She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 111

Hilda Cassidy and Luther Sanford's eyes locked.

One gaze was bitter, the other conflicted.

Having shared a bed for so long, they understood each other implicitly; Hilda instantly knew his decision—he had chosen Jolie.

Hilda didn't care; she just felt a wave of disgust.

Why couldn't he wait?

Why couldn't he handle this with some dignity?

Why let their child see this?

She had already moved out of the villa, and she was perfectly willing to get a divorce. Why couldn't he spare her and their child a shred of dignity instead of humiliating her in public and breaking little Annie's heart?

The little girl buried her face in her mother's chest, staring in shock as her father embraced another woman.

A five-year-old was old enough to understand pieces of it.

Kids at her kindergarten had single parents.

Suddenly, she understood why her mom had moved out.

Suddenly, she understood why she hadn't seen her dad in days.

It was because he had a new girlfriend.

And maybe they'd have a new baby soon.

Tears slipped from Annie's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to cry out loud, merely murmuring a soft, "Daddy."

Luther stared at them in shock.

His grip on Jolie Lovell loosened slightly.

As he took a step toward his wife and daughter, Jolie called out softly, "Luther."

He patted her hand gently. "Go back to your room. I'll take care of this."

With that simple sentence, he had sold out his wife and child.

Jolie understood exactly what he meant.

Tears of joy sprang to her eyes, and she covered her mouth, scarcely daring to believe it—

He had chosen her.

He still loved her.

Only after Jolie left did Luther slowly approach Hilda and Annie. He reached out to pat Annie's head, his voice soft but laced with accusation. "There was no need to bring her here. Adult matters shouldn't involve children. Let's not argue in public. We'll talk when we get back."

Annie twisted her body away.

She clearly didn't want him touching her.

Hilda let out a bitter, silent laugh. She didn't even have the energy to lash out, speaking in a flat, matter-of-fact tone. "Annie had a fever. I brought her here to see a doctor, not to catch a cheating husband in the act. Luther, I've had a long, exhausting day and I have no time to discuss personal matters with you. Let's pick another time. Just set a date to sign the papers, whatever works. I've left behind everything you gave me. We have no tangled finances, and certainly no feelings left. It's a very simple matter—just pick a convenient day and let's get it over with. Don't complicate things. I'm tired, I'm drained, and our child is exhausted and needs to get to bed. As for whatever romantic entanglements you have with your mistress, no one cares. Well, maybe the tabloid reporters will."

Luther frowned slightly.

Yet she could still empathize with her mother.

She reached up with a chubby little hand to wipe her mother's tears.

"Don't cry, Mommy."

"I'll always stay with you."

Hilda wanted to smile, but her facial muscles were trembling uncontrollably. Finally, she just hugged Annie tight.

Late at night.

The darkness outside was thick and heavy.

It felt just like the past, just like countless nights from her childhood.

But tonight, she had found her salvation.

—Because of Annie.

Her daughter had never been a burden.

Whenever she was on the verge of breaking, Annie gave her the courage to keep going.

When reason slipped away, she remembered she was a mother.

She had a responsibility.

And that responsibility was greater than love.