Chapter: 1

In the softly lit room, a man and a woman on the spacious bed engaged in affectionate moments.

Above the bed, a painting of a bride adorned the pristine wall, her expression one of gentle joy.

“Imagine if Norah caught us here, in her bed. Do you think she'd be furious enough to cry?" the woman said in a flirtatious tone.

“Not her bed. After all these years, I've never even shared a touch with her. She's always sleeping in the guest room next door," the man snorted before replying.

“Derek, you're so good to me..."

The soft murmurs of the two mingled with their heavy breathing.

Right then, a young woman at the door clasped her hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her face upon overhearing them.

After a while, their intimate moment came to a halt.

Derek Carter slipped into his shorts to fetch a glass of water.

Finding Norah Wilson sitting silently in the living area brought a flicker of surprise to his face. He pondered when Norah had come back and what she might have heard.

“Did you hear everything?" Derek casually asked after he lounged on the couch in the living area with a glass of water.

Hickeys hinted at Derek's slim frame, yet he paid no mind if Norah caught sight or how she might feel. He just sipped his water.

"It's time you sign this." Derek pulled a folder from a drawer and tossed it onto the table. "Given you might have heard it all, there's no sense in prolonging matters."

Norah timidly reached for the document, her eyes quickly finding the words “Divorce Agreement" on the opening page. She flipped to the end, noting Derek Carter's flamboyant signature.

“Review it. Should you wish to add any terms, let me know. Otherwise, just sign it," Derek ordered.

Leaning back, Derek lit a cigarette, the smoke cloaking his detached demeanor.

"Can't you give another shot for us?" With her head bowed and her voice rough from tears, Norah's sleek bangs fell over the dark rims of her glasses, highlighting her sorrowful look.

Ever since marrying into the Carter family, Norah had devoted herself to Derek, hoping for a future filled with happiness.

Memories of the boy who had protected her from a snowstorm tightened her grip, wishing for even the slightest hope of remaining by his side.

"Norah, don't be so pathetic. You knew what had transpired between me and Madeline. So why cling to being my wife? Don't be so cheap."

Derek's impatience showed as he tapped ash into the tray and added, “Our marriage was never more than a convenient arrangement."

Norah felt her heart drop. She realized that Madeline Powell was the one Derek truly loved. She finally understood this.

She hunched over, fiddling with her clothes' hem. It struck her that when Madeline showed up, Derek's focus would shift entirely to Madeline.

Years ago, when Madeline left for overseas, Derek chased after her but ended up in a tragic car crash that left him unresponsive. Derek Was supposed to marry Luna Wilson from the Wilson family. However, Luna became involved with another man and had a child, prompting the Wilsons to offer Norah as a substitute bride. Norah stepped into Luna's shoes, becoming Derek's wife.