1

In the mirror, I saw a pale face.

A week of fasting had made me thinner, much more haggard.

I stared at my reflection, and with each passing moment, fear crept into my eyes.

I never thought that my fasting would be revealed by one of the household servants.

By the time I found out, it was too late.

My half-sister, from my father's side, had already been sent abroad with the combined efforts of the Luther and the Lincoln.

I could almost imagine how furious Henry would be when he found out about it.

With a loud thud, I snapped back to reality.

I left the bathroom, and Henry was standing at the bedroom door.

He came in reeking of alcohol, took off his coat, and tossed it forcefully onto the floor.

The coat landed on the carpet, sending a gust of wind, and I instinctively shrank back.

Through gritted teeth, Henry spoke, "Yvonne, you're quite skilled at sowing discord, I underestimated you."

I straightened my posture slowly and gathered the courage to look at him.

Despite the myriad of conflicting emotions inside me, I finally spoke up.

"Henry, let's get a divorce."

I spoke calmly, with the decision having been carefully considered.

He didn't love me.

I had had enough of being the infamous devoted wife in the capital.

Divorce would be better for both of us.

"Divorce?" Henry's reaction made it seem as though he'd just heard the most absurd thing imaginable. A cold, smirking expression crossed his face as he approached, using his two fingers to lift my chin for a closer look.

"Is this some sort of scheme you're plotting against me? 'Pretending to give up to catch me off guard?'"

I could clearly see how he viewed me in his eyes: thin, worn out, hopeless, and keeping my lips tightly sealed.

Apparently, he found it rather captivating, as if it easily ignited a man's desire to conquer.

At least, in Henry's eyes, it seemed like he had intentions of conquering me.

Summoning my courage, I offered a smile. "Pretending to give up?"

Henry was unquestionably self-assured, and he had once declared that marrying me was the biggest mistake of his life.

Now, face to face, he appeared handsome and arrogant, raising an eyebrow mockingly as he inquired, "Isn't it?"

I didn't want to waste any more time. I turned my head to avoid his intense gaze.

"Of course not, Henry. I'm serious. Let's get a divorce. I'll set you free."

Henry's expression paled instantly, and his eyes grew astonishingly cold and profound.

I spoke softly once more, "Regarding the divorce..."

Henry struggled to restrain his urge to strangle me. "Yvonne, you're not even worthy of initiating a divorce."

"I don't want anything. I'll leave with nothing. I can keep your secrets. Haven't you always considered my sister, Cynthia, as your true love? I can make it happen for you."

Henry's presence had already been heavy, and now it turned ominously hostile. He looked as if he despised me to the core.

"Yvonne, you've got some nerve. You dare to bring up Cynthia in front of me!" Henry exclaimed in anger.

I smiled and replied, "Cynthia is just an illegitimate child of the Lincoln family, hidden in the shadows. Of course, I can mention her."

Henry couldn't tolerate it any longer, he erupted in anger.

He grabbed me forcefully and dragged me away, pushing me onto the bed.

Having recently gone through a period of fasting, I was already weak, and under his dominance, I felt as feeble as a puppet.

Henry pressed down on me with considerable force. I summoned all the strength I had left to resist, but it was as futile as tickling him.

"Yvonne, are you trying to get yourself killed?" I turned my head to avoid his kisses and whispered, "I just want to fulfill your relationship with Cynthia..."

It seemed like Henry couldn't understand a word I was saying.

He tore at my clothes with desperation, becoming like a devil in a frenzy.

"You're seeking death, but I won't let you die. I'm going to make you wish you were dead!"