Chapter 4: Divorce and Mixed Signals

A flicker of surprise crossed Ethan's face.

Emily had always spoken to him gently, even when she was throwing a tantrum or being unreasonable. She had never spoken to him like this before.

Emily glanced at him again, her eyes mirroring the same impatience he had shown her just moments ago.

"Why are you still standing here? Go downstairs and keep her company."

Ethan paused for a couple of seconds before realizing who "her" was.

He raised an eyebrow in amusement.

So she had seen them earlier.

No wonder she was so upset.

Looking at Emily's sullen expression, Ethan's tone became even more impatient. "How many times do I have to tell you? There's nothing between me and her—we're not even close."

He had no intention of giving her a proper explanation.

This wasn't the first time his wife had been jealous. Jealous of Christine, jealous of any woman who appeared around him.

In the past, her jealousy had been so intense that Ethan had replaced his assistant and other close staff with men.

But Emily didn't even bother lifting her eyelids, completely uninterested in his typical "dog-man" excuses.

She closed her jewelry box and walked up to him, cutting straight to the point. "So, you want a divorce, right?"

Ethan's brow twitched slightly. He hadn't expected her to bring it up so directly.

He responded with a casual "Yes," his tone even. "The Creston Manor, along with two of my other estates, will be yours. Or you can choose any property from my real estate holdings."

Emily's long lashes fluttered, but she said nothing.

What could she say in the face of his "I have money, so I call the shots" attitude?

"Additionally, I'll give you a monthly allowance of three million, and upon divorce, I'll provide a one-time payment of five hundred million in cash—"

He hadn't even finished speaking when he heard Emily gasp softly.

"Good, good!"

Her eyes sparkled, and the gloom from earlier vanished.

Her face lit up with pure joy. "Let's divorce, right now!"

Ethan: "…?"

Ethan was dumbfounded.

He had expected her to cry, to throw a fit, to stage a dramatic scene. After all, when he first mentioned divorce, she had been highly emotional.

But now, she wasn't showing any signs of distress.

She was actually… happy?

The last time he had seen her this happy was when he had taken her to a newly purchased private island.

—No, she seemed even happier now.

"When do we sign?" Emily's smile widened.

Five hundred million, half a billion dollars!!

Honestly, she had probably spent that much over her lifetime already.

But swiping cards didn't involve seeing the actual money; she had always spent her father's or her husband's money—it had never truly been hers.

But this time was different.

This five hundred million would be hers, her personal wealth gained through the divorce.

It would grant her financial freedom and transform her into a billionaire!

While Emily reveled in her dream of becoming a wealthy woman, Ethan's lips tightened.

It had been him who had grown tired of the relationship, who had first brought up the idea of divorce.

He had mentally prepared himself for her antics, her resistance, her refusal to sign.

But now, her reaction made it seem as though she was the one eager to leave, desperate to escape her misery.

—And that left him feeling… complicated.

Ethan hesitated before speaking again. "The terms of the agreement will take some time to finalize."

Emily nodded, "Fine."

Seeing her turn back to packing her luggage, Ethan added, "Let's keep the divorce under wraps for now. Everything should appear normal."

It was a critical time for his business acquisitions. As a public figure, he didn't want this kind of personal news leaking out.

Emily looked down at her suitcase, realizing she might not be able to leave immediately.

She agreed readily, "Alright."

—All for the sake of five hundred million dollars.

Then she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, by the way, about that fall I took yesterday—I've lost my memory."

Ethan: "…"

Emily continued nonchalantly, "It's not too serious. I haven't forgotten everything, just the past five years."

Ethan licked his lips and let out a soft, mocking laugh.

How convenient: She just happened to forget the years when they were most involved.

He glanced at the pile of luxury items still in their unopened packaging, his expression tinged with amusement.

"How convenient. Didn't forget how to max out the black card, though."

Emily: "…"

Emily shot him a glare, silently repeating "Five hundred million, stay calm" to herself.

She turned and headed for the bathroom, muttering under her breath, "Ethan!"

Ethan, with his keen hearing, immediately turned back, "What did you say?!"

But Emily ignored him and went straight into the bathroom.

She lit some aromatherapy candles, turned on the massage jets, and soaked in the tub for over an hour before finally emerging.

Ethan had already changed into his nightclothes, lounging lazily at the head of the kingsize bed, his long legs stretched out, his hair still damp.

Emily glanced at him. "Go sleep in another room."

Ethan didn't move, taking a few seconds before responding, "I said everything should be normal."

Emily let out a dismissive "Hmph."

She didn't see any reason to keep up the charade in this house.

"What are you afraid of?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "We've done it all before."

Emily: "…"

Emily rolled her eyes at him, though her ears turned a slight shade of red.

B*st*rd. How could he say something so suggestive with such a cold demeanor?

She toweled her hair dry, slowly walked over to the bed, telling herself that it was just sleeping together—it was no big deal. After all, they'd been married for two years.

—What hadn't they done?

Ethan leaned back against the headboard, his long lashes lowered as if by accident, though he was discreetly observing the woman beside him.

She used to wear bold outfits to please him, but today she was more conservatively dressed—a silk nightgown in a delicate pink, revealing only a sliver of her smooth, jade-like arms and her long, slender legs.

There wasn't much skin on display, but her figure was graceful and well-proportioned. As she walked, the silk gown and her glossy hair moved in unison, creating a pleasing sight.

Without sparing him a glance, she climbed into bed, pulling the blanket up and cocooning herself tightly.

Ethan stared at the small, exposed patch of her neck's pale skin for a few seconds, then looked at the space she had left between them—a gap wide enough to fit a bear.

He suddenly remembered how she used to cling to him like a little nymph.

For some reason, that thought irritated him.

Frowning, he swallowed and cleared his throat.

The woman beside him didn't budge, remaining firmly turned away.

Ethan's frown deepened. He licked his lips, reaching over to the nightstand and grabbing his lighter.

Just as he flicked the lighter open with a soft click, Emily suddenly sat up, turning to face him.

Ethan froze for a moment, instinctively offering the lighter to her.

He expected her to help him light his cigarette like she used to.

But instead, Emily took the lighter, and just as he leaned in, she threw it with a swift motion.

The jeweled lighter arced through the air before landing with a thud in the trash can.

Ethan: "!"

"If you're going to smoke, do it outside!" Emily snapped. "I'm trying to sleep!"

Ethan was left speechless, staring at her in disbelief. Emily glared right back, her lips pressed into a firm line, her face still bright and beautiful, but now full of anger, like a small, ferocious leopard.

Ethan's face darkened. He raised his hand to point at her, beginning with a stern "You—" but before he could finish, she had already snatched the cigarette from his fingers.

Quick as a flash, she raised her hand to toss it, but Ethan, being taller and quicker, grabbed her wrist in a firm grip.

"Give that back to me!"

"Let go! You're so annoying—ah!!"

He was too strong. With a few swift movements, he had her pinned down, both her hands held above her head. She couldn't move and was getting increasingly frustrated.

"Let go! You're such a pain!"

Ethan loomed over her, his dark eyes meeting hers. Her almond-shaped eyes were bright, with a hint of red at the corners. His gaze lowered, and his throat bobbed slightly.

In their struggle, Emily's silk nightgown had become hopelessly wrinkled, the neckline now askew, revealing glimpses of pale skin.

Ethan's eyes darkened as his throat tightened.

Emily noticed the change in his gaze, and her bravado faded. "What… what are you looking at?!"

Her skin was still warm from the bath, and she smelled faintly of something soft and fragrant.

It was a pleasant scent.

Her gaze and expression were different now.

Her lips were slightly parted, her almond eyes clear and bright, innocent yet alluring, unaware of the seductive charm she exuded.

She looked a bit like she did long ago, before they were married.

The way he had once thought she was at her most beautiful…

The man suddenly leaned down, and Emily

's eyes widened in surprise as she gasped, "What are you—mmph!"

Memory loss might have taken her mental recollections.

But her body remembered.

One touch, and everything ignited.

**

The next morning, when she opened her eyes, the first thing Emily saw was the man's strong chest.

She stared blankly for a few seconds, then tried to pull away.

"Hiss—"

The moment she moved, her whole body ached intensely. Her legs, in particular, felt too weak to even support her.

Pouting, Emily glanced up at the still-sleeping man.

Half his face was buried in the pillow, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other reaching behind her, holding her close, leaving her unable to move.

Emily's lashes lowered as she glanced over herself.

Just by looking at the marks on her skin, it was clear how intense last night had been… Ethan was such a beast, even leaving bite marks.

She closed her eyes, biting her lip in embarrassment.

She had no memory of such things, but when he had touched her yesterday, her subconscious had almost immediately recognized him as her husband.

And then there was the typical "I don't want this, but my body is being honest."

Ugh.

Ethan really knew how to push her buttons…

In the heat of the moment, Emily had even had a crazy thought: Was this the reason she had endured two years of humiliation without leaving him…?

Lost in her wild thoughts, she suddenly noticed that Ethan had opened his eyes.

He looked at Emily, then took in the sight of their entangled bodies, a flash of disbelief crossing his dark eyes. Then, with a quick shove, he pushed her away.

Emily gasped as she was suddenly pushed several feet away, staring in shock.

What the hell kind of attitude was that?!

Ethan didn't look at her, casting a quick glance at the clock on the wall before he began dressing swiftly.

All Emily could think of was the phrase "hit it and quit it."

Scum.

Complete scum.

Humiliation and a sense of loss welled up within her as she sat there wrapped in the sheets, coldly asking, "When do you have time today?"

—So we can sign that five hundred million agreement and go our separate ways.

Ethan assumed his wife was checking up on his schedule again. He dressed even more quickly, casually responding, "You can get a copy of my schedule from Jason."

Emily's face darkened further.

Who the hell wants your schedule?!

Was this his attitude after getting out of bed?

What did he take her for?

A doll? A warming tool?

Emily let out a bitter laugh. "I must be crazy."

Ethan glanced back at her, not understanding why she was making such a dramatic statement so early in the morning.

Emily shook her head. "I must be crazy to have married a man like you!"

She gave him a sorrowful look. "You have no heart, and you don't know how to love."

Ethan replied flatly, "I don't need to."

He strapped on his watch with a click, "As long as I can do it."

Emily: "!!!"

She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the door.

"Ahh, Ethan!"

The door closed just in time, and the pillow fell harmlessly to the floor.

Emily sat there on the bed, on the verge of exploding with anger.

B*st*rd! Scumbag!

Divorce!

Right now, immediately, this very second!!!

**

Jason stole a glance at his boss, feeling slightly uneasy.

For some reason, Chairman Harrison had been inexplicably smiling several times throughout the morning.

Not a full smile, just a slight curve at the corners of his lips, creating an intriguing expression.

Meanwhile, his usually deep, serious eyes seemed to be lost in thought.

How strange.

Just as Jason was pondering this, Ethan made a gesture.

"Chairman Harrison?"

"Take this and have it sent home to my wife." Ethan placed a small velvet box on the desk.

Jason immediately recognized it—this was the pink diamond ring the boss had spent fifty-four million on at the auction just a few days ago.

Jason hesitated, "But wasn't that for Madam Harrison?"

Ethan responded coolly, "Send it back to my wife."

Jason left with the ring.

Ethan stared at the desk for a moment before lifting his hand to touch his lips, slowly rubbing his thumb across them as if savoring something.

Thinking of how obedient yet fiery Emily had been the night before, a nearly imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

They had been intimate many times before, but he could sense that something was different now.

However, he found that he quite liked it.

In fact, aside from her bad temper and spoiled attitude, his fair-skinned, beautiful little wife wasn't all that bad.

Certainly better than the fake smiles and personas of people like Christine.

Ethan opened a drawer and pulled out a document.

He stared at the black-lettered "Divorce Agreement" on the cover for a moment before tossing it back into the drawer.

Maybe.

If she could tone it down a little and stop running away from home or faking amnesia—

He could consider giving her another chance.

---

Let me know if you'd like to continue with more chapters!