A Contract Marriage After a ONS novel Chapter 1616

"My head is very clear, and I'm quite serious about this. I meant every word I said."

"You don't have the faintest idea about what's going on here! Don’t forget the reason why we got divorced in the first place. As a man, you told your wife you'd developed feelings for another woman. Do you know what that meant?"

Grace still had the grim smile on her face.

"Having feelings for that woman meant that you'd already thought of living with her. We've divorced, and now you’re telling your ex-wife you want to get back with her and start anew. I don't know how you have the nerves to make a request like that!

"Do you think you can make all the harm you did her and the scars you left on her heart disappear? She has a thorn sticking in her heart, one that can never be removed. Understand?"

Looking at her face, Charlie felt a surge of guilt. "I'm sure I'll figure something out!"

"You're always so bumptious and overconfident. There's no way I'm going to forgive a man who betrayed me. That thorn is rooted in my heart. Do you know what I'm saying?"

After hearing the repeated contradictions from her, Charlie felt rather resigned, unable to find a way to extricate himself from the situation.

"Is there a way to get rid of that thorn?" he asked after a long moment's silence.

"A way?" Grace's lips curved into a wintry and sardonic smile. "The thorn is rooted in the flesh. How is it possible to dispose of it?

Charlie stared fixedly at her, his eyes glinting with eager anticipation.

"Don't look at me like that. You denied our past when you questioned our marriage and bonding. You know very well I'm not the right woman for you.

"You found a woman who's more suitable for you. I have my pride and self-esteem. I'm not a shameless woman. You wanted me to let go of you, and I did..."

Grace continued, "But you should be fully aware of what I chose to give up when I agreed to grant you your freedom: you, your heart, and your feelings. Now you don't mean shit to me!

"No. Shit disgusts me. You mean even less to me than a piece of shit does. I believe I’ve made it very clear. Do you understand?"

The distress on Charlie's face deepened, but he still said, "Grace, the kid is still here. You shouldn't have said those vulgar words. They'd exert a negative influence on him."

"Cut the crap. What we're talking about is between us. Eaton is too young to understand the meaning of those words, so stop lecturing me this way, and don't change the subject!" Grace didn't fall for his trick. "Can you leave now?"

Charlie glanced at his wristwatch and saw that it was indeed getting late. After thinking for a brief moment, he said, "How about we go and have lunch together?"

"I don’t have time for that, and I’m not in the mood for having lunch, especially not with you. Just leave." She demanded that

he leave the suite.

"In no circumstance will I give up on you or Eaton." Charlie's face grew grave, and his tone of voice was somber like never before.

"That’s your business. I don't give a damn about it. But now I feel obliged to tell you two things. The first one is that you can go somewhere warm when you feel cold, but it's next to impossible to warm a heart that's gone cold.

"The second one: it's not disagreement but apathy that ruins a relationship. When you give your significant other the silent treatment, you’re hurting both her feelings and your own. Now you can fully understand what I mean, I suppose?

"I'm going to warn you one last time: do not make me hate you more!"

Standing where he was, Charlie

compressed his lips which now felt even drier. Eventually, he kept silent.

As if he weren't there, Grace held Eaton in her arms, heated some formula and began to feed him.