Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 377

Chapter 377

“Pathetic!” Aiden mocked him.

“What about you, then?” Lucas shot back.

“Remember what we said back in the day? To make something of ourselves, to rise above everyone else, and to become the top dogs,” Aiden said.

“Then why were you so out of it?” Lucas asked. “Don’t tell me you fought with Sonia last night, and now she’s ignoring you.”

“She ignored me?” Aiden scoffed. “She left and wanted a divorce. Think that can pressure me? Keep dreaming. If we split, plenty of young girls will line up to marry me. Who would want her?”

His mind had been elsewhere during the meeting, but it was not on Sonia.

“That’s not how it works,” Lucas tried.

“Isn’t it? You’re too soft,” Aiden cut him off. “A real man shouldn’t let a woman control him like that. Every time we go out, doesn’t Isabelle call to check when you’re coming home? And you just put up with it. You’re the one earning money, not her. Grow a backbone.”

Lucas didn’t argue with that. “I guess I’m just not that assertive, but I like it this way. I follow you guys at work and listen to Isabelle at home. I don’t need to overthink things. So, now it’s your turn to show some spine. What do we do now?”

Vance remained silent, and Aiden grew frustrated. “Stop spacing out, Vance! Are you still thinking about why we work so hard?”

Vance winced. “I am.”

“Have you figured it out yet?” Lucas asked, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

If both Vance and Aiden checked out, he couldn’t carry the company alone.

Vance drifted into memories. “To make something out of ourselves and to rise above others. That’s what I said back then, I wanted to prove that without my father’s support, I could still succeed. Starting from nothing, I would do even better than those who relied on their families.”

“That’s it!” Aiden said. “So, why have you been wandering like a lost soul?”

“Because…” Vance narrowed his eyes. “I got married to Rebecca, who lost her future because of me. That’s when my goals changed. I pushed harder, not just for my own future, but for hers too. I wanted to support her for the rest of her life and give her the very best of everything.”

Lucas wanted to say something, but eventually held back.

When he had gone home last night, Isabelle had lectured him, calling the three of them the worst kind of

scum.

1/2

+25 Bonus

He felt unfair. Though he shared some faults with Aiden and Vance, his fidelity was intact. He was loyal to Isabelle and had never crossed the line.

“If you were as rotten in that aspect, do you think you’d still be standing here talking to me?” she had responded.

Aiden voiced what Lucas was thinking. “Snap out of it, Vance. Rebecca doesn’t want you anymore.”

He went even further. “Don’t be so pathetic. A successful man having a few women on the side is normal. As long as their position stays secure, that’s enough. They demand more and more because you’ve spoiled them.”

“Vance, I honestly don’t understand you. You said you didn’t love Rebecca, and you two never even… Well, consummated your marriage, right?” Lucas chimed in. “I thought when Cathy came back, you’d divorce Rebecca and finally be with her. Sure, it wasn’t the most honorable thing, but as your friend, I would have supported you. I backed you guys. And now, look at yourself.”