2. I Want Divorce

“You’re letting Sunny stay in our house?”

Elmy honestly wouldn’t have minded if Sunny wasn’t Zayne’s past or someone he’d had a romantic relationship with. But the reality was the opposite. Seeing that woman in their kitchen this morning had made Elmy stop eating. Instead of breakfast, she had chosen to head straight to Zayne’s office and storm in.

“Just temporarily,” Zayne replied shortly, without looking away from his computer screen.

“Zayne!”

Elmy’s breath quickened. Her face flushed. How could Zayne make a decision like this on his own? Both of her hands clenched into fists. This anger wasn’t just about Sunny being in their house, it was the fact that Zayne never once discussed anything with her.

“Be a little mature. Sunny’s condition isn’t good,” he explained.

Elmy gaped in disbelief. It felt like an invisible dagger had pierced her chest. “So?”

“Her family’s in debt, her house was seized by loan sharks. She needs money right now. Just try to understand,” Zayne pleaded, his voice calm. He didn’t even panic at the sight of Elmy fighting hard to keep herself from crying.

Now it was painfully clear. What Elmy had thought last night seemed more real than anything she had tried to convince herself of.

“Zayne.” Elmy stepped closer to his desk. She looked down for a moment, gathering her courage. “I’m tired.”

Zayne stopped typing. He looked up. His gaze was sharp, even behind those frameless glasses.

“I want a divorce.”

Silence. Zayne didn’t respond.

“It’s too early to talk about divorce, El. We still have a year left on our marriage contract.” His tone stayed casual, as if nothing fazed him. But Elmy could see a spark in his eyes.

Was that irritation?

“What’s the point of holding on anymore, Zayne? Wouldn’t it be better if we just parted ways?” she asked in a low voice. Calm, yet deep down, her heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Last night, she thought she was ready for this decision. She wasn’t.

“Now I understand,” Zayne said calmly. “This is a hasty decision fueled by your jealousy of Sunny, isn’t it?”

Elmy straightened. “It’s not just about Sunny.”

“Clearly, it is, El.”

Her mouth clamped shut. She didn’t argue further. She lowered her head and clenched her fingers so tightly it hurt.

Across the desk, Zayne let out a long sigh. His dark brown eyes watched her. Thin lips pressed into a straight line. His large hands clasped together on the desk.

“Here’s what we’ll do…” he said in a low voice. “I’ll divorce you after you get pregnant with my child.”

Zayne’s office fell silent. Only the ticking of the clock pierced the quiet.

Elmy blinked. “Pregnant?” She let out a small laugh. “Are you kidding? That’s impossible!”

“Nothing is impossible if we’re willing to make love.”

Elmy’s cheeks flamed for a moment. Let alone making love, they could count the times they had even held hands. Bitterly, it had only ever been a formality. She turned toward the large window and took a sharp breath. Her hazel eyes roamed over the cityscape below. The request made her stomach tighten.

Why was Zayne doing this? Why was he so stubborn about keeping this meaningless marriage, beyond some old family agreement between their grandmothers?

Elmy’s chest swelled with each breath. “I won’t, Zayne.”

“Sex doesn’t need love. Just desire,” Zayne said flatly, emotionless.

Elmy froze. She had never expected to hear that foolish line come from her husband.

“I promised our grandmother to give them great-grandchildren,” he said softly. “Besides, the Kensley family needs an heir,” Zayne explained again.

The fact that Zayne was the only son in the Kensley family was enough for Elmy to realize. He was keeping the marriage because he needed her womb.

Her fingers moved to her arm, squeezing the skin tightly, as if that could distract from the pain nesting in her chest. She turned her face away, unable to meet Zayne’s eyes.

“Our grandmother’s dead, Zayne. That promise died with her,” Elmy shot back fiercely.

Zayne didn’t answer. His gaze dropped to the desk, as if weighing something. His jaw tightened. The silence pressed down on the room, leaving Elmy speechless.

“El,” he said lowly. “Please understand my situation.”

“Have you ever understood me? Even once, was I ever your choice?” Elmy whispered, her voice trembling. Her eyes burned, especially thinking about Zayne’s closeness with Sunny last night. She wished the earth would swallow her whole so she wouldn’t have to see him.

Zayne pressed his lips together and looked out the large window. Slowly, he rose from his swivel chair, rolling up his sleeves to reveal muscular arms marked with a few scars. Elmy fiddled nervously with her chair.

“You want a child, Zayne?” Elmy asked challengingly. “Fine. But I won’t give it to you.”

Zayne turned. One brow arched. “What do you mean?”

“You can have a child with another woman.”

Zayne flinched. He stared at her as if she’d just said something insane. “What?”

“I’ll find a woman for you to impregnate.”

“That’s a terrible idea, El.” Zayne’s tone was cold. “I won’t do something crazy like that. Don’t expect it,” he rejected flatly. He walked over to the desk, picking up his glasses and wiping them with a special cloth. His tall body crossed the room.

Elmy didn’t back down. She stood and followed him. “Just accept my idea. It’s easier for both of us.”

Zayne’s lips pressed together. He half-laughed, half-sighed at Elmy’s words. “Easier?” he murmured, slowly brushing her hand away roughly.

Elmy stepped back slowly. “If you don’t agree,” she said calmly, “then we’ll just get a divorce.”

Zayne closed his eyes tight, massaging the bridge of his nose with a short exhale. “You’re really testing me, El.”

“You just need to sleep with that woman, Zayne. Like you said—just desire. Not love.”

Zayne was silent. Elmy smiled triumphantly, having thrown his own words back at him. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Zayne groaned loudly, his face turning bright red.

“But keep this from our family,” Zayne said finally.

Elmy bit her lip. This crazy idea… it could either backfire or be the solution she wanted. For a moment she wavered, but she shook off the doubt. Taking a deep breath, she extended her hand to Zayne.

“Deal?”

Zayne stared at her slender fingers for a long moment. “So, if it’s not you who gets pregnant,” he asked, “then who’s the woman carrying my child?”

Elmy froze.

Only one name came to mind. Zayne’s past. The woman he left to marry her. The one he apparently couldn’t forget. The ideal woman Elmy had in mind.

“Sunny,” Elmy said.