Chapter 1 Let’s Get a Divorce

"Your husband cheated," Joey Linton got a message from her bestie while resting on a clinic bench after her ovulation induction. She looked pale with her black hair, and her oval face was devoid of color, but her stunning beauty still turned heads as people passed by.

Joey took a deep breath. Her hand trembled as she tapped on an image on her phone.

It was a picture of her husband, Zachary Gray, holding a woman dressed in a pink designer dress as they left a hotel. His usually stern face had softened as he looked at her.

She recognized the woman. She was Zachary's first love, Julia Fisher. Once she snapped out of it, Joey gave Zachary a call.

After the phone's long, busy tone, he finally picked up. His tone was cold. "What's up?"

"Are you coming back tonight?" Joey actually wanted to ask if he'd ever come back at all, but it seemed her call interrupted him. After a few quiet seconds, Zachary snapped impatiently, "Is it that urgent?"

Joey's eyes got a bit teary, but she kept her cool. Her tone didn't let on how much it hurt. "Did you forget what day it is?"

They'd been secretly married for three years, only seeing and sleeping with each other once a month. They rarely saw each other apart from that.

Today was their wedding anniversary, and he was supposed to come home. He promised to be with her on this special day when they shared a bed last month.

Zachary sounded annoyed and cut her off, "I'll be back later, don't worry." With that, he hung up abruptly, and the "beep" of the disconnected call weighed heavily on Joey's heart.

Taking a few deep breaths and pulling herself together, she called her bestie, Selena Sanders, to fetch her.

Ten minutes later, quick footsteps echoed in the hospital corridor as Selena, with short, cool blue hair and streaks of silver, walked in confidently.

She walked through like she owned the place, not paying any mind to the curious eyes. Seeing Joey's pale face, Selena chided her as she approached, "You're taking hormone shots when he's out with Julia? What's the point?"

Joey lowered her head, choosing not to respond. Her marriage with Zachary was a forced marriage. It was Zachary's grandpa who insisted they tie the knot.

When the wedding came her way, she didn't refuse and was even discreetly overjoyed. After all, she'd had a secret crush on Zachary for years.

It was only after they married that she learned about Zachary's first love, Julia, who was kept hidden due to her family background. Zachary was ashamed to acknowledge Joey, which is why they had maintained their marriage a secret.

Joey didn't mind the secrecy, believing she could eventually win Zachary's heart and make him forget his past love. Now, with Julia's return, Joey realized her own foolishness.

Back at home, Joey took a shower. When she saw the clothes on the bed, her heart ached.

She told herself it was just a one-time thing. Whether for Zachary or for her, this would be their last chance.

In the middle of the night, she was suddenly awakened as a pair of cool, slightly damp hands grasped her waist. Zachary's hot breath tickled her ear as if he intended to ignite her.

Joey jolted awake, instinctively lifting her foot. Zachary swiftly grabbed her ankle and rolled her over.

Joey's sleepy eyes snapped into focus. She reached up, looped her arms around his neck, and drew herself closer.

As Zachary's gaze trailed over her clothing, his breath grew heated. "You want me back just for this?"

Joey hesitated for a moment, but then she smiled. "Yes." She had always been the one who took the initiative in their relationship.

She was ready to try anything to conceive, whether it was fertility treatments, supplements, or anything else. However, the thought of all this baby-making seemed to dampen Zachary's enthusiasm.

He pushed her away, got out of bed, and grabbed a wet tissue from the bedside table. He meticulously wiped his hands as if he'd touched something filthy, paying attention to not leave any spot unwiped.

After disposing of the tissue in the trash can, he interrogated her, "Did you have someone tail Julia for this?"

Joey took a moment to realize he was referring to the paparazzi who had exposed their photos. Even though he phrased it as a question, it came across as an accusation.

So it seems that he had returned home to defend his side relationship.

Joey's previously heated emotions suddenly cooled, as if she'd been doused with cold water. She stayed silent for a moment, then sat up and casually slipped into her nightgown.

Her face, which had just been full of passion, now appeared cold and distant. She looked like a completely different person.

Without holding back, she shot back, "Seriously, you cozy up to your ex while demanding complete secrecy, and you think you can keep up appearances? Paparazzi aside, I feel ashamed to share a marriage certificate with you!"

Zachary was taken aback. He had always known Joey as the obedient and understanding type, but he didn't know that she had such a sharp tongue.

Clearly, she had hid her true self well. Veins throbbed on Zachary's forehead. He quickly pushed her away.

"Don't try to project your filthy thoughts onto Julia. She's nothing like you."

In Zachary's eyes, Joey was forever unscrupulous and shameful, while Julia remained innocent and chaste. After spending three years of her time on him, Joey couldn't hold a candle to Julia.

Joey was furious at herself for liking him for so long. This scumbag wouldn't have stood a chance with her in her younger days. She couldn't believe she'd cherished him all this time.

After a short silence, Joey raised her chin and an eyebrow. Without missing a beat, she said, "Zachary, let's get a divorce."