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Home / Romance Short Story / Seven Years Broken / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Seven Years Broken: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

11 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Corey Graham, in the seven years we’ve been married, I’ve never once made you do any housework. I’ve given you everything: my whole heart, my whole world has revolved around you."And now, just because of one careless move from your best friend, Darren Blackburn, you’re making a scene about divorce? Do you even have a conscience?!"Deanna Cunningham’s eyes were red as she questioned me, as if I’d committed some unforgivable crime.I didn’t respond to her directly. Instead, I shifted my gaze to the dining table to the lemon halibut, the one with only a few scraps left at the bottom."For seven years, every time we ate, you knew this was my favorite dish you made. You always placed it closest to me. But this time, you set it in front of Darren, who happens to like it too."Deanna choked on her words for a second, then snapped, "What’s there to even talk about? No one was helping when I was serving the dishes. I was overwhelmed and didn’t think that much about it."I shook my head,

Chapter 2

I sat down heavily in my chair, staring at the table full of dirty dishes and half-finished glasses, a wave of exhaustion washing over me.Deanna and I had met and fallen in love in college. I came from a well-off family, but I had never once looked down on her for being a financially struggling student living off loans. Whether it was her studies or her daily life, I supported her without hesitation. I even paid out of pocket to send her overseas for two years of graduate school at a top university.Deanna was smart. She understood her own shortcomings, and she had always been good at taking care of my emotions. After we got married, she truly did look after me in every aspect of life, never letting me feel even the slightest bit wronged.However, no matter how meticulous someone is, when emotions run high, cracks will show.I took out my phone and realized that at some point, Deanna had turned off the location sharing that had once been linked between us.Without telling anyone,

Chapter 3

"Come to think of it, Corey’s the one who’s out of his mind. Why insist on a child-free marriage for no reason?"As the people around them mocked me, Darren, who had always taken my side no matter what since we were kids, let out a scornful laugh and actually chimed in, "He’s been spoiled. That’s why he doesn’t know how to think about anyone else."Deanna held Darren’s hand as she smiled at him with unmistakable affection. "Darren, by giving me this child, you’re not just my savior, you’re a hero to my entire family. From now on, our lives will be even more tightly connected. We’ll never be apart."Hearing her say that, tears slipped down my face. I almost couldn’t stay standing.Back then, when my mother had given birth to me, there were complications. She hemorrhaged and died before she ever got the chance to hold me.Because of that, I had always been afraid of childbirth. From the very beginning of our relationship, I told Deanna that I planned to remain child-free for the res

Chapter 4

The next day was Harold Cunningham, Deanna’s grandfather’s 80th birthday.The Cunninghams had been preparing for this celebration for a long time. Early that morning, the estate I had bought for them was already decorated from top to bottom. Streamers hung everywhere, flowers filled every corner, and they had even hired a live orchestra to perform.The moment I stepped through the front gate, I saw Darren already seated at the main table inside.Lydia Cunningham, my mother-in-law who had always treated me coldly, was now holding his hand with warmth, fussing over him with concern, "Darren, as a man working hard out there, you need to take care of your nutrition."You’re too thin. It hurts just looking at you. Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about Deanna and her unborn baby as well. From now on, I’ll prepare your three meals a day and have Deanna bring them to you."Darren smiled, composed and perfectly at ease. When he saw me walk in, there wasn’t even a

Chapter 5

When Mrs. Cunningham heard what I said, she reacted as if it were the biggest joke in the world. She pointed straight at my nose and started shouting, "Who are you trying to impress with this act? A capital takedown?"Who do you think you are? As someone who already cut ties with the Grahams, what right do you have to put on airs? "The Cunningham family isn’t what it used to be. Deanna built everything she has with her own ability, not from your family’s handouts!"Her spit flew as she ranted, her tone dripping with disdain, as if everything I had just said was nothing more than childish nonsense.Beside her, Deanna visibly relaxed. The tension in her shoulders dropped, and she let out a scoff. "Corey, stop this. I know you’re upset, but don’t try to scare people with something this ridiculous. I’m not someone who’s easily intimidated."Darren stood next to her, his hand still resting lightly on her stomach. "Corey, you’re taking this a little too hard. Even if Deanna chose me, t

Chapter 6

Phoebe stopped in her tracks. The familiar warmth she once used when addressing Deanna was gone, replaced by open mockery."Deanna, have you ever actually used your brain? Why do you think we’ve given you such favorable terms all these years? Why do you think we were willing to invest in your company when it was just starting out?"She paused, lowering her voice slightly. "You really thought it was because you were that capable or lucky?"Let me tell you the truth. We did it all for Mr. Graham’s sake."Back then, how many calls did Mr. Graham make behind the scenes to help you start your business? How many guarantees did he personally give us? And you didn’t even know?"Without him backing you, your company would’ve collapsed a long time ago!"Her words drained all the color from Deanna’s face."That’s impossible… that can’t be true! The orders I secured back then… I earned those myself. They had nothing to do with Corey.""Nothing to do with him?" Phoebe let out a cold laugh.

Chapter 7

When Deanna saw Darren like that, her heart skipped a beat. She hurried over to steady him."Darren, what’s wrong? What did your dad say?"Darren lifted his head, his voice trembling. "My dad said the company’s about to collapse. The cash flow’s broken, and several major projects have been snatched away. He asked me what I’d been doing out here to cause such a disgrace, dragging the whole family down with me…""He said if I can’t fix this, I shouldn’t even think about coming back to the Blackburns…"The moment Deanna heard that, she panicked completely.Before, she had thought that even without my support, she still had Darren and that the Blackburns would never abandon her.However, now even a company far larger than Cunningham Group like the Blackburn Group was falling apart. In that instant, she realized she might truly be finished.In her desperation, Deanna looked at me again, but this time, her posture was completely lowered."Corey, I was wrong. I lost my mind. I betraye

Chapter 8

Deanna’s body trembled. She stared at her stomach as if frozen."The child… isn’t Darren’s? How is that possible?"At her words, Darren’s face shifted in panic. He hurried to defend himself, "Deanna, don’t listen to him! The baby is mine. He’s just trying to drive a wedge between us!"I didn’t spare them another glance. I had no interest in hearing their excuses. I turned and walked straight out of the courtyard.After I left, everything inside descended into chaos.It was as if my words had snapped something in Deanna. All reason left her. She rushed up to Darren and grabbed him."Darren, tell me the truth! Is the baby yours or not? Say it!"Darren winced from her grip, but he still refused to back down. "Deanna, have you lost your mind? Of course, the baby is mine! Corey’s just jealous of us. That’s why he said that!""Jealous?" Deanna let out a cold laugh. "You think I’d still believe you?"No wonder something felt off before. You were always avoiding my calls, always insis

Chapter 9

"Corey, it’s me…"The call was from Deanna. I could tell from her voice that she hadn’t slept all night."I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong…""The Cunninghams can barely hold on anymore. The banks are demanding repayment, and all our partners have pulled out. Can you help me, just this once, for the sake of our seven years together?"I know I hurt you before, but Darren deceived me, too. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen…"Can we start over? I promise I’ll never have anything to do with Darren again. From now on, I won’t even look at another man. I’ll be completely devoted to you, I swear!"I listened to her rambling pleas. There was no pity in me, only endless disgust."Deanna, whatever we had ended a long time ago. I’m not helping you, and there’s no starting over."I hung up without another word and blocked her number.Then I called the legal department."Send the divorce papers to Deanna. Have her sign them. If she refuses, file a lawsuit immediately. I

Chapter 10

"What?"My eyes widened, a chill running through me. I never expected Deanna to do something this extreme."Corey, just forgive me, please…"As she spoke, she suddenly raised the knife and slashed it across her own arm."As long as you forgive me, I’ll do anything. I’ll give you everything the Cunningham family has left. I’ll do whatever you want. Even if it means dying, I will!"She kept talking as she dragged the blade across her arm again and again. Blood poured out, the sight horrifying.No one around us dared to speak. Only the security guards stood nearby, tense, ready to step in at any moment.I watched her spiral into madness.There was no trace of emotion in me, only disgust and a creeping sense of dread.Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the police arrived and took Deanna away.Her case went to trial quickly.The investigation confirmed that she did murder Darren. His body had been hidden in the basement of the Cunningham estate.Her actions constituted intentiona

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