“What?” Amara finally managed to ask, after a long silence between them. She hoped what she heard before was only some trick played on her by her mind.

“You heard me. Now that Grandfather is no longer here I think it’s time we get a divorce.” Tobias answered without missing a beat. “And don't forget, you brought it up first.”

Tears streamed down her face and Amara felt hard to breathe. Yes, she mentioned divorce and Grandfather's will in that text message. If they end up divorcing, Amara could get half of his property.

But actually, the property was never what Amara wanted. She even planned to return it to him if one day Tobias did find someone worth spending his life with. She just couldn't sit and watch Gustavo's legacy being tainted by someone like Celestine. So she wanted Tobias back and to talk with him.

She did choose some words to irritate Tobias on purpose and she had been prepared to take on his wrath. But as soon as he came back, he rode her. He melted her with his dominance. He was the one who wove her with the illusion that there was still hope for their shattering marriage...

“You…want a divorce?" Her voice choked. ”Then why did you make love with me just now?”

Her voice was full of brokenness as she buried her head in the sheets. The scent of each other still lingered on them, and her thighs still trembling slightly from his passionate thrust before. They were making love like a sweet couple a while ago yet the next second, such cruel words spewed from his lips.

“It's only sex." His tone was heartless, completely oblivious to her pain. "Besides, isn't that what you wanted? You did enjoy it but I did that only to tell you the truth, even if my pen*s gets used to your vag*na for the past six years, it doesn't mean I'm in love with you.”

His words were like a sharp knife stabbing into her heart. Her face turned pale and her eyes wet. Yes, their sex life was always wonderful and that was also what made her stick with the marriage for so many years. Amara naively assumed that he had at least a bit of feelings for her, or his desire wouldn't be aroused so easily.

She once thought it was love. Yet wrong. So wrong.

He wanted her only for his needs. She was just a sex doll for him. When his true love came back, she could only be abandoned.

"Come on, Amara, don't act like you're an innocent dove. You know how our marriage came! You saved my grandfather and you used this to threaten him. That's why he forced me to marry you. That's the whole truth about our marriage!"

"No, Tobias! It's not like that!" Amara shook her head desperately. "I didn't threaten grandfather. I married you just because I love you."

"Enough! Stop bothering me!" Tobias threw on his trousers and a white shirt, clearly preparing to leave. “I’ll have the divorce documents sent to you as soon as possible, so quietly sign them without kicking up a fuss.”

Amara couldn’t believe the words she was hearing. Her eyes fluttered furiously, desperately trying to hold back tears that had gathered in the bottom of her eyes. The scene before Gustavo's death came to her mind.

The dying old man put Tobias' and her hands together kindly telling them to love each other and make a happy life.

"Amara, my kid, I know you have suffered a lot, but please, please take good care of Tobias for me. I know only you can make it."

His last words lingered in her ears, fueling her resolve to have a last try. However, Tobias didn't give her the chance. He flung a black card in her face as he wore his tie without looking back.

"Take half of my family property is beyond. Here's 50 million dollars, enough to last you several lifetimes. Take the money and sign the divorce paper obediently, or don't blame me for being rude."

With this, he turned and walked out the door. The finality in his stance and movement snuffed out whatever faith Amara left in her.

Silently, she sat on the bed, tears streaming down her face. How did she end up like this?

If it hadn't been for the car accident, Amara never thought her life would have crossed paths with Tobias.

By that chance, she saved the aged Gustavo. To thank her, Gustavo wanted to let his grandson marry her and she never expected his grandson to turn out to be Tobias, her obsession since her teenage. At that moment, she believed she was his destined bride.

However, she didn't expect that Tobias already had his first love. Amara had asked Gustavo to withdraw his decision, but the old man desperately confided in her about his cancer and told her that his only wish was to see his grandson happy. Amara could not reject it anymore.

On the other side, little did Amara know how much Gustavo had done to make Tobias fall in love with her. He even threatened to make Celestine and her family homeless if Tobias couldn't treat Amara right. No one dared to doubt the word of the man in charge of the family, Celestine literally disappeared from their lives and Tobias accepted their marriage.

Tobias was a responsible husband in Amara's eyes. Until last month, he usually returned home on time and dined with her regularly. She still held faith in their marriage until she learned Celestine was back and Tobias spent most of his time with her for the past month.

Now, she realized it was all Tobias' revenge on her.

Her silent cell phone suddenly rang and it was from her best friend Melanie! She immediately picked up the phone, and Melanie's anxious voice came from the phone.

“Amara? Why is Tobias suddenly withdrawing his investment in my company?”

Amara immediately realized it was Tobias' threat. He was warning her to divorce! If she refused to sign the papers, he would use Melanie's company as his bargaining chip. Amara couldn't bear it anymore. Never in her life had she been so humiliated. She felt a fire burning inside her!

So it was Tobia's true colors! So shameless!

There was no more reason for her to stay in this marriage. She believed Gustavo would understand her decision, so she called Tobias at once.

Before he could speak, she immediately said, “I agree to the divorce and I won't take any of your disgusting penny! Just prepare the divorce paper! RIGHT NOW!”

After saying that, she didn't wait for Tobias to respond and hung up the phone.

She immediately edited a text message to reassure Melanie. Even without Tobias, her company wouldn't lack investment.

Packing up her things, she left the Larsen Estate.

It was only after she felt a tiny wet drop land on her forehead, did she snapped out of her thoughts and took notice of her surroundings.

It was raining.

Tears flowed down her face, mingling with the rain as the sky seemed to mirror the state of her heart. But not a single sound escaped her lips.

She stood there, quietly letting her tears fall, her shoulders slumped, and her hair wet. Suddenly, she felt the rain stop where she stood.

She turned and saw the face of a familiar individual, a face ridiculed with concern.

“Ms. Crawford,” Xavier, the exclusive butler of the Crawford greeted.

Amara didn’t respond.

Instead, she let the man wrap a coat around her shoulders, damping out the chill nature of her wet dress, before he continued.

“The time limit given was about to expire. It’s time for you to divorce Mr. Larsen and come home to manage the family business."

“The Master is calling for your return as the one and only rightful ruler.”

“The family business…” Amara muttered, laughing herself bitterly.

Well, a powerful Family Group was awaiting her back to manage yet she kept delaying it for someone who wasn't worthy of her love at all.

What did Tobias call her? A gold digger? If only he knew what family name she was born to have. The Crawford owed business everywhere in this world. If it weren't for the unexpected shipwreck, her fate would never have intersected with Tobias'.

Why should she keep on the wrong way? It was time to back home.

Seating into the black GMC Yukon, Amara picked up the call from her grandfather, Elvis Crawford.

“Grandfather, good evening.” She politely greeted, dipping her head subtly even though the man couldn’t see her.

“Evening Amara,” the old man asked directly. “Have you finally decided to stop playing house?”

"Yes," Amara replied firmly, carrying the tone of an elite who had been trained by the finest tutors.

"I'll divorce Tobias Larsen and back home soon. But I have a request, I want more time to deal with something here first."

The other end of the line was silent after her words, making her palms sweat.

Amara scrunched up her face. She just didn't want to disappear like the wind, making Tobias and Celestine think she was defeated.

“Please respect my decision Grandfather. I’m not coming home now. I don't want to leave like a loser. I want to build my name here before I go back home."

It felt like an eternity passed before Elvis spoke, “You know I especially hate when you disobey me,”

“I’m aware Grandfather. I apologize.” She apologetically bored her head, ready to accept whatever words her grandfather would throw at her. She knew she was being willful again.

“But you're right, there's no coward in our family. I'll give you a year to stay there as the manager of the London branch."

"And in return, you must have raised the company’s profit by thirty percent within a year.”

“What?! Grandfather, thirty percent, that’s three billion!”

“And? Are you incapable of doing so?”

“No.“

“Good. But let me be frank, failure to do so would also have consequences.”

“Like?”

“I have a close friend of mine whose son is interested in you. I’m sure you both would make a wonderful couple.”

Amara’s brows twitched. She understood the meaning in her grandfather’s words perfectly well.

“An arranged marriage.”

“You were fine with the first one, weren’t you? And let me tell you, unlike that bastard, Ah, I should have him castrated,” Amara chuckled lightly at how her grandfather had trailed off topic. “Unlike that bastard, Elijah is a fine man. He’d treat you well and-“

“That won’t be necessary, Grandfather,” Amara interrupted, politely. “I’ll raise the company’s profit by Thirty percent, and then I won't need this marriage anymore.”

“Yes.”

“Alright then, Deal.” Amara agreed.

“I've done that much for granddaughter, so please, decease from disobeying me once all this has come to an end.”

“Yes, grandfather. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I have to attend my golf meeting now, rest well.”

“Have a nice time, Grandfather.”

Just like that, the call ended, leaving Amara alone with her thoughts.

One year, thirty percent profit.

Don't see her agreeing lightly, and only she herself knew how much pressure this would bring. During the past six years, Amara had abandoned her identity as well as talents only to be Tobias' wife wholeheartedly. But it all turned out to be a worthless daydream.

Yes, it was time to wake up. And she was not that generous to forgive everything.

"Xavier," she spoke, softly rubbing her temple with her fingers. "Get ready to acquire the cosmetics company of Melanie Woods at once and make sure we're faster than the Larsen."

"Yes, my lady," the man in the front seat replied respectfully. "I'll definitely live up to your trust."

Amara looked out of the car window and a smile curled on her lips. She knew her new life started.

***

“Melanie, what are we doing here?” Staring up at the huge club building in front of her, Amara couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

She glanced to her side, finding Melanie who had just finished checking their attendance with the bodyguard, before she continued.

“You said we were going out…to celebrate.”

Melanie nodded her head. After learning that Amara had decided to divorce Tobias, Melanie couldn't wait to celebrate her best friend being single once again.

Amara agreed because being depressed for days over a dick like Tobias wasn’t her thing. But now, staring at the rather flashy club in front of her, Amara was doubting she had made the right decision.

“Come on Mara,” Melanie spoke as she pulled her by the wrist and into the club. “Where else did you expect us to go while dressed like this?”

The moment Melanie said this, Amara passed by a floor-to-ceiling mirror and caught sight of her dressing for the second time this evening. Knee-length, tight, black leather gown, boots that stopped at her ankle, and a glistening golden necklace that highlighted the curves of her neck exposed by her wavy brown hair which was now pulled up into a tight ponytail.

She looked stunning, felt confident, and unlike the unappealing woman who had been married to Tobias for six awful years. And the stares she got the instant she walked into the club told her every bit of that was true.

“You’re single now, Amara, we gotta celebrate that. Especially when it’s you that’s dumping that asshole.”

Amara chuckled, dryly, while Melanie ordered a third drink. She really admired her friend's hostility towards Tobias. It was on a whole other level, unlike her half-assed one.

“Four shots of whiskey for the two beautiful ladies.” The bartender announced as he came back with the drinks Melanie had ordered. When he placed them down, Amara sent the man an innocent smile that had him blushing like a high school geek.

“Even the bartender has it out for you,” Melanie commented as she picked up the first shot and downed it, soon urging Amara to do the same.

“Just celebrate the single life, Mara!” She cheered after their second shot, immediately hopping off the stool, pulling Amara with her in the process, and rushing into the dance floor.

Amara could only but chuckle at her friend's optimistic attitude. Melanie was clearly determined to see her have fun. And she was having fun, despite her gloomy mood, she had managed to keep a smile on her face the whole night.

But clearly, the universe had other plans for her.

As Amara and Melanie danced and swayed on the dance floor, a tall, lean individual dressed in a suit stepped into the club, beside him was a blonde beauty that quickly caught the eyes of many men in the club.

“Toby, where do you want to seat?” Celestine asked as she wrapped her arms around his upper arm, acting innocent as she pressed her chest against his arm.

“Wherever is fine,” Tobias responded, seemingly not disturbed by her actions.

Celestine didn’t like that, but she knew better than to complain, because the moment she did so, or tried any harder, Tobias was sure to notice the shift in her innocent demeanor.

“How about there?” She pointed to a spot beyond the dance floor.

Tobias followed the direction of her finger, but suddenly, something, no, someone caught his attention.

At the center of the dance floor was a familiar figure, dressed in a provocative black dress, swaying her hips to the rhythm of the music while laughing at the attention her current dance partner, a male in his late twenties, was showering her with.

Even though she looked noticeably different, seductive, alluring, and far from the usual humble aura she usually gave, Tobias had no trouble recognizing her. His wife. And the longer Tobias watched HIS wife shower in the attention of another man, the more irritated he grew.

“You can go on ahead.” He said without glancing at Celestine as he walked off, leaving her standing on her own.

“Tob-,” Celestine was cut short, as Tobias had already walked away, his gaze focused on a particular figure, dancing on the dance floor.

He wasn't aware of how fast his strides were or how harshly his fist clenched. He wasn’t aware of any of it until he found himself in front of his wife, and the man who had had his hands all over her for the past two minutes.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He snarled, his hand clamping tightly around her wrist and pulling her away from the man.

Amara was more than surprised to suddenly see Tobias. But the way he had pulled her, coupled with the tone of voice he had used, had her temper rising.

“Let go!” She demanded with a glare after he had succeeded in pulling her off the dance floor and away from her dance partner.

But Tobias wasn’t the least bit fazed. Instead, he simply tightened his grip, making her wince in pain.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here? Engaging publicly with another man while you’re still married to me? Don’t you have any sense of shame?”

Any sense of shame?

How dare this fcking bastard talk about that to her? When he was the shameless one who betrayed their marriage first!

If Amara wasn’t as angry as she was, she’d have laughed.

She forcefully freed her wrist from his hold before fixing him with a glare.

“You’re quite funny Tobias. The last time I checked, you were the one who wanted a divorce. And might I point out that a few days ago, you also shamelessly ‘engaged’ with another woman, my dearest husband?"

"So please, save your preaching for someone who hasn’t seen your true colors.” Amara sneered and turned to leave but Celestine appeared.

“Toby, there you are-“ Her attention was quickly snagged by Amara and her eyes went wide upon seeing how she was dressed. “A-Amara? What are doing here?”

“And how’s that any of your business?” Amara sneered, not bothering to hide the disgust in her voice.

Celestine flinched. “I was simply-,”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion.” Silencing the wench, Amara turned her attention back to Tobias. “And you-”

He couldn’t help but narrow his eyes at the disdain in her voice as she addressed him so rudely.

“I suggest you don’t try to stick your nose into my business. We may be a married couple now, but in a few days,” She snapped her finger. “It’d all be over."

"So focus more on your mistress, and not the person you’ll be divorcing.”

“A-Amara,” Celestine cut in with a coy tone to her voice. “Please don’t misunderstand, Tobias and I aren’t together…”

Turning to Tobias, Celestine was practically glued to him, feigning kindness as she spoke. “Toby, please don’t be angry at Amara, she’s simply overwhelmed and confused."

"It should be a normal reaction seeing that as soon as you divorce her and she moves out of the sheltered doors of the Larsen home, she’d no longer have someone to fund her lifestyle. So it’s normal for her to look for a man to fund her lifestyle.”

“Sheltered doors? Fund my lifestyle?” Amara repeated with a chuckle. “Oh, that’s a new one, Celestine.”

“But she isn’t wrong, is she?” Tobias asked, his eyes narrowed and his voice cold as ice. Sure, he had no feelings for her, but that didn’t mean he was fine with his wife sleeping around for penny change and potentially soiling his name.

Amara’s brows creased at his reaction. Whenever Celestine was around, he had no brain to think wisely.

“Mind your own business, both you and your little slut.”

Amara didn't want to waste time with them anymore but Tobias gripped her hand again.

“Are you doing this only to challenge me? I see, you're doing all these just because I refused to give you no penny?"

"Well, fifty million pounds, I’ll pay you that as divorce compensation, as long as you apologize to me and Celestine. Right this instant!”

His words were so arrogant and irritating that her lips curled upwards, a smile coming on her face, but the coldness in her eyes could rival the chill in Tobias’s.

“Arrogant, aren’t you?” She smirked. “Well, I’d have to bust that bubble of yours.”

Taking a step forward, she raised her head and looked her husband dead in the eyes.

“I already filed for a divorce, Tobias, and I’m going to make sure that I get every single penny I deserve."

"So trust me, your fifty million is nothing in my eyes. I will never bow to you and your bitch!”