What Separates Me and You

When Robert suggested a divorce, Layla didn't purposely make things difficult for him. She knew she couldn't give him a son and that he required an heir. Therefore, she signed the divorce agreement and left Elysian though her heart ached.

After having fulfilled his wish and displaying generosity, she thought Robert would appreciate her more. What a joke. Within half a month of her leaving, he returned to the house with another woman and their son. That woman replaced her entirely. That was when Layla saw Robert's true colors. She felt like a clown, foolish and ridiculous. She had willingly made way for another woman. Since then, she had been living by herself with Lily her only concern, but this man took her daughter away too.

He didn't deserve to live!

The air in the mansion was freezing. Robert shuddered the moment he stepped inside. He walked further in with a frown.

Layla, who was sitting on the sofa, had intentionally dressed up. She wore an elegant red gown and styled her hair. Her graceful bearing shone through every movement she made just like when they first met.

Robert paused when he saw her.

She poured some wine and glanced at Robert, smiling. "You're here."

He grew suspicious of her but hid it well. He nodded slightly and strode over to her, sitting across from her. "Why the sudden desire to drink?"

Layla looked at him, her smile turning bitter. "What else can I do besides drink?"

He took in her weariness and sorrow and was moved by the sight. "Don't overdo yourself at your age. It's not good for your health."

When she heard this, scorn crept into her eyes. "I know I don't have long to live. Since that's the case, I'd rather follow my heart instead of wallowing in regret when I'm no longer alive."

Robert was displeased at her words but said nothing as he remembered she was mourning.

She handed him a glass of wine. "Come, join me."

"I have to drive."

"Then stay." Layla gazed at him passionately. "Didn't you promise to keep me company?"

Robert stared back at her, and his gaze lasted a while. Finally, he took the glass from her and chugged it down.

Her lips curved into a smile when she saw him drink, her eyes glinting subtly. "Robert, have you felt any remorse toward me in the past years?"

Robert put down his glass and sighed in silence. "I have."

In the past, Layla was elegant and graceful, a noblewoman from a well-known family. She was gentle and caring toward him, a perfect lady of the house. However, he bore no romantic feelings for her; he was merely pleased with her.

They were courteous to each other, and their married life was tasteless and mundane. After that, she could no longer conceive and took the initiative to give up her role as his wife. Everything she did was flawless. Because of that, Robert felt guilty when he occasionally thought of her.

"Then why didn't you help Lily seek justice? Why did you let her murderer go scot-free?"

Robert's brows knitted together, and he said in annoyance, "Haven't I explained to you? She's already dead. What use is there in picking fights over it? They're both my daughters. Will you consider it fair only if I kill Daphne just because Lily is dead?"

His statement was outrageous and ridiculous to Layla. She couldn't believe her ears. Was that what a father was supposed to say? "But it's only just and right for a murderer to pay with their life, no matter who they are. She should receive her punishment after committing murder and not-"

"Enough!" Robert interrupted. "If that's all you have to say by calling me over, we can end this conversation here and now."

Layla ceased speaking, her murky eyes welling up with tears.

Robert simmered down at the sight of that. He said awkwardly, "There, there. Stop thinking about it. You'll drive yourself into a dead end the more you overthink it. Lily is gone, but you still have me. You can come to me whenever you need help. I'll help you with all my might."

Layla swallowed her tears and squeezed out a smile. "Remember your promise. Alright, I'll stop talking about it. Come, let's have another." As she spoke, she poured another glass for Robert.

He didn't think much of it because it was only red wine. He picked up the glass and drank.

Then, Layla poured him yet another.

He finally noticed something off. "What are you doing?"

Layla glanced at him. "Drinking, obviously."

"That's no way to drink."

Seeing that, Layla stopped pouring him wine and put down the decanter. "Okay. We'll stop here, then."

Robert scrutinized her face and realized that something was wrong. It seemed peculiar that she was so calm—unusually calm. She didn't seem like a woman who needed company after losing her daughter. She wasn't as feeble as she sounded through the phone. She didn't seem to want to reconnect after being years apart, nor was she trying to revive their relationship.

All these abnormalities led Robert to a conclusion-Layla was up to no good. "What's your true intention?"

Layla's eerie eyes fell on him, and they weren't as gentle as seconds ago. Instead, her gaze was sinister, sending goosebumps all over Robert. "My true intention? There are lots of things I want. I want revenge for my daughter, and I want you to apologize to Lily in hell. But most of all, I want you to suffer a miserable death. I want the rest of the Alvarez family to keep my daughter company."

Robert sprung up from his seat, glaring at Layla in shock as though he never imagined someone with her graces would spew such horrifying words. "You're insane. It seems like you've gone cuckoo out of grief You should see a doctor."

"Heh..." Layla started laughing. "Oh, I'm as sane as ever. But people like you-selfish, pretentious, and evil-shouldn't be alive."

"You..." Robert wanted to leave, but his face changed the next second.

He clutched his chest as his face reddened at an alarming speed. Wobbling, he fell back on the sofa, his strength drained. "What's inside the wine?"

Layla rose to her feet and waltzed toward him, looking condescendingly at him. "Take a guess."

"Insane! You're insane!" Robert's breathing rate increased. His face was red as he fumbled for his phone.

Almost immediately, Layla snatched his phone away. "There's no use. No one can save you."

He stared at her, terrified. Layla's face was contorted and creepy, like a ghost seeking revenge. Robert was truly fearful. "Evil... You're evil! Do you not value your life?"

Layla snapped, "Have you just realized that? I stopped caring about my life long ago. Do you think I'm still the pushover you once know? Let me tell you this. The only reason I'm still breathing is to avenge Lily. Not only will I kill you, but I'll also kill everyone in your family. What a pity you won't be around to witness that because you'll be long gone by then."

Robert lost all hope when he heard her say she didn't want to live anymore.

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