“What do you want me to do?” Brandon asked, his voice sounding deeper than usual.
Natalie took out a folder and tossed it on the table in front of him.
“This contract stipulates all the marital obligations you need to carry out as a husband. This is the least you can do for me. We are getting divorced otherwise.”
She had a cold and distant expression as she leaned back on the sofa and stared at Brandon.
Johanna sighed to herself in relief. Her daughter had looked so distraught these past few days as she pined for her absent husband.
Johanna had suspected that Natalie might never give up on Brandon to her own detriment. She was glad to see her daughter holding her own during this confrontation.
The White family had more properties than they could care for.
If Natalie somehow ended up divorcing Brandon, she could just take over the family business. She was smart and talented and could definitely live a better life.
The more Johanna thought about it, the more convinced she was that a divorce would be the best course of action.
Brandon wordlessly picked up the documents and leafed through the pages.
According to the contract, he needed to spend the night at home for at least five days a week and had to stay at least one day for the weekend.
On holidays, he had to make time to accompany Natalie to whatever event she was hosting or attending. He would also have to come home and tend to her whenever she was sick or injured.
There were many more similar instances cited on the paper, but none of them were excessive.
“Mr. Larson, I’m assuming that you already know what to do. The terms I’ve laid down are nothing more than the barest duties a husband must attend to. If you can’t even accomplish these, then there is no need to continue this marriage,” Natalie spoke slowly.
Her voice rang out clearly in the room, and her calm tone only served to make her more intimidating. Brandon rubbed the paper between his thumb and forefinger as he considered his options.
Then he looked up and met Natalie’s eyes.
“Your requirements are well within reason. All right, let us proceed with this contract.” Natalie raised her chin and smiled.
“Good. Then we will follow the terms as stipulated.”
She stood up and added, “By the way, I expect you to come home tonight.”
Natalie and her parents then walked out of the Larson Group building and got into their car.
Johanna peered at her daughter for a while before saying, “My dear, what if Brandon refused to agree to your terms? Were you really going to divorce him?”
A playful smile danced on Natalie’s lips.
She turned to her mother and said firmly, “I have never considered divorcing him, not even for a second.”
“Mom, I haven’t even figured out what’s wrong with Brandon yet. I can’t let our marriage end just like that. If we get divorced, Charis will have gotten exactly what she wanted. I have to figure out what on earth is going on first. Since Brandon doesn’t want to tell me the truth, I’ll have to find it out myself.” As she spoke, Natalie’s voice was soft but firm.
“I’m only worried that you’ll get hurt, Natalie. Brandon’s attitude toward you is very clear now. He just wants you to be his wife on paper,” Johanna sighed heavily. Natalie lowered her head, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes.
“Mom, I know where you’re coming from. It’s true. Brandon doesn’t love me anymore. And I don’t know why. But given the circumstances, no matter how hard I try to get close to him, it just doesn’t work. I have to be cold and negotiate with him directly, showing him the advantages and disadvantages of being with me. Maybe that way, Brandon will pay more attention to our relationship. As long as I can spend more time with him, I am confident that I can bring the previous Brandon back.”
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Johanna knew she wouldn’t be able to change her daughter’s mind. Since Natalie was her precious daughter, she could only support whatever Natalie wanted to do. Finally, she snorted and said seriously, “If Brandon makes you know you’re the best!”
Tears welled up in Natalie’s eyes again. She couldn’t help but throw herself into her mother’s arms, acting like a spoiled child. Johanna held her tightly and said helplessly, “You were always a smooth talker when you needed something from your mother.” Beal burst into laughter.
“Well, you can’t blame her. You know what? Natalie’s temper is just like yours when you were young. She got her stubbornness from you!”
That night, Natalie didn’t go back to the hotel with Johanna and Beal. Instead, she moved back to the villa she and Brandon had lived in before. This villa was quite close to the Larson Group headquarters.
Not long after she stepped foot inside the house, she heard the sound of an engine coming from the gate of the villa. When Natalie turned around, she saw a handsome but indifferent man standing at the door. Natalie immediately stiffened. Brandon was still as good-looking as before, but his cold attitude toward her was extremely off-putting. He was now the most familiar stranger to Natalie.
She closed her eyes for a few seconds to gather her bearings and then looked around the almost empty living room. Her voice was a little sad. “Brandon, I got into an accident only two weeks ago, but it seems you’ve been in such a hurry to clear out all my stuff. Any trace of my life in this villa has disappeared, and even our photos are gone…”