Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 497 But what was truly absurd was this- They'd only been married for less than a month, and Miranda was already off to another country. With her impressive credentials and sharp legal mind, she'd landed a spot on the legal team at Splendid's headquarters overseas. Six months had passed, and she hadn't even cback for a visit. It was obvious she was planning to settle down abroad. Their marriage had turned into a long-distance arrangement-on paper, still married, but in reality, barely more than strangers.

And yet, every tMila traveled abroad for work or an event, she'd somehow find herself cornered by Roland, who would start grilling her about Miranda. It was enough to drive anyone up the wall.

She wanted to ask: Do these two ever actually talk to each other? They are married, after all.

Judging by Roland's anxious demeanor, he clearly cared about her, didn't he? He even seemed worried Miranda was being pushed around, given that the Wayne family didn't have the influence of the Lockwoods. He'd asked Mila, too, if Miranda was alright, but Miranda would just laugh it off, breezy as ever. "Who would dare mess with me? Besides, it's just a marriage of convenience. We both get what we need-why get so serious about it?" With her saying that, Mila had stopped prying. She knew Miranda well enough to know she was never the type to suffer in silence.

If someone crossed her, she'd settle the score right then and there.

But marriage... well, that was different. The sweet and bitter parts, the things you couldn't say aloud-Mila understood all too well. Even Miranda moving out of the country just a month after the wedding was something Mila could sympathize with.

After all, Her own marriage had been like that for a long time-seeing each other every day but barely exchanging a word, or only sharing a bed and nothing else. Living together, but as distant as if they were on separate continents; sometimes, it felt even lonelier than being apart. There was no real communication at all.

Eventually, it all turned into lies and manipulation.

And betrayal.

That's why Mila no longer expected much from marriage.

But when it cto Miranda...

A troubled look flickered across her face.

"What's with that expression?" Miranda chuckled, shaking her head in exasperation. "Alright, I'll call Roland Lockwood later and tell him to stop pestering you. Honestly, he acts like I died or something-can't he just leave you alone for a day?" "Don't say things like that!" Mila hated hearing people joke about death. "That's not something you should just throw around," she snapped, lightly smacking Miranda's arm.

Miranda only smiled, saying nothing.

"Ready to go?" Forrest had already loaded their suitcases into the trunk. Standing by the car, he waited for them to finish chatting before calling out with a smile.

"Yeah, this one's a keeper." Miranda nudged Mila's shoulder, teasing.

"All aboard!" Mila, worried Miranda would say something else outrageous, hurried to usher her into the car.

The drive took them out to an estate on the edge of the city. After Jade's serious illness, she'd moved to the countryside for the fresh air, slowly handing over the company to Mila and retreating to the manor like a grand dintent on living a life of quiet cultivation.

They arrived in no time.

But just before they got out, Forrest hesitated, suddenly looking unsure of himself.

"Isn't it a bit sudden to just show up like this?" He glanced at his reflection, nervous. "Maybe I should just stay at a hotel tonight, and cback tomorrow in a proper suit?" Mila couldn't help but look him up and down.

He was already wearing a tailored white suit that fit him perfectly, accentuating his lean frand giving him an air of understated elegance. How much more formal could he possibly get? "Don't worry," Miranda called from the driver's seat, turning around with a playful grin. "Trust me, my great-aunt has a soft spot for handsfaces. Mr. Whitmore, you'll pass with flying colors." "Really? Thank you." Forrest gave her a polite smile.

"Oh, con!" Mila's cheeks flushed as she saw how seriously he took the compliment. She quickly opened the door and tugged Forrest, who was still smiling faintly, out of the car "Let's go. My great-aunt isn't that particular!" That wasn't entirely true, of course.

Jade was a legend at the top of the fashion world, and nothing annoyed her more than poor taste, bad manners, and sloppy dress. Miranda wasn't wrong, though- Forrest looked impeccable.

He was stylish, polite, and carried himself exactly the way her great-aunt liked.

A valet cto collect the car and unievel.

luggage as Forrest, carrying a carefully chosen gift, followed Mila and Miranda into the sprawling.m estate lush with flowers and E greenery. Occasionally, a uniformed staff member would nod as they passed, and the air was filled with the faint sound of birdsong. It really felt like stepping into another world.

They walked along a rose-lined path, through an ornate foyer, down a lavish hallway, and into the drawing room.

Mila asked the approaching butler, "Where's my great-aunt?"

"In the back garden, Miss." The butler glanced at Forrest, who smiled with polite warmth, but didn't ask any questions. He motioned for a staff member to take Forrest's gift, then led them toward the garden. The closer they got, the more Forrest's smile seemed fixed in place, the corners of his lips just a touch too stiff.

He'd never expected that meeting a Jade would make him more nervous than addressing a major conference or defending a research project in front of a room full of experts. His fingers kept fiddling with his already perfectly straight black tie. They were nearly there.

And then they arrived.

He stopped beside Mila, gaze drifting past rows of blooming roses to where an elderly woman, hair snowy white, was bent over in the garden, wielding a spade with surprising vigor.

"Jade!" Hearing her name, the old woman paused and turned, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Mila waving. Then, her gaze shifted to Forrest, and her expression sharpened, eyes assessing him from head to toe.

Forrest's fingers froze on his tie.

He'd prepared himself mentally for this, rehearsed his opening lines, but nothing could have readied him for the reality of standing before Jade. This was a first— he'd never been so nervous in his life.

Chapter 497 Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.