As the woman Easton Hudson was forced to marry, Ellis Harper fantasized that he would finally see how much effort she put into their marriage and fall for her someday during the three years. However, when she and his crush were kidnapped, he ignored her well-being completely and only cared about his crush. That destroyed her fantasy and she lost all love for him. This resulted in her getting a divorce at all costs. She was ready to let go of her past to find someone else who loved her wholeheartedly. However, when that happened, the usually cold man pinned her down insanely and said hoarsely, "Who gave you the guts to marry someone else, Ellis?" This confused her, as she had already given him everything he wanted by leaving his life. She even allowed him to be with his lover. So why was he still displeased? Besides, he was the one who never had feelings for her, yet he was unwilling to let her go. What more could he want then?

Chapter 1 Kidnapped "Easton, your precious wife is in my hands. Prepare five billion dollars and transfer it to my account. If you don't, you’ll be dealing with her corpse in 24 hours!" A harsh male voice came through the phone, causing Easton to frown in annoyance. He didn’t recognize the caller, but they were using Ellis’ phone number. Lately, Ellis had been trying various tricks to get his attention after their recent argument. This was likely another one of her plots. Easton had only answered the call by accident, his finger slipping and hitting the answer button. "Tell Ellis that whether she’s alive or dead is of no concern to me. She should stop these silly games." He hung up immediately and returned to his work. Meanwhile, in a dark, isolated warehouse, Nolan, his face twisted in frustration, glared at Ellis, who was bound and unable to move. With the phone on speaker, Ellis heard Easton’s response clearly. A cold sense of hopelessness washed over her, and the prayers she had been holding onto now seemed like a cruel joke. Nolan had kidnapped her, hoping to extort money from Easton. Trembling in fear, she had been praying that Easton would come to her rescue. But instead, Easton didn’t care about her safety, assuming she had orchestrated the whole thing. Nolan, enraged by his failed attempt, angrily threw the phone aside. Just then, the door swung open. Nolan glanced over as two men entered, hauling a human-sized sack. Ellis' attention was also drawn to it. <i>Did Nolan kidnap someone else too?</i> "Nolan, we’ve brought the person!" the two men announced, approaching him excitedly. "Well done!" Nolan nodded approvingly at his men’s work. <i>Luckily, I had a backup plan. Otherwise, the whole effort would have been pointless.</i> Nolan directed his men to take the person out of the bag. When the person was finally revealed, Ellis’s eyes widened in astonishment. <i>It was Victoria!</i> That woman was someone Ellis would recognize even if she were turned to dust. She couldn’t deny that Victoria’s presence made her feel uneasy. After all, in Stonebridge’s elite circles, everyone knew that Victoria was Easton’s first love. The two had been close since childhood and had even been engaged. If Easton hadn’t lost the brutal heir competition in the Hudson family and if Victoria’s parents hadn’t called off the engagement and sent her abroad, Ellis would never have had a chance to become Mrs. Hudson. Now that Victoria was here, Ellis couldn't help but wonder. <i>When did Victoria return to the country? Had she been in touch with Easton? Was Easton's recent cold attitude toward her because of Victoria?</i> As Victoria finally freed herself from the bag and was about to struggle, she noticed Ellis, and her panic immediately turned into disdain and contempt. At that moment, Nolan grabbed Victoria’s phone from her handbag. Forcing her to unlock it, he quickly found Easton’s number in her contacts. The call history revealed that the two had been calling each other frequently. <i>So, it was true. Victoria still held a special place in Easton’s heart.</i> Nolan let out a pleased chuckle. He felt relieved that he had prepared a backup plan and didn’t rely solely on Ellis. After dialing, Nolan ripped the tape from Victoria’s mouth and motioned for her to speak. Victoria had realized she’d been kidnapped, but she hadn’t expected the kidnappers to contact Easton rather than her family. "Easton, I’ve been kidnapped! Help me!" she cried. Just as Easton hung up the earlier call, his phone rang again. Assuming it was Ellis, he nearly ignored it, but then he noticed it was Victoria calling. Hearing her cry for help, he frowned. "What’s happened? What’s going on?" he asked. Learning from his earlier experience, Nolan chose not to speak right away. Instead, he struck Victoria hard across the face. The loud slap echoed in Easton's ear, and he heard it distinctly. He quickly set aside his paperwork, his attention fully captured by the call. “Is the one hitting you the kidnapper? Let him talk!”“Mr. Easton, don’t be surprised. It’s me again!” Nolan grabbed Victoria’s chin. “Your wife may not be worth much, but your beloved surely holds some value, right?” Initially, Ellis was confused about why Nolan had taken both her and Victoria, but as Nolan continued to ask Easton for money, a glimmer of hope rose within her. Surely, Easton would realize she was genuinely in danger and would come to save her. “Five billion? Send me your account number,” Easton stated, his demeanor shifting as he caught the key point. “No, no, no! The price has increased. Your beloved must be worth at least ten billion.” Alan tightened his grip, making Victoria scream in pain. “Did you catch that? If you don’t hurry, your beautiful darling might just...” Nolan paused deliberately before concluding, “Be abused and killed.”“Don’t harm her! I will transfer the money immediately,” came Easton’s frantic voice. Ellis’s faint hope and expectations were completely shattered in that instant. Her entire body went cold as blood drained from her face.

Chapter 2 The Heartbreak of Ellis Easton believed the kidnapping involved both her and Victoria, yet he didn't care about her at all. He didn't even mention her name; all his focus was on Victoria. “If you harm her, I will find you no matter where you hide and tear you apart! I will make sure you pay the price!” His voice remained calm, filled with confidence, with no trace of panic. Ellis felt her heart shatter into pieces in that instant. She realized she had never truly mattered to him. Despite being his wife for three years, she was no match for his ex-fiancée. Though both were kidnapped, Easton ignored her entirely. He quickly agreed to the ransom, concerned only for Victoria, while she felt like nothing more than a joke. Once the call ended, Nolan wasted no time in sending over the payment details. During the wait, Victoria carried herself with the arrogance of a wealthy heiress, negotiating with the kidnappers. As long as she was unharmed, she assured them that in addition to Easton’s money, the Brooks family would also give them a large sum. Driven by greed, the kidnappers turned their attention to extorting the Brooks family. Meanwhile, Ellis stayed unnaturally quiet. On the outside, she seemed calm, but inside her spirit had already crumbled. Half an hour later, after receiving both payments, Nolan signaled his accomplice to proceed. The man grabbed a club they had prepared in advance. Ellis, seeing the man standing behind her with the club raised, was overtaken by terror. In a trembling voice, she barely managed to speak, “Are you going to kill me?” Before she could finish, a heavy blow hit the back of her head. Ellis woke up an unknown amount of time later, her head pounding with pain. It was pitch-black around her, with a horrible stench in the air. <i>Was I dead?</i> Shaking in fear, Ellis moved her hands and realized they were still tied up, confirming she was still alive. As her vision adjusted to the darkness, she saw that the kidnappers and Victoria were nowhere in sight. <i>What was going on?</i> At that moment, a glaring light suddenly flickered on. “Mrs. Hudson is here!” <i>Who said that? Has Easton finally come to rescue me?</i> Ellis, filled with hope, tried to stand but couldn’t due to her bound hands and feet. Seeing her struggle, the man holding the flashlight rushed over, helping her up and asking, “Mrs. Hudson, are you alright?”“My head hurts,” Ellis replied. She didn’t recognize the man, but since he addressed her as Mrs. Hudson and untied her, she assumed he was here to rescue her. “Are you one of Easton’s men? Is Easton here? Where is he?”“I’m Mr. Easton’s bodyguard. He’s here, he... he’s…” The bodyguard’s hesitation made Ellis uneasy. “What happened? Did he get hurt fighting the kidnappers?” She asked, her worry growing. “Uh, Mr. Easton is outside. Let me help you out.” The man’s reluctance to answer made Ellis frown. As they stepped out of the abandoned warehouse, Ellis saw an open field with many parked cars. A black Bugatti with the license plate A999999 stood out. It was Easton’s most frequently used vehicle. “Is Easton in the car?” she asked. Before she could get a response, her eyes were drawn to a couple standing not far away. It was Easton and Victoria, locked in an embrace! Victoria had her head nestled in Easton’s chest, her arms clinging to him. Easton stood there, his lips moving as he spoke to her. His normally cold expression was softened by the night, filled with a rare tenderness. They looked like a couple deeply in love, with Easton soothing his scared lover. Around them were police officers, doctors, and members of the Brooks family, all looking concerned. The scene hit Ellis with unbearable force, shattering her fragile hope. <i>Easton might have overlooked me, but in the end, he showed up to save me. Maybe he cared about me just a little, right?</i> But the brutal reality was clear. Easton hadn’t come for her at all. She was merely an afterthought, an extra in his rescue mission for Victoria. From the start, she had only been Mrs. Hudson in name, never truly in Easton’s heart. It was obvious who Easton truly loved. Ellis’s heart felt as though it was being slashed to pieces, and tears shimmered in her eyes. The bodyguard holding Ellis noticed her reaction and understood why she felt this way. After all, Ellis was Easton’s rightful wife, Mrs. Hudson. Yet Mr. Easton was holding another woman, paying no attention to his wife at all. How could she not be affected? It was only natural for her to feel devastated. The bodyguard quickly stepped in to distract her. “Mrs. Hudson, just wait here. I’ll call the doctor to check on you.” But Ellis didn’t hear his words. Her mind was flooded with a single thought. <i>Both Victoria and I were kidnapped, yet all the care and focus were directed toward Victoria. What was left for me?</i>

Chapter 3 The Final Straw No, she had to ask herself this crucial question. <i>What did I mean to him?Was I nothing more than the third wheel, disrupting the reunion between him and Victoria?Easton didn’t love me; that was painfully clear now. His first love, Victoria, had returned, and with Easton now firmly positioned as the Hudson family’s heir, having doubled the family’s fortune, what was left to keep him with me? The Brooks family couldn’t hope for a better son-in-law. Surely, divorce was the next step, and Easton would rekindle his relationship with Victoria.</i> Jackson, standing beside Easton and Victoria, noticed Ellis standing frozen in place. He glanced at Victoria, who was sobbing in Easton’s arms, and then addressed Easton, “Mr. Easton, Mrs. Hudson has been found.” Upon hearing that, Victoria’s eyes swept across the area. Ellis stood still, her eyes fixed on Easton and Victoria, like a statue caught in place. Victoria’s lips curved in a subtle, almost imperceptible smile before she held onto Easton even tighter, her voice soft and trembling with feigned fear. “Easton, those kidnappers were so frightening. They dragged me here, and if it weren’t for you, Before she could finish, her body stumbled. Easton had already pushed her aside. Victoria was shocked to see Easton remove his jacket and hand it to Jackson. With a frown, Easton said, “Throw it away.” In this desolate place, any spot could serve as a trash can, so Jackson decided to walk a little farther to dispose of it. Once Jackson moved aside, Easton’s gaze finally met Ellis’s. Her long, black curls were slightly tousled, and her slender body seemed frail in the wind. Clearly shaken, her usual bright expression had disappeared, leaving her with a pale, blank stare. “Are you okay?” Easton’s question was casual, as if it didn’t matter much to him, as he approached. Ellis let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not dead yet.” Easton looked her over. There were no obvious injuries to her. Meanwhile, the two doctors he had brought with him were being pulled by the Brooks family to attend to Victoria. “Once the doctors finish with Victoria, they’ll check on you.” Ellis had always been strong, and Easton expected her to recover quickly. Unlike Victoria, Ellis wasn’t the type to break easily. In fact, he assumed that now that he’d spoken to her, she’d come rushing to him for comfort, just like she always did. But things didn’t go as Easton expected. Instead, Ellis spoke slowly and clearly. “Let’s get a divorce.” Today’s events had shown her that holding on to her sad and hopeless fantasies was pointless. She had loved Easton in secret for four years, spent two years fighting to be his wife, and had been married to him for three years. Ten years wasted on someone who saw her as nothing more than a stranger. There was no future for them. Instead of living in constant fear that Easton would divorce her one day, she decided it was better to end it herself. As her words settled, Easton frowned deeply. “Divorce? What kind of nonsense is this? Is this all because I didn’t believe the kidnappers on the first call?” His tone was sharp, almost mocking, as if her request for a divorce was some kind of bad joke. “I’m not kidding! I want a divorce!” Ellis’s voice was firm, filled with resolve. “Stop being ridiculous! If you’re thinking clearly, give your statement to the police first. The kidnappers haven’t been caught yet.” Easton dismissed her words, clearly not taking her seriously. He assumed he had a good grasp of who Ellis was. <i>She was my aunt’s adopted daughter, driven by vanity and greed, someone who had desperately wanted to become part of the Hudson family. She had schemed and plotted her way into my life, even seducing me to become Mrs. Hudson. Given how much she had sacrificed to achieve that position, there was no way she would walk away from it lightly. She was probably just throwing a tantrum. If I agreed to divorce, she’d regret it and cause a bigger scene later.</i> As Ellis stared at him, she realized just how pitiful her situation had become. He didn’t even bother to hide his relationship with Victoria anymore. He flaunted it openly, without concern. No one defended her; they acted like it wasn’t happening. Being Mrs. Hudson was meaningless. “Easton, you…” Sorrow and anger collided in her voice, causing it to rise. But before she could finish, her vision went dark, and she collapsed. Ellis’s body collapsed, but Easton caught her before she hit the ground. “Ellis, are you feeling alright?” There was no response; her eyes closed. <i>Had she fainted?</i> Easton called out urgently, “Doctor, over here!” The doctors, following Easton’s command, rushed over. Left standing alone, Victoria pouted in dissatisfaction as she watched them hurry away.

Chapter 4 Ellis’s Heartbreak Victoria remembered being in Easton’s arms just moments ago. His patience had run out as he said, “Let go; I need to find someone.” She managed to keep her expression neutral, but inwardly she was irritated, especially as she noticed Easton holding Ellis. She cast a discreet, resentful glance at Ellis. Jackson, who had recently disposed of Easton’s jacket, hurriedly made his way over as Easton’s faithful right-hand man. “Mr. Easton, it looks like Mrs. Hudson passed out. The medical team doesn’t have sufficient equipment for a proper examination. For her safety, we should transfer her to...” Before he could finish, Easton’s sharp glare stopped him in his tracks. Easton’s eyes flashed with irritation, silencing him. With no further words, Easton carried Ellis towards the ambulance. Jackson was left to handle the remaining responsibilities. As Easton’s assistant, he was used to stepping in like this. The captured men were just serving as decoys meant to slow down any rescue efforts while the main culprits made their getaway. Finding the main culprits was now the priority. Jackson, watching Easton leave, resigned himself to the upcoming challenges. …… When Ellis woke again, she found herself in a hospital room. It was empty except for the sterile hum of medical equipment. She pulled off the oxygen tubes and sat up slowly, her head spinning with disjointed thoughts. In her confusion, she imagined Easton by her side, smiling at her tenderly and saying, “Darling, you’re finally awake.” But sadly, it was only a fantasy. Easton had never shown her such warmth, nor would he ever call her "Darling." He always spoke to her in a distant, formal way, often using her full name or, worse, not addressing her at all. Even though she had decided to divorce him, she couldn’t deny that deep down, she still harbored expectations for him. She longed to wake up and see him by her side, caring for her. But he wasn’t there. <i>Where had he gone? Was he with Victoria?</i> That thought sent a painful wave through her, and Ellis couldn’t suppress her disappointment. She slowly wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her head. When Maya arrived to visit her, she found Ellis sitting there, all alone and engulfed in sorrow. It was a scene that would make her heartache. "Ellis, thank goodness you're finally awake." Maya walked over and gently nudged her shoulder. Just hearing the voice, Ellis knew it was her best friend, Maya. Ellis sniffled and lifted her head. "Maya." The moment Ellis raised her head, Maya saw the tearstains all over her face, and her voice was choked with sobs. Initially startled, Maya quickly realized this was a normal reaction. <i>Who wouldn’t be shaken after being kidnapped and unconscious for a day?</i> <i>It was a relief she hadn’t developed PTSD!</i> Maya patted her back soothingly, like comforting a child. "It’s okay; you’re safe now. You've been rescued, and the kidnappers have all been caught, and no one will harm you again.""Yes, no one will harm me again," Ellis repeated faintly. "How long have you been awake? Why is there no one here looking after you? Where’s your husband?" Maya didn’t have the heart to push further. For the past couple of days, word had spread in elite circles about the kidnapping of Ellis and Victoria. People were gossiping about their rescue and how much ransom Easton and the Brooks family had paid. Maya was genuinely shocked at how cold-hearted Easton was, unwilling to pay the ransom for his wife. Yet for Victoria, he generously gave the kidnappers ten billion dollars while also working with the police to capture the kidnappers. Before coming to the hospital, Maya had checked with Easton’s assistant and learned that Easton and Victoria were at the police station identifying the kidnappers. It was obvious that Easton was deliberately accompanying Victoria. Leaving his wife behind in the hospital to be with his former fiancée. What a shameless, heartless man! Knowing how much her friend loved Easton, Maya held back her urge to badmouth him and sighed, "Do you even realize you’ve been unconscious for three days? I’ve been here every day, terrified that you wouldn’t wake up.""Honestly, being unconscious sounds like a pretty good option," Ellis responded with a bitter, self-mocking smile. "Don’t talk like that! Have you thought about how I’d feel? We’ve grown up together. Losing you would break my heart." The two were as close as sisters, practically family. Hearing Ellis say such despairing things, Maya would have hit her, if not for the fact that Ellis was still physically weak. "Maya, I need you to help me with something," Ellis said, her gaze serious. "You’re not even fully recovered, and instead of focusing on getting better, you’re asking me for favors? What could I possibly help you with now?" Maya couldn’t understand why Ellis would need her help. After all, Ellis's status had significantly improved; she was no longer the girl that people could easily take advantage of. "Draft me a divorce agreement.""What?" Maya exclaimed, standing up in shock. "I’m a lawyer, yes, but why do you want me to draft that?""I’m divorcing Easton," Ellis said, her tone filled with determination.

Chapter 5 The End of Illusions “What?” Maya nearly shouted. In normal circumstances, Maya was always the overachiever. Maya had always been that perfect child that everyone admired. She excelled in academics, was accepted into a prestigious university, finished her law degree, passed the bar, and secured a position at Kingsley Attorneys. Maya had handled even the most challenging cases with ease, never failing. Her intelligence was unshakable. But at this moment, her brain seemed to freeze, unable to comprehend what Ellis was saying. Maya paced in front of Ellis, staring at her. "Are you the same Ellis I know? Are you seriously telling me you want to divorce Easton? Did I hear that right? Have you lost your mind?" Maya couldn’t believe her ears. The idea that Ellis would ever talk about divorce seemed like a fantasy. Maya knew how much Ellis had given and how much she had endured to marry Easton and finally take the title of Mrs. Hudson. No one understood better than her the struggles she endured just to marry Easton. "I don't want to continue living in a marriage where my husband doesn't love me," Ellis said, her earlier sarcasm fading into sorrow. "If I don’t ask for a divorce, Easton will eventually do it himself. I don’t want to be the woman people mock, the wife discarded by her husband. I don’t want to be the laughingstock. I want to keep some dignity.""Are you sure you’re ready to let him go?" Maya’s eyes drifted to Ellis’s stomach. "Just a few days ago, you were telling me you and Easton were planning to have a baby and that you were preparing for it." Ellis had talked about wanting to have children with Easton, and the moment he heard it, his face had darkened visibly. Ellis, absorbed in her happiness, hadn’t noticed the shift in his demeanor. Maya had always felt that Easton and Ellis were too different. Easton’s actions made it obvious his heart wasn’t with her, and Maya had often urged Ellis to move on. But Ellis had remained stubborn, fixated on him. Recalling that conversation, Ellis lowered her head, concealing the pain in her eyes as her bitterness deepened. "Bringing a child into a loveless marriage would only cause more harm. I’ve decided to spare myself and the child from the suffering.""What finally pushed you to this decision?" Maya asked, not trying to press but needing to understand. "Was it because of the kidnapping?" Ellis didn’t respond. Silent tears slid down her cheeks. At that moment, her silence was all the answer Maya needed. Maya couldn’t stand to see Ellis crying, so she gently dried her tears with a tissue, her voice filled with care. “Think about it; there are over thirty billion men in the world. Why cry over one heartless man who doesn’t love you?" Ellis, finding solace, hugged Maya tightly and let her tears flow freely in her friend’s embrace. Maya tried every way to comfort her, but nothing seemed to calm Ellis down. In the end, Ellis cried herself to exhaustion and leaned on Maya for support, quietly resting. Maya's heart ached for Ellis, igniting a powerful urge within her to take on Easton. …… At the police station, the mastermind behind the kidnapping and his two accomplices were caught. Once the victims identified them, they would cooperate with the police to document their statements, pushing the case toward prosecution. The officers were prepared for the identification process, observing the three bound criminals. To everyone’s surprise, the leader of the kidnappers suddenly kneeled, tears streaming as he pleaded for forgiveness. “Mr. Easton, I made a terrible mistake by kidnapping Ms. Victoria. I beg for your mercy; since I didn’t harm her, can you please forgive me?” Realizing his escape plan had failed, Nolan understood that seeking forgiveness could potentially lighten his sentence. Yet the police remained unimpressed by his desperation. Nolan, the leader behind the scheme to extort Easton, was now more concerned with pleading for Easton's mercy than seeking forgiveness from the victim. Easton’s influence reached far beyond Stonebridge, extending across the country and even internationally. His power came from his position as the head of Hudson Group, a vast corporation involved in numerous fields. Before gaining control of Hudson Group, Easton had mercilessly dealt with any family members who competed for the inheritance. After securing his position, business rivals found themselves at the mercy of his ruthless tactics, leaving no room for competition. Nolan, once a wealthy man, had fallen into financial ruin and now lived in poverty, constantly borrowing money. His decision to target someone associated with Easton was a grave mistake. With just a nod from Easton, plenty of people would gladly handle someone as foolish as Nolan. “Forgive you? How absurd.” Easton’s short, cold laugh was followed by a sharp, chilling glare. Nolan, who had previously been so brazen, now kneeled in fear, his arrogance shattered. Bowing over and over, he mumbled nervously, insisting that despite taking two hostages, he knew exactly which one he couldn’t afford to touch.

Chapter 6 The Battle for Divorce Victoria leaned closer to Easton, angrily saying, “Easton, you can’t let him off! He deserves harsher punishment! He hit me when I was kidnapped. I was in so much pain, and I was terrified that I wouldn’t see you again. He…” The sound of a ringing phone cut off her words. It was Easton’s phone. Easton glanced at the screen and instructed Jackson, “Once you’ve dealt with everything, take Ms. Victoria home.” He then walked out of the police station. After five years of working as Easton’s assistant, Jackson had a hard time understanding his boss, especially after Victoria returned from abroad. Jackson couldn’t guess what Easton was thinking. Everyone knew how much influence a first love could have. Even a single tear or a small gesture from them could make people act irrationally. But Easton was a married man, and these past days, he had thrown himself into the kidnapping case, giving all his attention to Victoria. Meanwhile, Ellis seemed almost forgotten. At this rate, Mrs. Hudson’s position was likely to be replaced. As Jackson finished dealing with the kidnappers and wondered where Easton had gone, he had no idea that his boss had received a call from his bodyguard at the hospital, informing him that Ellis had regained consciousness, so Easton went straight there. Upon entering the hospital room, Easton saw Ellis half-sitting on the bed, with Maya sitting next to her. Both women were surprised to see him. But then, Maya’s eyes quickly filled with hostility. The hostility seemed to come out of nowhere, and Ellis turned her back on him, refusing to look his way. Easton’s brows furrowed slightly. Maya stood up immediately, picked up a document that had just been delivered, and walked straight toward Easton. “Mr. Easton, you’re just in time! On behalf of my client, I’m formally submitting a request for divorce! This is the draft of the divorce agreement my client and I have worked on. Please review it.” Although Maya was an experienced lawyer, she didn’t typically deal with divorces. But when her best friend needed her, she couldn’t ignore it. Especially after her friend had cried in her arms for long, it was something Maya had never witnessed in their 20 years of friendship. The one to blame for all of this was Easton! To Maya, Easton was no different than the opponents she had previously encountered. Her task was to assist her best friend in successfully filing for divorce, and once she shifted into her professional role, Maya maintained a strictly professional demeanor. After she finished speaking, she waited for Easton to take the divorce papers, ready to go back to Ellis and offer her support. However, she had her concerns. She feared her best friend wasn’t fully resolved to go through with the divorce and might just be acting out of frustration. Later on, Ellis could go back to clinging to Easton, hurting herself all over again. By that point, Maya would have upset Easton and found herself in a difficult situation. Because of this, even though Maya’s actions appeared highly professional and assertive, they were entirely based on Ellis’s lead, which made her confidence falter slightly. When the unexpected divorce agreement was presented, and as Maya referred to Ellis as her client, Easton’s expression barely shifted, but his lips tightened into a slight, restrained frown. “Ellis! You never get tired of this, do you?” The man’s deep and slow voice echoed in the hospital room, and a faint chill seemed to fill the air. Expecting warmth or compassion from someone who didn’t love her was a ridiculous hope, and Ellis wasn’t surprised at all by Easton’s reaction. “We’re done!” she said, turning to look him in the eyes. “I want a divorce, and I’m serious. Maya has already prepared the divorce agreement. If you have no objections, sign it, and we’ll set a date. “Set a date? Set a date for what?” Easton snapped, cutting her off. “I don’t have time for your nonsense.” Before anyone could react, the divorce papers in Maya’s hand were tossed into the trash bin. Maya stood there, stunned. She hadn’t expected Easton to discard the agreement, treating the divorce as insignificant. Realizing this was now a private discussion between the couple, she quietly stepped aside, not wanting to interrupt. “I know what you’re up to! Without an official divorce certificate, you can easily deny any signed agreement. And even if we did get the certificate, you’d shamelessly beg me to take you back.” Standing tall above her as she reclined in bed, Easton looked down with a sense of superiority, his words dripping with contempt, leaving Ellis feeling overpowered. Furious, she got out of bed. “You don’t want this marriage, so why is it a problem when I ask for a divorce? Isn’t that what you want? I swear to you, once we’re divorced, I’ll never come begging for you to take me back.” At this point, all she wanted was to be free from Easton and escape the pain of their broken relationship. “You think you’re doing me a favor? No, you’re just wasting my time!” Easton scoffed. He cast a cold, dismissive glance at Maya and the nearby laptop, and with a commanding gaze, he signaled Maya to take notes. “Do you even know what real divorce involves? The first step is to divide the assets. Maya, since you’re representing Ellis, have you even started on that yet?”

Chapter 7 Cold Realities Maya didn't have enough time to draft a detailed divorce agreement. She explained to Easton that the version she presented was only a rough draft. Yet as Easton’s unreadable gaze fell on her, the pressure intensified. “Mr. Easton, a divorce agreement must be revised according to both parties' needs. Regarding the draft...” Maya felt as though she was a rookie lawyer again, explaining nervously to a difficult client. “I don’t talk to unprofessional lawyers. Leave.” Easton’s voice was harsh, leaving no room for negotiation. Maya turned to Ellis for support. Before Ellis could intervene, the bodyguards, responding to Easton’s authoritative tone, entered and politely escorted Maya out. They only offered this courtesy because Ellis still held the title of Mrs. Hudson. Had Maya resisted, the bodyguards wouldn’t have hesitated to carry out Easton’s command without concern for politeness. After Maya left, the room was left in silence, with only Ellis and Easton remaining. The bodyguards closed the door, and the room fell into an even deeper stillness. It was so quiet that they could likely hear each other's breathing. But Ellis didn’t care about Easton’s presence; she was focused on one thing, which was getting a divorce as soon as possible, cutting all ties with him. She didn’t want to be remembered as the woman Easton discarded. The silence dragged on. Easton’s tall figure cast a shadow over her. Unable to bear it any longer, Ellis was the first to break the stillness. “What do you want?” Easton replied coldly, "You should be asking yourself how long you intend to waste my time."“I’m not wasting your time.”“Enough! The kidnappers have all been caught. My assistant and lawyer are handling everything. There’s nothing more for you to do. Don’t mention divorce again. I’m not here to indulge your games.” Ellis couldn’t understand why Easton kept insisting she wasn’t serious. His first love had returned, and he was clearly still infatuated with her. <i>I was willingly stepping aside, so why wasn’t he satisfied?</i> Gritting her teeth, she replied, “For the last time, I’m serious about this divorce!”“Fine! Let me show you what a real divorce looks like.” Easton stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Do you think a quick draft from Maya is all it takes to get this done?”“It wasn’t a quick draft.”“Then you must have lost your senses when the kidnappers hit you! Do you know what you’ll get in a divorce from me?” Easton grabbed her left hand and tightly held her ring finger. “You’ll walk away with nothing, not a single thing.”“I worked during our marriage too. I’ve earned…”“Everything you own comes from me. The house, the car, the clothes, the bags, even this VIP hospital room that costs a hundred thousand a day. All of it! You couldn’t afford any of it with your salary.” Ellis wanted to counter, but Easton’s words left her speechless. Easton’s words rang true; her privileged life was all thanks to him. "Do you think you’ll still have this glamorous life without me? Swiping cards without thinking, never worrying about food or comfort, with people serving you and expensive items brought right to you." Easton slid her diamond ring off her finger. "Before talking about divorce, acknowledge that you’ve been living off of me." Ellis hated being described that way, but Easton wasn’t wrong. In terms of material wealth, she was dependent on him. With him, she didn’t need to work hard to sustain herself. She could enjoy the finest things and live her life as she pleased. Now that Easton had bluntly laid out the truth, Ellis felt her heart sink with every word. He wasn’t showing her what a real divorce looked like. He was humiliating her, trampling on her pride, and making it clear that she had no right to ask for a divorce. Only he had that power. If anyone was going to leave, it would be him. "Don’t forget," Easton continued, "we have a prenuptial agreement. No matter what, you won’t get a cent of my money." He pocketed the diamond ring. "Be good. I’m running out of patience." The prenup’s reminder hit Ellis hard. Yes, she and Easton had signed a prenuptial agreement. Maybe her sorrow had clouded her memory; she had almost forgotten. Looking up at the man who had just taken her wedding ring, Ellis felt humiliated as he stared down at her, as if to say, "You’re nothing but a parasite, and you think you can cause a stir?" The whole situation felt bitterly ironic. "If you’re serious about a divorce, here’s my suggestion," Easton said mockingly, "start by paying your hospital bills, move out of my house, and don’t take anything that’s mine, including credit cards and any possessions, nothing. Let’s see if you have the backbone to do that." The moment Easton left, Maya returned to the room. She found Ellis sitting in silence, her eyes filled with unshed tears, staring ahead. Maya quickly moved to her side. "What did that scumbag Easton say to you?"

Chapter 8 Choosing Pride “Maya, help me get discharged.”“You just woke up. Why are you rushing to leave?” Maya asked, surprised. After what Easton said, Ellis couldn’t let him look down on her. She wanted to have some pride, after all. “Can I stay at your place for a while?” Ellis asked. The sudden change of topic left Maya confused. “You want to leave the hospital and come to my place? Why?” Ellis didn’t own any property and couldn’t immediately find a place to live. Staying with a friend would give her some comfort and peace of mind. “I need to live separately from Easton until the divorce is final,” Ellis explained. Maya finally understood and felt sympathy for her. She agreed to have Ellis stay with her but insisted Ellis stay in the hospital for a few more days to recover fully. Three days later, after a doctor’s check-up, Ellis was cleared for discharge. As they handled the paperwork, Maya glanced at the bill. The total was 521,230 dollars. A six-figure amount meant little to Maya. But when Ellis grimaced while paying, Maya was confused. “Only five hundred dollars, and you’re hurting?” Ellis nodded. “Yes, of course.” Since she was serious about the divorce, she refused to spend Easton’s money, so she was using her card. Her status increased after marrying Easton, but she was still from an ordinary family. Her parents had passed away early, leaving no inheritance. Even being adopted by Easton’s aunt hadn’t brought her any fortune. She was relying on her salary and holiday gifts to cover the costs. It was easy to get used to luxury after being thrifty, but hard to return to a modest lifestyle. If she didn’t cut back on her spending and start saving, her savings might run out soon. “Hey, you’re still Mrs. Hudson right now. Stop saving money for Easton; spend what you need,” Maya said, though inside she cursed Easton and Victoria. <i>How shameless those two were!</i> Yesterday, they were seen attending a party together, and news about them was all over the place, while poor Ellis remained in the hospital, forgotten. So far, not a single member of the Hudson family had visited her, including Sophia, who often professed her fondness for Ellis as a daughter-in-law, and even her adoptive mother had been absent. Maya suspected that the Hudson family had already made up their minds to let Victoria replace Ellis. Easton was heartless! Now that he was the head of the Hudson family, everyone had to follow his orders. "No!" Ellis said firmly, pressing her lips together. "When we get to your house, could you help me draft another divorce agreement?""I can draft as many agreements as you need, but Easton has to agree. Are you going to ask him to have his lawyer discuss it with me?" Maya wanted to help Ellis get what she deserved, but she doubted Easton would spend time discussing the divorce. "I’m going to Hudson Group tomorrow to talk to him.""Wait, you’re going back to Hudson Group?" Maya asked, confused. Ellis had worked at Hudson Group since her graduate internship, assisting Easton. Now that they were divorcing, Maya couldn’t figure out why Ellis would want to go back. <i>Maybe Ellis wasn’t determined to leave after all?</i> "I’m quitting, but I still need to handle the paperwork and get my salary and bonus," Ellis explained, determined to claim every bit of what she’d earned. "But didn’t you miss work while you were in the hospital?" Maya asked. "Most companies consider that job abandonment after three days. Will you still get paid?""I took leave.""Ellis, you’re acting differently. Why are you suddenly worrying about money like any regular person?" Maya asked, puzzled. "I am a regular person; I just got lucky enough to marry into wealth. But the reality of living in luxury wasn’t easy, and now I’ve fallen back to where I started." Ellis had never forgotten her humble beginnings and never forgot her simpler life. "You seem different from the Ellis I know," Maya said, reflecting on the change. "You used to be obsessed with getting Easton’s love, but now you’re acting so clear-headed that it’s like you’re someone else." In Maya’s car, Ellis rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window. She wasn’t sure if she was truly clear-headed. Even though she had decided to divorce, she knew she couldn’t erase Easton from her heart right away. What she had to do now was gradually step away from Easton’s life and get used to a world without him. Once they arrived at Maya’s place, Maya led her to the guest room, apologizing, "My house might feel cramped for you."

Chapter 9 The Price of a Prenup “No worries. I’ll be living in a small house from now on.”“What are you talking about? Easton makes billions! Even after three years of marriage, you should be getting at least a billion from the divorce!” Maya was eager to dig into Easton’s assets, fearing he might hide them and leave Ellis with nothing. “I won’t be getting anything. We signed a prenuptial agreement, so if we divorce, I leave with nothing,” Ellis said, already thinking about how to make a living on her own. “What!” Maya was shocked. “I knew it! I had a feeling something was up. You didn’t just become Easton’s wife because his mother liked you! Easton had this all planned out from the start, didn’t he? He set it up so he could leave you with nothing after a few years.” Ellis had indeed become Mrs. Hudson with Sophia’s help. Sophia had only Easton as her son and had always regretted not having a daughter. When she met Ellis, she instantly took a liking to her and treated her with affection as if she were her own. Maya couldn’t help but scoff. “There’s not a single decent person in the Hudson family! Easton’s mom acted like she was thrilled to have you as a daughter-in-law, but when you were kidnapped and ended up in the hospital, she didn’t even check on you! And don’t get me started on your adoptive mother; she’s selfish...” Maya stopped herself from going too far. “Mom and Aunt Emma are on vacation abroad. They don’t know what happened to me,” Ellis said, explaining that she’d kept in touch with them while they were away and had spoken on the phone two days ago. They hadn’t heard about her kidnapping, and she didn’t want to worry them, so she kept it to herself. The most important thing was that she hadn’t figured out how to tell them about her upcoming divorce with Easton. It was a big deal for both of them, and she wasn’t ready to share it yet. By the time they returned, the divorce would be finalized, and Ellis hoped she’d have a good way to explain it. At Hudson Group headquarters... Jackson had just picked up a document on the first floor and was about to head back to the top floor when he unexpectedly spotted a familiar face he hadn’t seen in days. It was Ellis. He looked surprised. “Mrs. Hudson, you’re feeling better and out of the hospital?”“Yes,” Ellis responded with a polite nod. But Jackson could see that she still looked exhausted and worn out. Ellis locked eyes with Jackson and instantly knew what he was thinking. She was used to the high life Easton had given her, and now, suddenly transitioning to a simpler, more modest life was challenging. Last night, as she lay on an uncomfortable bed, staring at a small room, she found herself unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, she only managed to get a little rest just before dawn. Jackson asked, “Are you here to see Mr. Easton or returning to work?” Though they held the same position in the company, Ellis’s role was more superficial. She lacked Jackson’s experience and hadn’t put much effort into the job, and with her title as Easton’s wife, there were always people ready to take on her work. This slowed her professional growth, making her less capable of handling significant tasks. Essentially, the company functions fine without her. Ellis didn’t respond to his question and stepped silently into the elevator. Her silence was an answer in itself. Jackson didn’t press further and followed her in. “Is Easton in his office?” Ellis finally spoke as they ascended. After a moment of thought, Jackson replied, “Mr. Easton is in a meeting with the senior team.” When they reached their floor, Jackson watched as Ellis headed straight for Easton’s office. Something seemed off. She was far too composed. It was as if the recent kidnapping and the fact that Easton was seeing his former fiancée didn’t affect her at all. <i>Didn’t she have any emotions about this?</i> Contrary to Jackson’s assumption, Ellis was far from calm. Maya had told her that news of her and Victoria’s kidnapping had spread everywhere, along with malicious rumors. Ellis had tried hard to ignore the talk, but every time she went out, the stares and silent judgments were impossible to miss. People clearly knew what had happened and seemed to relish her misfortune. In comparison, Jackson’s behavior was almost normal. He didn’t look at her with pity or glee, unlike many others who seemed to be waiting for her to be humiliated and thrown out by Easton. She looked around the office, and her gaze stopped on the photo on the desk. It was their wedding picture. In it, she beamed with happiness, while Easton’s cold and distant expression stood in stark contrast. The photo, once a cherished memory, now felt like a cruel reminder of her blind devotion. Their marriage had always been one-sided. Easton hadn’t even wanted to acknowledge her as his girlfriend at first. She was simply a secret lover, allowed in his bed only when he permitted it. Without his consent, she couldn’t even get close to him. Tired of waiting for Easton to finish his meeting, Ellis decided to submit her resignation through the company’s internal system. She then headed to her office to start packing her things.

Chapter 10 Ellis’ Realization As Ellis packed her belongings, she realized that most employees, when leaving a job, had work to hand over to others. Unlike other employees who had duties to wrap up, she had none. Her departure wouldn’t leave any gap to fill. Meanwhile, in the conference room downstairs, a senior manager was wrapping up his presentation. He was quite pleased with his performance but paused when he noticed Easton’s stern expression at the head of the table. Easton, seated at the head of the table, appeared distant and hard to read. The manager quickly pulled back, feeling uneasy. <i>Did I say something wrong? Was there a mistake in my carefully crafted proposal?</i> "Are you finished?" Easton’s voice broke the silence, cold and indifferent. The manager scrambled to respond. "Mr. Easton, this is only a draft version. If you…""Meeting’s dismissed," Easton cut him off. Stunned, the executive watched as Easton exited the room. The rest of the senior managers were equally taken aback. The meeting had been cut short by over an hour, leaving them confused. Today was supposed to focus on a critical project. <i>Weren’t they supposed to make important decisions?</i> It didn’t take long for them to figure out why Easton had abruptly ended the meeting. Victoria had arrived. If this were ancient times, they would be Easton’s trusted ministers, privy to many of the king’s secrets. They had witnessed how Ellis had gone from an overlooked adopted daughter to the lady of the Hudson family. Yet, they were also well aware of how little Easton cared for her.Yet Even if Victoria couldn’t take Ellis’s place, none of them believed that Ellis would remain Mrs. Hudson for long. Easton’s attitude toward her had grown colder over time, and they had all seen how he barely spoke to her, wanting her to stay away. Whether Victoria would become the new Mrs. Hudson remained uncertain, so they weren’t in any hurry to please a new lady of the house. Nonetheless, they shared a wish for Easton to quickly get rid of Ellis, whom they saw as a burden. Ever since Ellis had started working at Hudson Group, Easton’s efficiency had noticeably decreased. Ellis’s clingy behavior had become a problem. Wherever Easton went, she followed, even to business events where prominent women attended. She often became anxious, fearing that someone might take Easton away from her, and her insecurity had led to several awkward moments for Easton, embarrassing Easton and causing him trouble. The executives had come to see Ellis as nothing more than a distraction. Many of them were placing bets on how much longer Easton could endure her before finally getting rid of her. As soon as Easton was out of the conference room, the senior executives began to murmur softly. "I wonder what Mrs. Hudson is doing right now.""Is she still obsessively clinging to Mr. Easton, or has she started giving Victoria a hard time?" Their disdainful remarks were out of Ellis’s hearing as she focused on packing her things. Taking a brief pause, she checked her phone to see if her resignation request had been approved. According to protocol, Easton, her direct supervisor, would need to approve it. He hadn’t responded yet, but Ellis couldn’t help feeling a pang of sadness. This was her first real job, and that carried a certain emotional weight. She had come to Hudson Group full of hope, convinced that spending all her time with Easton would eventually make him notice her, fall for her, and recognize her worth. Now, though, she was leaving with the bitter realization that her dream would never come true. Once she had finished packing, Ellis thought Easton’s meeting must be over by now, so she headed for his office. Throughout her time at Hudson Group, she had never been stopped from going anywhere. She knocked lightly on the door and then opened it immediately. Unlike the time four days ago when their conversation about divorce had left her feeling humiliated and on the verge of breaking down, this time Ellis had made sure to compose herself. She vowed not to let Easton’s sharp words shake her, no matter what he said. As soon as the door swung open, Ellis saw two familiar faces. Easton and Victoria were inside. They sat on a couch, extremely close to one another, with Victoria nearly leaning into Easton. Although Easton maintained his usual cold expression, there was an undeniable, subtle tension of intimacy lingering between them. When people faced emotional hurt, their first instinct was often to run, and Ellis was no different. The sight of Easton being so close to another woman filled her with an urge to turn and leave. But she forced herself to stay calm. Until the divorce was finalized, she was still the rightful Mrs. Hudson. In fact, as the legal wife, she had no reason to feel threatened or retreat in front of Victoria, the mistress. There was no reason for the wife to feel intimidated or back down in front of the mistress. With this in mind, Ellis buried her inner turmoil and walked forward with composure. Victoria shifted slightly, giving Ellis a graceful smile. "Ms. Harper, I’ve been wanting to visit you in the hospital for days, but I didn’t expect you to be discharged so soon."

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You and Easton were forced into marriage by family pressure. For three years, you loved him silently, hoping he’d notice you. But when you were both kidnapped, he only cared about rescuing Victoria—his first love. He didn’t even ask if you were alive.

Now you’re in the hospital, finally awake after three days. Maya, your best friend and lawyer, sits beside you. You’ve made your decision.

'I’m divorcing him,' you say, voice steady.

Maya hesitates. 'Are you sure? He’ll destroy you in court. You know the prenup—'

'I don’t care. I’d rather have nothing than stay with a man who sees me as nothing.'

Just then, the door opens. Easton walks in, his presence filling the room. His cold eyes lock onto yours.

'You think a flimsy draft from Maya ends our marriage?' he says, voice low. 'You don’t get to leave. Not like this.'

He steps closer, towering over you. 'You want a divorce? Prove you can survive without me.' His gaze burns with something new—obsession, not indifference