Book4–Chapter 1
Joyce Irwin and Zander Norton were married for three years, but they were like strangers living
under the same roof.
Even the divorce agreement that she handed to him, Zander didn’t want to take a second look.
Joyce finally made the decision to leave and give way to his beloved.
It was not until then that Zander suddenly realized that his heart had long belonged to her.
In order to win back Joyce, he abandoned everything, but in the end, he only got the phrase “parting on good terms.”
He only then understood that some people, once missed, are missed forever.
Joyce had been Zander’s full–time wife for three years.
Actually, Joyce was more like a nanny than a wife, handling every household issue.
Hearing the doorbell, she quickly opened the door, took his briefcase, handed him slippers, and softly asked if he wanted to have a meal or rest first.
Just as she had done every day for the past three years.
His gaze remained fixed on the document in his hand as he replied faintly, “Work first.”
The clock on the wall ticked, and Zander finally walked out of the study, changing into comfortable home clothes. Joyce immediately brought out the insulated dinner and prepared coffee for him.
He had long been accustomed to what Joyce did for him, but today he seemed particularly focused, constantly dealing with work emails.
While Joyce was tidying up the cutlery, she caught a glimpse of the flickering email notification his computer screen. The sender’s name, “Elianna Hart,” sent a slight shiver down her spine.
She quickly averted her gaze, returned to the kitchen, and suddenly felt her phone vibrating in her pocket.
Joyce took out her phone, and the screen displayed the words “Mrs. Norton“.
The phone was answered, and Mrs. Norton asked.
“Joyce, are you sure you wanted to break up with Zander?”
boyce looked outside and saw a tuberose blooming quietly under the moonlight.
After a moment of silence, she answered in a low voice, “Auntie, you also know that we were only
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together because of the agreement. Now that the agreement period has ended, and Elianna has also returned, his work has been going well recently, and he no longer needs me.”
On the other end of the phone, Mrs. Norton sighed, her tone filled with resignation.
“You have worked hard all these years, and we are aware of your efforts. We thought you two could
make it together, but now it seems… well, since Elianna has already returned, there is indeed no way. Three years ago, you gave up your own career and opportunities because of Zander. If you still
want to continue now, I can try to help arrange it as much as possible.”
Joyce’s gaze fell upon the tuberose, and a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.
After three years of time, Zander had almost occupied her entire life, but now, it was time to break
free and embark on her journey of life again.
She nodded gently and said, “Sorry. I want to start a new life as soon as possible.”
After the call ended, the tuberose by the window silently withered, just like her relationship with
Zander was also coming to an end.
She came from humble origins, and it was the sponsorship from the Norton Group that enabled her
to complete her studies and gain valuable internship opportunities.
To express her gratitude, she visited the Norton family before the end of her internship.
There are many students sponsored by the Norton Group, but she was the first one to express
gratitude.
This made Ruby Norton, who originally only wanted to receive her casually, look at her with new eyes. After understanding her intentions, Ruby pondered for a moment and then made a request.
“If you really want to thank me, there is another way. Just consider it.”
From Ruby, Joyce learned about the love story between Zander and Elianna.
Zander was a business elite, and Elianna was a literary genius. The two were a perfect match, but
they went their separate ways due to Elianna’s career.
Elianna, determinedly, left Zander and went to another country to pursue her artistic dreams.
Zander was deeply affected by this, and being career–oriented, he started becoming indifferent. He no longer believed in love and spent his days solely focused on work, avoiding any interactions with
others.
Just then, Joyce appeared at the Norton family, and Ruby decided to ask her for help in getting Zander over his emotional pain.
order to repay this favor, Joyce gave up her own career development opportunities and reached a three–year agreement with Ruby.
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In a business event, she intentionally approached Zander, showing her admiration for him, and started her journey of love with Zander.
From then on, the business world knew that Zander had a devoted woman in his life.
Zander gradually adapted to the days with her by his side, however, he showed no intention of
defining their relationship.
Until that night, he made an agreement with someone during a bidding that whoever could find the
necklace that was thrown into the sea would win the bidding project.
Joyce disregarded her own safety and helped him fulfill the agreement.
That was the first time Zander showed a different kind of emotion towards her. He tightly held her
hand, and his eyes filled with touched.
“Joyce, let’s be together. I will strive to cherish you.”
But later Joyce accidentally found out that the day he confessed his feelings to her was only because
Elianna had shared photos of her and her family’s trip on social media.
Nevertheless, in order to adhere to that agreement and assist Zander in forgetting Elianna, she still devoted herself to him wholeheartedly.
She carefully arranged his diet and daily life, taking care of his daily needs. She knew deep down
that he longed for a warm home, so she did her best to create an atmosphere that would make him
feel comfortable.
But whenever she thought their relationship was progressing, Zander would always get distracted by a little news about Elianna.
On the day Elianna arrived, Zander encountered an accident while rushing to the airport to see her
as soon as possible.
Joyce stayed awake all night, accompanying him by his side. However, in an unconscious state, he repeatedly called out Elianna’s name in his dreams.
At that moment, Joyce fully realized that she ultimately failed to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to her by Ruby.
Luckily, the contract ended, and Elianna had also returned. Zander finally met the person he had been longing for, while she also faced a moment of farewell.
From this moment on, they would all embark on a brand–new chapter of their lives.
