Ava clung tightly to the bed sheets, her fingertips leaving messy creases. Even at a time like this, her mind wandered: Had the woman outside not satisfied Ethan? For once, he wasn’t just taking her straight away—he was actually taking the time to kiss her. Ava felt no stirrings of emotion. Other than disgust, she felt nothing else.
She simply lay there like a dead fish, letting Ethan do as he pleased. He’d never get a child from her anyway. At first, Ethan had been aroused by Ava’s half-revealing allure, but now she lay there like a block of wood…
Any man would lose interest.
A total letdown.
Ethan’s sleek black hair glistened with sweat, his face flushed slightly, his voice low and hoarse: “Why aren’t you willing?” Their sex life was sparse, but there were always a few times a month, all to plant his seed in her womb. Ava lay back on the snow-white pillow, looking up at him—the man she’d chased for four years.
She was tired, weary, and wanted to live for herself for once.
But Ethan had no idea. He kept pressing her about why she wouldn’t have sex with him, why she wouldn’t cooperate to bear a legitimate heir, to keep helping him fight for power. Ava reached out and gently stroked her husband’s cheek, speaking softly: “Ethan, let’s get a divorce.”
Ethan’s expression soured, but he held back his temper: “Is this because of Lily? I told you, she’s just an elder’s daughter. If you don’t like her staying there, I’ve already arranged another place for her.”
Ava let out a cold laugh. An elder’s daughter needs to be kept alone in a villa? Needs to be carried intimately when walking? She didn’t say those words. Saying them would only make it sound like she was jealous. She opened the small drawer by the bed, pulled out the divorce agreement, and stuffed it into Ethan’s hand, speaking casually: “Besides savings and real estate, I also want half of Ronin’s shares.”
Ethan frowned: “Half of Ronin’s shares? That’s quite an appetite, Margret.” His words were laced with sarcasm, just like when he was negotiating a business deal.
Ava’s heart turned cold. Ethan would never know—for taking that kick for him, she’d almost lost all chance of being a mother. But she didn’t say those sentimental words.
Love or hate, Ava had no regrets.
Ava leaned against the headboard, her face gentle and pale. She put herself in Ethan’s shoes: “After the divorce, you can give your sweetheart a legal status. And I, Ava, will take my shares and leave. We’ll both be happy.”
She looked serious. Ethan finally realized she wasn’t joking—this had been planned for a long time. He stared at Ava, his dark eyes so deep they seemed capable of devouring her body and soul. After a while, Ethan’s voice turned cold: “Drop that idea! Ava, we can’t get a divorce. We’re a community of interests—you should know that.”
Yes, she knew.
But now, she didn’t want to cooperate anymore.
Ava didn’t respond for a long time, and Ethan couldn’t help but get a little annoyed. He got up, grabbed a bathrobe, and prepared to sleep in the guest room. He thought Ava needed to calm down. After tonight, she would start enjoying being Margret again, as well as the pleasure of being second only to him in Ronin Group. Ethan sneered: Ava was always like this.
Behind him, however, came Ava’s voice, almost a murmur, just like the innocent Ava from four years ago: “Ethan, let’s part on good terms! I really don’t want to live with you anymore.” Ethan’s body stiffened for a moment.
After a long while, he walked back to the bed, his voice softening: “Ava, when you married me, you knew there would be no love in the Sinclair family. I wouldn’t have it, and you’d better not crave it either… It won’t make your life easier.”
He waved his hand. The stack of divorce papers fluttered to the floor like snowflakes.
Eight o’clock in the morning.
Ethan, dressed in a classic black-and-white suit, strolled downstairs. The well-tailored fabric clung to his tall figure, making him look pleasing to the eye. He was in a good mood at first, but when he saw the empty dining room, his mood plummeted. Ethan picked up his coffee and took a sip, then casually asked the servant beside him: “Where’s the madame?”
The argument last night had been quite a commotion, and all the servants in the house knew about it. The servant replied cautiously: “The madame went to the company early in the morning.”
Ethan slammed the coffee cup down hard. He lost his appetite for breakfast. Half an hour later, he drove to Ronin Group, where Secretary Lena was already waiting in the parking lot.
The black Bentley stopped, and Lena opened the door, reporting the day’s meeting agenda to Ethan. He walked while buttoning his suit, every move exuding masculine charm, drawing secret glances from many female employees.
The two walked into the private elevator.
Lena stopped talking and whispered: “Regarding the Amerasia Initiative, Ava suddenly added her own people to the team.” Ethan looked up at the red numbers on the elevator panel. After a moment, he let out a sneer: “She’s really grown capable.”
During the meeting, Ethan and Ava clashed. They were a couple, and Ava’s business tactics were even taught to her by Ethan himself. Now, watching them go head-to-head was truly a spectacle. The middle and senior management of Ronin Group were thoroughly amazed. By the time the meeting ended, it was nearly dusk.
Ava returned to her office, threw herself onto the leather sofa, and gently rubbed her brows. Her head ached faintly, making her feel unwell. She simply let down her long hair, letting it fall loosely…
Annie brought her a glass of boiled water, placed it on the coffee table, and said softly, “Ethan’s personal lawyer called. He wants to meet you at the café on the first floor. Will you see him?”
Ava raised her eyes: “Benjamin Castell?”
Benjamin Castell was one of the nation’s top lawyers. His “Inkwell Legal” was at the pinnacle of the industry. Of course, he also had an important role as Ethan’s hidden ace—some things Ethan couldn’t handle conveniently, Benjamin Castell could. Their friendship was deep, and their interests were deeply intertwined. It was no exaggeration to say that Ethan could divorce Ava, but he would never fall out with Benjamin.
This time, Ethan had sent Benjamin, probably because he didn’t want the divorce to become public knowledge. Ava thought for a moment and agreed. Ten minutes later, she took the private elevator to the café on the first floor.
Benjamin was sitting by the window. A British three-piece suit wrapped his tall frame. His features were sharp and handsome, and his expression habitually carried a hint of sternness. Hearing Ava’s footsteps, Benjamin looked over. A trace of surprise flickered in his usually unreadable dark eyes.
Benjamin had never seen Ava like this. In his memory, Ava always wore expensive suits, standing flawlessly beside Ethan, accompanying him in business battles. But everyone in their circle knew that Ethan didn’t love Ava; his love belonged to someone else.
Today, Ava was very different. She had changed into a comfortable thin knit sweater, slightly form-fitting. Her black, shiny straight hair, with a hint of natural curl, fell casually over her shoulders, looking soft…
Just as Benjamin was slightly distracted, Ava sat down across from him, her expression calm: “Ethan sent you to talk?”
Benjamin regained his usual composure. He took a document from his briefcase and gently pushed it to Ava: “According to this prenuptial agreement, if Margret insists on divorce, I’m afraid you won’t get much.”
Ava took the document and flipped it open. When she turned to the last page, she paused slightly—
Four years ago, Ethan had kept a backup plan. Ava read it quietly for a long time before speaking softly: “I’ll still get a divorce even if I don’t get much. Benjamin, don’t call me Margret anymore… call me Ava.”
Having handled countless celebrity divorce cases, Benjamin’s heart was as hard as stone. He picked up his coffee and took a sip: “Why suddenly want a divorce? Didn’t you love Ethan very much? A one-night stand is actually quite common in this circle.”
Ava turned her face away, a bitter smile on her lips. The whole world knew she loved Ethan, except Ethan himself. Or perhaps he knew but didn’t care. At this moment, Ava exuded a fragile beauty. In Benjamin’s eyes, it was more appealing than Lily, making men want to possess her. As he was thinking, the café door opened, and a tall figure walked over…
It was none other than Ethan. As soon as Ethan entered, he saw Benjamin staring at his wife, deep in thought. Suddenly, an uncomfortable feeling welled up in Ethan’s heart…
