Chapter 1

Clara Sterling didn't seem bothered at all. She pinched my cheek lightly. "Are you upset over Sarah, or is this really about William? He only came back to see the child. He poses no threat to you, and I am still satisfied with you. Why are you talking about divorce?"

I lowered my eyes. "Because I am tired."

Clara laughed softly in surprise and raised my chin. "Tired? You married me for money, didn't you? Or are you planning to leave like William, thinking it will make me care more?"

William Sawyer was the ex-husband Clara could never forget.

I pushed her hand away. "I wouldn't do that."

Clara scoffed. "You would be wise not to. William was always proud. I was drowning in debt back then and held him back, so I can't blame him for leaving, but you aren't him.

"If you leave, I won't stop you. I've paid you well over the years, and I can keep doing that. Now that we have come this far, are you still insisting on a divorce?"

The mockery and disdain in her voice hit me like a knife.

I smiled bitterly, and I felt my eyes grow dim. In the five years I had been married to Clara, she had always measured me against William.

To her and her daughter, Sarah, I would always fall short of William. I was neither as handsome nor as dazzling as him. Perhaps the way we met was flawed from the start. Deep down, I had always felt her respect was never mine to earn.

When Clara teetered on the edge of bankruptcy and despair five years ago, William had abandoned her and Sarah without hesitation.

At her lowest point, she came to me with a sum of money and proposed a contractual marriage, so I could look after her child.

I agreed. For the past five years, I had given her everything.

In the end, it was my own greed that fooled me into thinking I could have a real family. Now, even the word "divorce" sounded like a cruel joke.

Since I didn't respond, Clara grew impatient. She pulled a thick stack of cash from the drawer and set it on the nightstand. "Sarah didn't humiliate you in front of everyone, and you aren't her real father.

"Is it really worth feeling so aggrieved? Is it really worth making a scene in the middle of the night? Here, take the money. Does this make you feel better?"

A stack of at least 100 thousand dollars in cash sat before me.

I loved money. Having grown up poor, I couldn't survive without it. In the past, a handout from her would make me smile through any insult. Now, all I wanted was to walk away.

I looked at Clara. "We will divorce in two days. Starting tonight, we will sleep in separate rooms."

Clara finally laughed in anger. She suddenly smashed the lamp on the nightstand and looked down at me coldly.

"Bruce Wagner, it seems I have been far too fond of you lately. How dare you push your luck like this? Get out and stand in the yard to let the cold wind clear your head. Think it through—if you really feel you've had your fill of the good life, then we can talk about divorce!"