Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Samantha raised her hand and furiously wiped the corners of her eyes. She said hoarsely, "There's nothing to go back to."

As she said that, she put the pen down and pushed the two contracts to Ronald. "Put it away."

Ronald looked at the contract but did not put it away immediately. He let out a deep sigh and said in a very regretful tone, "Ms. Larsson, I genuinely didn't want this to be the end of you and Mr. Barker. It was really… unexpected."

The two of them hated each other, hurt each other, and experienced plenty of little gripes with each other. However, they started communicating with each other, letting go of the past, and even began loving each other. They had a child too.

Sadly, a sudden change brought about the child's demise and their relationship then collapsed, leading up to their divorce.

Ronald's eyes became a little red.

Seeing them separated was more uncomfortable than getting his own heart broken.

He bent down, put the two contracts into the briefcase, then bowed slightly to Samantha and said solemnly, "Ms. Larsson, thank you for your kindness before. If you ever need anything, you can always call me. I'll help if it's within my means."

"I wish you happiness and I hope you live your days well."

He was about to cry as he spoke and he felt a little ashamed that he had to remove his glasses to wipe away his tears.

Samantha looked at him and could not help but smile warmly. "Thank you, I will."

She grabbed a tissue and handed it to him. "Don't cry."

Regardless of the hard feelings she had with Timothy, other people—such as Old Madam Barker, Ronald, and Aunt Julia—had all treated her with sincerity and she would forever be grateful to them.

Rochelle cocked her eyebrows slightly.

Ronald was like a good little brother who was completely different from that scumbag Timothy.

She opened her lips and said, "I'm sorry I lashed out at you, Ronald. I like that you can tell right from wrong!"

After a pause, she took a business card of her own and handed it to him. "You should stop following that scumbag. Come with me and I'll pay you double what he's paying."

Ronald was so startled that he waved his hands and mumbled, "Mrs. Yates, I'm… It's… I'm fine with Mr. Barker. Thank you for your kindness. I… I'll be leaving now."

As soon as he said that, he scuttled off rapidly without waiting for an answer.

Everyone knew that no other men could approach her, other than the bodyguards that Jonathan sent to watch her.

Those who came too close would end up dead!

One of the most well-known incidents in the past involved a young, rich man who felt Rochelle up after she drank too much in a bar.

That young man's family ranked among the top five wealthy families in Capital City.

On that night, however, that young man disappeared into thin air. His family did not even dare say a word and simply assumed that they had never given birth to that son.

Since then, there was a saying amongst those in the upper-class circle: ''Tis better to provoke Mr. Yates than to lay a finger on Mrs. Yates!"

That was Jonathan's biggest trigger.

Rochelle had already expected Ronald's reaction and pouted while shrugging. "How boring."

Samantha shook her head and laughed. "Ronald is a good person. Don't tease him."

"I didn't tease him, okay. I was sincerely inviting him to be my assistant," Rochelle said. "He just lacks a bit of courage, unfortunately."

Samantha retorted, "Are you sure that's what you call…'a bit of courage'? I don't suppose many people dare to oppose Jonathan?"

Rochelle got unhappy when that name was mentioned. "Hold it right there, Missy!"

"Roger that!" Samantha responded mischievously.

As far as Rochelle was concerned, Jonathan should never be brought up.

From then on, Timothy would be to Samantha what Jonathan was to Rochelle.

…

The divorce certificate was delivered to Samantha that afternoon.

She opened the packaging bag and took out the piece of paper from inside. The huge words 'Divorce Certificate' was printed on it and she could not help but sneer when she looked at it.

She never once got the marriage certificate in hand, and yet the divorce certificate was sent to her as soon as it was released.

Perhaps fate was silently telling her that she was never meant to be with Timothy. The only fate she had with him was to receive his abuse.

Rochelle came over with some warm water and handed over the cup. She then looked at the divorce certificate in Samantha's hand and said, "Congratulations, Babe. You're reborn."

As much as she wanted to divorce Jonathan and sever their relationship completely, she was unable to do so.

Nevertheless, she was happy that Sammy could finally be free.

Samantha smiled at her and said in a low voice. "Yeah. I can start a new life."

"By the way, do you want to go back to the villa to pack your things?" Rochelle asked again.

Samantha shook her head. "Nah. It's not like I have any belongings there anyway."

She went to the villa with the clothes on her back and she left the same way.

Samantha did not owe Timothy anything.

The only thing that made her feel guilty was Old Madam Barker, who had so dearly hoped that she could be with Timothy forever. The old lady had taken care of her very much too, but she had failed to make the lady's wishes come true.

All she could hope for was that Old Madam Barker would live a long and healthy life in the future.

When Samantha thought of that, she suddenly said, "I need you to do me a favor, Chelle."

"Yes."

Samantha got up and walked into the bedroom to take her bag.

She unzipped the inner compartment of the bag, which contained the instant 'one-prick anesthesia' and those laxatives known as 'the runs' that she always carried with her. The final one was a small 'lifesaving pill'.

Those were the things she brought out when she escaped that purgatory-like part of her life.

The most precious thing was that lifesaving pill, which could save lives in the most critical of times. She only had one.

She packed it up in a small box, walked out, then handed it to Rochelle. "This is a lifesaving pill. Please help me to pass it to Aunt Julia and tell her that it can save lives when taken at the most critical of moments."

Rochelle recognized the pill and narrowed her eyes slightly. "How were you able to get this, Sammy? This... is priceless!"

She had seen something like that in Jonathan's hands back in the past, and he had to use all sorts of methods to find it.

However, she did not manage to ask how he got it since her relationship with Jonathan was already very bad at the time. She only knew that the pill was produced in a place that was very mysterious and dangerous.

Samantha lowered her eyes. "Don't ask me that, Chelle. Just please help me send it over. You're the only one who I can trust."

If Samantha went in person, she was afraid that the keen-eyed old lady and Aunt Julia would notice that something was off.

Showing her sincerity was good enough.

That was the only thing she could do for Old Madam Barker.

When she gave birth to the baby in the future, she would bring it to meet the old lady when there was a suitable opportunity.

Upon hearing that, Rochelle had no choice but to chuck aside all her worries and doubts. "Okay, I'll pass it to her for you."

After Rochelle left, Samantha glanced at the divorce certificate in her hand and picked up her cell phone to make a call.