Chapter 3

Edith rushed to the conference room, but it was so crowded she couldn't even peek inside.

As a colleague rushed out, Edith quickly stopped her. "Did Mr. Shatner pass out?"

Before the colleague could speak, a familiar voice growled menacingly behind, "Why would I pass out?"

Edith froze—so James didn't pass out, and she had exposed herself instantly.

Still, her colleague quickly explained, "No, Mr. Shatner—it's Shannon from HR, having a hypoglycemic episode. I'm getting the car to take her to the hospital…"

James nodded. "Go."

After the colleague left, James remained behind Edith. "You've learned new tricks, I see."

Guilt eating at her, Edith ran her fingers through her hair before turning to meet his glare. "I don't know what you're talking about."

James raised a brow. "Really? And what did you spike my coffee with?"

Edith shrugged. Since she was caught, there was no point in continuing to pretend.

She even asked sarcastically, "Don't you think the flavor's even more natural that way? The only issue is the water being boiled yesterday."

James didn't respond. He didn't get angry either. Just like every time before, he simply watched her with that detached calm, as if her behavior meant nothing.

But this time, Edith wasn't trying to get his attention. She was getting even.

It was only a cup of coffee with stale tea added. She was certainly being merciful to such an unfaithful jerk of a husband.

And honestly, why didn't he pass out? She would've liked to kick him a few times for good measure.

Even as Edith fantasized that sight, Levi came up to them. "Mr. Shatner, we've sent the ill worker to the hospital. Shall we start the meeting?"

James nodded and entered the conference room, where order was restored.

Edith snorted coolly but entered too.

The meeting lasted for an hour, and when it was over, Edith made a photocopy of the meeting minutes and took it to James for review, along with a divorce agreement.

"Sign both now if you don't mind," she told him.

James didn't even look up. "Just put them there. I'll read it later."

Edith frowned. "You don't have to read it. I'm taking nothing—just sign it."

It was only then that he looked up coolly. "Our marriage is a decision arranged by two families. That means the divorce isn't just your decision—I'll sign it when our respective parents agree to it."

Edith leaned on his desk as she snapped, "Why do I need their approval? Our lives are ours. And right now, I don't want to live it with you anymore."

But as usual, she could get as upset as she wanted—there was just nothing she could do about his stony attitude.

In fact, he was simply turning to read another document while calmly answering, "I'm busy. You may go if there's nothing else."

She was ushered out just like that.

Edith let out a long, heavy breath as she stood outside his office.

The Shatners wouldn't be the issue—they were eugenists and especially nitpicky when it came to family background. If anything, Edith was quite sure that Miriam would be the first to agree to a divorce.

On the other hand, the Conrads were going to be a problem.

But where there was a will, there was a way…

-

Both Edith and James were summoned to Nathan's villa after work, and seeing the look on Miriam's face, Edith had an idea why.

"Edith Conrad. You're not a daughter of the Conrad family."

It wasn't a question—just a statement.

Edith wasn't planning to hide that anyway, as the Conrads were drawing plenty of attention while searching for their real daughter.

If anything, it'd be difficult to keep the Shatners in the dark.

"Yeah," she admitted. "My mother had me switched."

Miriam slammed her palm on the table furiously. "That means Melody Singer was committing marriage fraud! She knew you weren't of Conrad blood, but she let you marry into our family anyway!"

Nathan Shatner frowned as he sat nearby. "That's enough. Edith was kept in the dark too. Why are you taking it out on her?"

Miriam snorted. "Who knows if she really didn't know? It could be a conspiracy between mother and daughter for all we know."

Nathan clutched his chest and hacked violently. "What are you talking about?"

That only made Miriam angrier. "If you weren't so hung up on repaying her, James wouldn't have to suffer like this!"

Edith was stumped. "Repaying Melody? What?"

"You didn't know?" Nathan blurted in surprise.

Edith shook her head, confused.

Nathan hence sighed and explained, "Back then, your mom knew she didn't have much time left, so she approached me, suggesting that we arrange for you to marry James… And I agreed."

Miriam cut in right then when she realized Nathan wasn't explaining it properly, "Oh, quit being so vague, old-timer! Let me give it to you straight, Edith. Back in the day, it was Melody who operated on Nathan's heart and saved his life. So she had clearly intended to exploit that favor.

"Fortunately for her, Nathan is a grateful man and agreed to it, even pressuring James to marry you. Otherwise, do you think we would have agreed to such an engagement, considering the Conrads' wealth and status compared to ours?!"

Edith was stumped and turned toward James before she knew it, but he had a look that said he knew it all along.

Who could tell for sure? He might have fought against it, but Nathan ultimately must have overruled him.

So that was why he didn't give a damn about her, no matter what she tried—not when the entire marriage all banked on Melody calling in a favor.

For a moment, Edith didn't know what to say.

Silence stretched between them.

Then she lifted her head and looked at James again.

If that was the case, then asking for a divorce now… was the least she could do for him.

Turning to look solemnly between Nathan and Miriam, she calmly apologized, "I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused, and I am well aware that I don't deserve James… Which is why I'm asking for your approval for a divorce."

Both her in-laws were stunned right then, and Nathan shook his head without hesitation. "I refuse. Status means nothing, and our family is not one that weighs wealth and status above all else. And don't you think you'd be pushing us into a PR crisis if you went through with this?"

Surprised that Nathan would think that, Edith quickly explained, "No, pops. I mean no harm…"

"Fine, then you can get a divorce when I'm dead. I'm on death's door anyway, so you don't have to wait that long."

And with those words, Nathan strode off, fuming.

Edith then turned toward Miriam, who clearly looked caught off guard, not expecting Edith to ask for a divorce.

If anything, she just wanted to reassert her authority as mother-in-law, after feeling aggrieved from being deceived.

With Shatner Inc. on track to reach greater heights, James couldn't afford a divorce.

Still, seeing Edith's pleading look, Miriam cleared her throat and took her stance. "I'm not saying no. But if my husband said no, it's a no from me too. Our family has never had a divorce before, and we can't afford the embarrassment."

And with those words, she left too, leaving just Edith and James in the living room.

After some silence, James spoke first. "You heard them. Don't ever mention divorce again."

Edith met his gaze with serenity. "I'm sorry, James. I've held you back."

Two years… How could that not count as holding him back?

If anything, the fact that James had merely neglected her without abusing her in any way was probably the best he could do.

And yet, she kept pressing her luck for two years, so she wouldn't ever do it again.

With that, she turned to leave.

Watching her leave, James felt like his heart was being squeezed, but he soon recovered.

That night, Edith moved into the guest room.

-

The next day, Edith's best friend Nora Turner invited their group of four out for a meal.

The others had yet to arrive when Edith did, so she headed to the ladies' room to wash her hands when she heard familiar voices from a private room.

The door was ajar, so she stooped to peek inside.

Men and women were sitting around a table, with James clearly being the star of the show, while Susie sat at his side.

At the sight of them together, Edith's expression didn't change. Now that she knew he had only endured this marriage, she might as well let him have what he wanted.

She wasn't intending to stay and was ready to leave when someone teased James, "Your drama queen wife didn't ask to tag along?"

She turned back and saw that it was James' friend from college whom she had met before.

But it was true—since marrying James, she would follow him around even when he refused to bring her along. Otherwise, James would be receiving calls from the maids or the bodyguards in the middle of whatever he was in, and that was how she got the moniker drama queen.

It seemed like it was yet another class reunion today, but Susie was Edith's classmate, and both of them were three years younger than James.

That meant Susie wasn't there as a classmate.

James ran his fingers along the rim of his wine glass, his tone indifferent. "Don't mention her."

Those around him sensed the shift in mood and they quickly changed the subject. "Come on, Susie—you'd better be staying for good this time. As a famous actress, I'm sure even James' mother won't have anything to say about you now."

Another friend agreed. "That's right! James really sacrificed everything for you—his mother was ready to have you abducted and defiled. That was why he had to agree to that arranged marriage, so that you were only sent abroad."

Susie smiled shyly at James, keeping her head down. "Oh, stop it—we were never dating, and I went abroad on my own volition."

Everyone clamored, but James didn't react as if he knew.

-

Outside, Edith's fingers went pale from squeezing the doorknob.

So Miriam didn't like Susie, and James had agreed to marry her just to protect Susie.

And just yesterday, she was left wondering if someone like James was really one to be weighed down by gratitude.

But as it turned out, he was simply sacrificing his marriage for Susie.

Well, everything made sense now—to think that she actually felt like she owed him just yesterday.

But no, neither of them owed each other anything…. Not when he used her like a tool.

While she spaced out, Nora clapped her shoulder from behind. "Ed? What are you doing just standing there?"

Edith came to her senses and pulled Nora along to leave, but Nora's keen eyes quickly caught sight of who was inside the room.

Her face dropping, she huffed, "So that bitch is back?"

Edith was surprised—she had never told Nora about James and Susie, so why that huge reaction?

Did she have a grudge against Susie too?