Chapter 4 Justin, Let’s Get a Divorce

When Elizabeth first forced Joanna to drink those herbal concoctions and swallow handfuls of supplements, she'd turned to Justin for help. She'd told him she hated the taste, asked if he could intervene.

His response?

"That's your problem. It has nothing to do with me."

She was his wife. But her feelings? They had nothing to do with him.

Back then, she'd thought he simply didn't care enough. Now she realized the truth was far worse—his indifference ran bone-deep.

He'd been secretly dosing her with contraceptives while watching her choke down Elizabeth's remedies like some kind of circus act. Even enemies didn't deserve this level of cruelty.

"Would you just drink it already!"

Hazel was practically vibrating with impatience, still pinching her nose.

"Drink!" Elizabeth barked.

Karen said nothing, but her furrowed brow made her position clear. She wanted Joanna to comply but couldn't bring herself to push.

Joanna lifted the bowl and forced the bitter liquid down her throat, swallowing her revulsion along with it.

No matter how vile it tasted, this would be the last time.

After today, she'd never drink another drop.

After dinner, Elizabeth had the servants load Justin's car with freshly prepared medicine packets.

Karen handed Joanna a container of homemade cupcakes, her expression warm and motherly. "I know all this medicine has been hard on you, sweetheart. Take a week off, then start again."

In other words: keep taking it.

Joanna only thanked her. She didn't argue.

Karen assumed she'd agreed and walked them to the door.

Joanna had taken a cab to the estate. Now that Justin was here, convention dictated she should ride home with him.

But given how much he despised her, she doubted he wanted her company. She had no intention of humiliating herself by presuming otherwise. She didn't move toward the passenger seat until Karen urged, "It's cold out. Get in the car."

She glanced back. Justin was already in the driver's seat, engine running but not moving. Clearly waiting for her.

After a moment's hesitation, she climbed in.

Night had fallen. Traffic flowed past in streams of light. Inside the car, silence pressed down so heavily she could hear her own breathing.

Joanna stared at the distant neon signs until her eyes burned dry. Finally, she looked away, straightening in her seat. She turned to study the man beside her.

Three years ago, she'd had feelings for someone else. But circumstances had forced her hand, and she'd accepted the arranged marriage to Justin.

From the moment she'd agreed to marry him, she'd pushed aside every other attachment and devoted herself to building a life with him. To making their marriage work. To having his children.

She'd poured everything into him. And in return, he'd told her she wasn't worthy of bearing his child.

If she wasn't worthy, then why had he married her in the first place?

She couldn't make sense of it. She stopped trying.

They'd rushed into this marriage. There was no need to overthink the ending.

She looked away—then froze.

Her gaze snagged on something. She looked again, just to be sure.

A lipstick mark. On his collar.

Her pupils contracted.

Lillian had a cold, and they'd still found time for that?

The sight stung like acid in her eyes. Joanna turned back to the window, lips twisting into a bitter smile.

She wasn't worthy of having his children. But apparently, Lillian was.

Fine. She'd step aside and let them have each other.

"Justin." Her voice trembled slightly as she said his name.

Justin glanced at her. "If you have something to say, say it."

He'd noticed her staring earlier but deliberately ignored it. If she had something to tell him, she'd speak up. If she stayed silent, it meant nothing was wrong.

After a pause, he added, "If you're going to complain about me not coming home with you earlier, don't bother. When you called, Lillian was getting an IV. She needed someone there—"

"Justin, let's get a divorce."

She cut him off, the words she'd been rehearsing finally spilling out.

The moment they left her mouth, the weight in her chest lifted.

If there was no future here, better to end it now. Save them both the suffering.

She straightened, meeting his eyes with resolve. "Pick a time. Let's file the papers as soon as possible."

The car screeched to a halt at a red light.

Justin's knuckles went white on the steering wheel. His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek.

After several long seconds, his expression smoothed. When the light turned green, he eased the car forward. "Joanna, I don't have time for your tantrums. I already told you—Lillian and I aren't what you think."

"This isn't about her."

Justin despised her. Even without Lillian, there would eventually be someone else.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum, Justin. I want a divorce as soon as possible. As for your mother and grandmother, I think it's better if you tell them yourself."

Another stretch of silence. Justin inhaled sharply. "I said, stop it. Before you throw a fit, think about whether you can actually afford to."

His tone turned cold. Clinical.

"Your family only got that investment from Lawson Corporation because you married me. If we divorce and we pull out, do you really think your father's company can survive? And what about your grandfather?"

He pressed on, merciless. "Your grandfather has a heart condition. His medical bills are astronomical. You haven't worked in years—the Lawson family has been supporting you. Without us, how exactly do you plan to pay for his care?"

Was that really what he thought of her?

Did he honestly believe she was clinging to the Lawson family for money? That she'd never agree to a divorce because she needed their wealth?

Joanna didn't bother defending herself.

"I'll have a lawyer draft the divorce agreement tomorrow. Make time to sign it."

Justin's phone rang.

He connected it to the car's Bluetooth. Lillian's voice filled the space between them.

"Justin, a pipe burst in my apartment. Can you help me find a plumber?"

Justin's response was immediate. "I'm on my way."

He ended the call, hit the gas, then slammed on the brakes. His voice was ice. "Get out."

They were one block from Lakeside Gardens. One block from home.

He was sending her out into the cold so he could rush to Lillian's side.

A burst pipe. Something he could fix with a single phone call. But no—he had to go himself. Right now. The moment she'd asked for a divorce.

Lillian's place in his heart was crystal clear.

Joanna didn't argue. She opened the door and stepped out.

The winter night cut through her coat like knives. Joanna pulled it tighter and started walking.

Less than a mile. By the time she reached the house, she was frozen through—body and soul.

But the walk had given her clarity. She knew exactly what she needed to do.

After her mother's death, the Sterling family had stopped being her home.

Her grandfather's heart was fragile. She'd have to wait before telling him about the divorce. She couldn't just show up at his place with her luggage. She needed somewhere to stay.

So the next day, she didn't just have a lawyer draft divorce papers—she found a rental through an agency. Furnished, move-in ready.

The divorce agreement was simple: she'd take nothing.

Not a penny of the Lawson family's money.

She left the agreement and her wedding ring on the desk in Justin's study. At three o'clock that afternoon, she wheeled her suitcase out of Lakeside Gardens for the last time.

That evening, storm clouds gathered. Wind tore through a half-open window in the study, scattering papers across the floor.

The housekeeper noticed and rushed to close it. She gathered up the documents and stacked them neatly in the corner of the desk.

After one final check, she left.

She didn't notice the wedding ring that had rolled into the gap between the desk and the wall.