Chapter 1

When I looked up, I saw an annoying red lipstick mark on Richard’s collar, and my throat tightened. I nodded. “Okay.”

“You’re agreeing to it?”

Richard never thought that I would agree to it so readily, and he stared at me fixedly.

“Yeah. I’m agreeing to it.”

We had been married for five years, and he knew just how much I treasured that ring. I would not remove it so easily, but he forced me to take it off for another woman.

What was the point of staying with someone like that?

My throat tightened, and I forced myself to smile. “Let’s get a divorce. I’ll give up my place for Lily.”

Richard was not the only one surprised by that. Even the others in the room were shocked, especially when I took out the divorce agreement. Richard looked taken aback.

But it only lasted for a moment before he sneered. “You’re playing hard to get? Anna, you've really gone downhill. And a divorce? Please—no one else would want you.”

Everyone in the room laughed.

“Anna has finally seen the light! At last, she knows that being a simp isn’t easy!”

“She’s throwing a tantrum? Anna grew a spine?”

“If you leave Richard, where will you go?”

They knew I was loyal to Richard and would never leave, even if he chased me away. They did not bother hiding their harsh words.

Words could truly break a person…

Over the years, those words had broken my spirit, and I was numb to them.

I just watched them quietly and said without emotion, “I’m leaving tonight. Once you pick a time, we can get our divorce certificate.”

I turned to leave.

But Richard was displeased and grabbed my hand. “Why do you have to be so unreasonable?!”

Lily came over and tugged at Richard’s sleeve. She looked really pitiful.

“Richard, don’t argue because of me. And Anna… don’t be mad at Richard. If you’re bothered by this, we can just leave.”

I pulled my hand away in annoyance. “Do whatever you want.”

Lily fell on the floor because Richard had stumbled and bumped into her when I pulled my hand away. She cradled her chest and gasped for breath like a fish out of water.

In the next second, Richard held her and shouted at me, “What are you doing, Anna?! If you’re angry, just say so! Why pull such tricks to hurt Lily?!”

I froze. Great sadness and anger seized my heart.

“I didn’t touch her. She’s the one who fell on the floor...”

Before I could finish, Lily said delicately, “It hurts…”

Richard’s face changed immediately, and he checked on her injuries.

Her pale face made him sympathize with her even more. “I’m going to make you regret it when I return, Anna!”