[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221FDDD1-81":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},81,13,"Chapter 13: \"Why Divorce, When I Can Apologize?\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside the study, only Roland, Everett, and I remained.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The massive, ugly bruise on my arm stood out in the dim light, a vivid reminder of the night's events.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go find Helen and have her put some ointment on that,\" Roland commanded, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I shook my head, feigning reluctance. Roland sighed, his frustration mounting, and finally summoned Helen. She entered quietly, carrying a medical kit, and began to treat my arm with shaking hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett watched, a flicker of guilt crossing his face, followed by something that looked uncomfortably like pity. \"I'm sorry, Evelyn. I truly didn't mean for it to go that far.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next second, a grunt of agony escaped his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roland had raised his heavy walking cane, slamming it down hard across Everett’s back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You coward,\" Roland spat, his voice trembling. \"Since when have the men of the Harrison family ever laid a hand on a woman? You’re the first, and you’re a disgrace to this bloodline.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett collapsed to one knee, doubled over as the wind was knocked out of him. He didn’t offer a single word of protest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But that was fine. I was more than happy to speak for him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Please, Roland, stop,\" I whispered, my voice thick with faux-understanding. \"Everett was just overwhelmed. He didn't know what he was doing. Compared to everything Hailey has been through, I’m nothing. A little bruising? I’ll survive.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roland’s eyes narrowed, his anger surging at my forced meekness. He brought the cane down again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once Helen had packed up the kit and retreated from the room, the air grew deathly still. Roland turned his sharp, piercing gaze toward me. \"Evelyn, this was a grave injustice. What do you intend to do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pulled my phone from my pocket and handed it to him, the screen playing a video that spelled the end of the fairytale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Roland, I want a divorce.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett stumbled to his feet, clutching his side, his face contorted in a desperate, frantic look.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't agree to this,\" he rasped, his voice regaining its edge of arrogance. \"Misunderstandings happen in every marriage. I can apologize—I’ll even make Hailey apologize to you. Why on earth would you jump straight to divorce?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roland didn't hesitate. He snatched the phone from my hand and hurled it directly at Everett’s chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You were caught in bed with her, you pathetic fool,\" Roland roared. \"What exactly do you think you have left to explain?\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272927805]