Chapter 37 : 'Who said I was forced?',

Mia's every part shivered as she spoke those four words. Not in her wildest dreams could she have imagined herself doing that."Why do you want a divorce now?" he asked, still the same, unbothered. His handsome face and heavenly features remained as distant as ever. His hair was combed perfectly; it took her breath away to see him, but her heart was too broken to admire the view in front of her."I've been enough of a disturbance... and we are just a couple on paper anyway," she said as she stared at him before looking back at the ground. Mia waited for his reply, but it didn't come, no matter what.She stared back at the man who was looking at her as if she had committed a sin."I... I do not need any of your assets... I won't create any fuss in the future either. I just want a divorce," she spoke hurriedly.Unknown to her, a mountain of thoughts was running through Alex's brain now... memories of last night flashed through his mind.Last night"Hugo, call Rio," Alex spoke as he sat back."Boss," Rio said as he entered the room."I shall give you 15 minutes to sum up all the details of Young Madam," Alex said as he sipped his freshly brewed coffee.Within 15 minutes, he had her complete details."Everything is suspicious around Young Madam... parents who torture her, trauma caused by an incident, her ex-fiancé, people talking about her face being disfigured, and finally, her being able to withstand all of this," Rio said as he passed him the pictures of the Chen family."Also, what is very agitating is the Su family. Madam was never interested in the heir of the Su's, but due to the elders, she didn't have a choice. But that Jakson Su left Madam on the day of their engagement, alone to fend for herself in the crowd, and escaped to the States. Rumor has it she passed out because she was not fed properly and was tortured until the day of the engagement.""Madam was also kidnapped along with her helper Gina. Madam could escape in seconds, thanks to her quick attacks on the man and to you for reaching there on time, while Gina was raped and killed, which left quite a scar or rather a trauma on Young Madam. That's the reason she covers her face and lets people assume she is disfigured after that incident.""Boss, Elder Chen and his son from the Chen family do love her, but compared to the real princess, Young Madam doesn't seem to stand a chance," Rio said as he passed a set of other pictures."Her parents seem to abuse her frequently, and not many are aware of it. I could only gather a few pictures, but I'm sure there is more to this story. Maybe Madam was tortured since her childhood," Rio said as he passed another set of photos."This is when she was walking into the studio she set up with Ms. Anna, her sister-in-law. The famous unknown ONE is Madam. It took me two months to painstakingly find this information," Rio said as he handed Alex another set."Finally, this is Madam's go-to place. Every month she visits this orphanage, and every week she sends them something," Rio said as he stared at Alex.Alex stared at the information and froze for a few seconds. His evil, handsome face broke into a mocking smile. Rio shivered for a second before he could regain his courage."Boss...?" Rio asked, seeing his boss silent."For the first time, I underestimated someone. I think in the process of ignoring my feelings, I chose to believe that she's weak and not suitable for me," Alex said as he turned his chair to stare at Rio.He saw her for the first time at that engagement party. His eyes still remembered that girl who stood on the stage like a flawless angel, waiting for the prince to come and rescue her. Then, the time he saved her... she seemed like a cheetah. It wasn't until he calmed her and assured her for minutes that he wouldn't harm her that she relaxed and fainted in his arms. Every time he encountered her, he only said one thing to himself: "She can't handle it." But after hearing her story and learning about her past, he didn't want to let her go anymore.'Fine, if the people in your past never cherished you from the start, why should I send you back to them? Rather, I'll be by your side and protect you. Even though my life is filled with enemies and dangers, at least I wouldn't mistreat you,' he thought to himself."You may go," his voice broke the room's silence.Present."Mia Chen." His voice flustered Mia as she raised her head in confusion.She stared into his dreamy eyes that looked at her as if he was going to kill her for sure."Do you think I am a joke to you?" His voice sent shivers through her body."I..." Mia was flustered."You agreed to marry me... my grandpa and your brother made me sign the papers... now what do you say? Divorce?" His voice broke every ounce of strength Mia had."You... You were forced anyway... I am freeing you..." she spoke despite her fear."Who said I was forced?" he said as he leaned back and rested his head on his right hand."You... You said grandpa and brother..." Before Mia could continue..."I said they made me... they asked and I agreed... no force," he said shamelessly.Mia was irritated beyond measure.'What does he want me to do now?' She felt like running away."One more thing... if you don't mind, can you wash your makeup and come back? I have to talk to you about something," he said, leaving Mia speechless.'Is something wrong with his brain?' she wondered."You have nine minutes left to come back," he said as he pointed to the washroom.Despite her confusion, Mia stood up and walked toward the washroom. She looked at her ugly makeup in the mirror for a minute before washing it away with fresh water and walking out.He raised his head to see the woman who had looked like an ugly monster a while ago, now transformed into flawless beauty. He gulped before he realized and, to control himself, returned his eyes to the papers in his hand.Mia walked back and took the place she stood before. Before Mia could raise her head and stare at him, he swiftly stood up from his chair and pulled out a drawer where medicines were stored. He pulled out a tube and slowly walked towards Mia.Mia saw him approaching her and barely had time to respond. Before she could do anything, he was standing in front of her, not giving her a chance to move.His hand extended towards her left shoulder. Before she could realize it, she swiftly avoided his hand.Alex wasn't offended. Instead, he took her left hand, pulled her up, and swiftly took her seat, making her sit on his lap.Boom... Mia's senses left her body. She didn't know what had happened to her, not until she realized she was in Alex's lap at that moment."You..." Mia raised her hand, but before she could get up, Alex's right hand circled her waist, making it impossible for her to move.