Chapter 7 The White Lotus

• Diana’s face turned even paler, drained of all color.
• Freya continued her ruthless onslaught. “Grandpa forced me out of this city, Diana. He threatened me—said I would never see Richard again if I didn’t leave. He sent me abroad against my will! But even though we were apart, we never truly let go of each other.”
• Diana’s voice was hollow as she asked, “Then why come back now?”
• Freya’s eyes flashed with triumph. “Because I’ve finally found a cornea donor. Because I’m tired of being separated from Richard. And because he’s finally agreed to divorce you.”
• The words hit Diana like a thunderclap. She felt like the floor beneath her feet had disappeared. So, on the night of their wedding, Richard had been by another woman’s side? And for two years, while she tiptoed around him, careful not to overstep, he had been secretly keeping in touch with Freya?
• No wonder he never let her clean his study. No wonder he always guarded his computer so carefully.
• Diana had been the perfect wife, shielding Richard from questions about their marriage. She had even lied to Grandpa, telling him that Richard was simply too busy to start a family.
• And yet, the man she defended had been hiding another woman in his heart all along.
• Freya’s grip on her arm tightened, nails digging into Diana’s skin. “You ruined my life, Diana. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been locked away, starving for three days and three nights. If it weren’t for you, I would have been the bride standing beside Richard that day. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have lost my sight!”
• Diana suddenly felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. Freya was unraveling. People who were truly in control didn’t lash out like this.
• “You always do this, don’t you?” Diana’s voice was quiet, but it carried. “You twist things around to make yourself the victim. But let’s be honest—Grandpa’s affection for me was real. That’s why he chose me. And if he lied to me, it was only to protect me from someone like you.”
• Freya’s expression flickered.
• “You say Grandpa didn’t want you as a daughter-in-law? There must have been a reason for that. Maybe because, when trouble came, you were the first to disappear. Maybe because you’ve always been selfish.” Diana took a slow step forward, her voice unwavering. “And now, here you are, playing the victim again, rewriting the past to suit your needs.”
• Freya’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
• Diana pressed on. “Let’s be clear—I never invited you to my wedding. You came on your own. No one forced you to stand there in the snow and watch.”
• Her voice was steady, logical, and left no room for doubt.
• Freya blinked in shock. She had expected Diana to cower, to beg. The woman in front of her now was a far cry from the timid girl she once knew.
• “I attended the wedding of my lover,” Freya finally said, her tone sharp.
• Diana laughed softly. “A lover who abandoned you when he was at his lowest? Strange, isn’t it?”
• Silence.
• Freya hadn’t denied it.
• That meant the rumors were true.
• “You may have fooled Richard,” Diana said, “but you won’t fool me. If I dig deep enough, I’ll find the truth about why the Miller family rejected you.”
• Freya took an instinctive step back. “You’re making things up,” she said, voice trembling. “I haven’t done anything. Stop slandering me!”
• In her panic, she stumbled, hitting her head against the sharp edge of the counter.
• A loud thud echoed through the air.
• Diana winced at the impact.
• A deep, cold voice cut through the tension.
• “What’s going on?”
• Diana turned around slowly.
• Richard was standing behind her, his expression like ice. His gaze flickered to Freya, who was now clutching her forehead, blood trickling down her temple.
• “Richard,” Freya whimpered, grabbing his sleeve. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have upset Diana. She got angry and pushed me. But please, don’t blame her. It’s my fault for being too emotional.”
• Richard’s sharp eyes locked onto Diana. “Did you push her?”
• The way he asked made it clear—he already assumed the answer.
• Diana stared at him, her heart aching.
• It was happening again.
• Ten years ago, she had stood in the same position, accused without a voice.
• Freya let out a weak sob.
• “Miss Diana,” a servant named Cassie chimed in, “I saw it too. You pushed Miss Freya.”
• Diana almost laughed. The performance was flawless.
• “Is that true?” Richard asked. “I’m giving you a chance to explain.”
• She said nothing.
• “If you stay silent, I’ll have to believe them,” Richard warned.
• Diana took a deep breath. “I didn’t push her,” she said clearly.
• Freya gasped dramatically. “Diana, please, don’t be angry. I know you don’t want a divorce. You even said that you wouldn’t leave Richard no matter what. You said… his wealth wasn’t enough for you!”
• “That’s a lie,” Diana said, her voice ringing out like a bell.
• It was the first time she had spoken back to Richard with such firmness.
• “I’m going to see Grandpa” she announced. “I’ll be filing for divorce immediately.”
• She turned to leave.
• Richard caught her wrist. His grip was firm, but not harsh. His voice was lower now, steady. “We can negotiate the terms of the divorce. But not yet. We’ll wait until after Grandpa’s birthday.”
• Freya’s expression twisted. “Richard, why wait? I’ve already waited for so long—”
• “If you can’t wait,” Richard interrupted, his tone growing colder, “then forget it.”
• Freya paled. She quickly backtracked. “No, I’m not in a hurry,” she whispered.
• She lowered her head, suddenly meek. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pressured you. I was just scared. That night… I was afraid. I lost my temper because I was terrified of losing you. You promised my brother that you would take care of me.”
• Tears streamed down her face as she threw herself into Richard’s arms.
• Diana felt the last of her patience snap.
• Freya—this woman who destroyed her marriage—was now clinging to her husband, right in front of her?
• Richard stiffened slightly but didn’t push Freya away. Instead, he sighed and patted her shoulder gently. “Don’t cry. It’ll hurt your eyes.”
• Diana felt a sharp pain in her chest.
• She turned on her heel, ready to walk away—
• But just then, a loud, strong voice cut through the air.
• “What kind of shameless world is this?”
• Diana and Richard both turned in surprise.
• A figure strode toward them, exuding power.
• “A woman who openly clings to another woman’s husband in public—how disgraceful!”