The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 216

But Leonard always felt that as the man of the house, his authority shouldn't be questioned. Even if he made mistakes, he believed Grace should have guided him softly, not confronted him with such sharp, unyielding criticism. He wanted a wife who stroked his ego, and her fierce independence was something he simply couldn't handle.

He thought she would stay fiercely stubborn forever. He never expected that, to secure a divorce, she would eventually bow her head.

He remembered the night vividly. She had dressed in his favorite outfit, kept her eyes downcast, and offered to cook him dinner if he just came home. The rush of toxic triumph he felt that night was indescribable.

He had bragged to his drinking buddies. *"See? Treating them cold works every time. It doesn't matter how tough a woman acts; ignore her, and she'll come crawling back."* His friends had showered him with praises and toasted to his dominance.

Drunk on alcohol and his own ego, he went home, basking in Grace's sudden submissiveness. Seeing her so compliant, he threw her onto the bed like a king granting a favor. *"You overthink everything. Let's have another baby. Give me a son, and I swear I'll drop all the mistresses. I'll focus on the family, and the four of us will live a good life."*

He could still hear Grace's response with perfect clarity. The woman who had been gentle her whole life, yet unwavering in her morals, dragged her nails across his face, leaving deep, bloody scratches.

*"In your dreams, Leonard!"* she had spat, her voice trembling with disgust. *"You sicken me. I thought you might look at the last shred of history between us and just sign the papers so I could take Nora. I didn't want a dime from you. But you don't even deserve that kindness! I am taking you to court, and I am taking every single thing that belongs to me and my daughter!"*

That was the first time Leonard struck her.

What followed were months of endless, vicious screaming matches. Eventually, his cruelty won out. He ruthlessly kicked a penniless Grace and Nora out of the house. Shortly after, Mia and her mother moved in, taking over the mansion as the new lady of the house and the pampered heiress.

Recalling his monstrous behavior deepened the pit of regret in Leonard's stomach. Looking at Nora now, his tone grew imploringly soft.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify