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?”

He had to have her. There was no changing his mind. Furthermore, Zoe looked so delicate beneath him. He might not have loved her, but he did love her body.

Mason was unapologetic as he moved to have sex with her. Zoe held him off by his shoulders, her breath labored. “I didn’t take the pill for the past few days, Mason. You’re going to get me pregnant.”

He stopped in his tracks. He might want it badly, but he had not lost his good sense. He had no plans to have a baby with Zoe. Not yet, anyway.

Mason paused for a while before sneering. “You thought things through, it seems!”

Her defiance meant nothing to him. He placed one of his hands on her side and took out a box of condoms from the nightstand with another.

He was about to tear it open when his phone rang! He ignored it, tore it up, and leaned in to kiss Zoe. She shook her head, trying to break free from him.

His phone kept ringing.

Mason finally picked it up, displeased. It was his mother, Lisa.

“Your grandma isn’t feeling well, Mason. You should pay her a visit! Also, bring your wife along. She said she wanted to eat her pretzels.”

Lisa sounded cold. She didn’t like either her mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law.

Mason pinned Zoe down with one of his hands and glanced at her. He pondered for a second before answering, “We’ll be there shortly.”

He hung up the phone and started getting dressed. “Grandma’s sick. She wanted to see you. Let’s put a pause on all this divorce talk until we come back.”

Zoe laid limp on the bed. Eventually, she rose and put on some clothes. He looked at her slender figure as he zipped his pants. Then, he glanced at the box of condoms, pursed his lips, and left the room.

Mason was smoking in the car when she came downstairs. Dusk was coming. Zoe donned a silk blouse and long skirt. Her delicate calves were visible. She wanted to stay in the back seat, but he opened the passenger’s door. “Hop in.”

She had no choice. She sat in the car silently. The black Bentley drove out of the villa gate. Mason held the steering wheel with a hand and focused on the road. He stole a glance at Zoe from time to time.

They had been married for three years, but Zoe had rarely sat in his car. Now that she wanted to divorce him, she no longer had any interest in talking to him. Both of them remained quiet.

Half an hour later, they drove into a manor on the hill. The lights came on when the black gate swung open. It was as bright as day. Mason killed the engine and looked at her, “Grandma’s ill. She can’t take any more shocks. You know what to say.”

Zoe opened the car door and said coldly, “Don’t worry about it.”

He stared at her from the back and moved hurriedly to hold her hand. She tried to fight back. So, he tightened his grip on her hands. “Don’t forget about what you said.”

Her fingers twitched, but she was no longer trying to break free. Lisa was waiting for them in the living room. She could not help but frown when she saw them come in, hand in hand.

She said coldly, “Dr. Spencer just left. You guys should go check on Grandma.” She glanced at Zoe.

Zoe greeted her. Some time had passed when Lisa finally greeted her in return. She would have been disappointed under normal circumstances, but she could not care less about Mason now. Lisa's coldness no longer bothered her.

“Let’s see how grandma is holding up.”

Barbara looked really ill when they entered her bedroom. She was moaning, but her eyes glinted when she saw Zoe. “I’ve waited for a long time. You’re finally here, Zoe.”

Mason shoved her to his grandma, leaned in, and said, “I brought her here because I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

Barbara smiled, but she pretended she could not hear him clearly and asked, “Huh? Did you say you were trying to make a baby with Zoe? I think that’s much more important, Mason. I’m fine, anyway.”