not a chance

In the past, seeing Alexander like this would have made Isobel hesitant to provoke him. She knew he was about to get angry. But now, she'd decided to let him go, so why should she care?

The first step was to stop worrying about his mood.

Isobel wasn't the kind of beauty that stunned at first glance, but she was definitely in the pretty category. She had arched brows, bright eyes, a teardrop mole beneath one eye, a high nose bridge, a petite nose tip, and lovely lips.

She gave off a vibe that was both soft and stubborn.

At this moment, all her stubbornness was directed at him. Alexander could see the determination in her eyes.

She truly wanted a divorce.

But... how could that be possible?

This marriage was orchestrated by her family.

"Divorce me, Isobel? Are you really willing to do that? Even if you are, what about your family?"

Isobel had anticipated Alexander might hurt her, but she hadn't expected him to hurt her like this. His words almost spelled out that she was sold to him by her family.

Isobel's face turned pale.

"That's none of Mr. Howard's concern. All you need to know is that I want a divorce."

Isobel pushed Alexander away after saying her piece. Caught off guard, he stumbled back, watching as she walked toward the bed.

Alexander adjusted his shirt collar, unbuttoning the top three buttons to reveal his chest, and followed her.

"What, feeling in the mood?" he teased, thinking her move to the bed was an invitation. He didn't mind joking around a bit.

In public, Alexander always maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, but at home, he shed that exterior, revealing a more carefree side. It was a confidence that came from his upbringing.

"This is the divorce agreement. I've printed it out and signed it. Take a look, and if everything's fine, just sign it. I'm willing to leave with nothing," Isobel said.

Alexander was about to approach her when a few sheets of paper were suddenly pressed against his chest. Isobel had gone to the bed to retrieve the divorce papers from the nightstand.

Earlier, she planned to leave them for him to sign since he wasn't home. Now that he was back, it was the perfect opportunity to get it done and move on.

Isobel stood calmly, while the man's gaze shifted from the top of her head to the papers she held against his chest, nearly causing a storm within him.

"Divorce papers? Leaving with nothing?"

Every word she spoke made sense to Alexander, but together, they almost didn't.

How dare she!

She actually had the nerve to draft such a divorce agreement.

"Isobel, have I been too lenient with you?"

Alexander's voice was icy, yet images suddenly flashed in his mind—scenes Daniel had sent him not long ago—of her with a doctor in a hospital room.

He had been worried about her identity, but now that he thought about it, the man seemed quite close to her. They didn't look like just patient and doctor.

So, was she seeing someone else?

"Who is he?"

"What?"

"The man at the hospital. Did you go there to see him?"

"Alexander, are you out of your mind?"

Isobel was initially confused by Alexander's words until she realized he must have investigated her and seen her with Dr. Carter, leading him to this conclusion.

How could he insult her like this?

He was the one who cheated, and now he thought she was the one having an affair?

"Alexander, don't turn the tables on me!"

"You should be grateful I'm being so generous. You're the one who cheated. If I wanted to take half of your assets, I could, but I chose to leave with nothing."

"You can try."

"Alexander!"

"Or is it that you want a divorce because I left with Melissa last night and didn't satisfy you?"

"Get lost! Don't be so shameless!"

Isobel's heart raced with anger at the man's words.

Alexander looked down at her.

"If you want something, just tell your husband. Wouldn't I satisfy you?"

He reached out and pushed Isobel onto the bed, his tall frame following her down.

Lying beneath him, what should have been a position to make her blush was, for Isobel, only filled with humiliation.

"I don't want this."

"Well, I do."

Alexander hadn't really been in the mood, but the woman's defiance had provoked him.

Since they got married, she had always been compliant with him, even in bed.

Alexander could be quite adventurous at times, and though Isobel was already twenty-four, she had only ever been with him. Her nature was somewhat conservative when it came to intimacy, but she would do anything to please him.

Sometimes, he would press her against the glass windows of their room.

Originally, the windows were transparent from both sides, but Alexander had them changed for a bit of thrill.

Even so, Isobel felt shy. She knew no one could see them from outside, but they had a clear view of the world beyond.

Thinking about those moments made Alexander's blood stir. At twenty-eight, he was in the prime of his life.

Whenever he wasn't traveling for work, working late, or attending social events, they were intimate almost every day.

Besides, last night they had been interrupted halfway through.

Alexander leaned over Isobel, feeling a spark of interest ignite. He straightened slightly, his long fingers reaching to tug at the sweater of the woman in his arms.

She was wearing a white sweater with small floral patterns today. The hem wasn't very long, and in their earlier tussle, it had ridden up a bit, revealing what she wore underneath.

Isobel had a figure that was quite enviable.

Standing at 5'6", her body had a perfect proportion, with long legs that wrapped around someone in a way that was utterly captivating.

Her slender waist and the curves above were equally striking.

Alexander's hand slipped inside, tracing her curves from below.

"No, don't..."

Isobel hadn't expected Alexander to get interested so quickly. Weren't they supposed to be discussing their divorce?

Besides, last night he had left her to find Melissa. Hadn't Melissa satisfied him?

"Alexander, we're getting a divorce!"

Isobel reminded him, trying to bring him back to reality.

The man leaned down, his lips brushing against her neck, trailing kisses upward.

"Divorce? Did I agree to that?"

"Isobel, as long as I don't sign, you're still my wife, and us being together is perfectly legal."

"Mmm~"

He knew exactly where her weak spots were.

Isobel couldn't resist when he kissed her neck and behind her ears. Those spots always sent shivers down her spine.

And calling her Isobel at a time like this? It was rare for him to use her full name.

Her eyes turned red; she was starting to feel something.

Isobel hated it. She wanted to break things off with him, but her body couldn't resist his allure.

Alexander wasn't much better off. He was captivated by her, and parts of him ached with desire.

But when he glanced down and saw her small hand clutching those crumpled papers at the edge of the bed, despite her obvious reaction, his mood soured.

He reached out, snatching the papers from her hand and tearing them to shreds in seconds.

"Alexander!"

Isobel's eyes widened in shock.

That's when the man's lips descended upon hers.

"Isobel, dreaming of divorce? Not a chance!”