The Untouchable Ex Wife by Mizuki Sei

Chapter 1793
Renee's gaze became unreadable as mixed feelings overwhelmed her. Her guess was right-the person who had saved her was Stefan. His body, embrace, and scent were so familiar to her that she wouldn't have got it wrong. "What happened after that?" Renee took a deep breath and asked slowly.
"Then, he told US he was a very bad guy, and all he did was make you sad. So, he asked US to lie and tell you that I'd saved you and that we'd never met him," Jeffrey said honestly. "I didn't want to lie to you, Renee, but that man sounded very sincere. He said he'd hurt you so much, and didn't want to keep hurting you. He wants to stay away from you, and I... I also didn't want to see you get hurt, so I chose to lie to you. I'm sorry!" Jeffrey kept his head bowed like a child who had done something wrong, his eyes watery.
Justin stared at him, then tugged at Renee's arm, urging, "Hurry up and forgive him. He's heartbroken."
"I never blamed him, so there's nothing to forgive." Renee scowled. "All I can say is that he's very good at brainwashing people. He's a coward and doesn't dare to face me, but what a lousy excuse he chose!"
"Or... maybe he did something that hurt you, and now he's too ashamed to face you. Maybe he just doesn't want to hurt you even more?" Justin suggested carefully, trying to make Renee understand the situation. Jeffrey was already almost in tears, and he didn't want Renee to join him!
"Yeah, you're right." Renee smiled bitterly. "He knows he hurt me. In fact, I should thank him for his self-awareness and decision to not keep on hurting me." Stefan's actions were a clear confirmation that what he'd
done with Briar was real. There was no coincidence or misunderstanding, and Briar hadn't been exaggerating. Maybe Renee was just too naive, and didn't understand human nature.
"I don't think that man is as bad as you say he is." Jeffrey boldly defended Stefan. "He risked his life to save you in the sea, which means that you're very important to him."
"I never doubted that. He's risked his life to save me many times now, and it's because of him that I'm still alive and kicking..." Renee never forgot Stefan's sacrifices for her or ever doubted that he would risk his life to
save her. However, she couldn't deny that he had hurt her. Despite being willing to risk his life for Renee, he had still chosen to get entangled with Briar. His guilt towards Renee made him reluctant to face her, and he'd cruelly left her world.
"People are very complicated. I'm only now realizing that maybe I never truly knew him," Renee said vaguely, her tone melancholic.
"What do you plan to do then?" Justin asked carefully.
"Nothing." Renee looked into the distance and smiled sadly. "It's enough that he's alive. And I... I'm done making a scene. I should get back to my normal life."