Ignore Hubby and Son's Regret Shining Now novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 I’m Done with This Family

Demi slept soundly through the night. The next morning, she came downstairs, planning to make herself breakfast.
But before she even reached the kitchen, the smell of food filled the air.
It was Rhea. She had already made breakfast for everyone and was now grinding coffee for Nevin by hand.
When Rhea saw Demi, she smiled politely. “Good morning, Demi. You’re up! Come, I made sandwiches. I hope you’ll like them.”
“Rhea’s cooking is wonderful. Who wouldn’t like them?” Orion chimed in brightly.
Then he sneaked a glance at his mother, his face showing a mix of fear and guilt.
He was scared of his mom, and he hated her a little, too.
Mom seemed so strange lately. Why did she always look at me coldly?
Every time he praised Rhea, Demi used to get upset but would still try harder to please him. That way, he could use her guilt to skip tutoring and have more time to play.
Demi could almost guess what her son was thinking. She gave a small, ironic smile.
Did Orion really think I couldn’t see through his little tricks?
Once upon a time, she had hated Rhea because she couldn’t accept her husband had a lover.
When it came to Rhea caring for Orion, Demi had always turned a blind eye.
After all, Orion was the eldest grandson. When she gave birth, Erin Blackwell, her mother-in-law, had reminded her countless times never to relax with the boy’s education.
Demi had always wanted him to grow up happy. She knew her son was lively and sweet.
He loved comic books, video games, and the outdoors. But as Nevin’s wife and the well-known Mrs. Blackwell in high society, she had to appear strict and proper.
Because of this, Orion would often run to his father and complain she was too harsh.
What he didn’t know was that Demi had studied every major education system from around the world. She tried her best to balance discipline with play.
On the outside, she looked serious and unkind. But back when Rhea was her intern, Demi had personally drawn a set of storybook manuals and asked her to use them to help Orion learn through play.
Orion’s favorite dish—orange-glazed fish—was one Rhea had learned directly from Demi.
Demi never imagined that what she once taught with care would someday cut her like a knife. Her face turned cold, a trace of disbelief and quiet despair in her eyes.
“What are you wearing?” She asked flatly.
She didn’t expect Demi’s first words to be that. Rhea hesitated, her voice small and timid.
“I-it’s a dress. I didn’t have any clean clothes last night, so I just grabbed one from the closet. Demi, what’s wrong?”
What’s wrong?
A stranger was standing there in her clothes, making coffee for her husband and breakfast for her son. And Rhea had the nerve to ask what was wrong?
Nevin sensed Demi was about to make a scene. He frowned and cut in, “Demi, it’s just a dress. Don’t overreact.”
He added, almost impatiently, “You still have the card I gave you. You can buy a hundred new ones.”
Demi let out a short, bitter laugh.
Her stomach twisted. She wasn’t sure if it was from morning sickness or disgust.
“Nevin,” she said quietly, “did you forget what that dress was?”
It was the dress she’d worn for their first night together.
Back then, Demi had just graduated—young, curious, and full of dreams.
At a business party, she thought she could help her company land a million-dollar deal. She drank too much trying to impress the clients, only to realize too late that someone had spiked her drink. That night, by accident and fate, she ended up in bed with Nevin.
The next morning, she woke up to find her clothes torn beyond repair. She sat on the edge of the bed, face burning red with embarrassment.
Nevin had found her shy reaction adorable. He sent his assistant to buy her that couture dress and later transferred her to be his personal secretary.
Demi remembered every detail. That dress marked the beginning of everything between them.
Nevin had forgotten all of it. He even let Rhea wear the same thing she once had. It was revolting.
Nevin stared at Demi, trying to read her face. A mocking smile tugged at his lips, and a strange glint flickered in his dark eyes.
“What is it?” he asked coldly. “Say it.
“Demi, are you seriously this sentimental over a dress?”
Sensing the tension rising in the room, Rhea hurried forward, grabbing Demi’s hand as if frightened.
“Demi, please don’t blame Mr. Blackwell,” Rhea said softly, her voice trembling. “He didn’t know anything. I put it on without asking.
“Mr. Blackwell felt sorry for me that he didn’t make me take it off. I didn’t realize it bothered you so much.
“I’m so sorry, Demi. I’ll change it out now. Please don’t be upset!”
Rhea pleaded softly, eyes brimming with tears that threatened to fall at any second.
Demi felt sick. She yanked her hand away. “It’s fine. That dress looks great on you. It’s yours now.”
She gave a faint, bitter smile. “In fact, take whatever you like from my closet. Clothes, shoes—whatever catches your eye, including … ”
Her gaze lifted to Nevin. She let out a mocking smile.
“Everything I have in this house is yours.”
“Demi!”
Nevin finally lost control at the declaration. He slammed his hand on the table, his voice bursting with anger.
“Do you have to push her into corner?”
Demi laughed faintly, her tone icy. “I’m not the one doing the pushing here, Nevin. You two are.”
Ring! Ring!
A notification tone cut through the tension. Demi glanced at her phone.
Countdown: 13 days left.
At this rate, she thought, she might not even last until then.
Every day, Nevin managed to push her a little further, testing just how much of her pride she had left.
Today it was a dress. What would it be tomorrow?
Her thoughts froze when she caught a faint scent from Rhea’s body—perfume.
Perfume?
The scent was faint at first, almost like natural body fragrance. From a distance, Demi hadn’t noticed it, but up close, it was strong and unmistakable.
Her face went pale. Demi had always been sensitive to smells. Her mind flashed to the rule she’d once written in her notebook.
3. He can’t stand women who wear perfume.
A bitter laugh rose in her chest. So that’s how it is, Nevin.
All your rules disappear the moment she’s around?
Demi suddenly laughed, but tears slipped down her cheeks without warning. In that instant, she realized she couldn’t wait for the countdown anymore.
She just wanted to leave now.
Her parents were waiting. Her grandfather was waiting. Even her childhood friends were waiting.
So why was she still here? Why was Nevin still standing there, letting another woman humiliate her, letting Rhea trample over the ten best years of her life?
“If you think I’m pushing you,” Nevin said coldly, “then get out of my house.”
His eyes were sharp, his voice cutting. Nevin finally exploded.
“All you ever do is sulk around the house like the world owes you something. Demi, didn’t you say you wanted a divorce? Fine. Let’s do it.”
Demi’s chest rose and fell, her voice shaking with emotion. “Fine! Then let’s—”
She didn’t finish. Her breath caught as she clutched her chest, face turning red, gasping for air.
Her wide eyes darted toward Rhea in disbelief.
That perfume.
It’s a floral scent!
Demi’s lips twisted into a faint, broken smile. “Nevin, if you wanted me dead,” she spoke hoarsely, “you could’ve just said so.”
Then everything went black.