Nathan pressed another tender kiss on M''s forehead. "I promise, I''ll be careful," he whispered.


    Duke and La, descending the stairs, caught this intimate exchange.


    La''s features tightened, a cloud of disapproval shadowing her face. She settled on the couch without acknowledging Jasper or greeting Gary and Florence. Her expression radiated disdain, as though nursing some grievance.


    Quickly, M sat up straight, gently pulling away from Nathan''s embrace. "La," she greeted with courtesy.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Duke followed behind, his smile warm and weing. "Nate, Chubs, you''re back?"


    "Yes, Duke," Nathan and Chubs replied almost simultaneously, returning his greeting.


    Duke approached his parents, bending down to yfully tease Jasper, eliciting a smile.


    La, however, shot a disdainful nce toward M.


    "Is there something wrong with your eyes, La?" Nathan asked, his tone icy.


    Suppressing her irritation, La huffed, "So protective of your wife, aren''t you? Can''t even bear to see her nced at?"


    Nathan''s voice grew stern. "Yes, I am. I expect a change in your behavior."


    The room grew tense, eyes darting between the two. M gently squeezed Nathan''s hand and whispered, "It''s okay, Nate. Let''s not make it worse."


    La scoffed, "This is who I am. If you don''t want her mistreated, keep her away. I can''t stand her."


    Nathan''s tone hardened. "Chubs has never done anything wrong to you."


    Arms crossed defiantly, La leaned back defiantly. "So what? Do I need a reason to dislike someone?"


    Gary and Florence always prioritized


    harmony They often acted


    ording to their son and daughter-inw''s wishes. Sensing the growing discord, they quietly leave with Jasper.


    Duke, known for his amodating nature, rarely challenged La''s assertiveness.


    Nathan, however, was less tolerant. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke us?"


    Duke''s face clouded, sinking into the sofa with clenched fists. La remained silent, her expression steadfast.


    Recognizing there was nothing to be


    said,


    "Letthan gently took M''s h O see Daniel." He had end.


    intention of engaging hand.


    with


    her.


    M held back a smile, trailing Nathan as they left the room.


    Pet


    La''s gaze turned icy, her eyes flickering with cold fury as she watched Nathan and M''s close departure. The atmosphere in the living room grew heavy and tense, leaving Duke and La in a


    suffocating silence.


    La was still caught in her inner storm when Duke finally broke the silence, his voice soft and weary. "Perhaps we should consider divorce." She looked at him, her eyes widening with shock and anger. "Are you serious? Did I hear you correctly? You want a divorce?"


    Duke had been grappling with this decision for nearly half a year. That day, he faced a painful truth.


    La''s heart had always belonged to Nathan. Beneath her apparent hostility toward Nathany a love that had curdled into bitterness. La''s response was sharp and furious. "Why? You''d better have a damn good reason, or don''t even think about it!"


    Tears shimmered in Duke''s eyes as he spoke with a bitter undertone, "Because you''ve always loved Nate. You''ve never truly loved me. "You stay by my side only because Nate was a part of this family. You are staying just for him. There''s no need to continue this charade."