She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 122

Hilda's fingers trembled slightly as she slowly looked up.

Luther was watching her from across the table.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Leave us."

Attorney Crane and the rest of the legal team froze.

This was a settlement worth hundreds of billions. How could they not have professional legal counsel present? Were they really going to talk about their feelings right in the middle of a divorce?

Luther's tone turned icy. "I said, leave us."

His temper had always been volatile. No one dared to stick around; they quickly filed out of the room.

Once everyone was gone, Luther stood up, walked over to Hilda, and crouched in front of her. He tilted his head back, his gaze locked onto hers.

The office was dead silent. It was just the two of them.

It felt just like their wedding night, when Hilda had sat there, waiting for him with a heart full of joy. Yet, in the end, it had all turned into a shattered mess.

Luther didn't speak. He simply covered her hand—and the pen she was holding—with his own, remaining motionless for a long time. Hilda didn't pull away. She sat quietly, letting him hold her hand until, after what felt like an eternity, he abruptly let go and said hoarsely, "If there are no issues, sign it."

She quickly signed her name and slid the document toward him. There was not a single trace of hesitation—only a sense of quiet relief over the five-billion-dollar settlement.

For a split second, Luther felt a flash of disorientation. He almost wondered if Hilda had ever loved him at all.

If she had loved him, how could she not show a single ounce of reluctance? How could she sign it so cleanly? But he kept his swirling thoughts to himself. He had made the choice to accept Jolie. To save her life, he was sacrificing his marriage to Hilda, paying a massive price to do so.

He took the pen and signed his name. Their signatures sat side by side. Perhaps for the last time.

Five years of marriage ended just like that. In reality, they had only truly been together for a short six months.

Having signed the papers, Hilda prepared to leave. She had a meeting scheduled shortly with Naomi Zeller to discuss launching their joint venture. She really didn't have the time to waste on emotional entanglements. But just as she stood up, Luther grabbed her slender wrist.

She looked into his eyes. His gaze was deep, swirling with an intense, lingering attachment that almost made her want to laugh. If he was so attached, why had he chosen Jolie? Maintaining her dignity, she murmured, "Let go, Luther. We're done."

His jaw clenched tight.

A moment later, as if completely losing control, he yanked her into his arms.

He had meant to kiss her.

Hilda couldn't pull away.

Her face was pressed firmly against his chest.

After a moment, her voice came out rough and raspy. "Stop trashing the love I used to have for you."

"Luther, we either spend our lives together or we make a clean break. There is absolutely no universe where I become your side piece. Need I remind you we have a child? Where does that leave Annie and me? If you're so in love with Jolie, stop harassing me. It makes me sick. I have never wanted her leftovers, and that includes you."

Finishing her piece, she shoved him hard. But he wouldn't budge.

He clung to her, dipping his head as he desperately tried to capture her lips.

Loss makes people lose their minds, and right now, he was completely unhinged.

Right at that moment, the office door swung open.

Jolie walked in. She stood frozen, staring at Luther forcefully holding Hilda. The look on the man's face wasn't just physical desire; it was the raw, undeniable agony of a man deeply in love.

—Luther was in love with Hilda?