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 always loved the pure white lily flowers that bloomed throughout Dreamy Garden, their fragrance filling the air like a dreamlike paradise.

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

Today, she absolutely had to divorce him!

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

He was shirtless, with broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist—the perfect inverted triangle physique, every inch radiating raw power. A towel hung loosely around his hips, water droplets trailing down his sculpted muscle lines. His abs were clearly defined, the V-cut leading down beneath the towel's edge, leaving much to the imagination.

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

At this moment, his thin lips were pressed tight, tinged with the flush of a hot shower, yet showing no trace of softness. Instead, they radiated an unapproachable coldness.

He swept Emma up in his arms, carrying her straight toward the bed.

She gasped, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck.

Nicholas said nothing, simply leaning down to capture her lips while his hands began tugging at her dress.

Emma held onto his neck, breathing in his familiar cedar scent mixed with the faint essence of whiskey, making her feel lightheaded.

Today, like always, he was somewhat urgent, his movements rough, perhaps because they hadn't seen each other in so long.

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

The temperature in the room kept rising.

The air was thick with intimate tension.

She melted into him, becoming one.

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

On those dates, the butler would fetch her to Dreamy Garden, but they never lived together.

It was time. The divorce papers in her purse reminded her that this was her marriage's destiny.

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

In the middle of the night, Emma woke up hungry.

The man beside her had long since vanished, not even his body warmth remaining on the bed.

Her entire body ached as she struggled to get up, slipping on a robe before heading downstairs.

Downstairs, the butler approached her.

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

"Thank you, that's very kind."

Emma sat down, slowly sipping the soup.

She casually checked her phone when several trending headlines suddenly popped up on her screen.

#Nicholas Harrison Throws Lavish Birthday Party for Perez Group Heiress

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

Her pupils contracted, clearly shocked by the news.

A wave of dizziness hit her suddenly.

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

This beautiful Dreamy Garden had been slowly torturing her heart all along—Dreamy Garden was built for Zoe!

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

He was embracing Zoe, his smile brilliantly radiant.

Once, she had thought he was naturally cold, incapable of smiling.

It turned out that he simply didn't like smiling at her.

Around Zoe's neck was a lily-shaped ruby necklace that blazed red, painfully piercing Emma's eyes.

That was the one she had admired for so long...

She set down her spoon and went upstairs to change.

Looking at the empty bed, the coldness in her eyes deepened.

This man truly had boundless energy—making love to her here in the afternoon, then running off to Novaria to celebrate Zoe's birthday that same evening.

Ten minutes later, Emma came downstairs and asked the butler to drive her home.

She would never return here again.

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

She had prepared these a month ago, keeping them in her bag, planning to give them to Nicholas today, but unexpectedly, he ran away.

The next day at noon, she was awakened by her phone ringing.

Seeing twenty-something missed calls from her best friend, 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 complaints actually made Emma feel somewhat helpless as she rubbed her forehead.

"Don't worry, I love life and value my safety."

After sleeping, her heart didn't feel quite as heavy.

"Wait for me, I'm flying back immediately to see you" Evelyn spoke urgently.

"Alright, I'll wait for you!"

After hanging up, Emma felt an emptiness in her heart. She stared at the ceiling, remembering all the moments she'd shared with Nicholas over the years.

In middle school, when he excelled academically and applied to skip grades, she had followed suit; when he went abroad, she went abroad; when he chose pre-med, she chose pre-med without hesitation... Even when he fell into the ocean, she had jumped in after him.

Yet he still had no memory of her!

Three years ago, he'd been in a car accident that left him blind, and she'd heard his first love had fled overseas.

She had come to him!

Back then, Mary Scott was on her deathbed and used her connections to marry Emma into the Harrison family.

Initially, Nicholas had been repulsed by Emma, but later, due to Robert Harrison's schemes, they became a real married couple. Then came the constant pressure to produce an heir, which led to Nicholas agreeing to their twice-monthly intimate encounters.

She remembered that Nicholas's eyesight wasn't restored until the second year of their marriage. When he looked at her, his whole body radiated coldness, his face full of disgust.

She had thought she could change his prejudice against her.

The phone rang again, pulling her from her thoughts.

Emma answered, and after just a few words, the caller hung up.

It was Mia Harrison, Nicholas's mother, demanding that she return to Harrison Manor immediately.

She had an ominous feeling, but didn't have time to dwell on it as she quickly got out of bed.

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

The Harrison family was one of Emerald City's premier elite families. The family empire was vast, with Robert Harrison having two sons and two daughters. Nicholas was the eldest grandson, naturally receiving the most attention.

When Emma entered the main hall, Mia immediately stood up.

She shot Emma a vicious glare. "You're the one who tattled to Robert, aren't you? I never expected someone so quiet to be this underhanded!"

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."

With a look from Mia, the butler led Emma upstairs.

As they approached the study, they could hear arguing voices.

"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 bastard, still thinking about divorce? Right now, you're still married, and I won't allow you to be linked romantically with that girl anymore. Issue a PR statement immediately to clarify everything."

"I can't control what's said online, Grandfather. Why bother with internet gossip?"

"I'll beat you senseless."

Crashes and bangs echoed from inside.

Emma composed herself, then raised her hand to knock.

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

"Emma! You're here!"

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

Emma reached out to support him back into the room, offering a gentle smile.

"What are you standing there for? Apologize to Emma right now!" Robert barked at Nicholas.

Nicholas pressed his lips together tightly, his face full of disdain. He had deliberately released that news at the three-year mark, believing this woman would have the good sense to step aside.

"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!"

Nicholas looked slightly surprised, staring at her as if she were some strange creature.

He had expected her to return and make a scene, or at least get Grandfather to stand up for her. He never imagined she would so casually mention divorce.

She added, "We can handle the paperwork first, and when it's convenient, you can tell 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!" Emma looked at him expressionlessly, then walked out of the study.

For her, parting on good terms was the most dignified end she could give this marriage.

Emma stayed for dinner at Harrison Manor. As she was leaving, she hugged Robert and prepared to drive away.

Just then, rain began to fall, pattering down like a mournful song.

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