Chapter 39

Chapter 39:
Belinda turned, her expression sardonic. “Concerned about your image? But why should I care about that?” she retorted, her eyes flashing with defiance. “I’ve already signed the divorce papers. As far as I’m concerned, our marriage is over. We should stay out of each other’s business, okay?”
Rising from the couch, Lucas locked his cold gaze on Belinda. “As long as the divorce isn’t finalized, we’re still considered married in the eyes of the public! Your behavior could bring unwelcome gossip upon the Clark family. Do you wish to tarnish my name and my family’s name with your actions?”
Belinda responded with a dismissive chuckle. She smirked, eyeing Lucas with derision. “Oh, Mr. Clark, you don’t have to worry about that. Not many are even aware that I am Mrs. Clark. Your family’s reputation isn’t my concern, nor is it tied to my actions.”
Caught off guard, Lucas paused, a realization dawning on him. Throughout their three-year marriage, his social outings with Belinda had been rare. It wasn’t that he was ashamed of her or didn’t want her to accompany him; it was that Belinda herself didn’t want to go. As a result, few knew much about Belinda being his wife; everyone only knew that his wife was unattractive and overweight.
Belinda’s gaze hardened as she noticed Lucas’ silence. “The entire time I was away, Verena clung to you like a shadow. Your public affair with her didn’t seem to concern you then. Why the sudden pretense of propriety now?” she questioned, her tone laced with irony.
Just as Lucas was about to retort with a dark expression, a thought halted him, and a sly smile spread across his face.
He scrutinized Belinda, his eyebrows arching slightly. “It’s quite intriguing, how well you seem to know my affairs, even from abroad. It almost feels like you’ve been keeping an eye on me, even while you were away.”
Belinda’s gaze flickered with surprise for a brief moment. She hadn’t actively gathered such information; it was Bethany who had shared the details with her. With a mischievous smile and a glint in her eye, Belinda teased, “Of course, I would do that. Catching you unfaithful could certainly help me increase my share of the divorce settlement, don’t you think?”
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Lucas met her gaze with a calm expression, his lips twitching into a slight smile. “Is that so?” he asked, clearly unconvinced.
Growing tired of the conversation, Belinda turned on her heel and walked toward the closet, grabbing her loungewear before disappearing into the bathroom.
Silence settled between them after that.
That night, sleep eluded Lucas. He woke up the following morning with a stiff back and immediately ordered a new bed.
Meanwhile, Belinda was full of energy. She had just returned to her room after breakfast when her phone rang with an unknown number.
Sliding to answer, she said, “Hello?”
“Good day, Ms. Thomas, this is Ryan Adams. I’m not sure if you remember me,” came Ryan’s voice.
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