Against Heaven's Will

"Explain what? There is no need to explain anything. No matter what you say won’t bring back whatever was between us."

Katherine didn’t show any mercy on her ex-husband.

"Katherine... I didn’t have a choic—" Sect Master Liu tried the same excuse but Katherine cut him short.

"No, don’t give me that bullshit. You had a choice. You just chose the easiest route and betrayed the ones that trusted you. All of that to save yourself the trouble," Katherine pointed out while shaking her head. "I’m sorry but I can’t. I can’t love someone who is this selfish and only thinks about himself."

She gazed at Pearl in Sect Master Liu’s arms and gave her a cheering smile.

"I know you have never loved me like you did Pearl. You have made your decision and I respect it. I hope you will also respect mine."

"No! That’s not true! I loved you, I still do!" Sect Master Liu called out as he looked at both Pearl and Katherine. "I love both of you equally and always will. If Xuefeng can love all of his wives, why can’t I?"

"Hah, if you want to compare to Xuefeng then you should first give the same as he does," Katherine replied with a bitter chuckle. "Anyway, I hope you two have a lovely life. Unfortunately, I can’t accompany you."

"Wait!" She was turning around when Sect Master Liu called out after her, his eyebrows knitted. "What do you mean by that?"

"It doesn’t matter anymore," Katherine replied casually. "Just a word of advice. If you want to make your wife happy, you should spend more time with her and give her more attention. I’m sure Pearl will appreciate it."

She didn’t wait for his reply and turn his back to him, flying back to Xuefeng. He could clearly see it was hard for her as even her face seemed pale but Sect Master Liu didn’t make it easier.

"Katherine!" He cried out as he teleported behind her and grabbed onto her wrist to stop her. "Don’t leave! I know you still love me! Come back and let’s do it right this time. I admit I was wrong this time but if I were to go back in time, I would do the same. Why? Because all I care about are those I love. I would do anything for you. Am I a bad person by prioritizing my loved ones?"

Katherine paused, her gaze locking with Xuefeng. He could see the pain in her eyes but he couldn’t win that battle for her. She had to end it by herself.

"If you think this is all wrong you did then I really don’t know what to say. Give yourself some self-reflection. Maybe you will figure it out," Katherine replied softly and shrugged his hand anyway.

She didn’t look back anymore and simply got close, tugging onto Xuefeng’s shirt.

"Can we go?"

Katherine looked so pitiful as if she was already holding back her tears. He didn’t hesitate and pulled her into his arms, hugging her head into his chest.

"There, there... Everything will be good from now on," Xuefeng assured as he caressed her head. "I will take care of you now."

She gave in quickly, tightening her hug around him without care if Sect Master Liu sees them or not.

He didn’t like that at all.

"I see now... So it’s because of him?" Sect Master Liu asked, his face darkening.

"Liu!" Pearl called out worriedly, rushing in front to stop him. "Let’s go. You have me now. Is that not enough for you?"

He gazed down at her and she forced a kiss on, distracting his thoughts. He seemed surprised but he embraced her, calming down.

"I have you, but I still want to know," Sect Master Liu continued, as he gazed at Xuefeng. "Did you two do anything even before all of this?"

Xuefeng wasn’t scared. He didn’t plan to run away from what he did but when he wanted to speak, Katherine leaned over and locked her lips on his. It was her turn to display her affection and she didn’t hold back at all.

"Does this answer your question?" Katherine asked back. "All Xuefeng did was make me realize whatever was between us wasn’t love. I wasn’t happy for a while already and only now I finally feel like I am alive. I don’t want to live in a cage of my past feelings anymore."

She paused and helped him, "How about you count how many times you visited me in the last year? If you have problems, let me tell you. Twice. You visited your wife only twice in the past year. Do you think that’s right? Do you think you can abandon your wife and expect her to still love you?"

"What...?" Sect Master Liu widened his eyes. "I was cultivating. I thought you understand that. I was doing it for us."

"I thought so too but it turns out I was hurting this whole time. Ask yourself this, what’s the point of cultivating so hard if you can’t even spend time with your family?" Katherine questioned with a complicated expression. "And it’s not just this year. Look back to all the years we have been together. How much time did you spend on your family? We were never your priority. It was all your clan and Sect."

"I..." Sect Master Liu opened his mouth but no words came out.

"Don’t say you were doing it for us. What’s the point of riches, power, and influence if you are not happy?" Katherine pointed out as tears rolled on her cheek.

She wiped it against Xuefeng’s chest.

"I am finally happy as Xuefeng showed me what it feels like to be cared for. If you ever loved me, don’t ruin it. Let me leave and be happy," Katherine pleaded as she gazed at Pearl. "Even when I’m gone, you have someone else who is waiting for your care. Don’t make the same mistake twice."