The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 83

The man lifted his head, and his face came into view. "Aubrey?" I couldn't help but let a hint of surprise show on my fair face. Out of nowhere, he'd shown up at my home, and it really took me by surprise. It was so strange. We'd been married for four years, yet he'd never once stepped foot inside my home. And now, after our divorce, here he was?

Aubrey just stood there with his lips pressed tightly together as he watched me walking towards him.

I took a deep breath and calmly looked him over. That naturally refined face of his was still as cold and expressionless as ever. "What's the matter?" I asked, deciding to be the one to break the silence.

Aubrey's gaze shifted behind me. Aurora's current place was right next to a guesthouse. From where I was standing, it probably looked like I'd just walked out of the guesthouse.

Seeing him look that way, I turned my head to check too. When I saw the guesthouse sign behind me, I started to explain, "Actually, I live-"

Before I could say "at my father's place," Aubrey cut in, "No matter what your reason for being here is, Cathy is my rock. I won't let anyone bully her!"

I froze on the spot. My fair face went cold in an instant. I stared at Aubrey in disbelief, shocked that he'd go to such lengths to defend Cathy. I just couldn't understand how the truth I'd shown him had somehow become an excuse for him to think I was "bullying" him.

His so-called rock seemed a bit...shallow. Even though I knew he cared a lot about Cathy, a mix of anger, grievances, disappointment, and sadness filled my chest! How could he side with Cathy like this and be so harsh towards me? We'd once faced tough times together, relying on each other as partners. I'd even...

I reached up and touched my left eye, which had such poor visibility, and a pang of sorrow hit me.

Then Aubrey's voice came again, "In the future, I hope you'll stay away from places where Cathy and I are. Otherwise, I won't hold back and will take drastic measures!"

His heartless words were like sharp swords, stabbing right into my heart. Even though I didn't have any expectations of him after our divorce, it still hurt like crazy.

After saying that, Aubrey turned around and walked away. As he passed by Iris, he paused for a moment. When he saw Iris looking at him with those big eyes, he stretched out a finger towards her.

Iris quickly shrank back and dodged his finger. When she looked at him again, her eyes were full of intense resentment. She might not understand all the grown-up stuff, but she could sense the coldness in Aubrey's tone when he talked to me and the disgust in his eyes. She wasn't going to have anything to do with someone who treated her mommy badly!

Aubrey pulled his hand back and kept walking. What was he thinking? Why did he suddenly feel a bit of pity for the child who was considered an illegitimate one in his eyes? He took another step.

"Aubrey!" I called out firmly from behind.

But Aubrey didn't stop. I watched his determined figure and felt like running up to him and demanding to know what was going on in his heart. Why would he protect Cathy, who'd hurt him, yet not give a second thought to the person who'd done so much for him?

I let out a cold laugh and ran my tongue along my teeth before saying, "Mr. Aubrey Spencer, you'd better not regret this!"

Aubrey didn't bother to respond and just walked out of my sight completely.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling a bitter and sad mix of emotions welling up inside me. My stomach felt all knotted up, and it was really uncomfortable. I guess this was the price I had to pay for being so foolish all those years ago. It was like I was getting what I deserved.

Suddenly, my legs felt warm as a pair of small hands wrapped tightly around them. "Mommy, don't be sad," Iris ran over and comforted me with so much concern in her voice. She pressed her face against my leg and said in a voice that was a bit jumbled from being so eager to comfort me, "If Aubrey doesn't like you, it's okay. You still have me. I'll grow up fast and protect you so that no one can bully you again!"

Those little hands, so small yet holding me so tightly, and that soft, tender voice were even warmer than the evening sun, slowly warming my cold heart. I bent down and gently cupped Iris's little face, giving her a quick kiss on her nose. Then, we pressed our foreheads together, showing how close we were. Despite the four years of coldness in our marriage, at least I had Iris, my little bundle of warmth. Let the past stay in the past.

I wasn't going to waste any more time mourning or missing it. All the efforts I'd made for Aubrey and the silly mistakes I'd committed could be seen as the price I paid for having Iris in my life.

In the evening, after I'd put Iris to sleep, I was leaning against the bedside, looking over the company's data.