ManyWriters

Damien and I had been together for nine years, during which we divorced ten times.
The eleventh time, he was helping his mistress pick out an engagement ring.
"The young lady is pregnant, so we're putting on a show. Eight months from now, I'll remarry you."
"In the meantime, move out. I'll have meals delivered to you three times a day."
"Also, go get a postpartum care certification. Serenity is delicate and can't handle the hardships of childcare."
I held the divorce papers, nodding obediently.
As I was about to leave, I overheard his friend mocking him.
"Damien, you're something else. You've practically trained your sister-in-law to be a dog."
Damien boasted proudly, "That's nothing. Melody is such a cheap whore."
"Even if I don't remarry her, she'd still willingly help me raise the kid as my mistress."
I remained silent, quietly sending a message to the man on the other end of my phone.
"Got the divorce papers. When can we get married?"

Gentle Dissolution

The whispered conversation reached my ears, neither too loud nor too soft.


"Why are you sucking up to her? Everyone knows she's just Mrs. Harrington in name only. Miss Sterling is the one who truly has Mr. Harrington's heart!"


"Now that Miss Sterling is pregnant, that old hag will be kicked to the curb in no time."


Whether at the company or anywhere else, anyone who tried to speak up for me would be fired by Serenity for one reason or another.


Not wanting to cause trouble for innocent people, I clutched my prenatal checkup report and left silently.


On the taxi ride home, fireworks exploded across the sky.


The driver glanced up a few times and couldn't help but remark,


"I heard the CEO of Harrington Corporation's wife is pregnant. They've been setting off fireworks for a whole month to celebrate. That's how the rich show their love, I guess."


Thinking of the two children I had lost, I felt overwhelmed with grief.


I could only bow my head and look at my phone to distract myself.


But even the news headlines were all about it.


Damien buys million-dollar jade Buddha for wife's safe pregnancy.


Damien buys out entire city's supply of baby products.Damien built a hundred Hope Elementary Schools, praying for his wife and child's well-being.


He made a big show of it, wanting to announce his joy of becoming a first-time father to the whole world.


As I watched, a thousand bitter emotions welled up inside me.


When I lost my first child, I cried all night, unable to sleep.


I wanted Damien to accompany me to light incense for our baby.


But he thought I was bad luck, ruining the mood for him and Serenity's rendezvous, abandoning me alone on a desolate hillside.


So it turns out Damien doesn't dislike children.


I sighed, dragging my exhausted body back to the mansion.


While I was packing my things, Damien returned.


He looked at the suitcase in my hand with confusion.


"Well, you don't necessarily have to move out."


"I know you can't bear to part with me. You can move to the guest room. Serenity is generous, she won't give you a hard time."


The wounds all over my body were aching dully.


"We're divorced now, there's no reason for me to keep living here."


"I don't want anything else, just give me back the shares I brought into the marriage."


Damien looked like he wanted to make me stay.I again added, "So Serenity won't be unhappy seeing my things when she moves in."


Hearing this, Damien swiftly opened the safe.


He rummaged around for a while, finally finding the crumpled contract under the desk.


He casually explained, "Last time Serenity and I got a bit rough in the study, I just grabbed it to prop up the table leg."


I lowered my head, trying hard to smooth out the wrinkles on the contract.


Though Shaw family's small company couldn't compare to Harrington family, it was still my parents' life's work.


Before Mom passed, she gave me everything so I could have a better life with Harrington family.


Her efforts didn't deserve to be treated this way.


This was the first time I showed vulnerability in front of Damien.


"I didn't mean to. Your family's shares aren't worth much anyway. I can pay you double to make up for it, okay?"


Damien pulled out his phone, ready to transfer money.The password was halfway typed when Serenity called, saying she was afraid of the dark.


He tucked the phone back into his pocket.


"The young lady is delicate, she needs me to keep her company while sleeping."


Chapter 4