Chapter 1

The moment Jessica Lowe finished speaking, the crowd erupted into laughter.

Some people even started a bet guessing how long it would take for me to give in and reconcile with her. Even the male model Jessica brought with her joined in the wager.

He deliberately flashed a ring in front of me and said in a mocking tone, "I don't have any money, but I'll bet 500 dollars that he won't get a divorce."

I stared at the ring on his finger and suddenly laughed out loud. She had taken our wedding ring and put it on his finger just to humiliate me.

I cursed myself inwardly for being such a loser. After ten years of being hurt repeatedly, only now did I finally find the courage to leave Jessica.

"I've signed the divorce agreement. You just need to add your signature."

Over the years, I had asked for a divorce as many as 999 times. Yet this was the first time I had brought the actual paperwork.

I removed the wedding ring on my finger and took hers from the male model. Setting them on the divorce agreement, I pushed them toward her.

Jessica's face darkened, and she stared at me for a few seconds. Perhaps, she was stunned with disbelief.

To her, I was nothing more than a dog who only knew how to endure everything she did in silence. But now, I was suddenly willing to give her freedom and let her go.

Jessica curled her lips into a mocking smile. She took the divorce agreement and tore it into pieces right in front of me.

"Aren't you tired of playing these stupid tricks? Don't use divorce to threaten me. I've already grown sick of this marriage and playing house with you."

I lowered my gaze in silence and reached into my bag to pull out another identical copy of the divorce agreement. "Ms. Lowe, since you're tired of me, that's all the more reason for you to sign the papers."

Her temper flared instantly. She shoved me hard and sent me crashing to the floor. "Michael Jefferson, without me, who would your family leech off for money to pay for your mother's medical bills?"

I listened to her in silence. Then, I stood up to leave.

Jessica wasn't about to let me go so easily. She slapped me across the face and said coldly, "See what happens if you really walk away."

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. I couldn't be bothered to argue. At that moment, I just wanted to leave this place.

Infuriated by my indifference, Jessica decided to throw the handle after the hatchet.

She took the divorce agreement in my hand and signed her name carelessly across the signature line. Next, she instructed her assistant, "Stop paying for Mrs. Jefferson Senior's medical bills so that Mr. Jefferson understands what real cruelty looks like."

Jessica turned to me. "The payment for your mother's bills can last for another week at most. During that time, think carefully and decide whether you will crawl back to me on your knees and beg for my forgiveness."

She laughed smugly, as if she were certain that I would never gamble with my mother's life.

But Jessica…

A few months ago, the nurses had given me notice after notice about Mom's critical condition. I called Jessica again and again, begging her to visit my mother one last time.

Yet she said, "The old woman is dying? What new lie did you cook up this time? There's no need to curse your own mother even if you want me to come home."

Mom passed away that very night. The only person in this world who had truly loved me was gone.

Jessica couldn't threaten me anymore.

Seeing the confident look in her eyes, I merely said calmly, "Do whatever you please. Let's meet at the courthouse after the cooling-off period."