Chapter 1 After the Funeral, Let’s Get a Divorce

Jocelyn Ross stood barefoot on the plush bedroom carpet, pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window by Raymond Murphy, letting out weak, suppressed sounds.

Raymond's eyes were glazed, his arm forcefully gripping her slender neck, hatred seeping through his clenched teeth. "Jocelyn, are you really that desperate for a man? You actually drugged me..."

"It wasn't me..." Jocelyn was being tormented relentlessly, yet her body's response left her weak all over. She could only bite down hard, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't know there was something wrong with that soup..."

Today was their fifth wedding anniversary. Raymond's grandfather, William Murphy, had specially sent over white truffles and crab—foods both she and Raymond loved.

Who knew that right after dinner, a burning heat would consume her body, leading to this very moment.

"Weren't you the one who said you wanted a child?" Raymond leaned down, his fingers lifting her chin, his eyes bloodshot. "What? Since I didn't agree, you resorted to this disgusting trick?"

He cursed with his words, yet his body attacked Jocelyn with uncontrolled ferocity.

This conflicting emotion made him even more furious. Gripping Jocelyn's slender waist, he wanted nothing more than to pour out all his rage.

Jocelyn turned her head away in pain. Raymond's ragged breath sprayed against her neck—it should have been warm, yet it chilled her to the bone.

During dinner tonight, she had indeed suggested to Raymond that they have a child.

William's health was deteriorating, and he desperately wanted a great-grandchild. So Jocelyn took this special occasion to test the waters with Raymond.

But Raymond had rejected her without a second thought, even mocking her, saying she wasn't worthy of bearing his child.

After what felt like an eternity of torment, Jocelyn began to reach her limit, letting out helpless, fragile moans.

Hearing this, the desire in Raymond's eyes deepened, though his words remained venomous. "So Mrs. Murphy has such strong desires. Just a few strokes and you're already crying out."

"Stop... please..." Jocelyn felt her cheeks burning with shame and covered her face with her hands.

Raymond carried her to the vanity mirror, grabbing her hair and forcing her to look up. "Look at yourself. What's the difference between you and a bitch in heat?"

Jocelyn squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by humiliation.

Raymond's breathing grew heavier, his fingers digging deep into her waist as he thrust harder.

After a particularly intense collision, he murmured deliriously, "Nora..."

Jocelyn's body instantly froze, tears falling silently.

Nora.

That name was like a needle piercing deep into Jocelyn's heart, causing unbearable pain.

Nora Watson was Raymond's first love.

Three years ago, when Jocelyn's father passed away, William, out of old sentiment, had Raymond marry her.

Because of this, Nora had left for abroad and never returned.

But Raymond had never forgotten her. Even when making love to Jocelyn, he would involuntarily call out Nora's name.

It wasn't until the early hours that the drug finally wore off. Raymond collapsed on top of Jocelyn and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, when Jocelyn opened her eyes, Raymond was already gone.

She dragged her exhausted body out of the bedroom and saw Raymond sitting on the living room sofa in an impeccable suit, his features refined, elegantly flipping through a newspaper—nothing like the crazed, obsessed man from last night.

Seeing her come downstairs, Raymond tossed a box of pills onto the table, his tone cold. "Take it."

Jocelyn picked up the box. It was emergency contraception.

She hadn't expected Raymond to detest her to this extent.

Jocelyn looked at Raymond, attempting to explain. "About last night, it might have been Grandpa's idea..."

"Shut up!" Raymond rudely cut her off, his eyes filled with disgust and contempt. "Stop using Grandpa as your excuse! If you hadn't schemed your way into his good graces, you think I would've married you?"

Jocelyn's face paled. "I told you, what happened back then wasn't what you think..."

"Then what was it?" Raymond sneered, walking up to her and gripping her chin. "Jocelyn, let me tell you—you will never, in this lifetime, bear my child!"

His words were like a blunt weapon smashing into Jocelyn's heart, leaving her gasping for air.

She looked up at him—this man she had loved for eight whole years.

When Jocelyn first learned that her arranged marriage partner was Raymond, she had been so excited she couldn't sleep all night.

She had fallen completely for him the first time she saw him at school when she was nineteen.

Back then, she didn't know Raymond already had a girlfriend. She tried every way to get close to him, only to be met with cold rejection.

Just when Jocelyn was about to give up, she was told there was a marriage arrangement between her and the Murphy family.

Though Raymond showed reluctance, Jocelyn didn't mind. She married him joyfully, devoted the best years of her life to loving him, worked tirelessly for this household—only to be rewarded with his repeated humiliation.

"Raymond..." Jocelyn's eyes gradually moistened, her voice hoarse. "Why do you hate me so much? What did I do wrong?"

"Stop putting on that pathetic act." Raymond frowned, impatience showing in his eyes. "Hurry up and take the pill, then get back to your room!"

Even her last shred of hope was completely extinguished. All that remained in Jocelyn's heart was numbness.

She took the pill and water, tilting her head back to swallow.

"Are you satisfied now?" Jocelyn set down the glass, her voice eerily calm.

Seeing her obediently take the pill, Raymond's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, though his tone remained cutting. "You'd better not pull any more tricks!"

Just as her hand touched the doorknob, Raymond's phone rang.

He answered, and whatever was said on the other end made his expression change drastically. "When did this happen?"

Jocelyn stopped and turned to look at him.

Raymond hung up, his expression complex as he looked at her. "Grandpa passed away at the hospital half an hour ago."

Jocelyn stood frozen, her ears ringing.

"That's impossible... Grandpa called me just yesterday. He was fine..." she muttered in disbelief, tears flooding out without warning.

During these five years of marriage, whenever Raymond neglected or humiliated her, it was always Grandpa who protected her.

Grandpa was the only person in the Murphy family who was kind to her. Without him, Jocelyn would have given up long ago.

Jocelyn followed Raymond to the hospital morgue.

A medical staff member lifted a corner of the white sheet, revealing William's peaceful, pale face.

Jocelyn couldn't hold back anymore. Tears burst from her eyes.

She collapsed beside the bed, falling to her knees, gripping Grandpa's already cold hand tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

Grandpa's passing took away Jocelyn's last pillar of support. She didn't know how she would survive in the Murphy family anymore.

Raymond stood nearby, watching Jocelyn break down in tears, his expression complicated.

His lips pressed into a tight line, his jawline tensed, and even his usually cold demeanor cracked slightly with pain.

Over the next several hours, the two silently handled various procedures.

On the drive back, Jocelyn stared at the gloomy gray sky outside the car window and spoke hoarsely. "Raymond, after Grandpa's funeral is over, let's get divorced."