chapter24 288 Vouchers Claudine rang the doorbell , and before long , the door opened . Audrey was dressed in a brown wool dress , her wavy hair cascading down her back , exuding a sensual and alluring charm . " Welcome ! Please , come in ! " Claudine presented the bottle of red wine she had brought . " Thank you for your coat today . " " You're welcome . I made steak for dinner , and your wine will pair perfectly with it . " Audrey warmly ushered Claudine inside . " Feel free to look around . I'll go to the kitchen and let the wine breathe . " " Alright . " Claudine took in the surroundings of the house . Audrey lived just one floor above her . Their apartments had the same layout , located in the best building of the com- plex , with a 270 - degree balcony offering a panoramic view of the river . " This house was prepared for me by my partner . " At some point , Audrey had come out of the kitchen , holding two glasses of red wine . Claudine took the glass from her . " Thank you . It's clear your husband loves you very much . You must have a wonderful relationship . " Audrey raised her hand , took a delicate sip of wine , and then smiled as she spoke . " You misunderstood . He and I are already divorced . " Hearing this , Claudine was quite surprised . " I'm sorry ! I thought … " " It's alright ! " Audrey waved her hand . " We separated amicably ! " She invited Claudine to sit on the balcony . " Back then , we had a child before marriage . After giving birth , I didn't want to be confined at home , so I applied to study abroad . 0.0 % 03:52 chapter24 288 Vouchers " Although he was reluctant to let me go , he respected my decision . " He also believed that I was still young and should pursue my dreams , that I should see more of the world . " Claudine looked at the woman in front of her . They were about the same age , yet their life experiences were completely different . It turned out that truly loving someone didn't mean clipping her wings and keeping her close , but willingly letting go so she could soar higher . Claudine felt even more deeply that Damian had never truly loved her … She raised her glass , swallowing the bitterness in her heart . " To have a partner like that is truly a blessing . " Audrey set down her glass , her slender fingers tapping lightly on it , her eyes quietly observing the woman before her . The fleeting loneliness in Claudine's eyes did not escape her notice . A barely perceptible smile lifted the corners of Audrey's lips , quickly concealed . " Yes ! Sometimes I even wonder if leaving them - father and daughter - behind was too selfish of me . " But after I went abroad , my ex - husband remarried . " After all , the child needed someone to care for her , and besides , he is a man , and men have their needs . " Claudine nearly spat out her wine . She choked on the wine and began coughing uncontrollably . " Are you alright ? " Audrey handed her a tissue . " Thank you , I'm fine . " Claudine managed to stop coughing , but was still shocked by what Audrey had just said . Her ex - husband actually remarried ? That man , who clearly loved Audrey deeply , had married another woman ! Was it just to find someone to take care of his child ? Or simply to find a woman to satisfy his own needs as a man ? Then what did that poor woman who married him mean to him ? " You all … " 31.8 % 03:52 chapter24 288 Vouchers Claudine frowned . " Now that you're back , you and your ex - husband … Does his wife know about your relationship ? " After all , they were just ordinary neighbors , so Claudine didn't want to be too harsh . Audrey took in all of Claudine's reactions . She used the act of drinking to hide the smile and satisfaction in her eyes . " She probably doesn't know ! He said he would handle it and give both me and the child an explanation . " The knot between Claudine's brows tightened even more . She set her wine glass on the table , her emotions growing agitated . " Shouldn't it be you two who owe that lady an explanation ! Have you ever thought about the harm you're causing that innocent woman ! Sacrificing someone else's youth just to fulfill your own love ! Don't you think what you're doing is far too selfish ? " After speaking , Claudine realized that her words had been a bit too harsh . Perhaps it was because she too was struggling in her marriage , unloved by her husband , that she felt such empathy for the woman being kept in the dark . Claudine stood up . " Sorry , I must have had too much to drink . Thank you for your hospitality . Goodbye ! " Claudine pushed back her chair and left Audrey's home . On the balcony , Audrey gazed out the window . The bright moonlight spilled over the calm surface of the river , but who could know what undercurrents surged beneath ? She chuckled softly and downed the rest of her wine in one gulp , her exquisite face radiating determination . 68.6 %