Dear Billionaire, I'm Not Your Wife Anymore! - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

After several seconds of silence, Braden finally withdrew his suit jacket. His face showed no expression, just slightly darkened eyes. He casually threw the coat on the sofa and went upstairs.
I didn't move from where I stood. That familiar yet distant cold aura seemed to still linger in the air. I turned to walk toward Mia, letting Mary deal with that jacket.
At dinner, he came downstairs wearing casual clothes—black hair falling over his forehead, a dark blue sweater making him appear more composed and distinguished. If he hadn't cheated, this appearance might truly be many women's ideal husband.
"Mommy, peel shrimp for me!" Mia looked longingly at the braised prawns.
I smiled and nodded: "Okay, Mommy will peel them."
I peeled shrimp while softly coaxing her. After peeling five, I got up to wash my hands. From the corner of my eye, I caught Braden's movement pausing for a moment. I didn't turn back, heading straight to the kitchen.
When I returned, Mia was putting a peeled shrimp into his bowl.
"Daddy, let me share one with you!"
"It's okay, Mia can eat it." He said, placing the shrimp back in her bowl.
I sat down again, continuing to dine elegantly, focusing all my attention on Mia, as if the man across from me was just a stranger visiting our home.
Mia suddenly blinked her big eyes and asked me: "Mommy, don't you like Daddy anymore?"
I paused, casually deflecting: "I like him."
"Then why don't you peel shrimp for Daddy anymore? You used to do it before."
I smiled and ruffled her hair: "Mommy's hands hurt from peeling."
"Oh! Let me see."
I spread out my fingers. There were obviously no wounds, no redness or swelling, but she still carefully blew on my fingers.
I suddenly smiled, the smile spreading from the corners of my eyes—under the lights, she looked pure and soft.
"Mia is so good." I said softly.
Braden said nothing more. He put down his chopsticks and left the table.
That evening, I bathed Mia and moved Toby's little bed into my bedroom. The two little ones played for a while before sleeping peacefully.
I leaned against the headboard, reading by the soft wall lamp light, watching Mia's sleeping face, my thoughts gradually settling.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open and Braden entered.
He had just showered, wearing a black robe with the front slightly open, revealing his bare chest with defined muscle lines. I glanced at him with an indifferent look, no ripples in my heart.
If his approach once could make my heart race, now, even if I saw him standing naked before me, it wouldn't generate half an emotion.
He leaned down and placed a kiss on Mia's forehead.
I watched imperceptibly, but suddenly noticed a new tattoo on his chest—L·C.
My heart immediately grew colder. It wasn't hard to guess—it was the abbreviation of Linda's name.
He withdrew his hand, and the next second, whether intentionally or not, his fingertip gently slid across my face.
I stiffened.
Before I could react, his large hand had already reached into the blanket—that movement was full of suggestive meaning.
I gasped, but he withdrew his hand without concealment, dropping a husky sentence by my ear:
"Come to my room."
I laughed coldly.
How ridiculous—he was entangled with other women outside, yet still wanted to perfunctorily fulfill so-called marital duties?
I had no respect for such charity.
I didn't respond.
Later that night, I simply locked the door, completely blocking any possibility of his re-entry.
In the morning, I led Mia downstairs to see Braden sitting at the dining table with a grim expression.
Mia sensed something was wrong and cautiously went over to hug his arm: "Daddy, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He said quietly. "After eating, Daddy will take you to school."
"Okay!" She nodded in agreement.
Braden picked up his car keys and left. I bent down to kiss Mia's forehead, smiling:
"See you this afternoon."
"Mommy, can you bring Toby when you pick me up this afternoon?" She missed the puppy.
"Sure, I'll definitely bring him."
She waved her little hand happily, and I smiled back at her.
At nine, I drove out to the law firm.
After hearing about my situation, Clara stared at me for several seconds.
"Are you really going to divorce?" She frowned. "Your current status as a billionaire's wife is something others would beg for."
I shrugged: "If others want it, I'll give up my position."
"Don't you feel attached?"
I smiled lightly: "Except for my daughter, I can give up everything else."
"What about Braden? Can you give him up?"
"A man who's cheating on two women? I'd find him dirty even if he was given to me."
Clara sighed: "But I have to remind you, this lawsuit won't be easy. Without proper grounds, divorce is difficult. Unless you catch him and Linda red-handed, he won't easily give up custody of Mia."
I listened quietly without rebutting.
She continued: "You've been a housewife for five years—no income, no social status, no initiative... Charlotte, what are you going to use to compete with Braden for the child?"