Dear Billionaire, I'm Not Your Wife Anymore! - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

My heart suddenly tightened, and my gaze instinctively followed—
Indeed, behind Mia's small figure, that tall and steady man also slowly walked out—Braden.
I almost immediately held my breath. But just as I hadn't recovered yet, two more figures emerged from the crowd. Irena walked behind, intimately linking arms with Linda.
They walked very close together, shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing, looking completely intimate.
I felt like something had struck me. My chest felt stuffy, my breathing hitched.
They looked like a real family, bringing my daughter out openly in the most prosperous area of the city, while I stood like an outsider on the opposite side of the street, awkward and embarrassed.
I didn't want to cry, but my eyes felt sour, and my hand unconsciously gripped my bag strap tighter.
At this moment, an arm reached over to link with mine. Clara gently approached my side, her eyes full of heartache.
"Charlotte, let's change places to eat," she said softly.
I nodded, unable to make a sound, only feeling an emotion rolling in my chest that was about to overflow.
Divorce.
This thought suddenly became unprecedentedly strong in my heart.
If my daughter's custody belonged to me, I would absolutely never let the Kinsley family take Mia to see that woman Linda again!
"Charlotte, let's go." Clara gently pulled me, "I've been to that restaurant across the street too, the food is quite good."
I nodded silently and followed her across the crosswalk, my steps heavy as if carrying an entire heart.
We sat down in a quiet restaurant. Clara ordered a few dishes and handed me water, her gaze always looking at me with concern. "Just now... the one linking arms with Linda, was that Braden's sister?"
I nodded gently: "Yes."
"Linda really has her ways." Clara sneered coldly, "Not only did she steal Braden, but she can also rally his whole family to stand on her side. Tsk... this woman is not simple."
I thought of that day at the restaurant when my mother-in-law laughed so warmly with Linda in front of me, treating her like half a Kinsley family member in every word.
I smiled bitterly—I, the nominal 'wife', seemed like the redundant one instead.
Clara frowned, her tone becoming serious: "Charlotte, you need to be mentally prepared. Men who cheat during marriage are the most ruthless. Once things get ugly, Braden will definitely haggle with you over everything. If you passively let him file for divorce first, you'll be at a disadvantage regarding both the child and property."
I nodded silently. I knew Braden's character better than anyone—rational, calm, turning his back without recognition, never showing mercy.
"I'm working in Dr. Colton's experimental group now." I looked at her, mentioning this calmly.
She was stunned, then her eyes lit up: "That's wonderful! You're finally back on track! This job is very important—it proves you can make your own way in the world."
I smiled gently, feeling a bit warmer inside.
But she changed her tone and said seriously: "However, divorce can't be rushed. You need to take it slowly, don't push Braden too hard. Otherwise, if he reacts and strikes first, you'll be passive."
I listened with my head down, constantly remembering her words in my heart.
"Charlotte, you need to quietly become strong." She looked at me, her tone gentle but firm, "Protect yourself first, then gather solid evidence."
I paused and nodded: "You're right."
Clara pulled up a number from her phone and showed it to me: "This person is a private investigator I used before. His tracking skills are quite good—he might be able to help you collect some substantial evidence."
I took it and saved it to my phone.
This might be the first step I needed to take next.
Around nine in the evening, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by Mia's laughter—light and excited.
Braden pushed open the door, and Mia jumped through the entrance proudly holding a new toy: "Yay! I'm the first one home, Daddy lost!"
I forced down the surging anger in my heart, put on a smile, walked forward, and asked her: "Did you have fun tonight?"
"Yes! It would have been perfect if Mommy had been there too." Mia's little face showed some regret, "There was a really beautiful cake today. I wanted to bring it back for you to eat, but it fell on the ground."
Her eyes dimmed a bit, her little mouth pouting.
My heart softened, and I hugged her: "Just having that thought makes Mommy very happy. Next time we'll make a beautiful one together, okay?"
She nodded, hugged her toy, crouched down to play with Toby for a few words, then ran upstairs.
I was still standing in place, hadn't turned around, when Braden's voice came from behind: "Why were you at the university today?"
I replied flatly: "Playing."
Without any explanation, and I didn't intend to explain. After saying this, I went straight upstairs to accompany Mia. Not long after, I heard the sound of him driving away from downstairs.
After playing with Mia for a while, I coaxed her to take a bath. While undressing, she was still muttering: "If only that cake hadn't fallen on the ground... it was really beautiful and delicious."
I took a towel to wipe her face and asked gently: "How did it suddenly fall on the ground?"
Mia shook her head innocently: "I don't know either... it just suddenly fell."
My hand paused while wiping my daughter's face. How could it suddenly fall on the ground? Could it be that someone heard my daughter wanted to pack the cake and deliberately knocked it to the ground?