---- Chapter 4 Carly looked at me through tears as she explained, "Trene, Simon only helped me because of you. There's nothing between us! "He only said those things because he was feeling sorry for me. Please don't take it seriously." She looked so fragile and vulnerable that Simon's expression softened with even more sympathy. He glanced at Carly with a protective tenderness, then gently took my hand and whispered, "I said those things out of anger. Don't-" "It's okay. No need to explain." Simon opened his mouth, as if wanting to argue, but the words caught in his throat and he stayed silent. A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I stepped toward Natalie. "I've completed the copy of the ancient painting you asked me to replicate. I ---- brought it today as a small token of my respect." Simon's hand reached for mine but found only empty air. Uneasy, he stood beside me, though his gaze never left the fragile Carly, who seemed on the verge of collapse. Natalie smiled gently as she accepted the painting, her eyes sharp and unreadable as she looked at Simon. "As an outsider, you have no right to meddle in the Schumans' affairs. Besides, Carly schemed her way into our family and married Ryan. She should accept what she's going through now without complaint." Hearing this, Carly cast a pitiful glance at Simon." Now that the Schumans hate me, living feels like a torment. I guess we won't be together in this life. Maybe we'll meet again in the next." With that, she staggered toward the door, looking as if she wanted to end it all. Simon's eyes burned with fury. He rushed forward ---- and scooped her up in his arms. "As long as I'm here, no one will lay a hand on you!" Amid the chaos and noise, I, his legitimate wife, was left abandoned in the living room, feeling like a ridiculous clown. I stood frozen, and when I lifted my eyes, tears welled up, blurring my vision. "Mrs. Schuman, I'm tired. My relationship with Simon is over. Please help me deliver this divorce agreement to him." Natalie looked surprised for a moment before nodding in acceptance. I showed no emotion and left the Schumans' residence. On the way home, memories flooded my mind without end. Thad once been engaged to Ryan, only to have him publicly call off the engagement because of Carly. Now, he had grown tired of Carly as well, and her