Chapter 1976 - Have you heard of Stockholm syndrome?
The 99th Divorce
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
He couldnât shake this idea out of his head, as though it had been deeply planted in his mind.
Shen Luoâan sat on the edge of the hospital bed, cradling Little Moon in his arms. âIâm to blame for everything that happened today,â he confided.
Shen Mantingâs eyes were closed, but her knuckles tensed up as she gripped the linen upon hearing Shen Luoâanâs confession.
âI have a terrible temper. Iâm trying hard to change.â
Shen Luoâan had rarely let go of his ego and spoken this softly.
Shen Mantingâs restless heart suddenly calmed down.
The fear, hatred, and disgust that she felt only a moment ago...
All these feelings seemed to have disappeared with the lull of his voice full of tenderness.
Shen Manting kept her eyes shut the whole time. She felt a dull ache in her heart.
She heard Shen Luoâan inhale deeply before uttering slowly, âIâll try not to lose my temper in the future. The baby might be hungry. Itâs time to feed him some milk.â
The calmness Shen Manting felt suddenly dissipated into thin air.
Such mockery!
She clutched the linen tightly. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She remained silent, but her body trembled with anger.
She began to sob quietly. Her sobs were subdued yet audible and tinged with pain.
âYouâre saying all this just so Iâll feed your son.â
Shen Luoâanâs body stiffened. He turned to glance at her.
Shen Manting buried her face in the linen, leaving only a small part of her pale forehead exposed.
âWeâre both exhausted, Shen Luoâan. Why donât we part ways amicably?â
Shen Luoâanâs heart sank.
âIâll raise the baby on my own. Iâll repay all youâve spent on the household expenditure for the past month. Give me some time. Iâll pay you back.â Her muffled, cracking voice came from beneath the linen.
Shen Luoâan let out a scornful laugh. He snapped derisively through clenched, âAre you really able to repay all youâve owed me?â
Shen Manting avoided his question and continued, âYou forced me into this against my own will all along. Thereâs no affection between us.â
Shen Manting felt calmer than ever after coming to her senses.
But every sentence she uttered became increasingly irritating!
âItâs not up to you to decide whether any feelings existed between us,â Shen Luoâan declared in a deep, stern voice. âLittle Moon is my son. As his father, I have the right and responsibility to raise him. Are you thinking of taking him away from me? Over my dead body!â
âIâll have to turn to the legal proceedings then.â Shen Manting stopped sobbing and suddenly hissed in a threatening tone, âYou raped me. This child is solid evidence of your deed.â
âIs that so?â Shen Luoâan sneered. âHow do you prove that I raped you? You gave birth to the child. If you really hate me that much, why did you decide to deliver the child?â
Shen Mantingâs body went stiff.
Shen Luoâan bent down slightly and whispered in her ear, âYou do love me after all, donât you?â
She was reliant on him.
Shen Luoâan had been aware of that for a long time.
She hated him and wanted to break free from him. However, she was unable to leave him.
In reality, Shen Mantingâs heart was deeply conflicted.
He knew it better than anyone.
But when Shen Manting heard his words, she burst out laughing.
Shen Luoâan lifted the linen and immediately felt a rush of her warm breath on his face. He found himself gazing straight into her reddened eyes.
âWho would fall in love with a rapist like you?â
Shen Luoâan was taken aback by her reaction.
He had a mind to suppress his urge to launch further verbal attacks on her.
But at the same time, he couldnât help blurting out, âHave you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome?â