Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Two years ago, Connor had cheated on me.
That night, after he came home from some business dinner with his shirt torn, he scrubbing himself raw in the bathtub like he was trying to wash off his sins.
His eyes were red when he looked at me and said, “Bella, tonight was just a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
Seeing how broken and guilty he looked, I went soft and forgave him.
But what I didn’t expected was that after that night, he’d sleep with that woman 999 more times.
He even disappeared for a whole year under the guise of “business trips,” staying by her side while she had his baby.
And here’s the real kicker–the woman he cheated with? His adopted niece.
The same girl his family had taken in and raised for five years.
It all came out at our eighth wedding anniversary dinner. His niece showed up with the kid, and there they sat in the corner like a couple of lost
souls.
I could hear people around us whispering, calling the child a bastard, a dirty little secret.
But Connor looked at me with those pathetic, tear–filled eyes, all conflicted and shit. Again.
“Bella, I never wanted to leave you, but I can’t just stand by and watch my child grow up without a father…”
I looked up at him, my face completely blank.
“Then go be a daddy to her kid. We’re getting a fucking divorce.”
**
“Divorce?”
Connor’s eyes filled with tears as he stared at me in disbelief.
“Bella, you just need to accept this child, that’s all. Why does it have to be divorce? Are you trying to punish me?”
“Besides, I already told you–that night was just an accident.”
“If you’re willing to accept this kid, I promise she’ll only see you as her real mom.”
His eyes were full of what looked like love and devotion.
As he spoke, he seemed completely consumed by pain and inner turmoil.
Like he was the fucking victim here.
I almost laughed out loud at the audacity.
Before I could say anything, my sister Luna couldn’t hold back and went off on him.
“Connor, do you have any shame left?”
“You knocked up another woman and had a whole–ass baby with her, and you’re asking Bella why she wants a divorce? Are you seriously that clueless?”
Chapter 1
The commotion was loud enough to draw stares from all the dinner guests.
Connor’s face went pale as he bit his lip and pushed my sister aside.
“Luna, this is between your sister and me. Stay out of it.”
Connor stepped closer, reaching for my hand.
But before he could touch me, Sofia walked over carrying a crying baby.
“Connor, the baby suddenly broke out in a rash…”
The woman was wearing a white sundress, looking like some innocent little flower.
But her eyes never left Connor’s face.
She looked so pitiful and fragile, like she was about to burst into tears.
“How could this happen?”
Connor immediately pushed me aside and rushed to check on the child.
I could see the pain written all over his face.
“Quick! Call our private doctor–no, forget that, call an ambulance. I need to get the baby to the hospital!”
Sofia nodded and instinctively leaned against his side.
“Connor, let me take her to the hospital. After all, today is your and Miss Grant’s anniversary dinner. It wouldn’t look right if you left.”
Connor’s eyes grew misty.
“Sofia, I’ve already failed you and the baby enough. You need me now more than ever.”
“This is just an anniversary dinner. I’m sure Bella will understand.”
Before leaving, Connor gave me one gentle look.
“Bella, I’ll be back soon. Can you explain things to our friends and family?”
“We’ll talk about everything when I get back.”
Before I could even respond, he was already heading out with Sofia and the baby.
Some new staff members at the dinner couldn’t help but gush.
“Is that the famous international designer Connor and his wife?”
“Wow, he’s so distinguished in person, and his wife is gorgeous!”
Before they could finish, an older employee nudged them quiet.
ged the
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
He nodded toward me. “That’s his wife–Bella Grant, CEO of Grant Corporation.”
“The woman who just left with him is Mr. Connor’s adopted niece.”
The older employee quickly pulled the new hire away.
But I still heard the confused muttering.
32.5%
Chapter 1
“Wait, his niece? But they looked like the perfect couple–way more like a family than…”
Sensing the dark cloud hanging over me, Luna handed me a drink.
“Bella, they’re new and don’t know any better. Don’t let it get to you.”
“Connor’s been lying to you, sneaking around and having a baby with another woman. This is about your dignity. I know you love him, but… this time he crossed a line. You have to divorce him.”
I didn’t respond, just looked down at my phone where Sofia had just posted on Instagram.
“You’ll always be my sunshine.”
The photo showed Connor holding the baby in silhouette.
My eyes filled with cold mockery.
When I didn’t react, Luna frowned and tapped my arm. “Bella?”
“You’re right. It’s time for a divorce.”
I looked up coldly.
“Call Attorney Kim. Have him draft divorce papers. The sooner the better.”
As soon as I said it, Luna froze, staring at me in complete shock.
“Bella, you’re not actually being serious, are you?”
“Oh, literally everyone in this city knows you’re totally obsessed with spoiling that man!”
“Two years ago when you first found out Connor cheated and slept with someone else, even Mom and Dad couldn’t talk you into leaving him. What changed your mind now?”
I stood up slowly with a bitter smile playing on my lips.
“Because even an idiot like me eventually wakes up.”
“You heard what Connor said, right? He wants to go play daddy. So I’ll do him the favor.”
In eight years of marriage, Connor never once considered having kids.
No matter how much my mom pushed, no matter how much I wanted a kid.
He always said “let’s wait a little longer.”
So I waited year after year, while he went and had a baby with someone else.
I thought maybe he had his reasons.
I chose to understand him, to support him unconditionally.
onditionall
But seeing how he looked at that child just now, I realized I’d been naive as hell.
The dinner was ready, just waiting for me to give the signal to begin.
The butler came over to ask when we should start.
When he saw me sitting there alone, he looked confused.
“Where’s the master?”
32.6
Potray
Chapter 1
“Aren’t you two supposed to give the opening speech together?”
For eight years of marriage, we’d hosted an anniversary dinner every year to thank our friends and family for their support, and to celebrate
our love.
But this time, Connor was a no–show.
While everyone waited for us to take the stage together, I stood up and addressed all our guests.
“That’s it, everyone. Tonight’s dinner is canceled.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.