Chapter 1 Let’s Get a Divorce

Grace Brown waited at the airport for four hours, only to finally see Alfred White walk out from the VIP passage with another woman on his arm.

The special assistant had asked her to pick up Mr. White, but gave her the wrong flight number. She couldn't find any information, so she could only stand there waiting. Now her calves were sore and her back felt like it was about to break.

The moment she saw the VIP passage door open, all her anticipation was instantly crushed to pieces.

Along with the exhaustion in her body, the instant she saw the two of them, everything turned into sharp heartache that made her whole body tremble, unable to catch her breath.

Brenda Harris wore a gentle apricot-colored dress, her skin fair as snow, makeup perfect. One hand gently held Alfred's arm, while her other arm carried his coat.

She leaned close to Alfred's side, saying something in a low voice, her posture as intimate as lovers who'd been together for years.

He was also turning his head to listen to her, his brow relaxed, his eyes holding a faint tenderness—a look Grace had dreamed of for three years but had never seen.

In their three years of marriage, she'd always thought he was just cold by nature. She never imagined he could be so tender and gentle, just never with her.

Biting her tongue hard, the taste of blood in her mouth helped Grace clear her head a bit. She took a small step forward, wanting to say hello, and the next second locked eyes with Alfred.

His eyes, which had held some warmth, instantly darkened. His gaze swept over her without a ripple, as if she were some unimportant stranger.

Grace's body stiffened, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her head.

Only her last bit of dignity kept her forcing herself to stand up straight.

"Grace? What are you doing here?" Brenda noticed her, the smile on her face deepening. "Are you here to pick up Alfred? You should have said something first."

Her tone carried deliberate surprise and sickeningly sweet showing off, and she held Alfred's arm even tighter.

Only then did Alfred look over again, his brow furrowing, his tone cold as ice and impatient. "What are you doing here."

"Assistant Carson asked me to..." Grace's voice was slightly hoarse. Before she could finish explaining, she was interrupted.

"But my dad already drove here to pick us up, Alfred, do you want to go with her?" Brenda pouted pitifully, acting cute.

Grace was forced to swallow her words back down, feeling nauseous.

Looking at Brenda's smug expression, then at Alfred's ice-cold profile, she felt their three-year marriage was ridiculous and absurd.

"Let's go." Alfred withdrew his gaze. "Don't worry about her."

He continued walking forward, his broad-shouldered, long-legged figure radiating coldness.

Brenda smiled and followed his steps, not forgetting to turn back and wave at Grace, her eyes full of smugness. "Grace, we'll go first then. Next time remember to ask clearly, so you don't make a wasted trip."

Grace's expression remained calm, her gaze staying on Alfred until his figure disappeared at the exit. Only then did her tears fall.

The calm in her eyes suddenly shattered, replaced by extreme sadness mixed with long-suppressed coldness.

Countless painful memories crashed into her mind.

In their three years of marriage, he'd always said that when the time was right, he'd make their relationship public. Right now Grandpa White's health wasn't good, and if Grandpa White didn't agree, they couldn't go public.

Grace believed him. In public, she never crossed the line. Even Carson at the company didn't know about their relationship.

After waiting three years, all she got was him appearing openly in public with another woman.

He said Brenda was just a junior from before, that he was looking after her for the Harris family's sake, since the two families had business together.

But she'd clearly heard Brenda crying on the phone, asking, "When are you divorcing Grace? I want to go public with you."

And the business trips on his schedule, the international meetings, all the anniversaries he said he couldn't spend with her... they were actually excuses to meet Brenda. She'd discovered this long ago.

Grace found a spot and sat down, wrapping her coat around herself.

Her black coat was sharply tailored, with a gray professional blouse underneath. Her long hair was pinned up low, giving her the cool, capable air of a career woman.

Maybe she was too proper, completely different from women like Brenda with their hot bodies and bold clothing.

Of course men would prefer that sexy, forward type.

Taking out her phone, she made a call. "Secretary Wendy."

Everyone at the company thought she was just Alfred's incompetent personal assistant.

Only the head of the secretarial department—a rigid middle-aged woman who usually looked down on Grace—knew her true identity. After all, Wendy had watched her grow up.

"Grace." In private, Wendy always treated Grace with respect. "Have you made your decision?"

"I've decided. Slip the divorce agreement into the documents Alfred needs to sign. He trusts you, he won't look closely. Just don't let Carson find out." Grace's tone was calm.

Even though the words she spoke seemed to tear open her heart, reason kept suppressing her emotions, letting her know this was the right choice.

After that, she drove away from the airport.

She should have gone back to the company, but she turned the steering wheel and took another road.

Soon, a divorce agreement was delivered to her, with Alfred's bold signature on it.

Her phone rang, the label "Husband" particularly jarring.

"Where are you?"

On the other end, Alfred's voice was cold and impersonal. "Why aren't you back at the office?"

"Something wrong?" Grace asked coolly.

"It's work hours. There's a meeting this afternoon. Grace, do I need to remind you?" Alfred was clearly displeased.

The world before Grace's eyes gradually blurred, but her tone was light, even carrying a hint of laughter. "Mr. White, I've resigned."

"Resigned?" Alfred's anger began to spread.

"Yes, I just decided." Grace responded flatly. "No need to look for me."

"Because of the airport pickup?" Alfred pushed his anger back down, his tone slightly perfunctory. "Carson made a mistake, it's not your fault."

Grace's knuckles turned white gripping the phone, her throat feeling blocked by something.

Not her fault.

Had she done something wrong in the first place?

"You know why."

She tried hard to control her voice, not wanting to lose composure.

"I've told you before, Brenda is just like a little sister." He always got impatient when this came up. "Grace, can't you be more understanding?"

"You've never been understanding with me."

Grace took a deep breath and, copying his usual tone, said in a matter-of-fact way, "Alfred, let's get divorced."