Before I could even get another word out, Scarlett cut me off with a smirk. “Or what? You think you actually matter?"

She crossed her arms, tilting her head mockingly. "Watch your tone when you talk to Joshua. He’s the head of this family now, the richest man in Avindor. If anything, you should be bowing down. He’s your sky, your earth, your everything."

Jeanette scoffed. "Exactly. We may not have rings on our fingers, but our kids are his just the same. Meanwhile, you…" she gave me a long, judgmental once-over, "a wife who can’t even give him children, have the nerve to act like you’re better than us?"

She let out a fake-sympathetic sigh. "No wonder Joshua turned to us. This is on you. Instead of demanding answers, maybe try some self-reflection for once."

Willa rolled her eyes. "She’s right, Joshua. Don’t let her guilt-trip you. A man like you is supposed to have multiple women. You’re the richest man in Avindor, you can’t let her walk all over you."

She glanced around the mansion, then added, "Besides, what’s the point of all that money if you’re not gonna have more kids? You planning to just leave your fortune to some random strangers?"

At first, Joshua looked uncomfortable, but as they spoke, his expression shifted. His frown faded and his stance straightened, confidence settling over him like armor.

"I just want to give a home to the women who love me," he said finally, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world. "Is that really so wrong?"

I stared at him, my stomach twisting.

"They gave me children," he continued, his voice steady. "They’ve spent years living in a cramped little house, never once complaining. And you? You’ve been here, living in comfort, reaping the benefits of my success. So don’t act like a victim."

It was the first time Joshua had ever spoken to me like this and for a moment, I couldn’t process it.

I swallowed hard. "Do you even hear yourself? What exactly are you saying? What do you want?"

Joshua exhaled, his tone softening slightly, like he actually thought he was being kind. "Don’t misunderstand me," he said. "I’m not some heartless man who abandons his wife for his mistresses."

I almost laughed.

He went on, completely serious. "I’ve thought this through. These six children are my flesh and blood, I can’t just leave them out in the cold. So, from now on, you’ll be their legal mother. You’ll adopt them and raise them properly."

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. When the six kids heard Joshua’s announcement, they all reluctantly mumbled, “Mom.”

Joshua, looking pretty proud of himself, nodded. "See? They’re already warming up to you."

Then he went on like it was no big deal, “But, of course, the kids can’t just be ripped away from their biological mothers. So, let me lay it out for you. The three of them are moving in. But they’ll respect you, I promise.”

My eyes widened in disbelief, but he wasn’t done. “And I’ll still make sure to come to your room on the first and fifteenth of every month. No matter who I love most, you’ll always be my wife.”

At that moment, I couldn’t help but feel like I had somehow stepped into a historical drama. Like I was the queen in some ancient palace and Joshua was the emperor who only had to show up to my chambers twice a month.

At first, I thought he was kidding. But as I stood there staring at him, it hit me: he was dead serious. He was actually planning to move in his mistresses and kids and turn our house into his own little harem.

I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, so I did both, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do.

But the weird part, the others; Jeanette, Willa and Scarlett, actually looked relieved. Like they were finally off the hook or something.

Jeanette and Willa exchanged a look, then nudged Scarlett. The three of them walked up to me, glasses in hand.

"Since we’re family now," Jeanette said, flashing me a grin, “How about some water?”

I swear, my scalp tingled and my mind felt like a blur of racing thoughts. How was I supposed to explain that this wasn’t the dynasty life anymore? That people didn’t do this anymore?

I stood there, biting my lip, trying to gather my thoughts.

Then, I finally just blurted out, "You know what? I can’t do this, Joshua. I want a divorce. You can do whatever you want, be with whoever you want. I’m done."

Joshua went pale, like he didn’t expect me to cut to the chase without a big scene.

Scarlett, though, looked pleased as punch. "Divorce is fine, but you leave with nothing. You’re the one in the wrong here!"

I blinked, totally thrown off. “Wait, I’m the one in the wrong? Joshua’s been messing around with three women and has almost enough kids to form a soccer team and I’m the one at fault?”

Scarlett gave me a look like it was obvious. "Yep, because you don’t have kids. We’ve all been giving him heirs and without that, you’re not even a queen. You lose your throne."

I was about to argue, but then I remembered the call I had earlier, so I just bit my tongue. Instead, I nodded like I had agreed with everything she said, “Right, right. I’m wrong. I can’t give him heirs. I’ll leave with nothing, I’ll give up my throne.”

Before they could say anything else, I grabbed my phone and headed out the door. As I was leaving, I turned back and shot them a quick look, "See you in court tomorrow at 8."

The next morning, I showed up at the court. Joshua and his three “ladies” were already there, of course. Thankfully, the kids didn’t tag along, would've been a circus otherwise.

Since most of our wealth was joint property and we hadn’t worked out any divorce agreement, I could tell the three women were sizing me up, waiting to see if I would suddenly decide to fight for half of everything.

But I wasn’t wasting time. I sat down and just said, “Divorce. I’ll leave with nothing.”

When I said that and even signed the papers right then and there, the look on their faces was priceless. Even the people at the divorce office were kind of shocked.

Joshua was quiet for a long time before finally speaking. “Jolie, I didn’t think you’d actually go do this. Last night, Jeanette said you’d leave with nothing today and… I don’t know, I felt bad.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, please. Just sign the damn papers and stop wasting my time.”

His face reddened, but instead of signing, he hesitated. “Look, I know you never gave me children, but we’ve been married for years. I can’t just let you walk away with nothing.”

Before I could respond, Willa suddenly crouched down beside me, grabbing my hand like we were best friends. “Come back with us. We’ll treat you with respect, I promise. The four of us can even play cards together!”

I snatched my hand away so fast she nearly fell over. “Yeah, no. I don’t need your ‘respect,’ and honestly? The thought of it makes me sick.”

Joshua’s expression turned stone cold. His jaw tightened and after a beat, he pulled out a folder and slid it across the table. “This house and fifteen million dollars. Consider it my way of making things right. Take it and we’ll call it even. That way, you can’t turn around and play the victim later.”

I glanced at the house key and bank card and I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

This man, Avindor’s so-called richest man. I had built everything alongside him from the ground up. If we were keeping it real, the company’s success had more to do with my hard work than his.

And now, all of that was worth… a house and 15 million dollars?

It was almost funny. But I knew if I refused, he and his little harem would throw a fit and frankly, I didn’t have the energy for it.

So, I nodded. “Sure, whatever. If that’s what you think I deserve, I’ll take it. Now sign the papers so we can be done with this.”

Joshua finally signed and just like that, it was over. Holding that divorce certificate in my hands, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years; freedom.

I was about to leave when Scarlett grabbed my arm. “Don’t go just yet. You should see this with your own eyes. If you don’t want to be the wife of the richest man, there are plenty of women who do.”

I turned back and saw Joshua already leading Jeanette to the marriage window to apply for their certificate. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Willa weren’t upset, they were actually crying tears of joy.

Wow. They really pulled it off.

These three weren’t just tolerating each other, they genuinely had solidarity. No wonder they got along so well under one roof. It was like watching some strange, modern-day sister-wife fairytale.

Once Jeanette had the marriage certificate in hand, she looked genuinely emotional. But instead of celebrating with her co-wives, she walked straight up to me. Her voice was soft, almost gentle.

“Thank you, Jolie. I know you don’t understand now, which is why you chose to leave. But one day, you’ll regret it and want to come back.” She smiled at me like she was bestowing some great wisdom. “And when that day comes, our doors will always be open to you.”

I blinked. Was she for real?

I wanted to tell her she sounded insane, but I was afraid if I stayed here any longer, I would start losing brain cells. So instead, I swallowed my irritation, turned around and walked away without another word.

Before the divorce, my life was all work. First one in, last one out. I practically lived at the company. I thought if I ever had too much free time, I would lose my mind from boredom, like an addict going through withdrawal.

Turned out, that wasn’t the case at all. I let out a dry laugh at the irony.

I had been so busy working that I gave Joshua all the time in the world to build a whole damn harem behind my back. And I didn’t even notice.

Well, at least I caught on before I wasted any more years on him.

Now that I finally had time for myself, I did something I hadn’t done in ages, I went shopping. No more having brands deliver clothes straight to my door to save time.

I actually walked into a store and picked things out myself. And, just like in those over-the-top TV dramas, the staff packed up nearly everything I looked at.

I even learned how to cook. I stopped relying on expensive supplements and crazy diet tricks to stay in shape. Now, I just ate whatever I wanted and hit the gym when I felt like it.

After workouts, I would treat myself to a full-body massage at the salon. Life was easy, comfortable and finally on my terms.

While I was enjoying my newfound freedom, Joshua started calling nonstop. I didn’t block him. I didn’t even decline the calls. I just watched my phone light up and fade out, over and over, as messages flooded in.

I knew exactly why he was reaching out and I had no interest in answering. At first, I figured he would give up eventually. But half a month later, on a rainy night, he showed up at my door, looking like a drowned rat.

The moment I opened it, he dropped to his knees. "My wife, please help me!"