Chapter 5 Ella wiped her tears , her pitiful expression making her seem almost innocent . Desmond , I didnt mean to . I was just playing with Lila , but she kept kicking my stomach . I couldnt take it anymore , so I punished her a little . I almost laughed out loud in anger . Lila is barely over a year old . How could she possibly kick your stomach ? Ellas tears streamed down her face again . Desmond , you have to believe me … Perhaps out of concern for the child Ella was carrying , Arthur once again sided with her . Wrapping his arm protectively around her , he consoled her gently while glaring at me . Hannah , take Lila to the bedroom . Stop making a scene . Disappointment overwhelmed me . Making a scene ? Arthur Desmond , she pinched your daughter , and youre just going to ignore it ? Arthur grabbed my arm and tried to drag me to the bedroom , but in a fit of rage , I lunged forward and yanked Ellas hair . Caught off guard , Ellas phone slipped from her hand . For a split second , I caught sight of a message , on her WhatsApp screen . My eyes widened in shock . I wanted to take a closer look , but Arthur pulled me away with even more force . Holding Lila tightly , I headed for the door . Arthur Desmond , Im done . Im leaving now ! Arthurs face turned pale . Hannah , youre far from home . Where can you go besides here ? You hit Ella , and she hasnt even complained , yet youre the one acting all high and mighty . Apologize to her now ! I met his gaze boldly . Not a chance ! With that , I opened the door and walked out . Arthur shouted behind me , If you leave now , dont ever come back ! And dont think youll get a Our Daughter Almost Killed For His Mistresss Christmas single cent from me ! couldnt hear the rest of his words as I quickly hailed a cab and headed to a five star hotel . On the way , I cradled Lila in my arms , my emotions swirling . From now on , it would just be the two of us against the world . But then I thought about the message I had glimpsed on Ellas phone and couldnt help but laugh bitterly . I pulled out my phone and made another call . A whole week passed , and Arthur never reached out to me . He was probably waiting for me to back down . Ella , on the other hand , was quite active on WhatsApp , flaunting their relationship with posts showing Arthurs attentive care . Of course , I wasnt idle during this time either . I bought a spacious apartment in a southern city online , planning to move there permanently in a few days . To speed up the process , I chose a second hand property , prioritizing a stable home for Lila . The lawyer had also finished drafting the divorce papers , which I signed and sent to Arthur . To my surprise , Arthur flatly refused to divorce . Hannah , havent you caused enough trouble ? Even tantrums have their limits . Why do you suddenly want a divorce ? I replied calmly , Just answer me are you going to sign or not ? I wont ! Arthur declared firmly . Ill never agree to a divorce ! Are you still jealous of Ella ? Were just colleagues completely innocent ! I chuckled . Innocent ? I know Ella is pregnant . Arthur fell silent for a moment . So , is that why you want a divorce ? fsaid , Isnt that reason enough ? た Arthur Desmond seemed to wrestle with himself for a long moment before speaking in a low voice . 1 raz Uic Mistresss Christmas Jannah , I swear , I dont love Ella , I just wanted her to help me have a child ! You know my business empire there has to be a son to inherit it . But you refuse to have a second child , so I had no other choice . Dont worry . The person I truly love is still you . Once Ella gives birth to a boy , Ill cut ties with her immediately and let the child call you his mother . I laughed out loud at the sheer absurdity of his brainless logic . Arthur , are you out of your mind ? Do you seriously think any sane person would come up with a plan like this ? Cheating is cheating dont try to dress it up as something noble ! And let me remind you , do you really think you even have an empire left to pass on ? Dont think I dont know about your companys financial issues . This whole thing is just an excuse for your infidelity ! Sign the divorce papers now ! Lets cut all ties ! In "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" by CrushReel, Zoe Hale takes a daring step by marrying Ashton Cross, a man under suspicion for her sister's mysterious demise. As their relationship evolves, hidden truths unravel, intertwining love and suspense in this captivating romance novel. Exploring the complexities of loyalty and deception, the story delves deep into Zoe's quest for justice while navigating the unexpected twists of her heart. The enigmatic bond between Zoe and Ashton unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. Set in a blend of romance and drama, "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" stands out for its intricate character dynamics and the seamless fusion of passion and intrigue. With every chapter, CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that immerses readers in a world where love confronts darkness, leaving them yearning for more. Discover the enthralling saga of Zoe and Ashton, available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in this unique tale that defies conventions and promises an unforgettable literary experience.