Sarah left the Chancer mansion without looking back, wheeling her suitcase behind her. Outside, she found Scarlett leaning out of her car window, blowing her a playful kiss. "Get in, baby! Time to celebrate!"

Though Scarlett called it a celebration, knowing Sarah was freshly divorced and likely down, she just took her to a music-themed restaurant. When she heard James's reason for the divorce, Scarlett couldn't help but scoff, "Charlotte Garnett again? What's so special about her that James is this obsessed?"

Sarah stirred her coffee listlessly. "No idea..."

She'd never actually met James's dream woman. Charlotte had already left for abroad when Sarah first met James. She'd only heard that Charlotte was gentle, accomplished, and understanding. When James had fought with his grandfather over her, Charlotte had been mature enough to convince James to let it go - which had led to Sarah's arranged marriage with James.

Seeing Sarah's reluctance to discuss it further, Scarlett changed the subject, resting her chin on her hand. "Well, at least James was generous - houses, cars, and eighty million..."

She glanced at Sarah and sighed. "Though I suppose you don't need any of it."

After Sarah's father died, she'd handed the company management to her cousin Melvin Sanders, content to live off the dividends. Everyone assumed the company belonged to Melvin now, and with the prenup between Sarah and James, her family thought she had nothing left.

"You can never have too much money," Sarah replied absently.

Looking at her friend’s plain and boring appearance, Scarlett felt a pang of sympathy. "That's right! Buy yourself some nice clothes and bags, show the Chancers what they're missing! But what are you planning to do now?"

Sarah's gaze grew distant. She had double-majored in psychology and music in college but had to take a break when her father passed away, then came three years as a housewife… She had never thought about what would come next.

Scarlett squeezed her hand. "No rush. Take your time figuring it out. For now, let's go shopping, and in a few days, I'll take you hunting up the mountains.” She winked excitedly. "And guess what? Zachary Reynolds will be there too."

Sarah raised an eyebrow in surprise. Zachary Reynolds, the mysterious third son of the real estate empire, wasn't known for joining such events. But her curiosity quickly faded.

After lunch, Sarah wasn't in the mood for shopping. She just handed over her card and had the staff deliver everything Scarlett picked to her apartment.

Before leaving, Scarlett suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Sasa - I know you've been busy, but Professor Wells hasn't been well lately. You should visit him when you can."

Professor Wells had been Sarah's psychology mentor in college. She made a mental note to visit him as she headed back to her apartment.

After leaving the Chancers, Sarah had moved into a small apartment near Scarlett's place. It was regularly maintained, making it perfect for temporary accommodation.

But as she approached the building, she spotted James leaning against his car, waiting. A woman sat in the passenger seat - delicate features, gentle eyes, the perfect picture of feminine grace.

Sarah glanced at her sideways. She could see why James would fall for someone like that.

The woman stepped out of the car and walked over with James, her arm linked through his. With a warm, gracious smile, she extended her hand, "Hello Sarah, I'm Charlotte Garnett."

Sarah stopped in her tracks. Her expression remained calm, but she didn't take Charlotte's offered hand.

As Charlotte's smile faltered, James stepped in to ease the tension, "Grandfather heard about us,” he said in a deep and restrained voice. “He wants you to join us for dinner tonight. Your phone was off, so I came to get you."

"I see." Sarah checked her phone - it was indeed dead. She nodded. "I'll charge it and join you later."

The message was clear- she wouldn't be going with them.

James frowned. "I can wait while you-"

"No need," Sarah cut him off with a smile. "I'll make my own way there."

When he fell silent, Sarah glanced at Charlotte. "And tomorrow at nine, if you're free, let's get the divorce papers finalized."

For some reason, James felt unsettled. "Why the rush?"

Sarah nodded firmly. “Cause it's urgent."

James was taken aback, his expression darkening as he led Charlotte away.

After a few steps, Charlotte whispered something intimately to James, then turned back to Sarah, her eyes gentle, "Miss Sanders, I owe you my thanks."

"For what?"

Charlotte glanced back at James waiting in the distance, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her smile was sweet with nostalgia and gratitude. "When James and I separated years ago, it was just bad timing. When I returned, I thought we'd lost our chance. I know how much you loved him. If you hadn't been so understanding, we might never have gotten back together."

"You're wrong." Sarah met her eyes. "I'm not divorcing him to bring you two together. I'm not that selfless. I'm divorcing him because I don't want to love him - and I won't anymore.”

She'd spent three years trying to be the perfect Mrs. Chancer, and failed. In that time, she probably had better odds winning the lottery than making James love her. Why keep forcing it?

The moment she decided on divorce, she knew she had to let go. Yes, she'd done everything for James, only to have him bring another woman to her doorstep. But Sarah had no regrets.

Charlotte stood speechless.

Sarah considered for a moment, then added coldly, "Whatever happens between you two is none of my business anymore."

Dinner was set for eight-thirty. Sarah reached her apartment just after seven.

Maybe it was the relief of leaving the Chancers, but Sarah felt unusually light. After a shower, she put her phone on charge. There was still plenty of time.

For the first time in ages, she picked out a rose-red dress she loved, switched to contact lenses, and put on makeup.

She'd never done this at the Chancers'. When she first married James, she used to wear makeup, but his mother said it was too flashy for a proper wife. James never bothered to look at her anyway.

Now she could do as she pleased. After getting ready, she took a cab to the Chancer family estate.

"This way, Mrs. Chancer," the butler said, eyeing her transformation with surprise but maintaining his usual respect. That he was still using her married name told Sarah that Richard Chancer, James's grandfather, wasn't ready to accept the divorce.

She was right.

At the dinner table sat James and Charlotte, with Richard's face dark with disapproval, the atmosphere thick with tension.

Seeing her, his expression softened. “Sasa, come," Richard said warmly. "It's been too long since you've had dinner with me.”

James looked up instinctively, his gaze falling on Sarah. Something stirred in him.

Without her glasses, her almond-shaped eyes were striking, with their subtle upward tilt and gleaming with an inner light. Combined with her rose-red dress, she looked alluring and confident.

Nothing like the meek, compliant woman he thought he knew.

Lost in his thoughts, James felt a warm hand on his. He turned to see Charlotte looking at him with concern. "Are you feeling okay? Would you like some soup?"

James shook his head.

After greeting Richard, Sarah quietly took her seat, pointedly ignoring their interaction.

Richard let out a scoff of disgust.

Dinner at the Chancers' was traditionally eaten in silence. Sarah had little appetite but picked at her food to be polite.

After dinner, Richard held her back. "I've heard about you and James. Don't worry, Sarah. You're the only daughter-in-law this family recognizes."

He cast a cold look at Charlotte and James, their faces stiffening at his words. "If anyone should leave this family, it should be the homewrecker and this excuse for a man!"

Sarah shifted uncomfortably.

James's jaw tightened. Beside him, Charlotte clutched his hand, her eyes filling with tears, looking every bit the victim.

Richard ignored them both, drumming his fingers on the table with a sigh. "Your father and I were close friends despite our age difference. Having you join our family brought me such joy. How can I face your father if we let you go now?"

James massaged his temples. "Grandfather, I'll make sure Sarah is taken care of. You can't force love..."

Richard's temper flared. "Force love? You're blind! Just look at who you've chosen!"

"Grandfather..."

Seeing the argument brewing, Sarah intervened softly, "It wasn't his decision, Grandfather. I wanted the divorce too."

Her words dropped like a stone into still water.

Sarah poured Richard a glass of water, waiting for him to take a sip before continuing quietly, "Please don't worry about me. I'm not sacrificing anything. Every decision has been my own. I want this divorce because I simply don't love him anymore."

Her face was peaceful, like someone who'd finally found freedom, carrying a strange sort of serenity.

James stared at her profile in the soft lighting, his expression darkening.

After a long silence, Richard spoke heavily, "Our family has failed you."

Sarah paused, then smiled without responding.

Seeing Richard had calmed, she made her excuses to leave.

Given the late hour, Richard nodded, muttering as she walked away, "Better off divorced. Better than staying with this fool."

With a final sigh, Richard retreated to his study without a glance at his grandson.

James's expression grew stonier.

"Go comfort your grandfather," Charlotte said softly. "He's always been fond of Sarah. He must be taking this hard."

Ever the peacemaker, Charlotte prompted James, who squeezed her hand. "Let me drive you home first."

After dropping Charlotte off, James found his grandfather brooding over tea in his study.

He sat down to help, pouring a cup as he spoke with resignation, "Grandfather, Charlotte will be my future wife. Even if you don't like her, please try to be kind to her."

Richard let out a disdainful laugh. "Funny, that's exactly what I told you when Sarah married into this family. 'She's your wife - even if you don't love her, treat her well.' And what did you do?"