Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 131

This time, I was determined.

I looked Paula straight in the eyes. "Paula, if I said I wasn't scared, you'd know I was lying. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it; I am scared. But this is something I have to face. I've got a long future ahead, and I need to learn to handle things on my own, right?"

"I get that, but you don't have to grow up so fast!" Paula's voice was full of concern.

I chuckled softly, careful not to stretch the wound on my face.

The wound wasn't too deep, and the doctor said it wouldn't leave a scar, but it would take time for the marks to fade.

"At worst, I'll get a dog. A big, smart one. I've heard dogs are the best therapy. With a dog, I won't be so scared anymore." What I didn't say was that the moment I learned the truth, I grew up overnight.

Once one grew up, they couldn't go back to being innocent. Growing up was often painful.

Paula looked heartbroken. "I'm afraid once you get a dog, I'll be second to it. Am I still your best friend?"

I rubbed Paula's cheek. "No way, you'll always be number one. A dog could never replace you."

"I thought I was less important than a dog. Wait, how did you twist that around? I'm a person, why am I even comparing myself to a dog? Melinda, when did you become so cunning? Have you been spending too much time with Christopher? Is this what they call 'love me, love my dog'?"

"Stop misusing phrases. Even if Christopher has influenced me, it's because he's a good person!" Christopher really was great, so I couldn't lie. Defending him was just telling the truth.

Paula gave me a meaningful look. But she didn't say anything more about it. Instead, she asked what kind of dog I wanted.

I didn't know much about dogs, but I had some requirements. "It has to be able to protect me, so it can't be small. I don't have a lot of energy, so it shouldn't be too hyper. And it has to be loyal and obedient."

"You don't even have that many requirements for a boyfriend!" Paula sighed.

Then she thought for a moment and said, "How about a Golden Retriever?"

I recalled the Golden Retrievers I'd seen and their temperament, and nodded. "Sure. Can you help me find one?"

Paula patted her chest. "Leave it to me."

Paula stayed with me for a while longer, helped me take my medication, and left only after I fell asleep, looking exhausted.

She had wanted to find a caregiver for me, preferably a young and handsome one, but Tiana ended up taking care of me. She made nutritious soups that helped me recover quickly.

I felt better than before the injury, even gaining a bit of weight, almost getting a double chin.

Before I was discharged, Fallon brought good news. Lawrence had agreed to the divorce.

I was surprised. "Why did he suddenly agree?"

Given Lawrence's hatred for me, I thought he would never relent.

Fallon explained, "His escape attempt sped up his trial. He killed a person during the escape, so he was quickly sentenced to death. He probably realized there was no point in holding on, so he agreed."

That was a relief. I didn't want to still be his wife when he died."Can we finalize the divorce before his execution?" The thought of being his wife until his death made me sick.

Fallon understood. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're divorced before his execution."

"Thank you," I said to Fallon.

She comforted me, "This will all be over soon. Look forward to the future."

"Yes, I will!" I thanked Fallon for her kindness.

After Fallon left, I called Paula to tell her the news.

Paula's reaction was the same as mine. "That bastard Lawrence finally did something right before he died. But I'm surprised he had a change of heart."

"Me too. Ms. Knight said maybe he realized he was going to die and had a moment of clarity. Isn't there a saying that people speak kindly before they die?"

"I don't believe he could be kind. And who cares about his kindness? I'd rather see him ground to dust!" Paula couldn't help but curse.

Clearly, my recent ordeal had made her hatred for Lawrence peak.

I quickly comforted Paula. "Paula, don't let that scumbag ruin your image. He's not worth it."

It was not that I didn't hate Lawrence. The trauma I suffered still gave me nightmares. But I knew I couldn't let hatred trap me.

Getting divorced from Lawrence and cutting all ties with him was enough to make me happy.

Paula calmed down and brought up another happy topic. "Remember Clara's injury?"

I replied, "Yes.". It was indeed something interesting.

Paula spoke mysteriously. "Clara's leg is ruined. She'll spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair."

"What happened?" I was surprised. When the police questioned me about the case, I had casually asked about Clara's condition. Not out of concern, but to see if she got what she deserved.

I was told she had been stabbed multiple times by Lawrence, but none of the wounds were fatal. She would have scars but no permanent damage. How did she end up disabled?

"It wasn't serious at first, but a nurse gave her the wrong medication. Instead of healing, her wounds got worse, and they had to amputate."

I frowned. "How could that happen? With the Simpson family's wealth, they wouldn't hire an inexperienced nurse. This seems too coincidental."

"Exactly!" Paula agreed, adding, "But some coincidences aren't accidents. Don't forget, Vance found out Clara's brother Alfred is also disabled."

Paula's hint made me realize something significant. The methods of some people in high society were truly terrifying.

"Don't worry. This probably has nothing to do with you anymore. I heard she was sent abroad. In that circle, being sent abroad is like exile. She'll likely never return. For every person who loved her, there was someone who hated her. She has to face the consequences of her actions." Paula tried to comfort me.

I thought of Paula's tough upbringing, having to work part-time at a young age, and felt even more for her.

I knew she didn't like to talk about it, so I changed the subject to something happier. "I'm getting discharged tomorrow!"