Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 500

The porcelain cup landed on its matching saucer with a sharp clatter, sending the crimson tea inside rippling. The study fell into a heavy silence, thick as water, broken only by that brittle sound.

Jade fixed Forrest with a steely gaze.

Forrest, however, remained calm and unshaken.

His voice was unwavering as he spoke. "I won't give up my work, and as for Mimi -her career is her own path, her passion. I never had the right to interfere."

Jade's expression didn't budge; she sat there, silent and inscrutable.

Forrest went on, "Mrs. Sutherland, to be completely honest, I want nothing more than to be with Mimi-wherever she goes, whatever she does. I'd give anything not to be apart from her, not even for a moment. We've already spent too many years separated, lost too much time we'll never get back." His gaze dropped, a fleeting sadness passing over his features. When he looked up again, his eyes were resolute. “But, Mrs. Sutherland, just as Mimi's devotion to design is part of who she is, I too have something I can't give up. I will never walk away from my research. It's a lifelong commitment-just like my commitment to Mimi."

"So, you're here to make some grand declaration of love?" Jade's voice was cool, almost mocking.

“But it still hasn't moved you, has it?" Forrest managed a rueful smile. He didn't try to dodge the question, answering with earnest clarity. "Academic research in artificial intelligence-whether I stay in the country or go abroad, I honestly can't give you a definite answer right now. And I doubt you'd believe me if I tried. But the truth is, I'm leaning toward staying. My country needs me."

Jade said nothing.

Forrest pressed on, his tone sincere. "But there's one thing I have to say, whether you believe it or not. No matter what happens, I'd rather be the one chasing after Mimi than ever let her exhaust herself trying to keep up with me. More than anyone, I want her to enjoy this relationship-not be worn down by it."

"Oh, I believe you. Why wouldn't I?" Jade let out a short, humorless chuckle. Her wrinkled, timeworn face was tinged with resignation. "But like I said, what difference does it make if you convince me?"

That was her beloved great-niece.

Mila was never one to handle emotions gracefully; the only time she'd ever made the first move, she'd gotten burned so badly she'd retreated into her shell ever since. If Forrest really could coax her out of that, what more could Jade possibly

But she wasn't naïve.

watched it all over dinner-the way Forrest looked at Mila left no doubt as to who cared more,

that was for

they liked her, Jade selfishly hoped for the opposite: someone who adored Mila, who

if Mila wasn't head over heels, she'd take marriage seriously. She'd treat her partner well.

her side who loved her more-Jade could put her

Time would tell.

softened. She gestured to the seat beside her and said, "Sit

while before she offered him a chair. Even now, as he finally sat, he didn't dare relax. If anything, he felt more on

Jade hadn't said aloud. He was the one seeing things most

willing to give him a

hadn't truly

ahead would

married, and she has a child," Jade said suddenly, voicing what they both knew but had to

"I know."

"Mimi's child is my child. Whatever's important to her

a short laugh, neither accepting nor rejecting his words. "Well, if the two of you ever do end up together, would

Forrest didn't even

truth," Jade pressed, face

admitted

is your child?" Jade sipped her now-lukewarm tea, her voice