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?"

Richard slammed his teacup down, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Since the day she joined this family, your mother has done nothing but tear her down. Every time she got sick, she had to handle it alone. Whenever Lucy wanted the latest designer bag or jewelry, Sarah was the one footing the bill. Night after night, she'd wait up for you, keeping your dinner warm. And that time you made yourself sick pining over Charlotte? Sarah spent hours making you homemade soup, burning her hands raw in the process."

He sighed deeply. "Even when she lost her father and lived with the Larsons, she never had to do any of that. James, Sarah gave you everything. Charlotte brings you one bowl of soup, and suddenly she's the perfect woman?"

James's fists clenched as he listened, his eyes darkening like storm clouds.

Sarah knew nothing of this conversation. For once, she slept well that night.

The next morning at eight-thirty, she called James about finalizing the divorce, "Mr. Chancer, if you're available, could you meet me at the courthouse at nine? I’ll be waiting outside."

"I have a meeting," James replied flatly. "Let's handle it another day."

He hung up before she could respond.

Sarah stood there, stunned. She distinctly remembered reminding him yesterday.

Important people, busy schedules. After a moment's hesitation, she decided not to call back. The great Mr. Chancer could sort it out when he had time.

On her way back, she remembered Scarlett mentioning Professor Wells's condition and decided to give him a call about visiting.

At the Wells residence, the housekeeper led Sarah to the study.

Before she could enter, she heard Professor Wells speaking, "Zac, regarding your sister's case, I wish I could help. But psychological treatment requires consistency, and in my current condition, I'm afraid I'd do more harm than good."

Sarah paused as a deep, gentle voice replied, "Your health comes first. If you could recommend someone suitable, I'd be grateful."

Just as Professor Wells nodded, the housekeeper knocked and opened the door. "Sir, Miss Sanders is here."

"Sarah!" Professor Wells brightened. "Come in!"

Sarah looked up, finally seeing the man who'd been speaking. Her breath caught.

He had the kind of presence that filled a room - classically handsome with an air of quiet authority. His chiseled features and enigmatic blue eyes conveyed both sophistication and an underlying intensity. Even standing casually in the corner, he drew attention while appearing completely at ease, like an expertly placed piece of art.

Noting her arrival, he smoothly excused himself, "I'll visit another time."

Sarah's interest was piqued, though she had already guessed his identity.

Sure enough, she heard Professor Wells speaking softly, "It's a difficult situation for the Reynolds. If his sister's condition doesn't improve..."

Just as she thought. Zachary Reynolds, the well known third son of the Reynolds Empire.

The Reynolds family dominated the real estate market on the East Coast, their recent meteoric rise attributed to their CEO, Zachary. The business world buzzed with stories of his brilliance and ruthless deal-making, though he carefully avoided the spotlight. Everyone wanted to know more about the man behind the success.

Sarah hadn't expected to run into him here. She remembered Scarlett mentioning he'd be at tomorrow's hunting event. Looking at him, he seemed an unlikely participant in such activities.

Meanwhile, Professor Wells, hearing about her divorce, felt a mix of emotions. Sarah had been his star student in college before marrying young and abandoning her studies in psychology. He'd always regretted that. Seeing her now, divorced but unbroken, brought him relief.

"You were my most promising psychology student," he said. "If not for the interruption, you might have made significant contributions to the field. Now that you have time, have you considered returning to psychology?"