Chapter 1 Divorce

The night was quiet.

Aurelia Semona was in a bad mood. Troubled by a nightmare, she tossed and turned restlessly on the bed while talking in her sleep.

She felt a hand around her waist and deliberately moved away, only to be pulled back into an embrace.

She tried to move again, but Nathaniel Heilbronn held her tighter.

After a few attempts, his desire for dominance was awakened. He became more forceful, ignoring her pleas.

Aurelia woke up completely and gripped the man’s strong arm, trying to push him away.

With a sobbing voice, she pleaded, "I really don't want to do it today."

In her three years of marriage, she had been meek and well-behaved, but this was the first time she had refused his needs.

Nathaniel ignored her and became more aggressive. Aurelia's resistance was futile.

Her eyes were blank as she silently endured his dominance. She cried in the darkness.

A few hours earlier, Aurelia went to a bar to deliver something to Nathaniel's sister, Ashley Heilbronn and was robbed on her way back.

The robbers showed no interest in her belongings, only taking her wedding ring and attempting to assault her. It was more like a premeditated attempt to ruin her purity.

If it hadn't been for a passing police officer, Aurelia would have been in serious trouble.

Aurelia sat on the side of the road, her torn clothes in her hands, and called Nathaniel, only to hear a gentle voice from the other side of the phone.

"Nathaniel is in the shower. What do you want with him?" The woman's voice was sweet, and her casual tone proclaimed that Nathaniel was hers.

Aurelia recognized that it was Chelsea Thompson, Nathaniel's first love, who had just returned.

Aurelia hung up the phone, but Chelsea sent her a provocative message. It simply said, [The real third party is the one who is not loved.] The message was accompanied by a picture of a pregnancy test report, on which a positive result clearly showed a six-week-old embryo.

Aurelia remembered that a month ago when Nathaniel went on a business trip to Melicia, he was away for a week, which coincided with the time frame.

Aurelia thought that Nathaniel must have been looking forward to Chelsea and his baby.

Aurelia's mind was in turmoil. The words of the police officer who had saved her that day kept echoing in her ears. "Those two were hired. We haven't figured out who hired them. Have you offended anyone?"

Aurelia thought in fear, ‘Who could be behind this? I’m a housewife who rarely goes out.’

She thought for a long time. There was only one person who could hate her so much.

Aurelia's mind was in a daze.

She was heartbroken to the point of numbness.

Lying on the bed, Aurelia had a short recollection of what happened to her recently while Nathaniel trying to ignite her desire for sex.

Nathaniel increased his strength as if punishing Aurelia for her distraction.

"Chelsea has returned, and our contract is about to expire. Let's get a divorce," said Nathaniel.

Aurelia's heart ached at the mention of divorce.

She had anticipated that he would suggest ending their relationship, but she didn't expect it to be under these circumstances.

They were amid intimacy, talking about another woman.

Nathaniel was truly cruel.

He always disregarded Aurelia's feelings, not knowing how much pain she was in.

Aurelia trembled beneath him, trying to keep her voice from choking. "Congratulations. You two are finally going to be together."

In the darkness, Aurelia managed to give a heartfelt blessing in a choked voice. She loved Nathaniel, so she always accommodated and tolerated him.

"Are you crying?" Nathaniel asked.

Aurelia stubbornly replied, "No."

Nathaniel appeared to be dissatisfied with her blessing, as he showed no tenderness to her while doing it in bed.

Aurelia almost passed out.

After their intimate moment, he leaned close to her ear and remained still for a long time.

"I wish you and Samuel Lee a reunion soon. After all, we were once husband and wife. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, come find me."

Aurelia's legs went weak. She fell into a deep sleep.

When Aurelia woke up the next morning, she found Nathaniel had left.

He was a man with regular habits. He would invariably wake up on time every morning, exercise, have breakfast, and read the news.

He was like a machine with a fixed program.

Aurelia washed up and then went downstairs. The morning news was playing on the television, reporting on the attempted sexual assault that had occurred on Tress Road the previous night.

Nathaniel sat at the table with the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up. His strong forearms were exposed, and his shoulders were broad. Aurelia rarely had a chance to lean on them, as he was always indifferent to her.

He held a financial magazine in his left hand and a freshly made sandwich in his right, showing no interest in the disturbing news on TV. He seemed so aloof and distant that it was hard for anyone to get close to him. Seeing Aurelia coming downstairs, the maid, Betty, smiled and asked, "Mrs. Heilbronn, what would you like for breakfast?"

Aurelia pursed her lips and said, "Anything will do. Betty, it's more appropriate for you to call me Ms. Semona from now on."

Betty's smile froze on her face as she tried to figure out the meaning behind Aurelia's words. Her gaze swept back and forth between Nathaniel and Aurelia, but she didn't dare respond to Aurelia. "Whatever," Nathaniel said coldly, his eyes fixed on the magazine in his hand, not even looking up.

Halfway through the meal, Nathaniel got up and left. About a minute later, he threw two copies of the divorce agreement and a check on the table. "Sign this, and you can fill in the amount on the check."

Aurelia was stunned for a moment. She then looked up into his deep eyes. He was the heir to the Heilbronn Group, holding the city, Imperick's economic lifeline. He was ruthless in business, never caring about emotions. And she had tried to make him fall in love with her, hoping for a bit of love from him. Now, she found it ridiculous.

Aurelia took the pen and opened the last page directly, writing her name without reading a single word of the content. "When shall we go to the courthouse?" she asked.

Nathaniel's expression showed a hint of displeasure. "Are you in such a hurry?"

Aurelia took a bite of the sandwich but found it tasteless. Although she looked indifferent on the surface, inside, she was deeply upset. She could hardly hide her sorrow. Even her breath seemed to be trembling. She tried to keep her composure, not allowing herself to lose control. She saved her last bit of dignity.

"I'm afraid of delaying you and Ms. Thompson," she said.

Nathaniel sneered, took back the agreement, and quickly signed his name. "You're in a hurry to be with Samuel, aren't you?"