06.06

Sitting across from the delicacies spread on the vast table, Heidi supported her cheeks with both hands. She let out a sigh, wondering why her husband was taking so long outside.

Lucas appeared to have forgotten their anniversary, despite Heidi dropping hints for the past few days. He never brought up the topic and was always conveniently busy whenever she tried to discuss it. Hoping to surprise him, she eagerly awaited the sound of his footsteps from the doorway.

Bang! A deafening sound startled her, and through her blurry vision, a stack of documents appeared in front of her.

“Sign it, Heidi. We’re getting a divorce,” Lucas’s cold voice reached her ears.

Frowning, Heidi’s eyes returned to the documents, and she read the words written boldly at the top. ‘A divorce agreement?’ She shook her head and chuckled, convinced it was a silly dream. Lucas would never divorce her.

Heidi picked up the documents from the desk and flipped through them. Then she pinched herself. The reality hit—she wasn’t dreaming.

“No. No. No. You must be joking,” Heidi shook her head in disbelief.

“Did you think that I would never discover your real intentions someday? How much did Grandpa pay you?”

“What are you talking about!?” Fear gripped her heart, and sensing the man’s seriousness, she pleaded,

“Did you think I would never know that you married me because of money? Whatever Grandpa paid you, I will triple it. Just sign the danm paper.”

“Lucas, wait—” Heidi grabbed his hand as he turned around to walk into the bedroom.

“Everything is as you see,” Lucas retorted, pulling away. “This marriage will yield nothing, Heidi. It is never going to benefit both of us. If you want more money, just say it.”

How could he say their marriage would be of no benefit when she loved him with all her heart?

Three years ago, Heidi accidentally encountered the love of her life through an unexpected connection—with his grandfather. Grandpa Winston, hospitalized at the time, shared a rare blood type that happened to match hers. Much to her surprise, Winston was revealed to be none other than Lucas’s grandfather.

Imagine Heidi’s joy when Lucas approached her with a marriage proposal. However, the present situation left her bewildered and hurt. Why, after all this time, was he now labeling her as a gold digger?

Confused and hurt, Heidi fought back tears and rushed into the bedroom to confront him. “Lucas, please listen,” she pleaded, blocking his path to the closet where he was taking off clothes. “Grandpa has nothing to do with our marriage. He didn’t give me any money.”

“Stop it, and just sign the papers.” Ignoring Heidi even after her heartfelt confession, Lucas’s actions humiliated her, and tears flowed uncontrollably. For Lucas, she endured harsh treatment and ridicule from his family and others, dreaming that he would one day reciprocate her feelings. She worked tirelessly to make their marriage succeed, hopeful that her efforts would be recognized.

“Lucas—” Heidi’s next words died in her throat when the man turned around and undid his necktie. His shirt’s collar loosened, revealing a glaring red mark shaped like li-ps.

The shock hit her in waves, and Heidi staggered backward. “W-What is this, Lucas?” She pointed at the side of his neck.

Heidi didn’t need to be told what it was. She just didn’t want to believe it was real. Lucas’s brows furrowed, and he touched the place. When he brought his finger up and saw the red dot, his expression relaxed. His li-ps curled up, recalling the intimate moment he’d shared with Tracy in his office.

“Lucas, you are cheating on me!” Heidi’s eyes widened.

“So what?” His smile vanished, and his stoic expression returned. “If it weren’t for you, Tracy wouldn’t have left me three years ago. Now that she has returned, I want you out of my life, Heidi. Just sign the papers, take everything you want, and get out of my life.”

Heidi stood rooted to the spot as the man’s words echoed in her ears. “And if you don’t… Fine. As long as you’re in this house, never expect me ever to step foot here again.”

Lucas slipped on a new set of clothes, picked up his jacket, and left. Heidi returned to her senses, and a new kind of feeling engulfed her heart.

His ex was back. She let out a self-deprecating laugh and wiped her tears furiously.

For three years, she worked hard to melt his heart; however, he was only waiting for his ex’s return so he could toss her out. What a fool she had been, thinking that he would love her back. Now, everything felt like a cruel joke.

Heidi shook her head and left the closet. Her phone was in the dining room, and when she reached there, the divorce documents stared back at her. Pushing down the lump in her throat, she picked up her phone and sent a text. Then she took the pen.

A while later…

Heidi stepped out of the gates and found a car waiting outside.

“Were you serious!?” Zach exclaimed as soon as Heidi got on. “That scumbag. He actually divorced you.”

“Just take me away,” Heidi murmured. Her expression was blank as she stared out of the car’s window. Yet, Zach knew that she was bottling up her emotions.

For that man, Heidi endured daily humiliation by those lowly folks. Because of him, she dropped her crown as a princess and assumed the position of a pauper, a desperate housewife with no other goal apart from pleasing her husband. Danm it! He was going to make him regret it.

“A divorce is not the end of the world. Cheer up, dear.” Zach squeezed her hand gently.