Chapter 1 1

In the mirror, I saw a pale face. A week of fasting had made me thinner, much more haggard. I stared at my reflection, and with each passing moment, fear crept into my eyes. I never thought that my fasting would be revealed by one of the household servants. By the time I found out, it was too late. My half-sister, from my father's side, had already been sent abroad with the combined efforts of the Luther and the Lincoln. I could almost imagine how furious Henry would be when he found out about it. With a loud thud, I snapped back to reality. I left the bathroom, and Henry was standing at the bedroom door. He came in reeking of alcohol, took off his coat, and tossed it forcefully onto the floor. The coat landed on the carpet, sending a gust of wind, and I instinctively shrank back. Through gritted teeth, Henry spoke, "Yvonne, you're quite skilled at sowing discord, I underestimated you." I straightened my posture slowly and gathered the courage to look at him. Despite the myriad of conflicting emotions inside me, I finally spoke up. "Henry, let's get a divorce." I spoke calmly, with the decision having been carefully considered. He didn't love me. I had had enough of being the infamous devoted wife in the capital. Divorce would be better for both of us. "Divorce?" Henry's reaction made it seem as though he'd just heard the most absurd thing imaginable. A cold, smirking expression crossed his face as he approached, using his two fingers to lift my chin for a closer look. "Is this some sort of scheme you're plotting against me? 'Pretending to give up to catch me off guard?'" I could clearly see how he viewed me in his eyes: thin, worn out, hopeless, and keeping my lips tightly sealed. Apparently, he found it rather captivating, as if it easily ignited a man's desire to conquer. At least, in Henry's eyes, it seemed like he had intentions of conquering me. Summoning my courage, I offered a smile. "Pretending to give up?" Henry was unquestionably self-assured, and he had once declared that marrying me was the biggest mistake of his life. Now, face to face, he appeared handsome and arrogant, raising an eyebrow mockingly as he inquired, "Isn't it?" I didn't want to waste any more time. I turned my head to avoid his intense gaze. "Of course not, Henry. I'm serious. Let's get a divorce. I'll set you free." Henry's expression paled instantly, and his eyes grew astonishingly cold and profound. I spoke softly once more, "Regarding the divorce..." Henry struggled to restrain his urge to strangle me. "Yvonne, you're not even worthy of initiating a divorce.""I don't want anything. I'll leave with nothing. I can keep your secrets. Haven't you always considered my sister, Cynthia, as your true love? I can make it happen for you." Henry's presence had already been heavy, and now it turned ominously hostile. He looked as if he despised me to the core. "Yvonne, you've got some nerve. You dare to bring up Cynthia in front of me!" Henry exclaimed in anger. I smiled and replied, "Cynthia is just an illegitimate child of the Lincoln family, hidden in the shadows. Of course, I can mention her." Henry couldn't tolerate it any longer, he erupted in anger. He grabbed me forcefully and dragged me away, pushing me onto the bed. Having recently gone through a period of fasting, I was already weak, and under his dominance, I felt as feeble as a puppet. Henry pressed down on me with considerable force. I summoned all the strength I had left to resist, but it was as futile as tickling him. "Yvonne, are you trying to get yourself killed?" I turned my head to avoid his kisses and whispered, "I just want to fulfill your relationship with Cynthia..." It seemed like Henry couldn't understand a word I was saying. He tore at my clothes with desperation, becoming like a devil in a frenzy. "You're seeking death, but I won't let you die. I'm going to make you wish you were dead!"

Chapter 2 2

My pyjamas were torn to shreds and thrown into the air. The process, for me, was excruciating. Henry intentionally tormented me throughout the entire night. I opened my eyes once more, and the bedroom window was wide open, revealing a large rose garden bathed in the evening sun outside. I was a mess, but I managed to get out of bed and wrap myself in the tattered clothes before heading to the bathroom. I hadn't expected Henry to be home at this hour. So, when I went downstairs and saw Henry sitting on the living room sofa, I was genuinely surprised. Henry sat there flipping through a newspaper, not bothering to look at me. He asked knowingly, "Awake?" I had been feeling sore and unsteady on my feet, but seeing him, I mustered up some energy. "Are you here to wait for me to sign the divorce agreement?" Hearing my words, Henry chuckled mockingly, his gaze contemptuous. "Trying the same tactics again? First, you provoke me, and then you attempt to make me succumb to you? Tired of it. Find

Chapter 3 3

Today, the weather in the capital is wonderful, with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze. I stand in the garden with my arms wide open, savoring the fresh air. An hour ago, I received the news that Cynthia's plane had landed. Afterward, I received a secretly taken photo. The picture shows Henry holding a crying, innocent girl. How heartwarming... The lovers are back together. Since Henry and I became husband and wife, we've rarely eaten together, except for family gatherings and business events. Even though we share the same house, we lead separate lives. Today is different. At this moment, Henry and I sit face to face at a three-meter-long dining table. The table is adorned with exquisite dishes, but I'm not interested. I sit quietly, patiently waiting for Henry to slam the divorce papers in front of me. Henry drinks more and more wine, paying little attention to me. His slightly tipsy eyes suddenly focus on my face, and he asks, "Are you satisfied just by staring at me?" My heart sin

Chapter 4 4

For an entire week, Henry showed up at home after work promptly every day. If I didn't know him so well, I might have thought he had genuinely changed his heart, wanting to lead a normal married life with me. Our seemingly harmonious marriage was just a smokescreen. The Luther and Lincoln families needed this façade to feel at ease, and without their approval, Henry couldn't let Cynthia stay in the city. Another day arrived, and as a married couple, Henry and I attended the wedding of the mayor's daughter in the city's most luxurious hotel, held on the rooftop. As the evening approached, the city lights lit up the night sky, creating a dazzling display of romance reminiscent of the stars. I particularly enjoyed the starry view on the top floor. It was on this floor, in the restaurant, that Henry and I first met. The sky was just beginning to darken, and the stars hadn't appeared yet. The city's neon lights formed a mesmerizing mosaic. I halted at the observation deck in the cor

Chapter 5 5

I glanced at Henry and Cynthia, then after a brief moment of thought, I said, "Come with me." Without waiting for a response, I took the lead to guide them. However, Henry didn't seem eager to follow my lead, while Cynthia, with an air of annoyance, held his hand firmly and said, "I must see what kind of trap my sister, who has lived a life of luxury since childhood, has prepared for me." I escorted them to a presidential suite on the starry level. I loved this place and had spared no expense to rent it for twenty years. However, I had never had the chance to enjoy the view myself. Now, they could have a private moment inside. Cynthia was convinced I had ill intentions and entered the suite, making a conspicuous effort to inspect every corner. Henry gently reassured her and held her close. After a while, Cynthia's cheerful laughter, reached my ears through the door. When Henry came out, I asked, "Do you believe now that I genuinely want to help you two?" He gazed at me deeply and

Chapter 6 6

Henry's words were utterly baffling to me. I couldn't make any sense of them. He sneered, "You've started pretending to be innocent again!" Then, he suddenly slammed his fist down on the desk, which startled me. He approached me, holding up his phone, and demanded, "Do you dare to claim you didn't set up this trap deliberately?" I focused on the phone screen, revealing a video taken some time ago inside the presidential suite. The video showed Henry holding Cynthia possessively, while she appeared vulnerable and distressed in his arms, whimpering softly. I was shocked and vehemently denied, "It wasn't me! I absolutely had nothing to do with this!" However, Henry remained skeptical. He tossed the phone aside and forcefully pushed me, causing me to stumble and collide with the solid wooden desk, resulting in intense pain. Henry leaned over me, opened his belt with a snap, and said with a chilling tone, "Since you claim to love me so much, I'll satisfy you thoroughly once.""Yvonne, th