Vivian pov

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my emotions, and turned to smile at Scarlett Hayes. “Scarlett, long time no see.”

Scarlett Hayes sauntered over gracefully. “Vivian, you don’t seem to be doing too well. This door is wide enough for even a dog to get through. You’ve been married to Dominic for three years, yet you still can’t get in?”

I chuckled lightly. “What can I say? Some people just have a low opinion of others. Not everyone can treat people with respect.”

Scarlett picked up on the underlying jab and smirked. “Vivian, I didn’t expect you to be so different from the Samantha I used to know. You’ve really surprised me.”

“Likewise, you’re not as thin-skinned as before. Knowing full well that Dominic Blackwood is a married man, you still throw yourself at him,” I shot back.

Scarlett wasn’t offended; instead, she raised the thermos in her hand. “Dominic has been busy since yesterday and probably hasn’t eaten. I made him some lotus root and pork rib soup. If you have something to discuss, it might be better to wait until he finishes lunch.”

Her words dripped with the implication of her closeness to Dominic Blackwood.

I shot her a cold glance, a smirk playing on my lips. “Scarlett Hayes, you really are pathetic. I thought you had some real skills, yet after three years, you still haven’t gotten a title and are left doing these menial tasks to curry favor.”

Scarlett’s expression twisted slightly.

“Isn’t it because you’ve been holding onto Mrs. Blackwood’s position all this time?”

“Ha! If Dominic Blackwood truly wanted to marry you, why would he make you wait three years?” My words pierced through Scarlett’s heart like a cold knife, causing her to stumble slightly.

“I’ll take the soup in for you, Scarlett. This is where you stop,” I said firmly.

After all, this was the man I had loved for ten years. I worried that I might show some vulnerability in front of Dominic Blackwood, and I absolutely couldn’t let Scarlett see that.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the office door.

Dominic Blackwood was deep in conversation with Brad Mason. He was noble and handsome, a man of great skill, and every woman in the city wanted him.

But who would know that this seemingly passionate man was actually cold-hearted? His eyes always held an aggressive glint that instilled an inexplicable fear in others.

I shook off my thoughts and slammed the divorce agreement onto the table in front of him. “Sign it!”

His demeanor instantly turned icy. “If you’re done making a scene, go home. Don’t embarrass yourself here.”

I leaned over the table, my palms pressed down, locking eyes with him. “You sign, and I’ll leave immediately.”

We were close enough that the scent of roses filled the air between us. It was then that he noticed I had put in some effort into my appearance today. The light blue gown hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my slim waist. My delicate features were enhanced with a bit more makeup, adding a hint of allure, but my face still lacked color, as if I had just survived a near-death experience.

Ha! Even at a time like this, he still thought I tried to seduce him. Who would believe I was here for a divorce? It was more likely he believed I was trying to win him back in some roundabout way.

He loosened his collar, feeling impatient. “I’m going home tonight.”

Frustrated by his dismissive attitude, I burst into laughter. Without warning, I opened a thermos and splashed the beef stew all over him.

“Dominic Blackwood, who do you think you are to believe that I, Vivian Carter, am destined to be with you for life?”

Dominic Blackwood, who had a severe cleanliness obsession, was now drenched in greasy rib soup. His thin lips curled into a menacing smirk. “Are you out of your mind?”

My eyes were red, holding back my emotions. “Yeah, I was crazy back then to throw everything away and marry you. But now that I’m sober, just sign the papers. Let’s go our separate ways.”

His dark eyes seemed to brew a storm as he suddenly picked up the pen and forcefully signed his name. “Get lost!”

I took one of the copies and replied nonchalantly, “Don’t forget to go to the civil affairs bureau tomorrow at nine.”

As I reached the door, I turned back abruptly. “Dominic Blackwood, there’s something I need to clarify. I ran into a friend yesterday by chance; it wasn’t what you think.”

He scoffed. “James scott is a well-known playboy in Paris. What kind of friend is that?”

“What if I said he was my college classmate?”

He laughed derisively. “Vivian Carter, are you kidding? A person who didn’t even finish high school claiming to have college classmates? Think before you lie.”

I smirked bitterly. It was true; everyone in Paris saw me as a woman raised in the countryside, uneducated and crude.

His friends believed I married him for the Blackwood family’s wealth and status, even going so far as to say I used the favor of giving him a kidney to keep him tied to me.

No matter how I defended myself, they treated me as a joke. Once someone labeled you as weak, everything you did was seen as self-serving. They could sympathize, they could pity, but they would never believe I'm capable of anything greater.

“Dominic Blackwood, the Vivian Carter who loved you without dignity or boundaries, who would even die for you, is dead. And you were the one who killed her!”

I suppressed the emotions bubbling inside me and turned to leave, each step filled with determination and resolve.

He watched my retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought, unable to process what had just happened.

I had been acting strange since yesterday.

Suddenly wanting a divorce today? I must have lost my mind in his eyes.

Ethan Brooks had already brought him a fresh set of clothes and timidly asked, “Dominic, is Vivian really going to divorce you?”

“Heh, it’s just a bluff,” Dominic Blackwood replied confidently. He was sure that by the end of the night, I would be crying and begging for his forgiveness.

“But I really think she’s serious this time,” Ethan insisted.

He scoffed, “So what if she is? She’ll come back.

Sixteen years ago, the Carter family had a scandal that shook the capital, revealing the truth about the missing heiress.

Strangely enough, I, the real heiress, was recognized by the Carter family but was never favored. I had been raised in the countryside by my foster mother and was only brought back during holidays to save face for the family.

Meanwhile, the fake heiress, Samantha Carter, became the family’s darling. It wasn’t until I married him that the Carter family finally acknowledged me.

The Carter family’s current status was thanks to Dominic Blackwood, who had given them a chance to thrive. Because of this, the Carter family treated me like a mere tool for flattery. Even if I truly wanted a divorce, they would have to consider whether they were willing to sever that connection.

For three years of marriage, he had treated me like a prized canary, never letting me suffer. I had the best of everything—food, clothes, and a monthly allowance of hundreds of thousands. He didn’t believe I would willingly give up such a luxurious life.

Besides, how far could a canary fly without wings and support?

“What about Dominic’s schedule for tomorrow?” Ethan asked.

“Same as usual!” he replied, unfazed.

He wasn’t too concerned about the situation and casually tossed the divorce agreement into the trash can.

Wasn’t I just throwing a tantrum because he didn’t stay over last night?

He figured that if he Cartert home today and sweet-talked me a bit, everything would be fine.

It wasn’t the first time I’d acted up like this.

Vivian Carter pov

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Scarlett Hayes nearly stumble to her knees in front of me, her eyes sparkling with barely concealed excitement.

It was clear that she had been eavesdropping.

I scoffed, “Scarlett, you don’t seem to be picky at all. You even enjoy picking up after others. Aren’t you afraid of grossing yourself out? Your tolerance is truly impressive.”

Scarlett took it as a sign of my jealousy and replied with a smile, “Don’t worry, Vivian. I’ll take good care of Dominic. Thanks for your support.”

I beckoned her closer with a finger. Knowing we were in the Moore Family Group's office, Scarlett hesitated but eventually moved in.

I leaned in and mocked, “Let me tell you a little secret. Don’t be fooled by Dominic Blackwood’s handsome looks; he’s not good in bed at all.”

Every time, he only cared about his own pleasure, leaving me exhausted.

Scarlett had expected me to share some juicy gossip, but this revelation left her stunned for a moment.

I feigned surprise, covering my mouth. “What? You didn’t know? It seems that after all this time, you two haven’t even slept together. If a man has no interest in a woman like that, it either means she lacks charm, or he doesn’t see her as a woman at all.”

I suddenly shifted to a pitying tone, “Scarlett, you’re really pathetic.”

Those words pierced Scarlett’s heart, making her fingers clench involuntarily.

Seeing her reaction, I burst into laughter. “Remember, Dominic Blackwood is someone I didn’t want. You’re only worthy of picking up the scraps I leave behind.”

Scarlett’s face turned pale, while Dominic’s expression darkened, a storm brewing within him. The atmosphere in the office dropped, causing Ethan brooks to tremble slightly as he held his documents.

Dominic’s handsome face was clouded with anger. “What did she just say?”

He was the one I didn’t want?!

Was I out of my mind in his eyes?

Dominic Blackwood felt a tightness in his chest. He didn’t like the way I was acting, and he certainly didn’t like me saying I didn’t want him.

If anything, it was he who didn’t want me.

Ethan brooks noticed Dominic’s dark expression and hesitated to speak, fearing he might get caught in the crossfire.

But I was indeed different today. I used to be like a gentle little bunny, but now I was a full-on Medusa.

Scarlett Hayes wore a triumphant smile, deliberately trying to provoke me.

Dominic was such a proud man; hearing those words would naturally infuriate him. When he got angry, Scarlett could easily add fuel to the fire, making him despise me even more.

Once she composed herself, Scarlett pushed the door open, her eyes slightly red with feigned hurt. “Dominic, I just happened to run into Vivian. I didn’t mean to get into an argument with her.”

Dominic lifted his cold gaze and looked at her meaningfully. “Don’t provoke her. It won’t do you any good.”

Scarlett took his concern as genuine and flashed a shy smile.

As she left, her eyes fell on the divorce agreement on the table, and her lips curled into a slight smirk.

In the end, she was the one who won.

Once outside the office, she sent a message to Margaret Blackwood: “Auntie, is Dominic having a spat with Vivian? Why did he sign the divorce agreement? Should I talk to him for you?”

When Margaret Blackwood received the message, she didn’t think much of it. After all, I would do anything for Dominic Blackwood; there was no way we would really get divorced. It was just a little drama. But Scarlett was indeed a sensible girl, knowing that it’s better to keep a marriage intact than to tear it apart.

A daughter-in-law who came from a good family, understood the bigger picture, and could win her favor was truly what Scarlett Hayes desired.

“Don’t pay attention to that little brat. Let her make a scene; I can’t wait for Dominic to dump her and marry you sooner,” Margaret said, feeling reassured. In her moment of pride, Scarlett sent a message to me: “Vivian, were you satisfied with the gift I sent you last night?”

When I saw the message, I understood everything. It seemed that the photo of me with Gilberto Iver had indeed made its way to Dominic Blackwood, courtesy of Scarlett Hayes. Ever since I married Dominic, Scarlett had been pulling these little tricks, expertly playing the game of using others to do her dirty work.

However, I felt that she had no need to do this. Even if she did nothing, Dominic would still despise me. In the past, I had tolerated it out of love, but now that the shackles of that love were gone, I had no intention of putting up with it any longer. I quickly replied to Scarlett: “Then I wish you and Dominic a long-lasting relationship, just like a dog and its owner.”

Scarlett was furious, her heart aching with anger. But as she thought about soon becoming Mrs. Moore, she pushed down her frustration. Just wait; the day her dream came true would also be the day of my downfall.

I returned to my villa in the southern suburbs, dragging my suitcase behind me. This villa was originally meant to be a birthday gift for Dominic, decorated in the cold, minimalist style he liked, with a black-and-white color scheme. In the twilight glow, the empty villa felt desolate.

After ten years of love, tearing away from such deep feelings was bound to be painfully excruciating. I pressed my hand to my heart and slowly crouched down, tears falling to the ground as the emotions I had bottled up surged forth like a tidal wave. The pain was so intense that it left me breathless.

In my youth, I had tasted the sweetness of Dominic Blackwood’s love, etching both him and that sweetness into my heart.

At sixteen, I was pushed into the water by Helen Finch, and once again, it was Dominic who saved me from the brink of death.

By the time I turned twenty, when Dominic was gravely ill, I donated a kidney to him and finally married him. I knew it was a bit underhanded, but I always believed that the man who was as gentle would eventually recognize my worth.

However, after his recovery, Dominic seemed like a different person cold, indifferent, and constantly finding ways to humiliate me.

Now, at twenty-three, I finally understood a painful truth: I would never catch his eye or win his heart. All I could do was end this marriage in a way that preserved my dignity.

Once my emotions settled, I called my secretary, Maria steven. “Tear down the villa in the south suburbs and renovate it.”

I wanted to destroy everything related to Dominic completely.