Chapter: 280

If Joshua still harbored feelings for Alicia, why would he get involved with her and go through the trouble of a divorce?

But now, the evidence was right before her eyes, unraveling everything she had believed.

She had spent days searching for any sign of another woman in Joshua's life, but every lead came up empty.

Her fists clenched as the realization settled in. Where were they sneaking off to? And worse-where had they been sleeping together?

The more she dwelled on it, the more unsettled she became.

Anxious thoughts clawed at her mind, until finally, in a fit of rage, she couldn't take it anymore. She smashed anything she could get her hands on-ornaments, vases, even the framed photo of her and Joshua.

The glass cracked into jagged pieces across the floor, and as she gazed down at the shattered memory, her fury crumbled into sorrow.

She fell to her knees, tears spilling over her cheeks, sobbing until she was drained of all emotion.

By the time Joshua returned, Lilliana had exhausted herself into a restless sleep, her breath still hitching faintly as the maid quietly swept away the debris.

His expression darkened as he took in the scene.

Without a word, he stepped into the room.

Lilliana stirred at the sound of his voice, her body tensing as her eyes fluttered open. Nausea and grief twisted in her stomach. “Don't touch me," she whispered hoarsely, turning her face away from him.

But Joshua paid no mind. With a firm grip, he pulled her against his chest, holding her tightly as she tried to resist.

After such an emotional breakdown, she was too weak to fight him off.

His embrace was unyielding, and his lips pressed against her skin as her resolve broke once more. She began to cry, her tears soaking into his shirt.

Joshua's tone softened, though it carried an undercurrent of concern.

“What happened?" he asked gently. “Why are you crying?"

Lilliana looked up at him, her eyes red and filled with hurt.

"Joshua... of all people, why Alicia?" Her voice trembled with the weight of her pain.

He had left Alicia behind, cast her aside. So why did she still linger like a shadow over their relationship?

How could Lilliana ever accept that?

At the mention of Alicia's name, Joshua's jaw clenched, his mind flashing back to his earlier visit to the hospital.

Did Lilliana know?

He quickly searched for an excuse. “Alicia? What about her? Didn't she have some kind of incident at the Gray family's place and ended up in the hospital?"

Lilliana's hand lashed out, striking him with surprising force. "Stop pretending! How long will you keep lying to my face? Do I have to catch you in bed with her before you'll admit it?"

Joshua's expression remained calm, unhurried, as if her outburst was nothing more than an inconvenience. "Did someone say something to you?"

Lilliana's voice cracked. "Do they have to? I hired a private detective to follow you. He saw you visiting Alicia at the hospital. If there's nothing between you two, why would you meet her behind my back?"

A humorless chuckle escaped from Joshua's Lips.

"I was there for a check-up," he said wearily, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "I've been run down lately, and I needed to see a specialist. While I was there, I heard Alicia had been admitted, but I didn't see her."

Lilliana blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his response. She wanted to believe him, but doubt still gnawed at her.