Chapter 1

Upon returning home, I dug up Elara Thorne’s personal file. Elara had been adopted by Magnus Thorne, the head of the Thorne family, when she was a child. She was shipped abroad at sixteen after Magnus detected an unspoken bond between Lysander and his adopted daughter.

Magnus had granted Elara a green card on condition that she promised never to return to the Thorne for the rest of her life. Yet, just a year ago, Elara claimed she couldn’t bear staying abroad any longer, citing a diagnosis of severe depression. She had even committed suicide ten times!

The last time Elara was rescued, Lysander fell to his knees and begged Magnus to let her come home. For this, he was whipped sixty-six times under the family’s rules, leaving his back a bloody mess and fracturing three ribs. Even when threatened with the loss of his inheritance, he insisted on bringing Elara back.

In the end, it was Magnus who made the compromise, “Get married! As soon as you have a family, you can take her back. But, mark my words. There’s no way you two could ever be together. Never.”

Thus, I became Lysander’s prey. His kindness was merely a ploy to turn me into his cat's-paw. No wonder he can put up with my chattering and quibbling. At the thought of his hypocrisy, I felt as if I were in an ice cellar, my whole body trembling.

By the time Lysander returned home, I’ve been waiting for him for an hour. I spoke calmly, “Lysander, I want a divorce.”

He puzzled, “Don’t be kidding, Seraphina.”

I found it ridiculous. He’d already signed the divorce agreement long ago and locked it away in his study cabinet. He just thought I didn't know. Actually, I had already signed before he walked through the door.

“Sorry. You know I had a meeting. I didn’t mean to.” Lysander was half-hearted.

I smiled wryly. Lysander was only wordless in front of me. But, it didn’t matter because I’d to leave him as soon as the paperwork was done.

In the following days, Lysander was out every single day, yet he flooded me with all kinds of gifts. There were limited-edition jewelries worth a fortune, sports cars I’ve coveted but couldn’t afford, and three luxury mansions.

When Lysander announced that he’d transfer 5% of his shares to me, all eyes were on me with envy. They were convinced that Lysander put me on a pedestal. But I simply tore up the agreement and marked the date of departure on the calendar.

The day of departure fell on Elara’s engagement banquet. Suddenly, it all made sense why Lysander hasn't gone home these days. He’s been accompanying Elara, helping her choose her wedding dress and ring as if he were Elara’s bridegroom.