: Divorce

He would prepare gifts for me on every holiday and generously introduce me to all his friends.

When we were apart, he would tell me he missed me countless times a day. He'd get jealous if another man so much as glanced at me, his eyes turning red with anger.

He said, "Elara, did you know? The people in the Valerius Family are all twisted monsters. You're the only one who taught me what love is."

Julian Valerius was insecure, constantly needing me to reaffirm my love for him.

My heart would ache for him, so I would just hold him until he fell asleep peacefully in my arms.

I thought we would be like this until we grew old, so when his affection suddenly plummeted, I panicked immediately.

Mia Quinn was a recent college graduate.

The first time I heard her name was from Julian Valerius's secretary.

The secretary said that girls these days have no creativity. The "accidentally spill coffee on the President" trope is so cliché, isn't it?

I listened to it like it was a joke and didn't pay it much mind.

But not long after, Mia Quinn was made Julian Valerius's personal assistant, breaking precedent.

He would take Mia Quinn horseback riding. Since she didn't know how, Julian Valerius would pull her into the saddle in front of him, and they would ride together on a single horse, meandering slowly.

Mia Quinn didn't understand the complex social etiquette of the business world.

Julian Valerius patiently guided her, even personally teaching her how to brew tea.

Some tactless business partners made jokes at Mia Quinn's expense.

The usually calm and composed Julian Valerius beat the man so badly he ended up in the hospital right then and there.

Julian Valerius seemed to have no intention of hiding anything.

Everyone knew how well he treated Mia Quinn.

By the time the rumors reached my ears, the two of them were already attending major banquets hand-in-hand, kissing amidst the teasing banter of the crowd.

I looked at the photos someone had sent me and lost my temper with Julian Valerius for the first time.

Julian Valerius just sat in his executive chair, watching me in silence.

But his eyes seemed to say I was being unreasonable.

"Elara, you're almost thirty. What are you doing, competing with a young girl?"

"When you were in your early twenties, I doted on you just the same, didn't I?"

In that moment, I felt as if I'd been plunged into an ice cellar.

I finally understood. Julian Valerius's love was very devoted.

He was devoted only to young women, and I had already passed that stage.

I had originally planned to just file for divorce, but then I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant.

I wanted to try one more time for my child and my family, so I had Mr. Thorne find some people to send Mia Quinn abroad.

The result was predictable.

After nine years together, it turned out I meant nothing to Julian Valerius.

I had lost completely.

Mr. Thorne told me to give him three days.

Now that we had offended the Valerius Family, there was no place left for us in the country.

I took the opportunity to schedule an abortion procedure for that same day.

Since the love was gone, there was no reason to keep Julian Valerius's child.

Besides, there were plenty of young girls who would bear his children.

But the doctor said my gestational sac was too large, and it could only be handled with an induced labor procedure, which required hospitalization.

But I could only stay in the city for three days. I had no choice but to postpone it.

On the way back, I found a lawyer to discuss the divorce.

When they heard the case was against Julian Valerius, they all started to back out.

"Ms. Quinn, President Valerius's company has its own professional legal team. I'm afraid we're not qualified to get involved in this matter."

I understood and didn't press him further.

After I married Julian Valerius, I became a stay-at-home wife. He said he didn't want me in the public eye, so I foolishly obeyed for five years.

Now, my entire social circle has been filtered through Julian Valerius. I can't even find anyone to help me.

No matter. Once he brings Mia Quinn back, I imagine getting a divorce will be easy.

I did a quick inventory of my things at home.

I left all the valuables behind, taking only some clothes for the season and my ID.

I've been exhausted ever since getting pregnant, and after packing all evening, I passed out right on the sofa.

The next day, the front door was opened from the outside.

I jolted upright, terrified.

To my complete shock, Julian Valerius was back.

He was holding a young woman by the hand—it was Mia Quinn.

She was exquisitely beautiful. The photos I'd seen didn't do her justice; they only captured half her beauty.

Mia Quinn was also carrying several luxury brand shopping bags, and the diamonds on her high heels were so bright they nearly blinded me.

Clearly, he had already smoothed things over with her.

My heart sank. I never expected Julian Valerius to return so soon.

My hand instinctively went to my neck.

The choking sensation seemed to return, and I found myself genuinely afraid of Julian Valerius.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand up from the sofa.

Julian Valerius led Mia Quinn to stand before me. Right in front of me, he smiled as he tenderly straightened her hair, then turned to me, his expression turning cold.

"Elara Thorne, apologize to Mia."

I couldn't believe my ears.

Even after we had dropped all pretenses, after he'd destroyed my family's livelihood, after he'd tried to strangle me just yesterday—I thought that was as monstrous as he could get.

'Now he wants me to apologize to his mistress?'

Seeing me frozen, Julian Valerius seized my chin, forcing me to face Mia Quinn.

"Didn't you hear me? I told you to apologize to Mia."

Julian Valerius is a businessman; he knows exactly how to crush a person's spirit.

Even if that person was the wife he'd been with for years.

Mia Quinn hadn't so much as glanced at me since she'd walked in.

With downcast eyes and slightly pursed lips, she didn't need to say a thing to look like a pitiful, deeply wronged victim.

"Mr. Valerius, you don't have to do this."

"I know my position isn't exactly proper. It's only natural for her to hate me."

That's what she said, but I clearly saw her flick her eyes upward in a brief, secret glare at me.

When I remained silent, Mia Quinn tugged at Julian Valerius's sleeve.

"Mr. Valerius, I'm a little tired. I want to go rest..."

Julian Valerius kissed Mia Quinn on the cheek, his voice gentle. "Alright, you go to the room and rest."

Mia Quinn's large eyes darted toward me as she asked with feigned doubt, "This is your home. Where am I supposed to rest?"

Julian Valerius nonchalantly led her to our bedroom. The implication was unmistakable.

I was trembling uncontrollably.

I clenched my jaw, the only thing stopping me from erupting in a mad scream.

I struggled to even my breathing as I watched Julian Valerius settle her into the room. Only then did I speak to his back, my voice hoarse.

"Julian Valerius, let's get a divorce."

"You've trampled my dignity like garbage, and you've destroyed my parents' life's work."

My eyes were red, but I forced myself to remain calm as I said, "This is all my fault. The fault was mine, for being so blind back then."

Hearing this, Julian Valerius actually raised an eyebrow.

He stood before me with his hands in his pockets, leaning in until his handsome face was inches from mine.

His expression was vicious.

And it held a profound, inscrutable meaning that I couldn't begin to understand.