Joshua sighed, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Nadia, you know why we got married. It was for the family. Why get hung up on the details? Isn't this arrangement just fine?"

I froze, caught off guard. He wasn't wrong.

Years ago, Ardenburg popped up as this massive threat, pushing both Merck Corp and Green Corp to the brink. They had no choice but to team up, and marrying us off was part of the deal.

"For the future of Merck Corp and Green Corp, you two must get married! No discussion!"

Our parents didn't leave room to argue. Joshua and Shirley's little fling got cut off, and I was forced to break up with Sean—my childhood sweetheart. They even yanked all financial support, leaving us broke. We barely lasted three months before giving in.

When we walked out of the city hall, Joshua's face was stone cold. "This is all for the family. I don't love you—don't expect anything more."

I knew his heart was still with his secretary, Shirley. But knowing he'd cheat and force me on birth control just to make sure I never had his kid? That was a whole different kind of betrayal.

My heart ached, a mess of fury and disappointment swirling inside me. Yeah, we married for our families—but five years together? Eighteen hundred days? How could there be zero love?

The question clawed its way out. "What are you planning to do about Shirley's babies?"

As soon as I asked, I regretted it. If he didn't want the kids, he wouldn't have bragged about it in the company group chat or thanked everyone for their blessings.

"Nadia, I love kids. And that's my flesh and blood—I have to keep it."

Rage exploded inside me. My hand shot out, and I slapped him. Hard.

Smack!

Joshua stared at me, eyes wide, like he couldn't believe it. "You're crazy! You actually hit me?"

I didn't bother answering. Just ripped the hospital report from my bag and slapped it down on the coffee table. Tears burned my eyes.

"Five years, Joshua! Five freaking years! You lied to me every single day! Expensive custom vitamins? Genius move—feeding me birth control and acting like you're doing me a favor!"

His face went pale, guilt and fear crashing over him. "Nadia, let me explain—"

"Explain what? You forced those pills on me for years. That's your idea of loving kids? Or is it just Shirley's kids you care about?"

Bitterness tightened my throat, and I couldn't hold back the tears. He reached out to hug me, but I jerked away.

"If you wanted Shirley to have your kid so bad, you could've just told me. I might've even convinced both families. But why'd you have to hurt me like this? Do you even get how much damage those hormones did to my body?"

Yeah, our marriage was mostly for convenience, but five years was five years.

He used to scour the whole city for my favorite cake when I was down.

Drunk, he'd cling to me, mumbling, "Honey, don't leave me."

And whenever I said I missed him on his business trips, he'd catch the last flight home, even if he had to leave again the next morning.

I didn't know if it was love, but every time he called me "Honey," it felt a little sweet, a little real.

"Honey, I'm so lucky to have married you."

He'd said that over and over, holding me close at night. I thought that happiness was forever. Never imagined he'd lie to me for five long years.

If my cousin hadn't found out, I'd still be clueless that those "vitamins" were actually hardcore birth control.

Joshua's face softened when he saw me crying, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Honey, I just... I didn't want you to get hurt knowing about Shirley. That's why I hid it from you."

His lame excuse just made me feel hollow.

Afraid I'd be hurt? Then why cheat?

Worried about my feelings? Then why shove birth control down my throat?

What a joke. Joshua Merck—the guy's got zero shame.

I let out a bitter laugh, watching guilt squirm across his face.

Seeing the guilt and unease on his face, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "For years, I barely slept—stressed out, hair falling out in clumps—losing my mind over not having a baby. Do you have any idea what that did to me?

"And you? You fed me birth control like it was nothing. Those hormones destroyed me—I can never have a baby now! You RIPPED AWAY my chance to be a mom just so SHIRLEY could have your kid. You're a MONSTER, Joshua."

My heart tightened, and tears wouldn't stop streaming down my face. When the doctor told me the truth, it felt like my whole world shattered. Joshua crushed my dream of having a daughter.

I hated him.

I never wanted to see him again.

I spun around and headed to the bedroom. As soon as I sat on the bed, my phone buzzed.

Sean.

[Nadia, why aren't you answering me?]

[If you don't want to see the northern lights, we can pick a different place.]

Sean—my childhood sweetheart. He moved abroad after college, and my parents didn't want us together.

Over the years, he'd sent me a ton of messages. Invites to go surfing, hike mountain valleys, watch the sunrise over the desert...

So many chances—none of which I ever took.

Even that one message asking to get back together.

But no matter how much I ghosted him, Sean never gave up. He kept sharing bits of his life like I was still part of it. My chat app was packed with his unread messages.

I couldn't bring myself to look—couldn't reply.

Because I was someone else's wife.

I'd stuck to my morals while Joshua crushed my dignity and wrecked my body without a second thought.

My sacrifice? Just pain.

I broke down, crying hard enough to feel hollow by the end of it. After what felt like forever, I took a deep breath and finally opened Sean's chat, scrolling through everything I'd missed.

[Nadia, I graduated today!! Got my Ph.D.! Wish you were here to celebrate with me.]

[Hey, I found this shop with your favorite vanilla cake!]

[Nadia, did you get the gift I sent?]

[I miss you. A lot.]

His words hit me like a dagger to the heart—regret and longing tangled up in one tight knot.

My phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen—Joshua had just sent me three million.

A message popped up right after:

[Honey, I know I was wrong. This three million is my way of apologizing—please don't be mad at me.]

I let out a bitter laugh. Seriously? Three million?

Did he really think that was enough to buy my forgiveness? To make up for the way he wrecked my life and my health?

Pathetic.

I was done sacrificing for him. From now on, I was living for myself.

I opened Sean's chat and typed:

[After watching the northern lights, I still want to see penguins in Antarctica.]

After the fallout with Joshua, he got even more ridiculous. Barely showed up during the day and stayed out most nights.

Didn't bother me. Honestly, it was better when he wasn't around.

I kept busy. Filed my immigration paperwork. Packed up my stuff and shipped it in batches to Sean overseas.

One day, just as I got back from the post office, I nearly ran into Joshua at the door.

"Nadia, I've got a surprise for you," he said, holding out a box.

I glanced at it—inside was the bracelet I'd admired at last month's auction.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded, already wondering if it'd be safe to ship something that expensive.

Over dinner, he suddenly spoke up. "Nadia, next Monday's Grandma and Grandpa's fiftieth anniversary. Will you come with me?"

"Sure," I said, not even pausing to think.

He looked shocked—like he hadn't expected me to say yes. "Nadia, I knew you were the best wife in the world!" He grinned.

***

Banquet day. Not only did my family roll in, but even some of Ardenburg's business big shots showed up to kiss the ring.

Before the event kicked off, Joshua practically glued himself to my arm. When I didn't pull away, his mood did a 180, and he strutted us into the hall like he'd won something.

And there she was—Shirley.

Of course she was there, playing the part of Merck Corp's star employee and Joshua's personal secretary. Watching her bustle around, I couldn't help but sneer. "Looks like pregnancy's treating her well."

Joshua's face soured.

Dinner was the usual routine—everyone obsessing over me and Joshua.

"Nadia," his mom started, "you two have been married for five years now. Time to seriously think about kids."

His grandma jumped in. "Exactly. Joshua said you've been trying, but still no news?"

Augusto cut in, all serious. "If there's an issue, see a doctor. Gotta deal with it."

Pain knotted in my heart. Kids? Yeah, not gonna happen.

Then Shirley just had to pipe up. "Mr. Merck Sr., it's okay if Nadia can't have children—I'm pregnant. And it's twins!"

The room went dead silent. Tension? Off the charts.

Augusto's face went stormy, clearly about to lose it, but Shirley jumped in, plastering on that fake smile. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just wanted to share the good news so Nadia can catch some of my luck. Who knows—maybe you'll get to hold two great-grandchildren soon."

Joshua couldn't help but grin, eyes practically sparkling at her.

Then Shirley turned to me, raising her glass. "Nadia, a toast to you. I mean, since you two haven't had any luck conceiving in five years, maybe my pregnancy will rub off on you."

My expression went ice-cold. Not engaging with her crap, no matter how hard she pushed. But she just stood there, glass still raised, determined to milk the moment.

Joshua got all jittery and settled her back in her seat. "You're pregnant—be careful," he snapped, then shot me a glare. "Nadia, what's your problem? Shirley's just being nice. Stop acting so stuck-up."

"Joshua, you—" His mom frowned, looking annoyed, but he didn't give her a chance.

"Mom, don't defend her! She's my wife—acting rude just makes us look bad! We've been married five years and still no kid. Clearly, the problem's with her, and she's got the nerve to act all high and mighty?"

Rage burned through me, fists clenched tight. Seriously? He's the one who caused all this, and he's blaming me?

I forced a calm breath, then picked up my wine glass, giving Shirley a cold smirk. "Thanks for your blessing. If the twins you're carrying are Joshua's, then I'm especially grateful."

Everyone's faces instantly went awkward.

Did I care? Nope. I sat back down and kept eating like nothing happened.

By the end of the banquet, Joshua and Shirley had pulled a vanishing act—probably off sneaking around somewhere. Whatever. I wasn't about to stick around. I headed straight home.

Once I got there, I slapped the divorce papers on the coffee table, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out without a second glance.

Right before boarding my flight, I fired off the saved screenshots from the group chat to my parents and every Merck family member, adding a simple message:

[Joshua already has twins on the way with Shirley Hoare. There's no future for us. I'm divorcing him.]