Chapter 1 The Abandoned Obstacle

The living room was dead silent.

A cup went flying at Edward Wellington, soaking him. If he hadn't ducked, it might've busted his forehead open.

"You bastard, always gotta go against me, huh?" Edward's grandpa, Byron Wellington, slammed the table, fuming.

"I've told you a million times to stay away from the Adams family, but you went and brought some shady person home before even getting a divorce. What will people think of Lily? What does this say about the Wellington family?"

Edward stood there, silent but firm.

"Mr. Wellington, please calm down," the old butler, worried about his health, quickly poured another cup of coffee. But Patrick Wellington intercepted it and handed it to Byron with respect.

"Dad, I know Edward messed up, but you can't control feelings. Edward and Lily have been married for three years. If he hasn't fallen for her by now, it just means they're not right for each other."

Patrick should've kept his mouth shut. Seeing his face only made Byron angrier.

Byron grabbed his cane and whacked Patrick. "It's your bad influence. I never liked your wife, and now Edward's letting go of the granddaughter-in-law I approved of." He was about to hit him again but suddenly felt dizzy and struggled to breathe. Edward and Patrick rushed to support him and pat his back.

"It's a shame. You two are just the same, letting go of great women and picking those with hidden agendas."

After catching his breath, Byron angrily pushed Edward's hand away and finally picked up the coffee. "Come on, tell me honestly, how did you sign the divorce agreement back then? I want to see how much Lily has suffered with you."

Edward's lips moved as he looked at the water dripping from his hair, remembering the tear stains on that agreement. He got lost in his thoughts.

Lily Brown stood in front of Edward, her eyes filled with raw pain, forcing a bitter smile. "What did you just say?"

Edward responded with a cold sneer, "I don't have time to argue with you. I've already signed the divorce papers."

Lily bit her lip, trying to speak through her tears. "Edward, you must be joking. Divorce is something we should discuss together. What about Grandpa..."

Edward grew more impatient. "You know how our marriage came about. I've had enough of this loveless marriage. Not even Grandpa can change my mind today."

"No feelings? Edward, can't you see that I love you? We've been married for three years, not three days or three hours. Don't you see it at all?" Lily was on the verge of breaking down, staggering to the table but stubbornly raising her head, hoping for an answer from Edward.

But his expression stayed the same, as cold and unyielding as a statue. "You've always known that if it weren't for Grandpa's interference, I wouldn't have married you. Marrying you was a last resort. I have someone I love, and she's coming back soon."

When Edward mentioned his first love Nicole Adams, his tone softened, "I should've been with Nicole a long time ago. Now, nothing can stand in our way."

Lily couldn't hold back her tears any longer and looked at Edward with sorrow. "So, I'm just an obstacle to be discarded?"

He sighed, "Our marriage was a mistake from the start. Ending it now is best for both of us."

Neither spoke again, the air thick with tension, only the sound of Lily's tears hitting the table.

She hurriedly wiped her tears, trying to hold onto her last bit of dignity.

At that moment, Edward's phone rang, breaking the heavy atmosphere. Seeing the caller's name, his expression softened, and he answered.

"Nicole, weren't you supposed to be on a plane to Mythorica? Did something happen?"

"No, Edward, guess where I am now?" Nicole' playful voice came through the phone.

"I can't guess. When will you be back? What time does your flight land so I can pick you up?"

"I'm already at Mugden Airport."

"What?" Edward checked his watch. "If I remember right, you weren't supposed to arrive until seven tonight."

Nicole replied, "But how could it be a surprise if you knew?"

"You're so naughty. Wait there, I'll be there soon." Edward smiled indulgently, not even glancing at his nominal wife Lily, and disappeared from her sight.

Lily couldn't hold on any longer, collapsing onto the study's sofa with a bitter smile. It was over, her three-year hopeless marriage.

But she was unwilling. She had loved Edward for more than three years, even before they got married, she had liked him for ten years.

What could she do? If she hadn't seen Edward's gentle demeanor towards Nicole just now, she might have continued to deceive herself, thinking that one day she could warm his cold heart with her passion. But now...

Lily made up her mind, suppressing the suffocating pain in her heart. Now, they could only end it here.

Finally, she firmly signed the divorce agreement.

She thought to herself, 'That's it, Lily, leave your marriage with the last bit of dignity.'

As night fell, Lily methodically checked the dinner table settings as usual, ignoring the lively scene outside the door.

Edward carried a delicate woman in his arms, spinning her around three times amidst her exclamations, drawing everyone's attention.

"Edward, what are you doing? Put me down, it's embarrassing with so many people watching. What if Lily misunderstands..." Nicole pressed her face against Edward's chest, looking at him with shy annoyance.

"Don't worry about her," Edward smiled, but a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, "I've made it very clear to her; if she had any sense, she wouldn't disturb us."

Nicole's smile grew more triumphant, her eyes provocatively sweeping towards Lily.

From the moment she entered, she had noticed Lily's lonely figure. She thought, 'So what if Lily married Edward? In the end, his heart was still with me.'

The two walked into the dining room, drawing everyone's attention. Just as they sat down, the usually composed butler hurried over, whispering to Edward, "Mrs. Wellington has run away from home!"