Six years! That was how long she had loved him! Zoe closed her eyes abruptly.

…

It was a Friday night. Something bad happened in the Sanders house. Mason still wasn’t home. They received news that the eldest child in the Sanders family, Noah, might be facing a ten-year sentence because of the Sanders Group’s financial case.

Ten years imprisonment was long enough to ruin someone’s life. Her dad was hospitalized due to a brain hemorrhage. It was critical and he needed to undergo surgery immediately.

Zoe stood in the hospital hallway and called Mason non-stop, but he didn’t answer. Just when she was about to give up, he sent her a text via WhatsApp. It was brief as usual.

“I’m still in Hucksburgh. Find Ava if you need anything.”

She gave him a call again, and he answered this time. Zoe said at once, “Mason. My dad is…” Mason cut her off abruptly. He sounded a tad impatient, “Is this about the money? I told you. Just look for Ava. She’ll hook you up… Are you even listening, Zoe?”

…

Zoe was raising her head and looking at a screen with a blank expression. It was broadcasting a piece of news.

‘The director of Lockwood Pharmaceutical Group rented the entire Disneyland and made a lady’s day.’

The fireworks were exploding throughout the entire sky as a young lady sitting in a wheelchair was smiling widely. Mason was standing right behind her, holding his phone.

Zoe blinked and said painfully after a long pause, “Where are you, Mason?” He paused for a while, seemingly unhappy that she was checking on his whereabouts. He said, “I’m busy. I’m going to hang up now. You should get in touch with Ava.”

He didn’t care enough to realize that she was about to burst into tears, but he lowered his head and looked at the young lady affectionately. Zoe’s vision was blurred by tears… She didn’t know that he could be this affectionate toward somebody.

Her stepmother, Mia, said, “Did you manage to call Mason? You have to get him to help us, Zoe…” She stopped abruptly when she saw what was shown on the screen.

She said after a pause, “Did he go to Hucksburgh again? I refuse to believe it, Zoe. Mason was unconscious back then. Are you telling me that Lilith actually brought him back with her violin? Let’s assume that it’s true for a second. Is this an appropriate way to repay her, though?

“He doesn't even remember your birthday!”

…

Mia was getting pissed off. She couldn’t help but shed a tear when she thought about the predicament the Sanders are in, “With that said, you have to keep a cool head. Don’t pick a fight with him now, Zoe.”

Zoe clenched her fists so tight her nails were digging into her flesh, but she didn’t feel pain at all. Pick a fight with Mason? She wasn’t about to do that. However, it wasn’t because she was focusing on the bigger picture. Instead, it was because she didn’t have the right to start a fight.

Her husband didn’t love her. Her status as his wife was virtually nonexistent!

She stared at the fireworks and said, “I’m sure these fireworks cost him a lot of money!” Mia didn’t catch her meaning. Zoe lowered her gaze and called Ava.

It was midnight. So, it was understandable that Ava wasn’t pleased that Zoe woke him up. She had worked with Mason for a long time. She enjoyed a privileged position. Furthermore, she knew his master didn’t care about Zoe at all. Naturally, she sounded cold and sharp.

“You’ll have to go through the usual procedure and get Mr. Mason’s signature to secure the cheque. It’s like the jewelry you’re wearing now. You need to register before you can use them. Do you know what I’m getting at, Ms. Zoe?”

…

Zoe hung up the phone. She kept her head lowered and stayed quiet. Then, she looked at herself in the mirror and raised her hand. Her wedding ring was fitted tightly onto her slim finger.

It was the only thing that didn’t require any procedures or signatures… How pathetic! Zoe blinked and said, “Get me someone so I can sell off this wedding ring!”

Mia was stunned, “Are you out of your mind, Zoe?”

She turned around and left. The hall seemed desolate in the dark of night, mirroring her loneliness… Zoe walked a few steps, stopped abruptly, and said firmly, “My eyes are opened, Mia! In fact, I’ve never looked at myself with such clarity.”

She was going to divorce Mason.

Mason went back to Brookesville three days later. It was already evening when the black RV rolled into the villa and the chauffeur killed its engine. Then, he opened the car door for his master.

Mason got out of the car. He saw that the chauffeur was about to take his luggage and said, “I can do it myself.”

The servants rushed at him as soon as he entered the living room. “Something happened to your father-in-law a few days ago, Mr. Mason. Ms. Zoe is in a bad mood. She’s upstairs now!”

He knew what had happened to the Sanders family. Irritated, he took his luggage upstairs and opened his bedroom door. Zoe was tidying up the dresser.

He put down his luggage, loosened his tie, and studied her. Zoe had loved doing the house chores, cleaning up, and making snacks ever since they had gotten married. If it had not been for her outstanding looks and graceful physique, she would have been no different from a nanny.

Zoe did not say a word for a long time. Mason was quite worn out from the trip. He could not be bothered to take note of her unusual silence. He took the necessities and went to the bathroom.

Zoe was soft and weak, he thought as he was taking a bath. He was sure she would have calmed down, unpacked his luggage, and gone back to the way she was by the time he was done bathing.

He was sure of it…

Mason walked out of the bathroom and saw that his luggage was left untouched. It looked like he was going to have to talk with her.

He sat on the couch and took a magazine casually. He said after a while, “How’s your father holding up? I heard about what happened that night… I’ve given Ava an earful for it.”

He sounded indifferent and insincere. Zoe stopped her chores and looked at him in the reflection of the mirror. Mason was so stunning and elegant. He was wearing a simple bath towel, but he still wore it better than the average guy.

Zoe stared at him so long that her eyes welled up. Then, she said calmly. “We’re getting a divorce, Mason!”

He was startled. He knew Zoe had been unhappy about his attitude that night. He sent Ava to the hospital the moment he learned about what happened to her family, but she would not accept his help. This was the first time she rebelled against him. She had been submissive all this time.

Mason took a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table and started smoking. Then, he said casually, “A few days ago, you said you wanted to go back to work, and now you want a divorce?

“Are you bored with your life as a homemaker? Is that why you want a different experience?”

“Take a look at the world, Zoe. A lot of people have to work overtime and spend time with insufferable people to make a living. You’re my wife and you live in a mansion, Zoe. What are you unhappy about?”

…

He sounded cold and heartless. Zoe couldn’t take it anymore. She sneered, “Your wife? Is this your idea of a wife?”

She rose suddenly, dragged him to the cloakroom, and slid open the wardrobe door. There was a series of jewelry in there, but they were all locked behind a password. Zoe had no idea what the passwords were because Ava was in charge of them.

She pointed at them and said mockingly, “What kind of wife needs to go through procedures with her husband’s secretary in order to use her own jewelry? What kind of wife needs to submit a form to her husband’s secretary for any amount of money?

“What kind of wife doesn’t even have enough money to call a cab? Tell me, Mason. Is that what it means to be your wife?”

“Yeah. You gave me a hundred thousand dollars every month when my family was in trouble. However, I feel like a hooker every time I take the check from you.

“It felt like you were paying me after you had your way with me in bed!”

…

Mason cut her off coldly. “Is that how you see it?”

He pinched her chin softly. “Do you think hookers don’t know how to please a man sexually, like you? You don’t even know how to moan. All you did was squeal like a kitty!

“You want to divorce me, huh? Do you have any idea the kind of life you'll have if you leave me…?”

Zoe felt pain from his pinch and raised her hand to break free. He caught her hand and stared at her ring finger.

“Where’s your wedding ring?”

“I sold it off!” She said miserably. “I’m going to divorce you, Mason!”

It took everything she had to utter those words. She had loved him for six years. If it had not been for what she saw and the fireworks that night, she might have still felt compelled to lock herself in this loveless marriage for a long time to come.

However, she saw all of it and she wanted nothing to do with him.

True, perhaps she would not have an easy life after the divorce. She might just have to spend time with insufferable people to make a living, but she was not about to regret making this decision.

Zoe withdrew her hand and started packing up her stuff. Mason was displeased. He stared at her. He never thought he would live to see the day she rebelled against him in this manner.

She was actually determined to go through with the divorce.

He was filled with rage. He swept her off her feet, and threw her onto the bed. Then, he pinned her down and leaned in close.

Mason whispered in her ear, “Aren’t you doing this because of Lilith? Why aren’t you being honest, Zoe? Didn’t you do whatever it took to become my wife? What’s the matter? What made you want to give it all up now?”

Zoe was trembling underneath him. It has been such a long time, but he still thought she was responsible for what happened back then.

It might have been due to the fact that they were touching each other or her passivity. Anyhow, Mason had the sudden urge to ravage with her. He gave her a meaningful look, closed his lips over hers, and undid her silk nightgown.

Zoe was exquisite. She had a delicate figure. It would have been fine if he had not touched her, but he had to do it with her at least twice before he was sated.

He kissed her slender neck, pinned both of her hands on her sides, and held them. Mason had always been dominant when it came to sex. Zoe could never defy him. She always let him have his way with her.

However, they were getting a divorce. How was this appropriate?

“No, Mason… Stop it…”

Zoe’s voice trembled. She looked so vulnerable, her black hair spread all over the pillow. She looked so beautiful that it made him want to destroy her and claim her for himself.

Mason kissed her forcefully and mocked her, “We’re still legally married. So, why can’t we do this? You always ask me to stop when we have sex, but when have you ever meant what you said?”