The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 515

Her phone buzzed again. Looking down, she saw another message from Pierre.

[Don't overthink it. You've come too far to turn back.]

Lydia stared at the text but didn't reply. Setting the phone on the nightstand, she lay back and stared at the ceiling. The piercing white overhead light was still on, but she didn't get up to turn it off. She just lay there, her mind swimming with everything Pierre had just said. She had no idea what was going to happen tomorrow, nor what the fallout of this action would be. The only thing she knew for certain was that she was out of options.

She rolled over, burying her face into the pillow. The fabric was damp; she had cried at some point without even realizing it. Without making a sound, she lay facedown, her shoulders trembling with silent sobs.

Paris. Genevieve's apartment.

It was a detached villa in The 16th District, moderately sized but elegant. The living room was brightly lit, and a woman in her forties sat on the sofa. She wore a dark red dress, her hair elegantly pinned up, and her makeup was flawless. Yet, her eyes were brimming with anxiety. Leon sat across from her, holding a glass of whiskey he hadn't touched.

"Mom, why exactly did you call me here?"

Genevieve looked at him, taking a deep breath. "Leon, things haven't been going smoothly for you with your father lately."

Leon's fingers paused on his glass. "What are you trying to say?"

Genevieve stood up, walking to the staircase, and called out, "Elaine, come down."

Footsteps sounded from upstairs. A woman in her early thirties descended the steps. She wore a light purple dress, her hair loose around her shoulders, and her makeup was minimal. Her features were delicate, her skin radiant, and her figure slender. She walked with a quiet elegance, like a tranquil flower.

Leon's brow furrowed. "Who is this..."

"This is Elaine. Your cousin," Genevieve walked over, taking Elaine's hand and leading her over to Leon. "Do you remember her? You met when you were kids."

Leon looked at Elaine. She kept her head down, her fingers nervously clutching the fabric of her skirt.

"Elaine," Leon greeted her.

Elaine looked up, glancing at him briefly before lowering her head again. "Leon."

Genevieve guided Elaine to sit on the sofa before taking a seat herself. She looked at Leon, lowering her voice.

"Leon, I need to tell you something."

Leon leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs. "What is it?"

Genevieve hesitated before speaking. "Elaine got divorced."

Leon's brow twitched. "When did that happen?"

"Last month," Genevieve's voice was soft. "She was married for seven years but never had a child. She went to the hospital for a check-up recently, and the doctor said..." She paused. "The doctor said she's infertile."

Leon's gaze landed on Elaine. She kept her head down, her fingers gripping her skirt so tightly her knuckles were white.