The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 21

Navier's heart clenched at the sight of Aubrey's theatrical vulnerability.

She'd only ever seen him strong and confident, so it meant Lysander's fault.

Her eyes turned glacial as she protectively shifted Aubrey behind her.

"Lysander, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you attacking him?"

Her cold gaze pierced Lysander's heart like a knife.

He stared at her in disbelief, almost laughing from sheer frustration.

"I didn’t even touch him, and you’re already taking his side? You’ve changed, Navier."

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Navier—who once followed him like a shadow—would one day defend another man and condemn him without reason.

Who was the crazy one here?

Lysander studied her intently, desperate to catch even the slightest hint of her true feelings.

But Navier remained detached, her brow furrowing with impatience.

"Changed? Of course people change. Besides, we're divorced—you have no business disturbing my life anymore."

"Shouldn't you be back home playing house with your precious Ophelia? I heard you proposed to her. Congratulations. I wish you both endless happiness and eternal love."

"Ophelia? We both know whether she's really Ophelia or just Celeste Stanley, don't we?"

"This is another one of your games, isn’t it? Playing hard to get so I’ll chase you? Well, congratulations. It worked."

Lysander's chest heaved with anger, his words coming through clenched teeth.

"You can stop hiring actors to make me jealous now. Come back to America with me. I won't remarry you, but I'll compensate you generously."

All he knew was that he couldn't stand her with someone else. He just wanted her by his side.

After a long silence, Lysander finally spoke. "Fine. I accept that you don't love me anymore. But at least let me do what an older brother should do—make sure you’re not with the wrong guy."

"A brother?" Navier laughed mockingly. "A brother who slept with me, married me and forced abortions on me? Just admit it. You have fallen for me, isn't it?"

Her bitter laughter spoke volumes. She found her past self almost comically naive.

She'd tried so hard for so long and never won his heart. So she'd made the sensible choice to give up.

She'd even prepared him the Ophelia lookalike he'd been desperate for—what more could he possibly want?

Why was it only now, when she'd finally started building a new life, that he suddenly developed feelings for her?

But the belated affection she no longer needed it.