The Untouchable Ex-Wife

The silence was deafening, and Renee inwardly counted the seconds as despair gripped her. She had lowered her pride just to get an answer, but he refused to even give her that... How cruel! Humiliated, Renee let go of Stefan’s waist and smoothed her messy hair. She cleared her throat and asked coldly, "So, it's because of Briar, right?" She hadn't wanted to think of it, but that seemed like the only possible reason. He wouldn't be acting like this otherwise.

"Briar?" Stefan flinched in surprise, then fell silent. Finally, he asked, "She went to you?"

"Yes, she did!” Renee took a deep breath and wiped her face, deciding to be frank with him. "She came to me with intimate photos of you both, acting like she had won a prize as she showed them off. I don't hate her because I know everything happens for a reason, but I'm just curious.

Why... would you do that?" Renee stared at Stefan's back, tears running down her cheeks. Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"There's no reason." Stefan did not want to explain too much. If Renee gave up on their romance because of that affair, it might turn out to be a good result. "I'm just a scumbag who was so good at pretending that you fell for it. Now I don't want to pretend anymore, but I don't know how to tell you. That was why I was hiding for so long. I thought you would get the hint and give up looking for me, but I didn't expect you to be this stubborn. You created such a ruckus just to find me, and I'm very confused by it." Stefan kept his expression icy, trying to sound cruel.

"Hmph, is that really what you think?" Renee looked at him suspiciously, not believing a word he said. "You know what, Stefan? You're obviously trying to act like a jerk, but it's not working. A true scumbag wouldn't say how disloyal he was-they would just lead women on and enjoy watching them suffer. You, on the other hand, seem to be rather eager to break up with me, so I don't think you're being honest with me."

Stefan clenched his fists. Renee was always smart and quick to pick up on things, so his time as a villain might be short-lived. "Whatever. Think what you like, but I did betray you to be with Briar. If you hate me, you can beat me up or scold me, but don't keep lying to yourself and living a fantasy." Stefan tried to be more cruel for Renee's sake. He knew she would suffer even more if she knew the truth.

"You'd know if I was lying to myself." Renee sounded aloof and indifferent." But I won't force you since you want to keep avoiding this. I gave you a chance, but you refused to take it, so don't blame me for being cruel if you want to come back to me again in the future. That's all I want to say. Just go!"