The Charming Ex-Wife by Gwendolyn

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Don’t Take Me For A Fool

Lysander felt that while she had failed in love, she could succeed in her career. The report that had been tormenting her for over two months was finally completed after one all-nighter.

At five-thirty in the morning, Daphne called her. “Tmsetting off now. I should be there in about an hour.

Lysander was touched. “You didn’t have to leave so early; you could have set off around seven.”

Daphne sighed. “If I leave any later, I’ll get into rush hour traffic!”

“In that case, thank you. How about I treat you to a meal later?”

“Forget it. Why are we being so formal? Hurry up and pack. I hate waiting for people.”

Lysander didn’t have much to pack, just her phone charger and a few personal items. She had already prepared everything, and her backpack was sitting on the coffee table in the living room, ready to go. As she hadn’t planned on writing the report during this trip, she didn’t bring her laptop and had typed everything on her phone, which made her eyes sore.

With some time before Daphne arrived, she got up and went to the balcony. The morning in the mountains was cool, with a refreshing chill in the air that somehow felt invigorating. She took a few deep breaths as if she could exhale all the impurities from her body. While the luxury suite was nice with its wraparound balcony where guests could enjoy the mountain views, there was also a downside -there was a couple fighting upstairs.

It was quiet in the morning in the mountains, and standing on the terrace on the second floor, she could clearly hear the argument on the eighth floor. She knew it was the eighth floor because she

was now very sensitive to Lysanne’s voice and was able to place it accurately with just a brief listen.

Lysanne seemed to be crying, and very sadly at that. “So, you don’t want me anymore. Is that it?”

“I’m already married.” Josiah’s voice sounded cold.

“But you love me.”

He was silent.

“Josiah, the woman you married has a name similar to mine. Dare you say it’s not because of me?”

Josiah chuckled and his words were even tinged with sarcasm. “Who are you asking me this question. as? A best friend?”

“Josiah, you’re blaming me.”

He sneered, the faint smell of tobacco lingering in the air as he lit another cigarette.

“It’s right for you to blame me; you’ve been so good to me since we were kids, and I was the one who let you down first, but now, I know I’m to blame, very grievously at that.”

His reply was somewhat aggressive. “You’re not. How could you be?”

Lysanne’s voice became softer. “Josiah, can we stop being friends? I want to be yours.

He was silent once again.

“This time, let me take the initiative. I want to propose something to you.”

Lysander couldn’t bear to listen to the rest. The words best friend were like a flimsy barrier; she had been waiting for so long, and today, it finally seemed to have been crossed. She turned back to her room and sat on the edge of the bed, looking through her phone while quietly waiting. No matter what Josiah chose, he would definitely come to find her.

After reading business news for a while and not getting anything from Josiah, she received a message from her mother-in-law Susan.

Lysander, which of these wedding dresses do you think looks the best? Susan had sent over a dozen pictures, all of them wedding dresses.

“Mom/why are you suddenly looking at wedding dresses?”

“I just thought that since you didn’t have a wedding ceremony back then, it should be made up for now that

you have time off for your honeymoon. Our family should give you what you deserve, and you shouldn’t be ignored.”

Lysander’s eyes felt slightly damp.

“Plus, you can choose from a variety of invitation styles, box designs, and door gifts. Just let me know when you’re finished, and don’t worry about anything else. I’ll take care of it.”

As the knock came, her phone continued to vibrate as her mother-in-law sent a plethora of wedding supplies, even going so far as to label them with numbers for her convenience.

“Lysander, are you awake?” It was Josiah’s voice.

Lysander set her phone down and made her way to the door.

He stood outside, his eyes slightly red and his expression unreadable. “Lysander-”

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“-yes.”

“Then come in.” She turned and headed back in, taking a seat in the living room and gesturing to the chair opposite her. “Sit down.”

Josiah pulled out the chair and sat down slowly beside her before glancing around the room and inquiring, “Why haven’t you changed into your pajamas?”

Josiah Guerra.” This was the first time Lysander had addressed him by his full name since their marriage.

“Let’s cut to the chase. Small talk is tedious,” she stated.

After a few minutes, he finally managed it. “Let’s get a divorce.”

“Okay,” she responded promptly, a smile playing on her lips as if he had just mentioned something trivial.

Josiah looked at her in shock. “Aren’t you going to ask why?” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I already know the reason,” reminded Lysander. “Josiah, don’t treat me like a fool.”

He buried his face in his hands, exhaling heavily. “I’m sorry.”

“Congratulations,” she remarked.

He chuckled bitterly. “Congratulations on what?”

“Congratulations on finally fulfilling your wish after over twenty years of waiting for your beloved to

return.”

“You knew all along?” Josiah inquired, “Who told you? Lysanne?”

No one told me, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out,” Lysander replied.

Josiah expressed his pain. “I would’ve wanted to spend the rest of my life with you-”

She finished his sentence. “If Lysanne hadn’t come back.”

He didn’t answer.

She asked, “Is that all? Once we’re done, you can leave Let me know when you’re ready to handle the formalities. But as you know, doctors are busy, and I only have time for these few days off. Please hurry.”

Josiah stated, “I’ll transfer the apartment we lived in to you as compensation.”

“I’m not interested in your pre-marital property. If I need a house, I’ll buy one myself.”

He was momentarily speechless, then took a step back. “If you ever need money, you can come to me and if you encounter any problems in the future, you can also come to me.”

“Josiah, let’s not contact each other after the divorce.”

He forced a smile. “Lysander, you’re a good girl. We may not be husband and wife, but we can still be friends…”

“Friends?” Lysander sneered. “What kind of friends? Best friends?”

This time, Josiah was completely speechless.

She sighed, giving her final statement. “I have plenty of friends, I don’t need more.”

At that moment, the phone rang. It was Daphne. “The traffic was smooth. I’ve already arrived. Come down.”

“Okay. Two minutes.”

“Great, I won’t go to the parking lot but wait for you at the hotel entrance.”

“Alright.”

Lysander slung her single-shoulder bag over her shoulder, ready to leave.

Josiah asked. “Who called you?”

“My friend.” She had already grabbed the door handle but then paused, turned back, and smiled. “A true one.”

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