03

"Let's not waste each other's time since you detest me so much. I'll move out and grant you your wish to be with your lover. See you tomorrow at the City’s court." Hadley said.

She then made her way upstairs to gather her belongings. She couldn’t  bear any moment at the house that had once been hers and Andrew’s happy place.

"I couldn’t come to the hospital because I was very busy," Andrew said, grabbing her wrist.  “Just tell me what you want.”

Busy after saving his life? Really!

"There's no need to play hard-to-get. Tell me what you want.” Andrew remarked again.

Andrew’s reference to the divorce looked like a ploy to grab his attention, and he was already making an effort to please her. It was more akin to a deal between business partners than the consoling gesture of a husband to his wife.

Cash? An automobile? or a house? These problems may be fixed if Hadley asked her biological family.

"Why do you think money can solve everything? Don't assume everyone is like you, obsessed with work," Hadley said in a calm yet sharp voice. “I didn't sell myself to you, even though I married you. I am entitled to request a divorce. I owe you nothing, Andrew Shaw. You're not allowed to talk to me that way." She talked with clarity and firmness.

People have characterized her “Mrs. Shaw”  as kind and compassionate for many years. She never gets upset and radiated friendliness everywhere she went.

At one point, even Andrew thought Hadley was laid back and manageable. But at last, he realized that she wasn't kidding.

Andrew closed the gap between them as he approached her. "Are you serious?" he queried after giving her a long, silent look.

"Yes." Without flinching, Hadley nodded, saying, "I'm very serious."

"Have you grown too accustomed over time, losing sight of how difficult P City may be?” He asked.

"Do you even know what it means to leave me? You cannot survive a day in this city without the title of Mrs. Shaw. You'll be pleading to return in three days."

He gripped her chin and made her look into his cold eyes. But all he could see was the composed resolve in Hadley’s eyes.

"Let's see," Hadley said, maintaining a steady gaze on him with emotionless eyes. "We'll find out if I end up begging you.”

Like a stretched rope on the verge of breaking, the room fell silent. With an uncaring voice, Andrew released her chin. "Fine, have it your way."

Hadley exhaled with relief.

Andrew did not come back that evening. As dawn broke, the snow began to fall as Hadley completed her packing.

After staring silently out the window for a while, she lowered her gaze. It had been four years since she had last seen snow this heavy.

Andrew had confessed his feelings to her on a snowy day too four years ago. It was colder that day and the snow was thicker than it was today. He sat at the restaurant that afternoon waiting for her. His ears were crimson, and his hands were rigid. He was a vibrant, carefree who attracted attention simply by standing there.

He had his friends bring out a truckload of sunflowers he had prepared for her.

Those vibrant sunflowers, emblems of life, looked stunning in the expansive snowy landscape.

Hadley liked the flowers when she came. Andrew couldn't even bring himself to touch her hand at that time, he was so shy.

He finally asked her to be his girlfriend after a protracted mental battle. He vowed that day, "If you ever regret being with me, just tell me, and I'll let you go. But I promise that day will never come. I won't let you regret it, Hadley. Trust me." 

Her heart ached as she thought back to the four years she had spent with Andrew- two years dating and another two years married.

Andrew’s soft look was now for her sister. It turns out that vows, no matter how earnest, have an expiration date. In the end, he chose her sister over her.

Hadley pulled out her phone and called a number she hadn’t called in a while.

"I lost. Come pick me up tomorrow by noon.”

…..

Andrew and Hadley went to the city’s court the following day, signed the divorce papers, and prepared to part ways.

The driver of a fancy car drove up by the side of the road and politely opened the door for Hadley. "Ma’am, Mr. Fern sent me to take you home," he said bowing.

Pedro Fern was one of the few people who purchased the multibillion-dollar customized Rolls-Royce.

Andrew’s eyes went cold as he looked at the Rolls-Royce. He took Hadley’s  hand violently. "Is that why you're in such a hurry to divorce me—because you've found another man? Is it because he is richer than me?”

He lost his temper.

Hadley smiled. "You never truly got me, Andrew Shaw. Do you really believe that your wealth and prestige are the reasons I married you?”

She then got in the car and the car drove away.

For a time, Andrew was astonished as he gazed at the moving car.

Hadley had never truly loved him because she immediately found another man few minutes after their divorce!

***

Hadley leaned back against the car seat. She needed immediate medical attention because the wound on her arm as a result of the flames was reopening.

Her phone rang that moment. It was the hospital that was treating her. She had called them earlier in the morning before coming to the court with Andrew, and had told them about the wound reopening.

"I was not around Ms. Beck, I just got your complaint now. I have sent you the list of drugs to buy. Also your report is ready. Everything is normal except for..." the doctor said and paused.

"Except what?” Hadley asked eagerly, wondering why the doctor stopped taking.

"You're pregnant."

The words struck her like a thunderclap. She was astounded by what she heard.

She’s pregnant? How?

 “O..okay.” She responded and ended the call before the doctor could say anything more.

 She scrolled to Andrew’s number, intending to call him, but she pause as she recalled they just divorced not long ago.

Hadley realized she couldn't rely on him, so she swiftly put the phone down. She would raise the child by herself. After all, who knows if Andrew might try to kill the baby just the same way he left her in the flames to die.

….

As Andrew returned to the car, Laura who just arrived few minutes after Hadley left, gave him a hug. "This is fantastic, Drew! You've finally divorced that bumpkin. Finally we can be together now.“

Laura was ecstatic and eager to share the good news with her parents.

Andrew’s tone was soft, yet there was a flash of disinterest in his eyes. "Yes.”

“Let's tell my mum the good news. Let’s go to my place, I’m so excited.” Laura said cheerfully.

Unreadable feelings were simmering in Andrew’s eyes at that very moment. And he made a great effort to subdue them. Then he smiled softly at Laura and said, "sure, let's go then."

After finally driving Hadley away, Laura was overjoyed. Her mother was to be thankful for this.

As a result of her mother's deceit, Hadley and Andrew has finally ended their marriage, the same way her mother lied that she was the girl who saved Andrew’s life when they were young, and cut ties with Hadley and chased her out of their family after finding out she was not her biological daughter, but Laura is.

When Andrew was young, he got stuck in an elevator due to the elevator’s technical issues in an amusement park. It was young Hadley who rushed and notified the owner of the amusement park, and Andrew got saved on time. 

Young Andrew didn’t get to know who Hadley was because Hadley had already left by the time he searched for her, but Andrew never forgot her and promised to look for her. 

But it was difficult to find the girl as Andrew got older. Unknown to him that his wife Hadley is the same person he is looking for.

When Mary Beck, Hadley’s adopted mother find out that Andrew didn’t know the girl he is looking for is Hadley because she was there the day young Hadley saved young Andrew, she asked Laura to lie that she is the one to Andrew, all this unknown to Hadley. 

Mary is jealous that Andrew from such a wealthy family choose Hadley instead of her biological daughter Laura, so she did this so Laura can be with Andrew instead, and now her plans worked because Hadley and Andrew are divorced now.

Laura told Andrew she’s the one who saved him. Andrew is so happy and believed her, so Laura used the opportunity to seduced him and they began dating without Hadley aware of this.

And now that he and Hadley has divorced, Laura  finally has him to herself.

~~

Thirty minutes later, Andrew arrived at the Beck Villa’s gate. After receiving a call from the CEO of Sky Group, he instructed Laura to come in  first.

Laura agreed and went inside while Andrew remained outside.

"Hello.” Andrew said on the phone.

"Mr. Shaw, your director is impressive. She’s the first woman to ever win my heart and secure a business deal with ease. She’s a good one, you better not let her go.”

Andrew’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?”

“Yes. Let me know after you’ve signed the contract.”

“Okay.” Andrew responded.

The call ended.

Didn’t Hadley seduce the CEO of Sky Group to secure the contract deal?

That was what Andrew thought.

No doubt Hadley is very intelligent and has worked in his company for close to two years bringing deals, but since Sky Group is very picky about the kind of company they cooperate with, Andrew thought Hadley must have seduced the CEO and got the contract. 

But Hadley has proven him wrong. 

He called Hadley. However, the call didn’t go through. He was startled to see that she had blocked his number when he looked at the screen.

How Dare she. Who does she think she is?