’t want to speak about any of this, but now, she changed her mind. She wanted to drive a wedge between Mariah and Ryan. Anyway, she wasn’t simply making up lies; it was indeed the truth.

There was a cafe next to the kindergarten, which Silvia personally loved. She would always arrive early to get herself a cup of coffee as she waited for Autumn’s classes to end.

She figured Ryan wouldn’t know this little habit of hers, since he never cared about her at all. Thus, she believed everything was part of Mariah’s scheme.

With this incident and the texts she had received, Silvia could tell that Mariah was a manipulative and calculating schemer, even though they had never met.

The only time she ever saw Mariah’s face was from a photo within Ryan’s wallet. It was the time he got drunk; she noticed his wallet falling out when helping him to his room.

In the photo, the young couple was hugging each other happily. The man was tall and handsome, while the woman leaned against his chest, her arms around his waist. She looked soft and delicate, as if she were a beautiful swan.

That was the only time Silvia had ever seen Ryan smile so brightly.

Ryan raised an eyebrow as soon as he realized what she meant. “Are you saying she invited me to that cafe on purpose?”

“I didn’t say that,” Silvia quickly denied, chuckling coldly right after. She had never accused Mariah of plotting against them, and merely asked him a few questions.

“Impossible!” he spat harshly, glaring at her with frosty eyes. “Mariah’s not like that!”

Silvia couldn’t help but laugh upon seeing how much Ryan was defending Mariah.

‘Look at how certain he is of her character. So he thinks I’m lying?’

‘Hah, of course. Silvia Alberich will always be a pathological liar in his eyes.’

Silvia wasn’t quite in the mood to wonder what he thought of her, nor did she intend to continue this topic. She merely looked towards her daughter and asked, “So, can I leave with my daughter now?”

Ryan frowned, visibly upset. “Explain what you meant first!”

Silvia smiled softly. “You should go see your little lover now, Mr. Pierce. Don’t make her wait too long.”

She sounded extremely sarcastic when she said ‘your little lover’, which hurt Ryan’s pride so much that he was on the verge of lashing out.

After that, Silvia walked past him to get her daughter out from the back seat. She wasn’t going to explain herself, especially since he wouldn’t believe her in the first place.

She threw his expensive coat back to him and left without looking back, preparing to call a cab back to Rosaline’s place.

Just as Ryan was about to go after them, his phone started ringing again. Looking at the screen, he had no choice but to give up. He glanced at the mother and daughter before getting into his car in a hurry.