City of Longing

Cora had not expected George to appear suddenly. She froze for a moment. "Nothing. I was just saying you've been gone these past few days and weren't at the hospital."

Seeing her calm expression, George did not think much of it. "I've been busy working overtime on a new project lately, so I couldn't come take care of you."

Watching him lie so effortlessly, Cora's eyes flickered slightly.

"If you're that busy, you don't need to come. I can take care of myself."

She meant every word, but George thought she was upset. "It's my fault. I've mostly finished the work. I'll spend more time with you from now on."

As he spoke, he prepared to take her home. He even had his assistant send over many designer bags for her to choose from.

Looking at these gorgeous, expensive luxury goods, Cora calmly refused them. When she said she did not like them, George quickly had his people prepare new ones.

"I'll send you other gifts, then. What do you like? Jewelry? Clothes? Let's buy everything. There has to be something you like, right?"

Cora felt not a ripple of emotion at anything he mentioned. For three years, he had sent piles of gifts on every anniversary and holiday. These items, with their similar logos and styles, filled the walk-in closet. At a glance, it looked like some luxury store's warehouse.

She used to think this meant he cared, so even though she was not interested, she would happily accept them.

Yet today, hearing that he did not even know what she liked, she finally understood. He was simply too lazy to put in any thought, so he chose these kinds of gifts.

With prices like that, he could not go wrong. Hence, this time, Cora stated her position directly. "I don't need any of it. You don't need to send me these things anymore. Don't trouble yourself."

This was the first time George had heard her say something like this. Panic suddenly rose in his heart. "You're my wife. Preparing gifts for you is only natural. How could it be trouble?"

What if she was not his wife anymore?

How laughable. He still had no idea he had already signed their divorce papers.

…

Over the next few days, George stayed home without going out. Cora slowly began packing up her things.

She packed up unused cosmetics and clothes, the suits and electric razors she had bought him, their matching mugs, and photos of them together.

Seeing her suddenly clear out so many things on a whim, George was astonished. He was about to ask when Kimberly's call came through.

George instantly forgot about it. He answered the phone and left.

Cora also saw the caller ID on the screen. She knew he was going to keep Kimberly company.

After watching him leave, she threw all these items into the trash. She had just finished cleaning up when she received a call from George's assistant, Janet Lowe.

"Ms. Shepard, please come to Nightfall Club right away. Mr. Lambert is in trouble!"

Hearing the usually composed assistant suddenly become so anxious and panicked, Cora frowned. She grabbed her bag, hailed a cab, and looked up the club on her phone during the ride. It was a racing club.

Had George not gone to see Kimberly? Why did he suddenly go to a club?

When she arrived at the scene and saw the man facing George, Cora understood immediately.

It was Tyler Finch, Kimberly's college boyfriend who loved drinking, smoking, fighting, and street racing. She had heard from others that after they broke up, Tyler would still harass Kimberly from time to time.

From the looks of it, he had probably hit hard times again and come to pester his ex-girlfriend. And the reality was not far from what she imagined.

Tyler threw a racing suit in front of George.

"Kimberly doesn't like uptight rich boys like you at all. She likes adventure and thrills! Since you keep saying you'll protect her, race me. Whoever loses has to stay away from Kimberly forever!"