Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 163

"Why are you more upset than I am?" Isabel said with a small smile. "And let's be clear: I was the one who left him. I'm not someone who can be casually thrown away."

She had been willing to try to make the marriage work, to love him with all her heart. But she was just as capable of choosing not to love him and walking away without a second thought.

"You're right. That was shortsighted of me."

"Amanda, I'm going to teach you this. Pay close attention."

*

Selena was trapped in Halcyon Hills, completely unable to leave. The online backlash had snowballed into something that no amount of money could fix. She knew her career in pharmaceuticals was over. She would be blacklisted from the entire industry. Worse, she was facing jail time.

"Adrian, I don't want to live anymore."

"Don't talk nonsense," Adrian said, his brow furrowed. He patted her shoulder comfortingly. "I'll take care of it. For now, don't think about anything. Just get some rest."

Oliver brought over a bowl of soup. "Mom, you should eat something."

An idea sparked in Selena's mind. "Adrian, in my situation, I doubt anyone will ever marry me now. Could you… could you marry me?"

Adrian simply said, "Don't let your imagination run wild. I have some work to take care of. I'll check on you when I'm done. Eat your soup."

Selena watched the cold indifference of his retreating back. Just as she'd suspected. Now that he and Isabel were divorced, that forbidden allure was gone, and she couldn't keep him on the hook. The thrill of the chase was over. And in her current state, a social pariah, she was a far cry from the glamorous woman who had once captivated him.

"Mom, don't cry." Oliver reached up to wipe away her tears. "Trust Dad. Dad is so amazing, he can fix anything."

Selena pulled Oliver into a hug. "You shouldn't call me Mom anymore. Your father and I aren't married. If someone were to hear you, given all the trouble I'm in, it would only give them more reason to condemn me."

Oliver pulled out of her embrace. "I'll go talk to Dad about it."

"Lab work isn't like other jobs. You can't just pop home whenever you want. You could be gone for months, a year, or even several years at a time. Aurelia City is so far from Westbridge, why would you follow me there? With this lab here, we can still collaborate. And it's not like I'm going to be in Aurelia City forever."

Amanda knew she was right, but she still felt a pang of frustration. "My kid is older now, and they have grandparents…"

"Have you forgotten? I was the one who had to go to your son's preschool parent-teacher day for you."

Amanda fell silent.

Isabel put an arm around her shoulder. "I'm going to Aurelia City to advance my career. If I ever need to come back here to handle something, it would be wonderful to have a lab here where I can work temporarily."

Amanda was convinced. "I'll come visit you whenever I have time."

Isabel nodded and glanced at the time. "Okay, Mr. Parker is probably here to pick you up. You should go home."