Chapter 4
The smile at the comer of Harley’s lips froze. He then asked, “What do you mean? You’re divorcing me?”
His expression wasn’t as pleased as I had once imagined. Surprisingly, there was even a trace of irritation.
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Megan only froze for a second, but a flash of delight quickly flashed in her eyes. Her tone, however, sounded like feigned reproach.
“Tiana, why are you so bad with social cues? Harley brought up divorce earlier because he wanted you to persuade him–not because he actually wants to leave you.
“Quick, put that divorce agreement away. Don’t make a scene. Harley’s been working so hard and finally made it back home, so don’t upset him now.”
It sounded like she was speaking up for me, but I knew exactly what she was doing. She was deliberately provoking Harley.
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She had used this tactic many times before, and it always worked. In the past, Harley had demoted me out of spite. He had even docked two months of my salary just to prove a point.
I thought he’d do the same again and accept the divorce out of anger. But to my surprise, his face remained tense, and he said after a long pause, “I won’t divorce
you.
“Tiana, there’s too much at stake between us—too many entangled interests…”
When I heard his words, I finally realized what he was truly worried about. It was the property division.
But he seemed to have forgotten that when we first got married, he insisted on signing a prenuptial agreement. It stated that I wouldn’t get a single cent of his assets if we ever divorced. Likewise, he couldn’t touch any of my premarital properties, either.
I calmly interrupted him and began recounting each part of the decision we had made back then.
“And perhaps you misunderstood me earlier, I said we’re already divorced. You already signed this agreement quite some time ago.”
Harley froze, then immediately denied it. “That’s impossible. I don’t remember that at all.”
Seeing that he was still clinging to denial, I flipped to the last page–where his signature sat, scribbled carelessly across the bottom. Maybe it finally triggered a memory as his face slowly drained of color.
“The thing you asked me to sign back then was a divorce agreement?” he asked. His eyes were wide in disbelief as he stared at me.
I nodded, and I watched as the color continued to fade from his face.
But wasn’t this divorce exactly what he had always wanted? Why was he reacting like this now? Frankly, I didn’t believe for a second that he’d never considered actually divorcing me.
Seconds ticked by in silence. I thought he might just go along with it and finally agree to end things. Instead, he snatched the agreement and tore it to shreds within minutes.
“I’m not divorcing you.” His tone was resolute.
His reaction left me puzzled. But also… amused.
“Tearing it up won’t change anything. The state court has already started processing it. The divorce certificate will be issued soon.”
When she heard that the divorce would be finalized soon, the smile on Megan’s face grew even brighter. But her tone was filled with mock regret.
“Oh no, Tiana, why are you being so impulsive? I really think Harley doesn’t deserve it, If I had a boyfriend as wonderful as Harley, I’d never want to let him go…” “Shut your mouth!” Before Megan could finish, Harley–shockingly–cut her off with uncharacteristic fury.
Chapter 5
