She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 57

Hilda walked out of the building.

Luther's car had already arrived.

The black Bentley badge gleamed brilliantly under the setting sun. As she approached, the passenger door opened from the inside, and Hilda saw Luther's face. "Get in."

Hilda sat in the car.

She slowly fastened her seatbelt.

Luther stared at her for a few seconds before stepping on the gas and driving off.

He didn't notice the figure standing in the corridor of the building, lighting a cigarette and taking a slow drag. The man's body was hidden by the building's shadow, leaving only the glowing red tip of the cigarette exposed to the sunlight, burning fiercely.

...

The car remained quite silent.

Likely because of the delicate nature of their relationship.

—A murky, physical arrangement.

Even Luther couldn't navigate it with complete ease.

It was a long time before he softly said, "I had Attorney Crane draft a supplementary agreement. When our marriage ends, the marital villa and the apartment you're living in now will be transferred to your name. I'll also give you forty million in cash, so you and the child won't have too hard of a time later on."

Hilda felt a sudden sting in her nose.

—This generosity had come far too late.

Now that she no longer loved Luther, he seemed less disgusted by her, even becoming generous. She figured it must be payment for her companionship and dedication. He was paying for his physical satisfaction. Simply put, it was transaction—he was just buying it from his own wife.

Hilda didn't pretend to be noble by rejecting it.

She said quietly, "Thank you."

The next second, her hand was enveloped in his.

She looked up at Luther, but the man said nothing, keeping his eyes entirely fixed on the road ahead, as if he hadn't grabbed her hand at all. This left Hilda entirely unable to read his intentions. It was just a physical arrangement; there was no need for him to immerse himself in the role like this.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the kindergarten.

Winter was approaching.

It was quite cold out.

Luther told Hilda to wait in the car.

Hilda watched him get out, a complex mix of emotions swirling in her heart. She had loved Luther so deeply. Now, even under the assumption that Annie was an illegitimate child, he was offering money and his time. Truth be told, he was miles better than Sylvan.

The resentment in her heart slowly began to fade.

She thought that even if they separated, it would be a peaceful parting.

Luther returned, carrying little Annie.

It was all going to end eventually, anyway.

Why bother causing herself more stress?

After getting out of the car, Luther went back to acting normal. He carried Annie into a Mexican restaurant famous for its fried chicken and turkey legs. Luther even ordered a signature aperitif for Hilda. When she tried to decline, he looked at her and said mildly, "Drink a little. I'm driving anyway."

Hilda picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

It tasted quite good.

Luther stared straight at her, then pushed a dessert over. "Have something sweet to wash it down."

Hilda basked in the man's attentiveness.

She couldn't help but think: so he *did* know how to act like a lover.

—Back when she was desperately chasing after him.

Every time they ate together, Luther was freezing cold.

Yet she had never tired of it.

At the time, she had naively thought that everything would be fine as long as they got married. Once they were married, they would naturally become close. She never imagined Luther would abandon her in the villa on their wedding night. Four years had flashed by, and now she sat with him in a restaurant, tied to him through a purely physical transaction.

—Who wouldn't feel a sense of tragic irony?