Chapter 1
After leaving the doctor’s office, Joanna Osborne’s hands were shaking as she held the test results, her eyes filled with tears.
She was absolutely over the moon. She couldn’t wait to tell Howell Buckley the incredible news—she was pregnant.
It had been three years since she married Howell Buckley, yet her stomach had never shown any signs of change. His mother, Polly Buckley, had insulted her countless times, and she had quietly endured it all.
Now, with her dream finally coming true, she feel overjoyed.
As she prepared to make the call, a voice of admiration suddenly reached her ears.
“Did you see that couple just now? They’re such a perfect match!”
“That’s Margot Caldwell, the international dancer! She’s stunning!”
“Yeah, the guy with her looks really familiar. Is that… Howell?”
“Yes, that’s him! I saw him on a financial news segment before. They must be a couple. They look so close…”
When Joanna heard that name, her mind went blank. A cold chill ran through her, and she froze in place.
Margot was Howell’s first love. Years ago, she had rejected his proposal to chase her own dreams. After she left, Howell had spiraled into a life of
excess.
Coincidentally, Joanna had saved Howell’s grandfather, Dominic Buckley, and he had ordered Howell to marry her. She had fallen for him at first sight, never imagining this day would come.
She looked up just in time to see Howell and Margot walking into view.
Howell had Margot wrapped in his arms, holding her as though she were the most precious thing, protecting her from the world. That gentle, careful way he treated her sent a sharp pain through Joanna’s heart.
She couldn’t stand it. She loved him so much. For three years, she had worked hard to be a good wife, enduring Polly’s cruelty and Theodora’s insults without a word of complaint, hoping to warm his heart.
But now, it seemed all of that was for nothing.
Joanna bit her lip and placed her hand gently on her belly. A new resolve flickered in her eyes.
She quickly typed a message to Howell: [Come home early. I need to tell you something.]
But after sending it, there was no response. It felt like her words had vanished into thin
air.
Later that night, she heard the sound of the door opening. Howell had returned.
She had just finished her shower and stepped out of the bathroom. “You’re back,” she said softly.
His cold eyes met hers, and an unsettling emotion flickered in them. Without a word, he grabbed her arm, threw her onto the bed, and tore open her nightgown with one swift motion.
He grabbed her chin, kissing her roughly, his lips forcing their way into hers.
Joanna froze for a moment, then pushed him away with all her strength. She quickly fixed her clothes, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glittering with
defiance. Her lips were full, bright, almost dangerous in their allure.
He gave her a cold look, his voice as sharp as ever. “What’s this? You couldn’t wait for me to come back? Was that the real reason you called me?”
After speaking, Howell leaned in again and kissed her. When Joanna’s lips met his, she suddenly bit down hard, tearing through his skin. The sharp, metallic taste of blood instantly filled the space between their mouths.
It felt like a game–whoever was in control, won.
Joanna pressed her lips together and then, with determination, spoke, “Howell, let’s get a divorce.”
Howell paused, thinking he misheard. “Say that again?
Joanna looked him in the eye and repeated herself, clear and resolute. “Let’s get a divorce.
1/3
1158 AM O
Chapter 1
Howell tugged irritably at his tic, his voice cold. “What is it this time? What do you want?”
“Nothing.” Joanna replied coldly. “I just want a divorce. Margot’s back, right? You’ve been wanting this for a long time. You were forced to marry me, but now she’s here–don’t you want to give her a proper status? I’ll set you free.”
Howell’s face darkened. “Joanna, you better stop now. I’m not going to play these childish games with you.”
“I’m serious,” she said firmly.
Just then, his phone rang, breaking the tension. Howell’s face darkened as he saw the caller ID. “How’s Margot? What did the doctor say?”
He listened intently, then responded, “Okay, I’ll be there right away.”
When he hung up, he looked at Joanna, his voice dripping with cold disdain. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Don’t regret.”
Joanna smirked, her heart steeled. She had crashed into walls before, broken and bruised, but now, it was time to stop running into them. “I won’t regret it.”
Howell seemed surprised by her newfound resolve, but he quickly brushed it off, his irritation growing. “Do as you please,” he muttere and left in a rush to the hospital.
He shook off the strange feeling rising in his chest and quickly left for the hospital.
Joanna watched him go, her eyes filled with a new, unwavering resolve. From now on, she would never shed another tear for Howell.
The next morning, she placed the signed divorce papers on the bedside table and packed her things without a second thought.
As she stepped out of the mansion, a limited–edition Rolls–Royce pulled up in front of her.
The door opened, and a pair of long, strong legs stepped out.
Joanna saw the person and, as if she’d expected it, said calmly, “Philip, I’ve gotten a divorce.”
“Congratulations on regaining your freedom, Philip Menzie said warmly. “It’s time for you to be yourself again. We’re all here, waiting for you.”
Joanna was actually the youngest heiress of the prestigious Menzie family, growing up surrounded by wealth.
She had two older brothers who adored her, and she had always been brilliant, with a natural talent for design. As a teenager, she had won an international fashion competition and become the mysterious designer known as Ada.
Back then, she had given up everything for love, thinking she would find happiness. But three years later, it all ended in divorce.
Looking back now, those three years felt like a waste. But there was a silver lining–she had learned a lot along the way.
Joanna gently touched her belly. “Baby, from now on, it’s just you and me. But you’ll also have your uncle and grandpa.”
As she got into the car, she pulled out her laptop, typing furiously as she erased all traces of herself from the Buckley family’s records.
No more Mrs. Buckley. From now on, she was Joanna Osborne of the Menzie family.
Later that evening, Howell returned from the hospital to find the house empty.
“Sir, Mrs. Buckley left this morning,” the servant informed him.
Howell walked into the bedroom and saw the divorce papers on the desk. He stared at her neat signature, a strange feeling tightening in his chest. She had returned everything he had given her, untouched.
The assets he had given her—she had returned everything, untouched. He thought, ‘A clean break? After the divorce, she will have nothing. Where will she go
He had wanted the divorce, but now, he felt a strange unease creeping up on him.
