Chapter 1 Divorce

The night was quiet.

Clara Knox felt troubled, so she had no good dreams and kept tossing and turning.

Feeling a hand around her waist, she deliberately moved a few inches toward the edge of the bed, almost falling asleep when she was pulled back.

Stubbornly, Clara moved away again, only to be forcefully pulled into his embrace once more.

This went on repeatedly.

The man's desire for conquest was successfully awakened by her, and his hands no longer rested on her waist; they became brazen.

Clara fully awakened, gripped his strong, slender arm, and tried to push him away, pleading tearfully,

"I really don't want to today."

Three years into their marriage, compliance and obedience became her trademarks; this was the first time she refused his demands.

Edward Harper ignored her words, turned over, unbuttoned her collar, and his domineering kisses spread across her round shoulders.

Resistance was futile.

Clara's eyes turned vacant as she endured his dominance numbly; her tears flowed like a surging river from an opened box.

Only in the darkness would she let her tears flow unchecked.

...

A few hours earlier, Clara went to a bar to deliver something to Edward Harper's sister, experiencing a robbery on the way back.

The two thugs showed no interest in her designer bag, jewelry, or wallet. They only snatched her wedding ring, trying to drag her into a dark place to assault her. It seemed less like a robbery for money than a premeditated sexual assault.

Had it not been for a passing police officer, tonight would have been her end.

She clutched her torn clothes and squatted on the street curb, trembling as she dialed Edward's number. A coquettish female voice answered,

"Edward is in the shower. What do you need from him?"

The voice was sweet and sultry, more inquisitive than declarative of sovereignty.

From the phone came the faint sound of running water, like a bolt from the blue, leaving Clara speechless. She silently put away her phone and cried inconsolably under the street lights.

The voice wasn't unfamiliar to Clara; it was Aria Knight, the person Edward Harper cherished in his heart—she had returned.

After hanging up, Aria sent a provocative message, a simple sentence with a picture,

"Only the unloved are the mistresses."

The enlarged image was an ultrasound showing a six-week pregnancy with a clear gestational sac.

Thinking back to a month ago, when Edward went on a week-long business trip to M Country, the timing matched perfectly.

He must be eagerly anticipating their baby.

There was too much for Clara to process, and her mind couldn't handle it.

The words of the police officer who saved her kept ringing in her ears,

"Those two were instructed, but it hasn't been confirmed who is behind it yet. Have you offended someone?"

Clara was horrified, wondering who wished to harm her. As a reclusive housewife, who could she have offended? After pondering deeply, only one person came to mind who loathed her this much.

Clara fell into a daze,

heart so pained it went numb.

Edward's pressure intensified as if punishing her distraction.

"Aria is back, and our contract is about to expire. Let's find time to finalize the divorce procedures."

Hearing these words from his lips made Clara's heart spasm violently, hurting to the point of suffocation.

She anticipated he would end this relationship but not in such circumstances.

While doing the most intimate act, discussing topics of him and another woman.

Killing someone emotionally—just like that.

Edward Harper, people are not made of wood; I also have feelings.

Clara trembled uncontrollably under him, trying hard to keep her voice from breaking,

"Congratulations to you both, may the lovers finally be united."

In the darkness, Clara uttered insincere blessings with teary eyes. Indeed, loving someone could humble you into the dust and bloom there.

"Crying?"

Clara stubbornly replied, "No."

Edward didn't seem satisfied with her blessing, nearly shattering her soul with each motion.

Clara experienced a little death.

Afterward, he lingered by her ear, unmoving for a long time.

"And I hope you reunite with Elijah soon. For the duration of our marriage, if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

Clara lay there, her limbs weak, like a delicate flower battered by a storm, completely falling into a slumber.

The next morning, when Clara woke, Edward's presence on the bed had vanished.

He had an extraordinary sense of discipline; it didn't matter what time he slept—he always woke up on time, exercised, had breakfast, and read the news in the morning.

Like a machine programmed with unchangeable routines.

After a simple washing, Clara went downstairs. The TV was broadcasting the morning news, discussing last night's attempted sexual assault on Baohua Road.

Edward sat in the small dining room, his black shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing his smoothly muscular forearms. The shirt with its squared shoulders was as structured and unyielding as he was, never offering her a bit of warmth.

With a financial magazine in his left hand and a freshly made sandwich in his right, he paid no attention to the alarming news on TV.

His whole demeanor radiated a celibate, aloof disposition that warned people not to approach.

Aunt Lewis, the housekeeper, smiled as she saw Clara descend the stairs and asked, "Would you like udon noodles or wonton soup today, Ma'am?"

Clara pursed her lips and replied, "Anything will do. Aunt Lewis, it might be more appropriate to call me Miss Knox from now on."

Aunt Lewis's smile froze on her face as she mulled over the meaning of those words. Her gaze shifted between Edward and Clara, afraid to speak out.

"Let her," Edward coldly replied, keeping his eyes on the magazine in his hands without glancing up.

Midway through eating, Edward got up to leave, returning about a minute later. He threw two copies of divorce papers and a check onto the table.

"Sign this, and you can fill in the check with any amount you want."

Clara paused, then looked up and met his deep, obsidian-like eyes.

He was the heir to Harper Jewelry Group, controlling the economic lifeline of Capital City—fierce and ruthless in the business world without sparing anyone's feelings.

She had tried to make him fall in love with her, to seek a relationship from him.

How laughable.

Clara picked up a pen, opened the last page, and signed her name without reading any of the contents.

"When should we exchange the certificates?"

She asked.

A glint of displeasure flashed in Edward's eyes,

"You are just that eager?"

Clara bit into a wonton, chewing it like wax. Her expression was indifferent, but inside, emotions churned like a storm breaking free, even making her breath tremble. She struggled to maintain control of her emotions, preserving the last shred of dignity.

"I'm afraid of delaying you and Miss Knight."

Edward let out a light sneer, took back the agreement, and signed his bold name at the principal party position.

"Afraid you're rushing to your Elijah, aren't you?"