5

My father kept calling, feeling exasperated, I chose to turn off my phone.

My father only remembers me when he needs something. It is a painful truth for me to accept. When I arrived home, I was startled to see my father's car.

As soon as I stepped inside, my parents—who had been sitting in the living room—immediately approached me.

"Isla Grace, we heard you were in an accident. How are you?" my mother asked.

"A mild concussion," I replied flatly.

"But you're better now, right?" my mother interjected.

"Hmm. Why are you here?" I asked in return.

"Isla Grace, Liam is building a business, but we’re short on capital. What if you asked your husband to collaborate with us?" my father whispered.

It’s always like this, for Liam’s sake, they humiliate me within the Ashford family.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I can't do that. We’ve been acting like parasites all this time," I refused.

"What do you mean, 'parasites'? You’re his wife! It’s your husband’s duty to help your family!" my father growled, his temper flaring.

"Haven't you seen the news? Leonard is going to marry Serra, I’m just a wife who doesn't matter to him. So, from now on, don't count on me to secure any more benefits—Leonard and I are getting a divorce!" I retorted coldly.

"You’re absolutely useless—how could you fail to keep a hold on your own husband? Even if your marriage wasn't made public, you are still his lawful wife! Besides, you’re far more beautiful than Serra!" my father snapped.

"Do you think that for the wealthy, a wife only needs to be beautiful? They’ve always viewed us as nothing but parasites. And Serra? She comes from a family of equal standing—someone who can bring tangible benefits to the Ashford family. Aren't you ashamed enough already? You’d better leave right now," I said firmly, ushering them out.

Just then, Leonard appeared with Serra. She was holding his arm affectionately.

"Leonard, is it true you’re planning to marry Serra and divorce Isla Grace?" my mother asked.

Leonard looked startled and immediately pulled his arm away from Serra.

"Mother-in-law, don't listen to the media gossip. Serra and I are just friends," Leonard replied, causing Serra’s expression to fall.

"Yes, we’re just friends. We’ve been close since childhood—like siblings, really," Serra added.

My father’s face broke into a wide grin.

"See, Isla? They’re just friends. You shouldn't misunderstand Leonard," my father urged.

"Who told you I was planning to divorce Isla Grace?" Leonard asked my father.

"Isla Grace did, but the misunderstanding has been cleared up now," my father answered.

Leonard shot a glance at me, his eyes seemed to warn that if I defied him, I’d face the same kind of punishment I’d endured the night before.

I quickly turned my face away and pulled my parents by the hand, leading them out of the house.

"Mom, Dad—you should go home."

"You dare kick us out?" my father retorted.

"Yes, so what? Where were you when I was sick? You went off to have fun with Liam overseas. But the moment you needed something, you came looking for me. Anyway, from this moment on, don't contact me again!" I declared, slamming the door shut.

Leonard and Serra were still standing where they had been, they had witnessed the entire scene. I don't care if I look ridiculous in front of them, other people's judgments no longer matter to me.

Without greeting them, I walked straight past and headed toward the bedroom. Leonard followed close behind, then roughly grabbed my arm.

"Why did you tell your parents I was going to divorce you?" Leonard asked, his expression cold.

"Let go—it hurts!" I groaned.

Leonard glanced at my reddened wrist and immediately released his grip. I took a breath to steady myself, suppressing the ache in my heart. It was true that I was Leonard’s wife, and true that his love belonged only to his late ex-girlfriend.

Yet, almost every day, he was with Serra, showering her with attention. The more I thought about our five-year marriage, the more suffocated I felt.

"Leonard, let's get a divorce," I said calmly.

Leonard’s eyes widened in shock, he scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom, placing me in the bathtub and dousing me with water.

"Leonard, stop it!" I screamed, furious.

"How dare you talk to me about divorce!" Leonard exclaimed, beginning to strip off his suit jacket and shirt.

"I’m just clearing the way so you can marry Serra!" I shouted back.

"Who wants to marry Serra? We’re just friends! Just friends!" Leonard snapped, his voice rising.

I flinched, a shout from the person you love most cuts like a sharp blade.

"Then what am I to you?" I asked softly.

Leonard gripped both my shoulders tightly, staring intensely into my eyes.

"What is wrong with you? You never used to cause trouble like this," he asked, his voice dropping to a lower tone.

I met his gaze, no longer with an explosive outburst of emotion.

"Legally, I am your wife, yet in our daily life, you are so cold toward me. You are never there when I need you. In five years of marriage, you’ve treated me no better than you treat Serra—someone you claim is just a friend. And do you realize that even in bed, the name you call out is Ariel’s? I’m human too, Leonard! I have feelings. I want to end this. Let’s get an amicable divorce," I said calmly and clearly.

Leonard was stunned, then, he let go of me.

"Fine, so you want a divorce? But first, pay off your father’s debts. Twenty billion." Tears instantly fell from my eyes, I had suspected as much—that I was viewed merely as a captive because of that debt.

"I’ve been your wife for five years, serving you with all my heart. Surely, you didn't expect that service for free, did you? At the very least, I should be paid for my work as a maid and as someone who satisfies your lust," I retorted.

"Do you really think you're worth that much—twenty billion?" Leonard asked with a sneer.

"Fine, let's calculate based on Anna's dowry and monthly allowance to be fair. Anna's dowry was five billion, and she received a monthly allowance of one hundred million. That means over five years, I should have received eleven billion.

So, does that leave a remaining debt of nine billion for me to pay?" I said seriously.

"How many years would you have to work to earn nine billion? Especially considering you're only a high school graduate?" Leonard mocked.

"I may not be highly educated, but I have a beautiful face and a great body. You know exactly what my service is like in bed, don't you? Tell me... if I approached conglomerate bosses, do you think they'd be willing to pay nine billion for me?" I retorted, refusing to back down.

Leonard clenched his fists until the muscles bulged, he looked absolutely furious. But a few seconds later, a smirk played on his lips. That expression made me tremble with fear.

"Isla Grace, it turns out you're getting a bit naughty. It seems last night's punishment didn't teach you a lesson, I should have made sure you couldn't get out of bed so you wouldn't dare test my patience again," Leonard muttered as he yanked my hair.

"Are you going to get violent with me? Do you think I'll just stand here and take it?" I challenged.

Leonard released my hair but grabbed me by the neck, pulling our faces close together.

"This is called marital pleasure, Isla Grace. How about I help record it? Then you can just hand it over to the police as evidence," Leonard challenged with a grin.

"You're insane!"