CHAPTER 1

DIVORCE ON SURPRISE

IVY'S POV

"I want a divorce." Rowan’s voice echoes through the sitting room as he throws what look like divorce papers onto the desk in front of me. Tonight is supposed to be our third anniversary, and I’ve prepared all his favorite dishes—only for him to come home and shatter my world with these documents.

"I don’t understand. If this is a prank or some kind of test, you got me. Please, tell me this is just a joke," I plead, approaching him cautiously. Even in my distress, I can’t help but notice his intoxicating scent. His face is contorted with anger, and I’m at a complete loss.

Rowan’s eyes bore into mine, cold and unforgiving. "Do I look like I’m joking?"

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I reach for him. "Rowan, please don’t do this. I’m begging you."

He steps back, his expression hardening further. "Name your price, sign the damn papers, and leave."

I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. Does he really think I married him for his money? I’ve spent the past three years trying to prove my love and devotion, but it seems Rowan is blind to it all.

"Isn’t that what you want?" he demands, closing the distance between us. "Isn’t it about the money? That’s why you agreed to marry me, right? Name your price and get out of my house. Now."

The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill down my cheeks. How can he be so cruel? I’ve dedicated the last three years of my life to showing Rowan how much I love him, how I chose him above all else, but he still sees me as nothing more than a gold digger.

Our marriage may not have been a fairytale romance, but I never imagined it would come to this. We never even dated. In college, I was just a distant admirer, watching from afar as he only had eyes for Bella. His love for her blinded him to her true nature.

Three years ago, when Rowan was involved in that horrific car accident, I was there. As his secretary, I stayed by his side, caring for him while he lay comatose and unresponsive. Bella, his supposed true love, fled to Europe without so much as a backward glance.

It was Rowan’s grandfather who proposed the idea of marriage. With Rowan unconscious, he thought it would be best if I wed his grandson, given my consistent dedication. Foolishly, I believed it was my chance to finally catch Rowan’s attention. Little did I know, I was walking straight into hell.

When Rowan finally awoke, he treated me with nothing but disgust and disdain. The only time he acknowledged my existence was when he wanted sex. I thought perhaps intimacy could spark some affection in him, but I was sorely mistaken. He made it clear he wanted a divorce the moment he regained his faculties, but his grandfather intervened, singing my praises.

It wasn’t until after his grandfather’s passing that Rowan’s true colors emerged.

"You and I both know that’s not why I married you," I manage through my tears.

Rowan’s eyes flash with anger. "Then why did you take advantage of me when I was at my weakest? You married me and fooled my grandfather into thinking I was on death’s door, all so you could inherit my fortune for yourself!"

I can only sob in response, praying this is all some cruel joke. But Rowan’s expression remains unmoved.

"But...but we’ve been intimate," I whisper, my voice breaking. There’s a secret I’m desperate to share with him, but he’s already shattered any hope of reconciliation.

Rowan scoffs. "That was merely to satisfy my own needs. I never slept with you out of love. Every time we were together, I imagined Bella in my arms." With that, he storms out of the room, leaving me in pieces.

His words cut me to the core. I’ve been such a fool, pouring my heart into a man who will never love me back. Enough is enough.

I signed the divorce papers with trembling hands. If Rowan wants me gone, then so be it. I make my way upstairs to gather my belongings, tears streaming down my face as I pack. An envelope flutters to the ground, and my heart clenches as I realize it’s the result of my prenatal exam. I’m two weeks pregnant, and I had planned to surprise Rowan tonight. Instead, he’s choosing to end our marriage.

With a heavy heart, I tuck the envelope into my luggage. I’ve never been one for extravagance, despite being a fashion designer. Rowan put an end to my career when he learned of my dual roles as his secretary and designer. He demanded I quit after emerging from his coma, and like a fool, I obliged.

As I reach the front door, I pause to take one last look at the place I once called home. Sighing, I step outside, only to find Rowan standing there with a woman by his side.

She smirks at me, her voice dripping with mockery. "Oh, are you leaving already?"