The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 135

Riley felt that since they returned from Statenbury, Pierce had changed.

Though he remained incredibly busy, he now made a point to spend his free time at home with her and their daughter. He even started talking to her about work—what he had accomplished that day, or the reasons behind his late nights at the office.

To Riley, it felt like a passive way of accounting for his whereabouts. It also gave her the unsettling feeling that he was trying to back out of the divorce and win her back.

This was a terrible sign.

So, that night, when Pierce brought up work again, she cut straight to the chase. "You really don't need to tell me all of this. The cooling-off period ends in a week. The only thing standing between us is a piece of paper. Whether in your personal life or your career, you are completely free."

Pierce frowned at her. "Do you really want to divorce me that badly?"

Riley's voice was devoid of emotion. "Yes."

Pierce felt a sharp sting at her unhesitating response. He had been trying to win her over. For days, he had bent over backward, accommodating her every mood. No matter how cold she was, he remained patient and indulgent.

He was trying to show her his commitment to changing, yet she refused to acknowledge his efforts at all. What was the point of doing any of this?

His patience snapping, his expression turned icy. "Have you thought about the consequences of divorcing me?"

But she fought down the surging emotions, refusing to show a shred of weakness in front of Pierce. She just stared at him coldly. "You really know how to twist the truth. You were the one who committed adultery to satisfy your selfish desires. I simply refuse to stay with a man who betrayed our family, and suddenly I'm the one at fault?"

A flash of guilt crossed Pierce's eyes, and his tone softened again. "I made a mistake, but I've changed. Do it for Alora. Give me one more chance. I promise I will do everything in my power to make it up to you, to spoil you, to protect you, and to give you and our daughter the best life possible."

Riley shook her head. "It's impossible. I gave you my whole heart, and you threw it away. No matter how much you try to make up for it, or how sweet you are, the betrayal is like a massive gorge carved into my heart. It will always be there, and I can never cross it."

Seeing that Riley was completely impervious to both reason and emotion, Pierce's expression turned frigid once more. "Riley, even criminals are given a chance to rehabilitate. I made one mistake, and you're insisting on giving me the death penalty?"