Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: I Know Who You Are, But We’re Not Close

The argument between the siblings was brought to a halt by Yvonne Donovan’s weary rebuke.

She didn’t take a side, nor did she agree to anything. The roiling struggle and conflict in her eyes were a tangled mess, leaving her utterly drained.

Concerns for the prestigious family’s reputation, worries about her son’s marital happiness, and a deeply ingrained belief in social hierarchy.

None of these were things that could be easily dismissed or let go of with just a few words.

"Nobody say another word. I’m tired, and my head hurts a little. I want to rest."

Her voice was soft, yet it left no room for argument, completely ending the stalemate.

As soon as she spoke, silence instantly fell over the hospital room. Even their breathing seemed to grow shallow.

Sean Sterling immediately stepped forward, his eyes and brow filled with unconcealable concern.

"Mom, get some rest. Don’t think about anything troubling. I’ll come back to see you tomorrow."

After speaking, he turned to Simon Sterling, whose expression was still sullen and unsettled, and spoke in a tone that was both respectful and pleading.

"Dad, please take good care of Mom. If you need anything at all, call me anytime."

Simon Sterling, his face grim, ignored him. His lips were pressed into a hard, cold line, but he didn’t berate Sean harshly as he had before, which amounted to a tacit agreement.

Claire Sterling also walked slowly to the bedside and gently took Yvonne Donovan’s cool hand.

"Focusing on your recovery is the most important thing. Everything else can wait."

A faint smile touched Yvonne Donovan’s lips as she teased softly, "You should go home and get some rest too. Don’t make a special trip tomorrow, or Theodore Lancaster will start complaining that I’m taking up your time."

"He wouldn’t dare," Claire Sterling said, her eyes curving into a smile.

The two women shared a look and a smile, a silent farewell.

Then, Sean Sterling and Claire Sterling left the hospital room one after the other, gently closing the door behind them.

The faint smell of disinfectant filled the quiet, empty hallway, making their footsteps sound exceptionally clear.

Sean Sterling suddenly stopped and turned to Claire Sterling, bowing deeply. His tone was sincere, heartfelt, and full of gratitude.

"Aunt Claire, thank you so much for today. For being willing to speak up for Isla and me."

Seeing this, Claire Sterling quickly reached out to help him up, letting out a soft chuckle as she patted his shoulder.

"Don’t be so formal with your aunt. As long as you are certain about Isla Griffith, and you two truly love and cherish each other, I’ll naturally be on your side and give you my heartfelt blessing."

She paused, her tone softening with the gentle advice of someone with experience.

"But this is as far as I can help you. Ultimately, you’ll have to walk the rest of the path on your own."

"Your father and mother are both stubborn, and they’ve spent their entire lives valuing the family and its reputation. They have too many reservations. It’s impossible for them to completely change their minds and accept Isla after just one conversation. You can’t be too hasty. Take it slow."

Sean Sterling nodded, some of the anxiety and urgency in his eyes fading.

"Yes, I understand."

"Look, at least today didn’t end in a huge, out-of-control argument like last time. Your mother didn’t get angry, and you got to tell them what you truly think. That’s already great progress," Claire Sterling said, patiently consoling him.

Sean Sterling took a deep breath, the pent-up frustration in his chest gradually subsiding. He looked up at the closed hospital room door, his gaze growing more determined and bright.

"I know, Aunt."

"As long as my parents haven’t completely shut the door on this, as long as they haven’t completely forbidden it, I have enough patience to wait. And I have absolute confidence that I can get them to slowly accept Isla."

...

The night breeze was cool.

A white Bentley drove along the main road, the soft sound of its tires on the pavement especially clear in the night.

Sean Sterling steered with one hand, his knuckles distinct as he applied slight pressure. His other hand rested casually on the windowsill.

The streetlights flew backward one by one, their warm yellow light grazing his profile, highlighting his sharp, clean jawline and the faint shadow cast by his high-bridged nose.

The car stopped at an intersection, waiting for a green light.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Isla Griffith.

In an instant, all the gravity and complexity vanished from Sean Sterling’s eyes, replaced by a layer of gentle warmth.

He quickly answered the call, his voice doting, "Baby, you’re awake, aren’t you?"

"Mhm."

Isla Griffith’s voice came through the phone, husky and soft from just waking up. It was like a kitten’s paw gently scratching at one’s heart—soft and sweet.

"I saw the note you left. When do you think you’ll be back?"

Sean Sterling: "I’m on my way. I should be home in about ten minutes."

"Okay," Isla Griffith drew out the word, her tone lilting upward at the end. "Drive slowly, don’t rush. Safety is the most important thing."

The corners of Sean Sterling’s mouth lifted, his heart enveloped in a feeling of bliss.

"Got it."

"There’s chicken soup in the clay pot, it’s warm. If you’re hungry, have a bowl first. You don’t have to wait for me."

"I’m not that hungry right now," Isla Griffith said, rubbing her stomach. "Besides, there are lots of snacks on the nightstand. I’ll just wait for you. I’m too lazy to get out of bed and go to the kitchen."

The smile on Sean Sterling’s face grew even brighter. "Alright, my little lazy cat. Wait for me. I’ll serve you soup when I get back."

Isla Griffith didn’t want to hang up yet. "If I’m a little lazy cat, what are you?"

Without a second thought, Sean Sterling blurted out, "I’m the big bad wolf, and I specialize in eating beautiful little lazy cats like you. Are you scared, hmm?"

"Scared, so scared," Isla Griffith was amused and laughed out loud. "I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m hanging up. You focus on driving."

She hung up first, and only then did Sean Sterling end the call.

The Bentley slowly drove around a street corner, passing a dessert shop.

Sean Sterling pulled the car over, unbuckled his seatbelt, and pushed the door open to get out.

As he walked into the shop, the sweet fragrance of cake mixed with cream immediately assailed his senses.

All sorts of cakes were displayed in the window, their fresh cream fluffy and dense, with bright red strawberries dotted on top.

Sean Sterling’s gaze immediately locked onto a strawberry cream cake, Isla Griffith’s favorite.

He pointed a finger at the glass counter. "This one. To go."

"Of course, sir. One moment, please."

The clerk served him with a smile the entire time. A few minutes later, she politely handed Sean Sterling a pink box printed with a delicate pattern, having specially tied a matching ribbon around it.

Sean Sterling muttered a quiet "thank you," took the exquisite cake box, and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the door, a tall figure pushed it open from the outside and entered.

The woman was dressed in sharply tailored fashion, her makeup was exquisite, and she had an air that was both noble and ostentatious, giving off a "keep your distance" vibe.

The moment she looked up, her gaze landed right on Sean Sterling.

Her originally cold, distant, and somewhat world-weary expression instantly softened, and her lips curved into a soft, sweet smile.

"Sean, what a coincidence, meeting you here."

Sean Sterling gave her a faint glance, his brow furrowing slightly. He didn’t recognize her at first.

He just felt that there was something familiar about her face, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn’t put a name to it.

The woman accurately caught the unfamiliarity and distance in his eyes.

The smile on her face froze for a moment, a trace of embarrassment and bitterness flashing through her heart.

But she quickly composed herself, forced a natural expression, and strode forward in her high heels to proactively link her arm with Sean Sterling’s.

"Sean, it’s me, Ivy Joyce! My mother and Mrs. Donovan are good friends."

"I just came back to the country a few days ago, and I ran into Mrs. Donovan at a coffee shop the very next day. We talked for ages! Mrs. Donovan said you haven’t been coming home much lately..."

Sean Sterling emotionlessly shook off Ivy Joyce’s hand and took half a step back, putting distance between them.

"I know who you are, but we’re not close."

There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his tone. After speaking, he turned and walked away, not even bothering to give her a sideways glance.

Ivy Joyce froze in place, mortified. The smile on her face slowly crumbled. Her pride was wounded, and her heart felt sour and bitter.

In her entire life, no man had ever been so cold to her, so dismissive.

She stood stunned for a few seconds. Unwilling to accept it, she acted on impulse, chasing after him in her high heels and blocking his path.

"Sean, we used to play together when we were kids. We even held hands. Do you really not remember?"

Sean Sterling frowned, his face cold as he warned her impatiently.

"I don’t. Miss Joyce, please have some self-respect. Move aside. I’m in a hurry."

His attitude stung her heart. Her gaze fell on the exquisite cake box in his hand, and she asked tentatively.

"Who’s the cake for?"

Sean Sterling: "My wife."

"You’re married!" Ivy Joyce was shocked. Her voice suddenly shot up, her eyes wide with utter disbelief.

"How come I never heard Mrs. Donovan mention it?"

Sean Sterling found even half a sentence of explanation to be too much. Without giving her another glance, he sidestepped her and left coldly.

Ivy Joyce remained frozen on the spot, her fingers gripping her purse strap tightly.

Soon, with an ugly expression on her face, she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number, her tone urgent and rushed.

"Mom, you have to find out for me, is Sean Sterling actually married or not!"

"Ivy, who did you say?" Mrs. Joyce’s bewildered voice came from the other end of the line, thinking she had misheard.

"Sean Sterling!" Ivy Joyce clenched her phone, her knuckles turning white. She was so agitated her voice trembled.

No one knew she’d had a secret crush on Sean Sterling for years.

From a single stunning glance to an unforgettable obsession, he had always been the person hidden in the deepest part of her heart.

She had returned to the country this time planning to finally gather her courage, confess her feelings to Sean Sterling, and had even secretly considered the idea of a marriage alliance between their two families.

With her family background and her own qualifications, she was more than worthy of standing by his side.

But she never expected to have a bucket of cold water thrown on her before she could even get the words of her confession out.

Mrs. Joyce: "Are you talking about the Sterling family’s Sean? Yvonne Donovan’s son?"

"Yes, Mrs. Donovan’s son," Ivy Joyce said, her tone firm.

Mrs. Joyce was puzzled. "You two haven’t seen or contacted each other in years. Why are you suddenly bringing him up today, and so agitated?"

"Besides, I’ve been in touch with Mrs. Donovan recently, and I’ve never heard her mention her son getting married."

"The Sterling family isn’t some minor household. A son getting married is a huge deal. It’s impossible for there to be no buzz about it in our circle. Ivy, are you sure you didn’t get it wrong?"

Ivy Joyce gripped her phone even tighter, growing more emotional.

"I didn’t get it wrong! I just saw Sean Sterling at the dessert shop with my own eyes. He told me himself that the cake was for his wife. I didn’t mishear a single word."

Now Mrs. Joyce was truly suspicious. She muttered to herself, "That is strange. The Sterlings only have one precious son. Even if they wanted to be low-key, it’s impossible they could keep it this much of a secret."

"How about this, I’ll find some time tomorrow and call Mrs. Donovan to ask."

"Mom, don’t wait until tomorrow!" Ivy Joyce pleaded urgently.

"Call now! I’m begging you, Mom. I need to know the answer right now. I can’t wait another second."

Mrs. Joyce was even more perplexed by her daughter’s unusual behavior.

"What’s the rush? It was just a chance encounter. Why are you in such a panic?"

That question seemed to shatter her final layer of pretense, and Ivy Joyce could no longer feign composure.

"I’m rushing... because I’m afraid... I’m afraid that if Sean Sterling is really married, then I’ll have completely lost my chance!"

The other end of the line went quiet.

A few seconds later, Mrs. Joyce asked tentatively, "Ivy, be honest with me. Are you in love with Sean Sterling?"

At this point, there was no longer any meaning in hiding it.

Ivy Joyce sniffled and admitted bluntly, "Yes. I’m in love with Sean Sterling. I’ve been in love with him for years."

"Mom, haven’t you and Dad been looking for a marriage prospect for me lately? I want to marry Sean Sterling."