Why the Crocodile Tears? のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Anathea Jacobson had spent ten years nursing a crush on Gregory Sinclair and five years as his wife. She'd believed she could eventually thaw his heart, even if it was as cold as forged iron.She'd never expected it to be just wishful thinking on her part.The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. Anathea stood by the bed when her phone lit up with a new message.It was a photo taken at Castenea's most exclusive fine-dining restaurant. Gregory sat across from a woman. His gaze was gentle, and his expression was warm.Anathea knew the woman. She was Natalie Whitman, Gregory's ex.Natalie had just returned from abroad last month. The very night she came back, Gregory had left Anathea behind to see her.To Gregory, Natalie was his flawless first love, while Anathea was nothing more than an unsightly stain on a white wall.The bathroom door swung open. Gregory stepped out in a bathrobe, steam rolling off his skin.Anathea put her phone down and turned around, only to f

Anathea watched helplessly as Xander, who'd never liked getting close to others, took Natalie's hand. He walked to her side, clinging to her as if seeking protection.He'd never relied on Anathea like that before.At that moment, she felt something inside her shatter.Noticing how her complexion paled, Gregory frowned. "How did you suddenly fall sick?"Anathea lifted her gaze to him, a flicker of emotion flashing in her eyes."Greg and I heard from Jenny that Xander came to the hospital. We were worried, so we came to pick him up. But it turns out you're sick," Natalie said casually as she turned to Anathea with a concerned expression. "Ms. Jacobson, I hope it's nothing serious. Do you need me to stay and take care of you?""It sure is nothing serious. She doesn't need you to take care of her," Gregory replied flatly.Anathea's gaze dropped again. Her eyes darkened further.How pathetic. Had she really thought Gregory had come to see her because she was sick? That he actually c

Before the Jacobson family's downfall, Anathea had been Adam Jacobson's cherished only daughter. As the child of a high-ranking government official, she'd grown up pampered, untouched by hardship.Yet, after marrying Gregory, she'd been treated like nothing more than a maid. And now, she'd been sold to a place like this to entertain clients.No. Anathea would never accept this fate."I'm Gregory Sinclair's wife! If you dare touch me, he won't let you off!" Anathea shouted.Even now, she clung to the hope that Gregory's name could protect her and get her out of this nightmare."You're Mrs. Sinclair?" The woman, Melissa Stewart, laughed like she'd just heard the best joke of her life.Her tone dripped with mockery as she continued, "If you're Mrs. Sinclair, then I must be the governor's wife! Everyone knows Mr. Sinclair is still single. And you dare call yourself his wife? Are you delusional?"Anathea opened her mouth to argue but found herself speechless.Gregory had never ackno

Before Anathea had married Gregory, she'd signed a prenuptial agreement. Sinclair Group's wealth had nothing to do with her, so she wouldn't get a dime.Not that she cared. If something wasn't hers, she wouldn't take it.After finalizing the divorce agreement, Anathea signed her name without a moment of hesitation.She still remembered how, when she and Gregory had registered their marriage, her hands had trembled so badly from excitement that she'd nearly dropped the pen.Now, she set the pen down without a flicker of emotion. She slipped the agreement into an envelope and tucked it away in a drawer."Thea, are you really divorcing Gregory?" Hannah Cole's surprised voice came through the phone.Hannah was one of Anathea's closest friends. She'd clawed her way up from being a barely-known actress to an A-list star, constantly juggling filming schedules. The two rarely saw each other, but their bond remained strong.It was exactly because Hannah knew Anathea so well that she was

Even Jenny seemed to be worried for her. Anathea chuckled and said gently, "It's fine."What was the point of holding on when she'd already decided to let go?After dinner, Anathea sat down to update her résumé.Before she'd married Gregory, she'd had her own career. She was a florist—a talented one too. Within six months of entering the industry, she'd already swept every major rising talent award. She'd strengthened the country's relatively weak standing in international floral design.Even her competitors had to admit she was something special. Her mentor, who'd taken her under her wing, had nothing but high hopes for her.Everyone had believed Anathea had a brilliant future ahead of her in the floral world.And then, at the peak of her momentum, she'd walked away from it all.After she'd married Gregory, Eleanor had insisted that a Sinclair wife should prioritize family. She'd told Anathea to stop wasting time on flowers and start learning how to be a proper high-society wif