Chapter 10: I'm definitely not falling for my husband (I think)

Chapter 10: I'm Definitely Not Falling for My Villain Husband (I Think)

The next morning, Verbena woke up determined to crack the divorce code once and for all.

Her reflection in the mirror was a disaster—hair like a bird's nest, pillow creases on her cheek, and faint dried tears from her dramatic performance the night before. "Perfect. The tragic, love-sick wife aesthetic," she muttered.

But as soon as she stepped into the dining hall, the atmosphere was... different.

Theodore was already there, sitting at the head of the table like a cursed Greek god who regretted waking up today. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he had just gotten out of bed too—but instead of looking like a disaster, he looked unfairly attractive. His shirt was loose at the collar, sleeves pushed up, veins visible on his forearms.

Verbena immediately scolded herself. We are not simping for the villain.

Focus.

She took her seat, eyes locked onto her plate, determined to eat breakfast like a sensible, future divorcee. But then, Theodore spoke.

"About last night."

She froze mid-bite, a piece of bread hanging from her mouth like a tragic squirrel.

"I have a condition for your divorce."

The bread fell onto her plate. "A—A condition?"

He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. "You said you 'love me too much.' Prove it."

Verbena nearly choked on her soul.

"P-Prove it how?" she asked, voice cracking.

Theodore's lip twitched—was that almost a smile? No, surely not.

"For the next month, act like a wife who's madly in love with me. If you convince me, I'll sign the papers."

Verbena's brain short-circuited. This was not in the script.

"You mean... like hold hands and—"

"Public displays of affection. Romantic gestures. Sleep in the same room." His voice was calm, but his eyes glinted like a cat toying with its prey.

Verbena's face turned redder than a boiled lobster. "That's—That's—"

"What? Too much for someone who 'loves me too much'?"

She wanted to throw the bread at his face.

"Fine!" She slammed her fork down. "Prepare yourself, husband. You'll drown in my love!"

---

Later that day, Operation: Smother the Villain with Love began.

First step: handholding. Easy, right? WRONG.

Verbena found Theodore reading in the garden, looking effortlessly elegant, and she immediately regretted choosing this location. Why was the afternoon sun so romantic today?! Why was the wind gently tousling his hair like a male lead introduction scene?!

Stop being handsome, damn it.

"Darling!" she called, plastering on her most lovesick smile. "What are you reading? Oh wait, let me guess—'101 Ways to Murder Your Wife'?"

Theodore lowered the book, raising a brow. "You're in a good mood."

"Because I'm with you," she said, grabbing his hand before her courage evaporated. His fingers were surprisingly warm.

Theodore stared at their hands. "What are you doing?"

"Holding your hand, obviously! Couples do this all the time." She swung their hands dramatically, like they were two peasants skipping through a meadow.

Theodore did not move. He just stared at her. Silent. Expression unreadable.

A small breeze swept by, making Verbena's hair brush against his sleeve. For a moment, everything felt... oddly still.

"Your hand is small," Theodore said quietly.

"Huh?" Her brain lagged.

"It fits in mine," he added, almost absently. His thumb brushed over her knuckles.

Verbena's soul ascended.

This is dangerous.

Her heart thumped so loud, she was sure even the palace guards could hear it. "D-Don't get the wrong idea! This is acting! I'm just being... affectionate!"

"Hmm." Theodore let go of her hand. "Is that so?"

Then he leaned down, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You should work on your acting. Your face gives everything away."

Verbena fled the scene immediately.

---

That night, in bed, she wrapped herself in the blanket like a burrito of shame.

"This isn't fair," she whispered into her pillow. "Why is my villain husband a walking romance novel cover? I'm supposed to make him fall for me and divorce him, not fall for him myself!"

Her pillow offered no answers.

But her traitorous heart kept replaying that moment in the garden over and over again.

--

End of chapter 10

WARNING

This is the original version of the webnovel "villain husband, please sign the divorce papers" by the author "Hanagaki Ryuka". Please don't copyright or upload it in your name

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O1cON4UEjsjFPMZxqNSY425-fdHW19779uAKscbDsy8/edit?usp=drivesdk