Chapter 1

Adele pulled the sheet higher, resting her head on Chase’s bare chest, her fingers tracing slow circles against his skin.

After a while, her breath left her in a long, shaky sigh, her body sinking deeper into the mattress.

Thankfully, the baby was safe.

When Chase returned last night, his kiss had been rough and desperate. Two months apart had stripped away her strength to refuse intimacy.

Chase stood up without a word, his face empty, unlike the desire she saw in his eyes while he was whispering sweet nothings to her ears last night. He washed up and wore a custom black suit that fit his perfect tall and muscular build and was currently staring into his phone with seriousness while looking lazy and powerful at the same time.

Adele bit her lips, her cheeks turned red as she stared at him.

When Chase noticed her staring at him, he asked her calmly. “Shall we have breakfast?” His tone soothing her soul.

“Yes!” Adele whispered trying to suppress her excitement as she wore her pyjamas and walked behind Chase. She couldn't help but smile shyly as she remembered the things he did to her last night.

At the dining table, Adele was lost in thought, pushing her food from side to side. I should tell him about the baby. She thought to herself.

After minutes of contemplating, she finally spoke up but Chase's voice vibrated as well.

“I have something to say to you! The couples echoed simultaneously.” Then they both went silent as they stared at each other.

“It's okay! You can go ahead and say what you want first.” Chase said to her in an even and low tone, his eyes empty.

“No! You go first.” Adele wanted him to speak as Chase rarely took the initiative to speak first.

“Okay, I’ve drawn up the divorce papers.”The words landed softly, but they shattered everything.

“I would have Frank, bring them to you later. You should sign them as soon as possible, and if you have any terms that you'd like me to add, you should let me know so I can add them”. Chase said it casually, like he was talking about his favorite show.

The fork slipped from Adele’s fingers, clattering softly against the plate. She stared at him, unable to breathe.

“We….we are getting a divorce?” She asked nervously, trying as much to hide her shock and anger. Or was this a prank!

“That's right! I think it's time we finally end the contract marriage and be with who we truly love.” He said, looking into her eyes, as if to check for something.

Adele's mind became hazy, just last night they were doing the most intimate thing and now he wanted a divorce?

Her hand pressed against her stomach. “What if I tell you that…”

“Hazel is back.”The name sliced through her unfinished words.

“So I think it's best that the marriage ends now.” He declared.

Adele fell silent. This sweet marriage was coming to an end. It was like a nightmare, because over the months chase had made her forget that their marriage was a one year contract. He did everything for her. Every duty expected of a good husband.

Adele had known from the start that his heart had never been hers. She was only filling a space until Hazel returned.

“Is something wrong with what I said?” Chase questioned in a professional tone. The kind he used to discuss business matters.

“No! Not at all.” Her hand travelled from her belly to her shirt, clutching hard to it, almost ripping it off.

Since Chase was divorcing her, then she didn't have to tell him about their child. Surely it would only make his other woman upset.

“And… Tell mother you want this divorce because you have no feelings for me and you aren't happy with the marriage.” He added.

Adele nodded with a forced smile. She understands him. If he told his mother he wanted the divorce, she would get angry at him and even put her health in danger.

Chase's lips curved upwards in agreement and Adele couldn't tell if he understood or was just making mockery of her.

“Well you haven't always been happy with this marriage have you? It's basically the Truth, so you can be free now.” He added

“Yeah”! Adele simply said, her throat was burning as she struggled to reply. Perhaps this was the best and he would finally be able to be with his one true love.

Chase hummed lightly while staring blankly into her face as if he was trying to read her mind.

“Alright then”. He said softly.

Adele smiled, mocking herself. What more could she ask for? Her father was just an ordinary man but was friends with Mr Crowdey, Chase's father.

Her father was the kind of man who believed in himself and let pride control him. He refused several help from Mr Crowdey, saying he could do it himself.

But before he could achieve even a quarter of those dreams, her father got into a terrible accident and lost his life.

Her mother left her father before she even knew her, making her an orphan at the age of ten. She moved in with her father's sister but was basically abused.

However, Mr Crowdey was nice enough to take her in. Him and his wife treated her as family, and she never lacked anything. And after sponsoring her education, they proposed she married their first son chase crowdey

Chase didn't oppose the marriage but had told her privately. “Whatever we have is temporary, it will all end when Hazel comes back but I promise to always do everything expected of a good husband.”

Her heart shattered into pieces but she knew if she refused to marry him, his mother would blame Chase and might even ruin her health since she was already diagnosed with a critical illness.

So Adele could only bear it and agree. “It's okay, after all I only see you as a brother. ” She replied to him. And that was how the contract began.

After they got married, Chase had no flaw, he was the best husband ever. He never made her feel that their marriage was just a contract and everyone had thought he loved her. But she knew better, he was only doing those things because it was his duty as her husband.

And now the duty was over.

“You wanted to say something”. Chase said.

“Oh it's nothing! I just wanted to say…..” She paused, thinking of a perfect lie.

“I was full and I will be heading over to the bedroom to rest”. She lied.

Adele stood up but stumbled over the chair, her hands immediately flew to her belly instinctively and her eyes closed expecting to come in contact with the hard floor but it never came.

Instead she felt strong arms around her. 

“Are you alright Adele”! Chase questioned her, his voice laced with worry as he checked her body for any injuries.

“You are still clumsy as ever, Adele. You are all grown but still like a child?” He said with a half smile.

“I am fine”, Adele yanked herself gently away from him, her movement sharp enough to sting. Why does he even care? She questioned herself not seeing the flash of hurt that flashed through Chase's eyes.

She turned and just as she took a few steps away, Her foot caught the chair, and the world tilted.

“What….What are you doing?”

“I am carrying you so you won't fall again okay?” His voice came out cold.

“No, this is inappropriate.” Adele said with so much disgust in her voice. What was all this? He keeps acting like nothing happened.

“Why?” He simply asked with creased eyebrows. So she couldn't even wait for them to get divorced before showing her disgust. Did she hate him that much?

“We’re getting divorced,” she said. “Remember?” Her voice echoed.