Chapter 1 Let's get divorced, I'll Grant You Your Wish

For three years of secret marriage, this was how they had fulfilled their marital obligations.

Today was the fifth, and Nicholas Harrison, as usual, had his butler escort Emma Rodriguez to Dreamy Garden.

She had once adored the white lilies that bloomed across the estate. Their fragrance lingered in the air like something out of a dream.

But now that the three-year term had expired, she wasn't just here for their final rendezvous

To divorce him.

When she entered the room, Nicholas was stepping out of the bathroom.

He was shirtless.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist — a perfectly sculpted silhouette. Water droplets traced slow paths down his toned chest and sharply defined abs. A towel hung low around his hips, barely secured, revealing the strong V-line that disappeared beneath the fabric., He was breathtaking.

His handsome face was simply a masterpiece crafted by the gods themselves.

His lips were faintly flushed from the hot shower, yet there was no warmth in his expression. Instead, they radiated an unapproachable coldness.

Without a word, he swept her into his arms and carried her toward the bed.

Emma let out a soft gasp, instinctively looping her arms around his neck.

Nicholas lowered his head and claimed her lips. His kiss was firm, almost consuming, as his fingers tugged at her dress with practiced familiarity.

Emma held onto his neck. She inhaled the scent she knew so well — cedarwood layered with a subtle trace of whiskey.

It made her dizzy.

Perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other in weeks.

Perhaps it was because this was the last time.

His movements were urgent, as though he intended to burn the memory into her skin.

He kissed her forcefully, as if trying to devour her completely.

Heat gathered in the room.

The air thickened.

She lost herself in him.

As always.

The fifth and twenty-fifth of each month were the days Nicholas had designated for their intimate encounters.

On those days, the butler would collect her. They would spend a few hours together.

And then return to their separate worlds.

They had never lived like husband and wife.

The divorce papers rested quietly inside her purse.

A silent reminder.

Her entire life had been borrowed from him for just three years.

She woke in the middle of the night, hunger gnawing faintly at her stomach.

The space beside her was empty.

Cold.

He was gone — as he always was.

Her body ached as she slipped into a robe and made her way downstairs.

Downstairs, the butler greeted her respectfully.

"Ma'am, you're awake. You must be hungry. Before leaving, Mr. Harrison instructed the staff to prepare chicken soup for you."

Emma paused slightly.

“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful.”

She sat down and lifted the spoon slowly.

Then her phone screen lit up.

A trending headline flashed before her eyes.

#Nicholas Harrison Throws Lavish Birthday Party for Perez Group Heiress

#Wedding Bells Soon? Nicholas and Zoe Make It Official in Novaria

Her fingers froze.

Her vision blurred for a second, clearly shocked by the news.

A wave of dizziness hit her suddenly.

Zoe! So the woman he loved was named Zoe Perez.

The lilies of Dreamy Garden suddenly felt suffocating.

This estate — this entire place — had never been meant for her.

It had been built for Zoe.

Her eyes grew misty as she stared at that devastatingly handsome face in the photo—her husband, Nicholas.

Nicholas was holding Zoe close.

And he was smiling.

Emma had once believed he simply wasn’t the kind of man who smiled.

It turned out—

He just never smiled at her.

Around Zoe’s neck hung a ruby necklace shaped like a lily, glowing crimson under the lights.

Emma knew it well.

She had admired it countless times.

She had once hoped…

She set down her spoon and went upstairs to change.

The bed behind her was perfectly made, untouched by warmth.

A faint chill entered her eyes.

This man truly had boundless energy. He had spent the afternoon in her arms…

And flown to Novaria that same night to celebrate another woman’s birthday.

Ten minutes later, she walked downstairs.

“Please take me home.”

Her voice was steady.

She would never return here again.

Back home, she pulled the divorce papers from her purse and flipped through them.

She had prepared them a month ago.

Planned this moment carefully.

But yesterday, he had left too quickly.

The next afternoon, her phone rang nonstop.

Twenty-three missed calls.

All from Evelyn Jackson. She wondered what emergency had happened.

She quickly called back.

"Emma, you finally answered! I thought something terrible had happened to you—you scared me to death."

Evelyn’s anxious voice spilled through the speaker.

Emma pressed her fingers to her temple, a faint, tired smile forming.

“Relax. I cherish my life too much to throw it away.”

After sleeping, the weight in her chest eased slightly.

“Wait for me. I’m booking the earliest flight back,” Evelyn said urgently.

Emma’s voice softened. “Alright. I’ll wait for you.”

When the call ended, silence filled the room.

Emma lay on her back, staring at the ceiling.

Remembering all the moments she'd shared with Nicholas over the years.

In middle school, when Nicholas excelled and applied to skip grades, she had done the same — not because she wanted to, but because he did.When he chose to study abroad, she followed.

When he selected pre-med, she selected pre-med without hesitation. When he fell into the ocean during that accident…

She had jumped in after him.

Yet he still had no memory of her!

Three years ago, the car accident had taken his sight.

She had heard that his first love fled overseas soon after.

So she went to him.

Mary Scott had been on her deathbed then. Using the last of her influence, she arranged for Emma to marry into the Harrison family.

At first, Nicholas despised her.

Later, because of Robert Harrison’s manipulation, they became husband and wife in more than just name.

Then came the relentless pressure for an heir.

That was how Nicholas agreed to their twice-monthly encounters.

Cold. Mechanical. Scheduled

She remembered the day his vision returned in their second year of marriage.

The first time he truly looked at her—

There was no gratitude.

No recognition.

Only cold revulsion.

She had believed she could change him.

Believed persistence could soften prejudice.

How foolish.

Her phone rang again, dragging her back to reality.

Emma answered. Only a few curt words were exchanged before the line disconnected.

It was Mia Harrison, Nicholas's mother. Her tone had been sharp and commanding — ordering Emma to return to Harrison Manor immediately.

An ominous feeling crept up her spine.

She didn’t allow herself time to overthink.

At four in the afternoon, Emma had returned to Harrison Manor.

The Harrison family was among Emerald City’s most powerful elites. Their empire stretched across industries, formidable and untouchable.

Robert Harrison had two sons and two daughters.

Nicholas, as the eldest grandson, had always been the pride of the family.

The most favored.

As Emma stepped into the grand hall, Mia rose abruptly.

Her glare was venomous.

“So you’re the one who enticed Robert? I never expected someone so quiet to be so calculating.”

Emma looked at the malice-filled Mia before her, her lips parting slightly. "Mrs. Harrison, I have no idea what you're referring to."

"Nicholas is in the study, being disciplined."

At Mia’s signal, the butler escorted Emma toward the study.

Even before they reached the door, raised voices could be heard from inside.

"Nicholas, how dare you talk back? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Robert was giving Nicholas a closed-door lecture, so angry he was nearly spitting blood.

"Grandfather, didn't you promise me that if Emma didn't get pregnant within three years, you'd allow me to divorce and remarry?"

“You little brat! You’re still legally married. I will not allow your name to be tied to that woman. Issue a PR statement immediately to clarify everything."

“I can’t control online gossip. Why should I concern myself with meaningless rumors?”

"I'll beat you senseless."

Crashes and bangs echoed from inside.

Emma steadied herself before lifting her hand and knocking.

The door opened, and Robert Harrison looked clearly surprised to see Emma.

"Emma! You're here!"

"Grandfather, please don't upset yourself so much."

She gently supported him back into the room, her smile composed and respectful.

Robert’s gaze shifted sharply.

“What are you standing there for? Apologize to Emma!”

Nicholas stood rigidly.

His lips were pressed into a thin line. His eyes were icy.

He had released that engagement news precisely at the three-year mark, assuming she would understand the hint and step aside on her own.

He hadn’t expected her to appear here.

"Grandfather, I'd like to speak with Nicholas alone."

After Emma spoke, Robert tactfully left the room.

Emma glanced at him. "Nicholas, let's get divorced. I'll grant you your wish!"

For the first time, surprise flickered across his face.

He had expected tears.

Or accusations.

Perhaps even a dramatic plea for his grandfather’s support.

But not this.

Not calm surrender.

She continued evenly, “We can process the paperwork first. When the time is right, you can inform Grandfather.”

He was silent for several seconds before finally speaking. "What kind of settlement do you want?"

"None needed. Let's part on good terms. Here's the divorce agreement I drafted." She spoke with casual ease, showing no hesitation as she pulled the prepared papers from her purse and placed them on the desk.

Nicholas sneered, fixing her with cold eyes. "Since you're being so reasonable, I naturally won't shortchange you. Come to my office tomorrow morning to sign. I'll have legal draft the divorce agreement."

The implication was clear: he would decide what went into the divorce papers, not her.

"Fine, I'll be there!"There was no anger in her tone.

No heartbreak visible on her face.

Just dignity.

She turned and walked out.

For Emma, ending this marriage peacefully was the final kindness she could offer herself.

She stayed for dinner at Harrison Manor out of respect for Robert.

When she left, she hugged the old man gently.

As her car pulled away from the estate gates, the sky darkened.

Rain began to fall.

Soft at first.

Then heavier.

The droplets struck the windshield like a sorrowful melody.

Three years.

And just like that—

It was over.

She had only taken a few steps when sudden abdominal pain struck her, and warm blood began flowing down her legs.