Chapter 1
She said she was scared. She didn’t want to go to jail and asked if I could take her place.
She promised to wait for me and build a good lite together when i got noi.
six years later, when I finally walked free, she didn’t come
Instead, she sent her assistant with divorce papers.
She said she was a CEO, and having a commet for a husband was a stain onlier reputation
At her career’s peak, there was no room for any negative news.
But not long after signed the papers, she regretted it,
“I’m sorry, but this is as far as we go.”
“Make the best of your life out there. Don’t come back‘
The warden patted Kyle Archer on the shoulder before turning to close the prison gates.
Kyle squinted as the blinding sunlight made it hard for him to open his eyes fully. “Six years… Finally, I’m out,” he rhuttered.
A loud rumble of an engine broke the silence. A sleek Rolls–Royce roared up and stopped right in front of him
Moments later, the back window rolled down, revealing a sharp, cold face behind black–rimmed glasses
“Mr. Archer, please get in,” the woman said firmly.
Kyle’s lips curled into a wry smile when he recognized her.
“Chloe, six years apart, and you’ve only gotten prettier, Riding in a Rolls–Royce now, huh? 1 still remember when I suggested you work as Belle’s secretary–you were just a junior employee backthen.”
Chloe Carter’s expression tumed frosty at his words.
“Where’s Belle? Didn’t she come to pick me up?” he asked, noticing that Chloe was the only one in the car.
Chloe lifted her hand slightly, tossing a neatly packed set of clothes toward him.
“Ms. Cotton has an important meeting today, so she sent me instead. Change into these clothes before you get in That uniform you’re wearing is bad luck–start fresh, and tum over a new leat.”
Though there was no one else around, it was clear she expected Kyle to change right there on the street.
Kyle narrowed his eyes, sensing her indifference. Still, eager to see Belle Cotton, he said nothing. He stripped off the prison–issued garb, revealing a tumo crisscrossed with scars–each one a painful reminder of the past six years.
Once inside the car, Kyle stared out the window, taking in the sweeping changes to Kedonia over the years.
*six years……. Belle must be doing well, right?” he asked.
“Life Pharma is Kerdonia’s largest pharmaceutical company and one of its top three enterprises,” Chloe replied in a tone brimming with pride.
o hear. I always knew my Belle had what it takes. It’s almost noon–drop me at the market first. I’ll make her favorite glazed barbecued
“is that so? That’s great to l porkla
Before he could finish, Chloe interrupted. “Ma. Cotton instructed me to take you to the Imperial Hotel for a bath first.”
With that, she turned her head away, signaling an end to the conversation.
The Rolls–Royer soon pulled up in front of the li
Imperial Hotel. Chloe led Kyle to the presidential suite, where eight sharply dressed men and women were waiting
As soon as she entered, they stood and greeted hier: “Ms. Carter”
Kyle’s heart sank. Something about the scene didn’t sit right, but he told thein to wall while he cleaned up. It was only polite to discuss matters when he was freshened up
Half an hour later, Kyle stepped out, now clean and dressed. His towering
12 6’1” trame, muscular build, and ruggedly handsome face left everyone momentarily
No wonder he could win the title of Ma Cotton’s husband.
Even Chiloe, caught off guard, hesitated beletrircoveting with a bustnesslike sinile. “Mr. Ascher, please have a seat. This is our company’s legal team.” Kyle Ancher had co founded Life Plans with Belle Cotton In terms of cunning and strategy, he far outclassed her. The current setup left little doubt in his mind about what wasemming
Calmly, far took the lead seat and smiled “No pred to beat around the bush. Just say what you tired to say.”
Chloe pushed a document across the table “Mr. Auer, this is your divorce agreement with Ms. Cotton It included a 1,500–square–foot fully furnished hame transfered to your name and an additional one million dollars burrash.
you sigh, everything listed will be yours If you have other requests, t
feel free to discuss them with us. These eight
Their voices faded into the background as Kyle quietly lifted the divorce papers, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
“This doesn’t feel much like a discnsion,” he said dryly.
In a second–tier city like Keidonia, a house and a million dollars were a peremus offer, especially for someone fresh nut of prison.
attorneys who can assist with
Chloe cleared her that, her tone tinged with amogance. “To be honest, Mr. Archer, there’s no need to negotiate. You have a six–year prison record. Do you think you can still stand by a renowned CEO’s side?
“Six years is long enough for any feelings to fade, Lewing things amicably is your best option”
The word “stain” was like a dagger to Kyle’s heart.
He didn’t lose his temper. Instead, he set the papers down and said calmly, “If I hadn’t taken the fall for her, she would we been the one in jail.
“Divorce? Ha, what a generous offer inderd.”
Chloe sighed. “Mr. Archer, digging up the past is meaningless. The fact remains you have a criminal record. Think about it: how do people fresh out of prison usually live? Not everyone is lucky enough to have an ex–wife like Ms. Cotion, willing to provide a house and financial security.
“Drag this eat any longer, and you’ll only make things harder on yourself.”
Chloe’s sharp words and exceptional negotiation skills were a testament to why she had become one of Belle’s most trusted aides
Back then, it was precisely these qualities that led Kyle to recommend her as Belle’s secretary
kyle turned and lit a cigarette. “Belle wants a divorce, fine. But she needs to come in person.
sending her subordinate to talk divorce terms and offer money? Heh, she should know better than anyone that’s not how you deal wit
As soon as Kyle finished speaking, the heavy door creaked open.
Everyone except Kyle immediately stood up
“Ms. Cotton!
Leave us.” Belle commanded
up
The group hurriedly filed out, leaving only Chlor behind.
Kyle had already guessed that Belle was here all along, simply avoiding him for her own reasons.
me.“
The six years had completely transfomed her. Gone was the youthful woman he remembered. She now wore a sleek black evening gown, paired with understated makeup. The pearl necklace around her neck and emerald bracelet radiated sophistication
But to Kyle, she looked like a stranger.
The Bellehe kaew used to smile sweetly. Her words and actions had always been warm and full of life. Now, there was only cold indifference and pride.
“I’m here. Sign the papers, Kyle. Six years ago, you chose to take all the responsibility. I never fored you,” Bella said, sitting down without even glancing at him. Of all the words Kyle had imagined Belle might say when he got out, this was not one of them.
“Belle, if I hadn’t taken the fall for you, you would’ve been the one behind bars!” he shot back, his voice cold. “I served six years for you, and now I embarrass you? Belle didn’t tum to look at him. She only shook her head. “What I hate most about you is this indecisiveness and self–righteousNNA,
“Open your eyes, Kyle I’m Belle Cotton, chairman of Life Phanna. I built this company from the ground while you were inside. During my most vulnerable moments, you weren’t there. You couldn’t do anything for me”
Her words struck Kyle like a bolt of lightning
He had sacrificed everything his freedom, his reputation to shield Belle, Six years of his life, gone. And this was what he got in retum? Abandonment
“Do you know how humiliating it’s been when people ask who my husband is? My company is about to go public. I can’t, and won’t, allow any blemishes on its trooid. To the world, you’ir just an ex–convict. Do you need me to say it more bluntly?
It was then that Kyle finally understood
He tilted his head back and let out a bitter laugh–one full of pain and resignation.
“Five million,” Belle said fündy. “I’ll give you live million dollars, Kyle. Everything has changed. You’ve been gone too long. You’re out of touch with the world, Let’s just say I oer you this much sign the papers”
Every word she spoke caled arconfidence of someone in power.
“In your eyes, everything I did for you is worth post five million, is it? Kyle stood, his volce ley. “Belle, now that you’re a high–and–mighty CEO, I don’t deserve to stand by your side anyinore, right?”
Belle didn’t get angry listead, she sighed and shook her head.
“Kyle, you’re still as
de as ever. There’s no need to mock me or drag this out. You don’t have to sign if you don’t want to. I’ll have the lawyers handle it. “This is where we rod,” die said, turning to leave.
“This is where we ?” Kyle’s eyes darkened.
back to face him. “The rompetent enly diag down the successful.“
Incompetent?
Kyle let out a hollow laugh. Lite Huana wouldn’t be
it was today without him. Belle had enjoyed all the benefits of his sacrifices, yet she had the audacity to
call him
museless.
Without another word, Kyle picked up the pen and signed the divorce papers.
“I don’t know the house or the money. You’re free now.” he said calmly. “Before I leave, I’ll swing by the house we used to live in to grab my things. The morning aftectomorrow, we’ll meet at the courthouse.
As he signed, Belle’s body trembled ever so slightly, though she quickly bit her lip to suppress it.
“Fine,” she said, handing the papers to Chloe. Her expression remained as cold and detached as ever.
kyle walked to the door and stopped. Feeling the weight of Belle’s heartlessness, he spoke softly, without tuming around.
“If I told you, all ever wanted was a simple life. Would you believe me?”
