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?"

Sarah's eyelashes fluttered as she considered Professor Wells's words.

If she hadn't married James, she would've become a practicing therapist by now. Even though her knowledge was still intact, could she really return to her field after all these years?

Professor Wells sensed her hesitation. "There's no rush," he said kindly. "But if you're interested, I'm here to help."

"Thank you, Professor." Sarah felt a wave of warmth. Despite her absence these past years, he still cared about his former student.

After discussing his health and chatting for a while longer, he even invited her to stay for lunch. It was late afternoon by the time she left.

With tomorrow's hunting trip in mind, she picked up her prepared gear and clothing.

The next morning, Scarlett picked her up and drove them to the mountain lodge. They arrived early, finding only a few unfamiliar faces. Since the Reynolds family was hosting the event, it had drawn quite a mixed crowd. Sarah wasn't in the mood for small talk, so she headed straight inside to change and select her rifle.

As she was about to leave the lodge, she heard a familiar voice,

"James, Charlotte! I didn't expect to see you here. I thought this wasn't your kind of thing?"

"Charlotte heard the game hunting was good here. Thought we'd check it out."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat. She opened the door to find James's friend greeting the couple enthusiastically.

Seeing her, he blurted out, "Sarah! What are you doing here?" He immediately regretted it, watching James's face darken.

Sarah had pulled her hair back and wore no makeup. Without her glasses, wearing contacts instead, she stood in fitted hunting gear that gave her an air of confident competence.

James had never seen her like this. His brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?"

Scarlett, now changed into her own gear, shot James a withering look. "What's the problem? You can parade around with your side piece, but Sarah can't come here to change her mood?”

"James didn't mean it like that," Charlotte interjected smoothly. "It's just... they're divorced now. For Sarah to show up here, not knowing how to hunt, clearly following James... it's a bit inappropriate, don't you think?"

As Charlotte spoke, not only did James's expression turn disgusted, but whispers spread through the crowd. The other wealthy guests, all somewhat familiar with James and Sarah's situation, were drawing their own conclusions. James had never publicly acknowledged Sarah during their marriage, and now here she was, seemingly stalking him after their divorce. It looked desperate.

Scarlett exploded. "Listen here, you little-"

Sarah caught her arm, holding her back. She turned to Charlotte and James with a cool smile. "You've got it wrong. I'm here to hunt..."

She loaded her rifle with practiced ease, her tone casual but sharp. "Not only can I hunt, I'm quite good at it. If you don't believe me, just watch..."

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent except for approaching footsteps. Zachary walked toward them, a smile playing on his lips.

He took a state-of-the-art rifle from one of his staff and offered it to Sarah. "The latest model. I'm looking forward to seeing your skills, Miss Sanders."

His blue eyes held an intensity that matched his enigmatic smile, both captivating and dangerous.