Chapter 72:

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Colton had originally been curious about why Allison had hidden her talents for three long years. But now, he realized it wasn’t her concealment—it was his insistence that she remain nothing more than a housewife. He couldn’t quite grasp his own feelings, and an instinct to escape welled up inside him, prompting him to say something provocative to Allison.

“No matter how poorly you try to imitate Melany, you’ll never be able to hold a candle to her.”

He had thrown similar barbs before. Each time, Allison would retreat into silence, occasionally revealing a flicker of sorrow. Colton assumed this time would be no different, hoping it would jolt her from her cool facade and spark some emotional reaction. Even if it was rage, he craved to see it.

But Allison remained unsettlingly composed, treating him like a mere stranger.

“Indeed, regardless of what I’ve done these past three years, you have loathed every bit of it. You never truly saw me, whether I was an orphan or a prominent figure. You hated me just the same. And now, I feel the same about you.”

Allison had finally reached a place of acceptance, letting go of her childhood obsessions.

“Colton, if you could just keep one steady attitude and stop clinging to me, I might still have some respect for your persistence. Why the pathetic act now? It just makes me nauseous.”

Her words, frigid and detached, struck Colton like a dagger through the heart.

Rebecca nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Why are you hanging on like a lost puppy?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “Seeing you like this, one might think you still carry a torch for Allison. If you keep ignoring Melany at your side, she might actually end up in tears from the heartache! And with Allison being so remarkable, even if you wanted to pursue her, you would need to bury that thought. But what would your little mistress do then? She can’t even play the part of the other woman convincingly.”

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Rebecca’s jabs were razor-sharp.

In a matter of moments, Melany, already feeling utterly humiliated, had tears cascading down her cheeks.

Colton, if you still have feelings for Allison, I will willingly step aside to let you be together!” Melany’s voice trembled as she spoke, tears flowing freely. “Finally, whether you believe me or not, I never intended to take anything. I have simply been following my heart in search of true love.” With that, Melany turned and walked away, seemingly ready to cut all ties.

Only then did Colton realize he had been neglecting her and called out, “Melany, wait!” But she was already sprinting off, her departure resolute and final. Colton turned to Allison, fury etched on his face.

“Are you doing this on purpose? Did you think playing hard to get would make me fall for you? Dream on! I know you used to act pitifully around me just to create this contrast now. Though you’ve certainly caught my eye, don’t think for a second you can tear me away from Melany!”

With that, he rushed after Melany. Allison simply shook her head. “What a fool.”

In that moment, she fully realized how foolish she had been to marry him. Colton was an utter jerk. Allison even considered that Rebecca had been right to criticize her choice back then.

Watching the two of them chase each other off, Rebecca turned to Allison with a quizzical expression. “Are you sure Colton doesn’t have some kind of mental issue?”

“Now I am certain he does,” Allison sighed with relief. “Let them be together and never trouble me again.”

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