Chapter 2

Upon hearing the voice, Nina's face jolted with surprise, nearly stumbling.

With her balance faltering, her body leaned towards him. Nash felt her body tilting and reached out to steady her by the waist. The scorching warmth instantly reminded her of the scene from last night when he ravaged her recklessly.

Nina composed herself, lifting her head to meet his deep gaze. His eyes were too serious, containing both questioning and doubt, as if trying to see through her with just one look. Nina's heart raced rapidly. She dared not hold his gaze for another second, instinctively lowering her head.

When he assumed it was the woman from earlier, he flew into a rage. If he were to discover it was her, her fate wouldn't be any better. Yet, she couldn't accept it. If Nash knew it was her, could their marriage last a little longer?

She dared not meet his eyes. "Why would you ask such a thing?" Only she knew she was hoping for it.

However, Nash chuckled lightly. "You don't have the courage."

Nina's hand stiffened, and she lowered her eyelids. Nash secretly hoped it wasn't her after all. After all, their marriage was just a contractual one. Moreover, the agreement would expire in a few days.

Suddenly, Nash firmly grasped her hand. Her heart skipped a beat, and she raised her gaze to meet his, finding his gaze cold and intense, filled with strong scrutiny.

She struggled to pull her hand back, but in the next moment, Nash pressed her entire body against the floor-length mirror.

"What are you doing?"

Nina forced herself to remain composed, but her trembling voice betrayed her fear and nervousness.

"Did you really fall asleep in the office?"

Nina looked into his eyes, as black as ink. Was he suspecting her? Suddenly, she remembered their wedding night three years ago. She thought he had married her willingly, reaching out to him, but before she could touch his hand, he stood up with a cold expression on his face.

He said, "Nina, I married you only to fulfill my grandfather's last wish. Three years later, we'll go our separate ways. So don’t ever touch me. Otherwise, you should know what I'm capable of."

He wouldn't let her touch him, only to keep himself pure for his beloved. With his love for Mira, he would kill her for touching him!

Nina's gaze dropped. "Okay."

Suddenly, his hand landed on her slender neck, trailing downward. When he exerted force, cherry blossom-like red marks appeared on her skin, finally stopping at her third button. "Your button is done up wrong."

Nina glanced at his wrist, noticing the misaligned button. She held her breath, pushing his hand away and quickly unfastening the button. "Sorry for the breach of etiquette. I'll pay more attention, there won't be a next time."

Nash suddenly felt irritated, pushing her away and creating some distance between them. With his back to her, he adjusted his collar. "Don't make such a basic mistake next time."

Nina stared at the floor, feeling like her heart had been clenched. He didn't allow her to make mistakes, but what about him?

Nash turned to look at her. "What are you still doing here? Aren't you supposed to be preparing for the meeting?"

She kept her head down, her face obscured.

"Nash York, Miranda is back."

Nash's eyes paused for a moment. It was the first time she had addressed him by his full name in three years.

Nina lifted her head to look at him, her tears already pushed back, speaking in a formulaic tone. "We... should get a divorce."

At the sound of her words, the veins on Nash's hand bulged, his face darkening. "Nina, it's working hours now. Do what you're supposed to do."

With that, he turned and strode away.

Nina watched his retreating figure, feeling her breath caught in her chest. He had tacitly agreed, hadn't he?

Feeling a warmth on the back of her hand, she looked down to see a single tear drop. She had cried after all.

But he was right. She was still his secretary, and she still had work to do. The documents for the meeting were at home; she needed to go back and retrieve them. And while she was there, she would also pick up the divorce agreement she had prepared three years ago.

...

Back in the York Corporation's CEO office, Nash leaned back in his leather chair, his brows furrowed in a frown.

A knock on the door sounded, and his assistant, Quincy Perez, entered.

"Mr. York, it's confirmed. Nina did indeed sleep in the office last night."

At these words, Nash's frown deepened.

"Furthermore, Miss Lewis was also at the hotel where you were last night. She inquired about your room number at the front desk."

Meanwhile, Nina returned to the York mansion. As soon as she stepped through the gate, the sharp and sarcastic voice of Sally York reached her ears. "You're not doing your work. What are you doing back here? The York family doesn't support idlers, especially useless hens like you."

Nina had long been accustomed to her mother-in-law's cold mockery. However, the decision to have children wasn't hers alone.

But perhaps it was for the best. She wouldn't have to worry about being scolded by Sally for not bearing children with Nash. Nor would she have to drink those dubious medicine from quack doctors to conceive.

She replied politely, "I've come back to get the documents Mr. York needs for the meeting."

"You should have prepared such important documents from the start. Coming back just to get them, are you trying to slack off? Don't forget, you owe the York family two million! You will never be able to repay that even if you work for a lifetime! And yet you dare to be lazy!"

Nina lowered her eyes, feeling an immense pain in her heart. How could she forget that it was Nash’s grandfather who had helped her father repay the two million debt, leading to the proposal for Nash to marry her?

So when she mentioned divorce to Nash earlier, he showed no emotion. He only reminded her to focus on her job. In his eyes, now that the marriage was over, it was time to repay the debt owed to the York family.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll pay off this debt. I'll grab the documents and head over. They're waiting to use them."

As she spoke, she began to walk towards Nash's study.

"I haven't dismissed you yet, and you're already leaving. Do you even know what respect is? I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Have you been to the hospital for a check-up this month? Have you noticed any movement in your stomach?"

"Nash and I are busy with work. My mind isn't on this matter. I'll try harder when I have time in the future."

Sally's face changed suddenly, and she directly scolded, "I've heard this countless times. If you can't do it, find someone who can. Divorce Nash immediately!"

Nina's face turned pale. Although she had known since their wedding night that this day would come, she still wanted to clarify some things.

"Is this what he wants?"

"What else could it be?" Sally retorted.

Nina's face immediately drained of color.

"Sally, your favorite chicken soup is ready. Have a taste." At that moment, a woman emerged from the kitchen, breaking the silence.

Upon hearing the voice, Nina froze in the foyer, her blood running cold.