Chapter 5: Exhausted

Mortimer roughly pulled Chloe into the house, loosened his tie, and coldly said, "I had just finished speaking, and you've already come up with a leukemia story. Chloe, your mind works pretty fast!"

Chloe's breath caught, and she gazed at Mortimer with her calm, dark eyes, suddenly losing the strength to defend herself.

He had shown neither shock nor surprise at her mention of "leukemia." He was only filled with doubt and sarcasm.

"Believe it or not, it's up to you. He really is a doctor, and he's not interested in a married woman like me," Chloe said casually, her eyes showing a suppressed indifference.

"Is that your reason for wanting a divorce? To become single again and be with someone else?" Mortimer glared at her, unable to express the terror he felt.

"Mortimer, don't think of people as dirty as you," Chloe responded, her bones under her skin once again causing her pain, and she winced.

"Am I dirty? Have I pampered you to the point where you think you can do anything, even ask for a divorce?" Mortimer threw her onto the bed.

"No!" Chloe turned away and cried out.

"Mortimer, don't force me to hate you," Chloe said through gritted teeth.

He hesitated for a moment, then forcefully had his way with her.

Chloe fell silent, her fingers tightly gripping the bedsheets, biting her arm hard. A dull pain echoed within her.

She had always known Mortimer's formidable side, but he had always been so restrained and caring toward her. Today, it had only taken a minor misunderstanding for him to reveal his true nature.

She realized that she was no different from the other women he saw outside.

Mortimer, looking down at Chloe with an overbearing attitude, sternly asked, "Do you still want a divorce?"

Chloe remained silent.

He furrowed his brow, bent down to turn her face toward him, but at the moment he saw it, his blood ran cold.

The woman beneath him had a face covered in blood, with a mangled arm, and yet she stubbornly refused to make a sound.

"Have you gone mad?" Mortimer exclaimed in shock, immediately getting up to pick up his phone and make a call.

"Mortimer, I won't go to the hospital," Chloe cried out, exerting her strength.

"You're being unreasonable."

"I told you, I won't go to the hospital!" Chloe suddenly screamed.

Mortimer was stunned by her outburst, and after a moment, he retrieved the medical kit and carefully cleaned and treated her injuries.

Chloe turned her head to look at him, struggling to smile. "Mortimer, are you satisfied now?"

His facial muscles twitched, but he held back his words.

Chloe didn't mind and mumbled to herself, "I remember when we first got together, everyone laughed that you treated me like the apple of your eye. I was proud and felt fortunate that I hadn't chosen the wrong person."

Mortimer held her hand, his heart aching. "Please, don't say anything more, Chloe."

"You said I was afraid of pain, so you told me not to have a child. But I never thought that I wouldn't give birth, and yet there would be so many people willing to have your child. Don't you think?"

"Chloe, it's my fault. Please don't say anything more," Mortimer held her tightly in his arms. He had a premonition that he shouldn't let Chloe continue speaking.

Chloe stared blankly, as if he didn't exist. "Mortimer, I'm exhausted, and I don't love you anymore."

Mortimer's body trembled, and the place within him was suddenly empty.