Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband? novel Chapter 526

“Do you really know what your child—and your husband—have been hiding from you?” Sophia’s voice, cold and mocking, echoed down the dimly lit emergency stairwell of the hospital.

Mila froze in place.

What?

Sophia only laughed.

She traced the vivid red handprint blooming across her cheek, her eyes blazing with fury. Suddenly, she leaned in, her tone taunting. “Do you want to know? I could tell you everything—the real truth. I could rip away the lies and show you the world for what it is. You’re just so… pitiful. Ha! Hahahaha!”

Mila took a step back, bumping into the icy wall behind her. The hand gripping the knife trembled uncontrollably.

She hadn’t even heard the truth yet.

Still, fear had already gripped her heart.

Don’t believe her.

This woman hates you—nothing she says can be trusted… But didn’t you always sense that something wasn’t right? That so much just didn’t add up?

And besides—

The Montgomerys are all liars!

Was this really the first time they’d deceived you? How many times have they lied? Are you sure you know all their secrets?

—But my child wouldn’t lie to me!

—He promised he wouldn’t!

Mila forced herself to focus, cold sweat trickling down her back. Her hand, still clutching the knife, gradually steadied. The resolve returned to her eyes.

“I trust my child.”

“He would never do something like that!”

“He promised me!”

Sophia’s laughter faded. She tilted her head, staring at Mila for a long moment. There was a flicker of surprise in her gaze—curiosity even, burning through the anger. How could someone, betrayed so many times, dare to trust again?

And with that curiosity, jealousy flared up—hot, bitter, and wild.

Why do you still have faith? Why do you get to believe, to move on as if nothing ever happened, while the rest of us are drowning in the same swamp of lies?

Why you?

Sophia hated the light in Mila’s eyes. Suddenly, she forgot the plan she and Lysander had agreed on. She wanted nothing more than to tear that faith apart—to ruin it, to pollute it.

Would you break if you knew the truth? The real, ugly truth?

The thought was intoxicating.

“What gives you the right?” Sophia hissed through clenched teeth, a low, bitter laugh escaping her lips. Ignoring the knife, she stepped forward, grabbed Mila’s shoulders, and shoved her back against the wall. Her voice was a near-scream, ragged with rage. “What gives you the right?”

Mila stared at her like she was insane.

It was one thing to rant and rave, but this woman had lunged at her—if Mila hadn’t dodged in time, the knife would’ve actually cut her. She’d only meant to use it as a warning, never to actually hurt anyone.

After all—

She wasn’t going to prison for this.

…

Living room, Pembroke estate.

“So, you really know my mom? Did she send you here? Why didn’t she come herself?” Adrian’s eyes were still red as he stared suspiciously at Mr. Whitmore, who claimed to be a close friend of his mother.

“Yes. I do.”

Forrest answered each question patiently. “Someone in the Pembroke family was badly hurt. Your mom had to check on them first, but she was worried about you too. That’s why she sent the person she trusts most—me, Mr. Whitmore—to stay with you. She’ll be back very soon.”

To reassure Adrian, Forrest pulled out his phone and showed him a photo of himself and Mila back in college.

Adrian’s doubts began to fade.

But another worry crept in, his voice quiet. “Why didn’t Mom come to me first? Doesn’t she believe me? I didn’t push Julian…”

“Of course she believes you.”

Forrest gave him a gentle smile. “It’s just that things are complicated. She had to go to the hospital first to make sure that child was okay. But you know what? Instead of listening to a bunch of adults, why not wait for your mom to come back and ask her yourself?”

Adrian thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll wait for Mom and ask her myself.”

“Good. That’s very brave of you.”

Forrest smiled and ruffled Adrian’s hair.

Adrian flinched, unused to the gesture, but remembering that this was the man his mother had sent to take care of him, he forced himself not to pull away.

Forrest chuckled softly, then asked, “We’ll need to wait a bit longer. Are you hungry?”