Rather than reveal the truth and make her resent her parents as well, I’d rather be the villain she hates. After all, I don’t have much time left.
Sophia’s call came through. “I’m waiting for you in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.”
Her voice was cold. I replied calmly,
“Okay.”
As soon as I hung up, Lily spoke, “I’m coming with you.”
I instinctively wanted to refuse, but before I could say a word, she added, “I won’t tell Sophia anything. I just don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone.”
I didn’t refuse again and nodded in agreement.
Sophia wasn’t waiting alone in front of the City Hall. Beside her stood Ethan.
Ethan looked just as he had years ago. Today, he seemed especially cheerful, unable to hide the smile on his face.
When Sophia saw Lily and me arrive together, she was surprised.
“Lily, why are you here?”
Lily’s expression was blank. “Sophia, do you really have to divorce James?”
Sophia sneered at me.
“James Charbel, did you ask Lily to come and plead for you?”
Before I could respond, Lily cut in, “No, James didn’t ask me. I came on my own.”
“Sophia, I urge you to reconsider. James loves you deeply—more than your parents do. You must have felt that over the years.”
Sophia frowned but didn’t argue.
Ethan stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Sophia. Smiling, he said to Lily,
“James indeed loves Sophia, but love has to be mutual. Sophia doesn’t love him; she’s always loved me.”
“And I believe my love for Sophia is no less than his.”
Lily sneered. “You have the nerve to say that? Who was it that abandoned Sophia without hesitation to go abroad back then?”
“I never saw any sign that you loved her. The only person you’ve ever loved is yourself.”
Ethan’s face darkened.
Sophia’s expression turned grim.
“Lily, there’s no need to bring up the past. Ethan had no choice back then. He didn’t mean to abandon me. It was James who forced my parents to forbid me from going abroad and made me marry him.”
“This is all crystal clear to you. Everything is James’s fault.”
“The truth about what happened back then is actually—”
I interrupted Lily, keeping my gaze calm as I looked at Sophia.
“You’re right. It’s all my fault. So let’s not waste time entangling ourselves any further. Come on, let’s get the divorce over with.”
“James!” Lily called after me, as if she wanted to say something more.
I shook my head at her.
There was no need to explain. Sophia had never loved me.