Chapter 2 Undoubtedly Come a Day When He Regrets

Addison unexpectedly interrupted Lance, a bold move that marked the first time she had ever cut him off mid-sentence. It was one of those rare occasions when he addressed her with kindness. Despite the harsh implications of his words, she hardly registered the sting. With his first love back in town, she sensed that her time in this role had reached its end. Addison felt she had contributed more than enough to the Johnstons, leaving her with no obligations to them or to the memories of that man. It was time for her to awaken from this illusion. Lance instinctively raised his eyes to meet hers. Her gaze was as tranquil as still water, calm and unyielding. The words he had prepared caught in his throat as he stared at Addison, surprised by her demeanor. She remained collected and composed, just as she had throughout their marriage, radiating a sense of serenity and reassurance. Her steady voice responded as if she were answering a mundane question like, "What's for dinner?" So she just accepted this? No tears ... no desperate pleas? A surge of frustration coursed through Lance. He resented feeling this way, as if his emotions were being swayed by someone else, especially when he was so firm in his own choices. This calm acceptance ... He scrutinized Addison, hoping to glimpse a flicker of sadness in her eyes. Surely, she must be putting on a brave front. How can she be so composed about ending our marriage when she loves me so deeply? But there was no sign of pretense in Addison's serene expression, no indication of any inner turmoil, as if the passionate love they once shared had never existed. Embarrassed, he averted his gaze. "I'll go over the divorce details with you tomorrow," Lance said, pulling on his jacket, his face shadowed with unease. What kind of game is she playing? Nevertheless, I'm determined to end this relationship! "Tomorrow morning, when Grandpa asks, just tell him I'm on a business trip," he instructed, casting a solemn look at Addison, his mood heavy with gloom. "Okay," she replied softly. Inside, however, she was not entirely at peace; divorcing Lance meant relinquishing her last glimmer of hope. It also meant saying goodbye to the memories of that other person for good. Virginia's return had simply hastened the inevitable. Seeing Addison's indifferent reaction, Lance cast a few glances in her direction, noticing she was emotionally unresponsive. His complexion had turned pale as he turned to leave. Once Lance was out of sight, Addison quietly stood up to take a shower. Just then, Lana Rigardo, the maid, returned from grocery shopping and unexpectedly encountered a serious-looking Lance. He seemed cold, his demeanor matching his expression, exuding an unmistakable air of tension and oppression. "Mr. Johnston, where are you headed at this hour? Aren't you staying for breakfast tomorrow? Mrs. Johnston specifically asked me to buy your favorite ingredients since she knew you were back today," Lana said. Lance glanced at Lana, who was carrying a large plastic bag brimming with fresh produce, with vibrant greens peeking out from the top. Addison's vegetable noodles tasted just like the ones Virginia prepared. Just the other day, he had expressed to Addison his craving for her vegetable noodles. Lance's thoughts flashed back to Addison's calm eyes. His mood darkened as realization struck. What is this woman up to? He didn't respond to Lana, instead walking over to his luxury car and speeding off. The vehicle shot out toward the exit, making a sharp turn as the tires screeched, leaving behind two clear tracks on the road, which reflected his brooding state of mind. Lana shook her head, noticing Lance's expression; it was likely he was thinking about Virginia again. Only Virginia could evoke such a strong emotional reaction from Lance. Though he usually seemed distant, he rarely lost his temper. She had observed the way Lance looked whenever he thought of Virginia, and it mirrored his current demeanor. Whenever he was preoccupied with thoughts of Virginia, Addison invariably suffered. Lana wondered how Addison was doing now. Since Lance had married her, one would expect him to treat her better. Yet since Addison entered the picture, he hadn't shown her any kindness. Reflecting on the gentle and virtuous Addison, Lana felt a sense of injustice on her behalf. Mrs. Johnston is truly a wonderful person, yet Mr. Johnston fails to see her value—there will undoubtedly come a day when he regrets it.