"Hmm..."

"That’s perfect—feels amazing."

"Massage my feet next. The swelling from pregnancy still hasn’t gone down."

"Of course, Mr. Carter."

"Just call me Mr. Carter in front of others. When we’re alone, it sounds awkward. Call me… Evelyn."

Beep beep beep...

The line went dead. I stared at the large wedding photo of me and Evelyn on the wall.

We looked so happy, so in love.

But all of that… was gone.

"Are you just going to sit there like a statue? My foot bath isn't ready!"

"And your dad’s midnight snack—where is it? He’s starving, completely useless these days!"

Mrs. Carter’s voice snapped me out of it as she came down the stairs.

I looked at her and said evenly, "You don’t have hands or feet?"

"If you want hot water, boil it yourself."

"If you're hungry, cook something yourself."

She blinked, confused. "What did you just say?"

"Did I stutter? Or is your comprehension this poor?"

"Starting today, I’m not your servant. Get that through your head."

I stood up and strode past her. Under her stunned gaze, I tore the wedding photo in half—removing myself from it.

"Ah!"

"Nate, are you insane?!"

Ignoring her scream, I tossed a divorce agreement onto the table.

She picked it up, and scanned it, her expression darkening.

"So this is it? You really want to divorce Evelyn and split her assets?"

"Let me make it clear—you’ll never get a cent!"

"Even if she has kids with another man, you still—"

"Heh..."

I interrupted with a cold laugh. "Relax. It’s in the papers—I don’t want anything from Evelyn."

"Her money? Keep it. I’m done."

That shut her up. I walked out as she stood there speechless.

Then, behind me, I heard her spit on the floor.

"Bah! Worthless and delusional! No wonder she dumped you!"

That night, I booked the best suite in the city’s most luxurious hotel.

Alone in the silence, I scrolled through my contacts, stopping at a number I hadn’t dialed in years.

I hesitated—then pressed call.

After a few rings, a familiar sultry voice answered.

"Well, well. Look who finally called. Bennett the Gentle has returned?"

I gave a bitter laugh. "Sis, don’t tease. I’ve had enough."

She dropped the teasing tone immediately.

"I warned you she was no good, but you insisted on worshipping her."

"How does it feel now? Broken and bleeding?"

"Let me guess… you know everything?"

"Of course!"

She snapped. "Even if you’ve been out of touch for years, you’re still my little brother. Our parents’ only son. The rightful heir to the Bennett Group."

"You really thought we’d just forget about you?"

I smiled bitterly and exhaled slowly.

"I guess playing the loyal househusband was never really me. Time to go back to who I was before."

"And one more thing..."

I paused, then said firmly, "All the support I’ve been secretly giving Evelyn these years—financial backing, connections, everything—it ends now."

“Okay.”

“Even if you didn’t ask, I would’ve done it anyway.”

My sister’s voice crackled with fury. “She pushed my precious little brother to this point—I won’t let her get away with it.”

“Taking back the support and resources you gave her? That’s not enough.”

I knew her temper, and I knew her methods even better.

The thought of Evelyn facing my sister’s full wrath made me feel a faint twinge of pity. But I quickly buried it, nodded slightly, and said:

“Fine.”

“Do whatever you need to.”

The next morning, I got a call from Evelyn.

“Nate, have you not had enough of this?”

“I already told you—what happened between Lucas and me was a complete accident. You’ll still be the father of the three children. As for what happened yesterday with the scalding, I’m willing to let it go.”

“What exactly do you want?”

“What do I want?”

I was too exhausted to argue anymore.

“I want a divorce.”

“Sign the papers. We’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau today.”

“Impossible!”

She rejected it outright, then shifted her tone, suddenly soft and pleading.

“Don’t you remember the sweet moments we shared? All the things we went through?”

“The only person I’ve ever truly loved is you.”

“I feel safe and comfortable with you. Can we—”

“Stop.”

I cut her off, goosebumps crawling all over my skin.

“Evelyn, maybe you feel comfortable with me now.”

“But I’m pretty sure you and Lucas were feeling very comfortable together last night.”

“You—!”

She was silent for a few seconds. When she spoke again, her tone was low and serious.

“You’re really sure you want this divorce?”

“Absolutely. No doubt. One hundred percent sure.”

“…Fine.”

Her voice turned cold again. “I’ll agree—but only if you attend a banquet with me tonight.”

“It’s crucial for my company. It could make or break the IPO.”

“A scandal now would destroy everything. Even if you’re just a stay-at-home husband, I hope you can at least grasp what’s at stake.”

I froze.

Up until now, I’d actually thought she still had some lingering feelings for me. I’d even considered asking my sister to go easy on her.

But no.

Turns out this marriage only mattered because it made her company look good.

What a joke.

“Heh…”

“You really are something, Evelyn.”

No longer bothering to pretend, she spoke in a flat, transactional tone. “Just cooperate for now. Once the IPO is done, we’ll divorce. I’ll give you ten million.”

“That should cover your basic needs for the rest of your life.”

Beep…

I hung up.

One more second of her voice and I might’ve thrown the phone out the window.

I typed a message instead.

“I’ll go to the banquet tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will get the divorce certificate. This is my final compromise.”

“Push me again, and I won’t promise what happens next.”

A reply came quickly.

“Deal.”

…

That evening, I accompanied Evelyn to the banquet.

She was dressed to perfection—elegant, radiant, the center of every glance the moment we stepped into the hall.

As we entered, heads turned. Murmurs followed.

“President Carter, you just gave birth and you’re already back in the game?”

“Still attending events before your confinement’s even over—truly worthy of the Iron Lady title!”

“The key is that figure—still flawless—and your style hasn’t changed one bit.”

“You and your husband are as loving as ever. I also heard the company’s going public soon. You’re really winning it all—family, love, and career!”

“Don’t flatter me too much,” Evelyn replied with a sweet smile, clearly enjoying the praise.

To me, though, every word of their flattery felt like a jagged blade, reopening wounds that hadn’t even begun to heal.

And yet, she basked in the attention, beaming as she mingled.

Before long, the guest of honor arrived—the young heir of New York Trump Group, the biggest investor in her company. Under the bright spotlights, he made his entrance like a star, cocky and self-assured.

Just as I allowed the corners of my mouth to twitch into a smirk, the banquet doors slammed open.

A furious figure stormed in—Lucas, disheveled and wild-eyed like a man possessed. All heads turned toward him as he became the sudden center of attention.

“Nate!” he bellowed. “You’re vicious—beyond redemption!”

“We already told you! That night between Mr. Carter and me was just a drunken mistake! If you want to divorce her, fine. But what about the kids?”

“They’re not even a month old yet!”

“How could you poison them?! How can a human being be this cruel?!”