In Riverton City, within the most expensive villa,

Emily Brooks stood blushing in front of the mirror. She had awakened exceptionally early today and even applied lipstick, a rare occurrence.

Remembering the previous events with her husband, James Walker, a hint of sweetness radiated from her face that she could hardly conceal.

After being married for one year, they had finally consummated their marriage.

It seemed that she'd finally managed to warm his heart.

Feeling secretly joyous, Emily picked out three dresses from the closet and measured them against herself in the mirror, intending for James to see her most beautiful side when he woke up.

One was a sky-blue dress she'd bought when she was still in school, which now seemed slightly too innocent for her;

Another was a short white skirt, bought too long ago, its collar already turning yellow;

The last one was a more formal black work skirt, which she'd purchased after graduation when she was job hunting.

She hesitated for a moment before finally deciding on the sky-blue dress.

She grew uncertain again when she saw the somewhat juvenile sailor collar in the mirror. But then, noises emanated from the bedroom — it appeared James had awakened.

Immediately feeling cheerful, Emily rushed into the bedroom without enough time to change, then shyly muttered, "James, you're awake!"

Upon hearing the words, James glanced over, noticing the timidity scattered between her brows. He finally realized what had happened last night.

His wrath surged uncontrollably, and his expression darkened.

"Emily Brooks, how dare you!"

"James…"

Emily was clueless. Her husband now was completely different from last night.

The man's icy voice echoed again, "Who exactly gave you the audacity? Repeatedly scheming against me?"

"No, I didn't..." Emily couldn't understand his words, couldn't comprehend what was happening.

Just last night, he had taken her over and over, like a ravenous beast that couldn't be satisfied, demanding wildly. But now... what had gone wrong?

James got down from the bed in large strides, only using a thin blanket to cover the lower half of his body as he advanced toward Emily, looking down at her from a towering height.

His gaze stopped at the clothes on Emily's body, and his face was clearly full of disdain. He turned around and left swiftly, heading straight for the bathroom.

Emily stared blankly at the ceiling, so everything was a façade. The wanton acts and infatuation from last night were all fake.

Her husband, whom she had deeply loved for seven years and been married to for merely one, sneered at her, not a hint of love toward her. This was the harsh reality.

She should've seen this long ago.

Emily was truly tired.

Throughout their first year of marriage, she tried her best and loved James with all she had.

In their 300-square-meter mansion, which was devoid of housekeepers, she diligently cleaned until every corner was spotless. Even if James frequently didn't come home for meals, she would still prepare delicious and plentiful food.

She always hand-washed and ironed James's clothes, each piece as good as new. She didn't spend money recklessly,' chase trends,' or socialize—every expense was accounted for.

She respected the elders. Regardless of how the Walker family mistreated her, she bore it silently, never allowing James to be put in a difficult position.

Other than not having a child, one could say she considered herself a good wife.

But what was the result in the end?

She remained an unloved jester.

After taking a bath, James looked at Emily with the same contempt.

"Let's get a divorce." Saying these words, Emily felt like she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It's good. Everything is finally over. She no longer needed to worry about when it would end.

James stopped in his tracks. "What did you say?"

"James, let's divorce. I'll give you back your freedom, and you can love whoever you want..."

James stepped closer, rage burning in his deep eyes.

"Emily Brooks, have you forgotten something?"

"Would you have been able to enter the Walker family if you hadn't' drugged me, crawled into my bed, and pressured me into marriage with your mother?"

"Divorce?"

"Even if we were to get divorced, I should propose it."

"You have no right!"

The man turned and stormed off.

Emily was left numbly on the ground as if she had lost all sense of everything.

What James said wasn't wrong. Everything was a mistake, and she should have admitted defeat earlier.

...

At breakfast, James saw a divorce agreement on the dining table.

Emily sat quietly across from him.

James snorted, slamming the agreement on the table.

He knew Emily could not have just drafted this. The woman had been prepared.

He spoke sarcastically, "So eager — have you found a new place to land?"

Emily remained silent. She had indeed been prepared.

Upon receiving that text message, she knew her marriage was over.

The divorce agreement had been in the drawer for several days, but she couldn't bear to bring it out, and she couldn't say the word 'divorce' to James.

James, humble to the dust, wasn't ready for that title yet.

But she had no choice.

"James, sign it." I want nothing."

James laughs," out of frustration.

A cunning woman who married into the Walker family without dignity, now claiming she wants nothing?

He casually tossed the agreement into the trash bin. "Emily, don't play this game with me."

His eyes were full of mockery. "If you needed a divorce, why did you drug me last night?"

Drug him?

Emily's eyes widened; she was in shock.

What drug!!!

She didn't.

"You couldn't stand how much I despise you by now," James coldly said. "Without the drug, I would not have the slightest interest in you."

The man started to leave.

Emily rushed to grab his arm. "James, I didn't"— I didn't drug you! "Do you think I would believe such a lie?" James roughly pushed her aside.

Emily stumbled a bit but continued vehemently shaking her head. "I didn't, I didn't." James did not want to hear any more.

She didn't?

Does that mean he drugged himself?

This woman's nonsensical talk was utterly disgusting.

The man exited like the wind.

Emily maintained her head-shaking posture.

This is too ridiculous.

Everything is just too ridiculous.

No wonder he acted so strange last night... She had thought he had finally fallen for her.

She sat down on the ground sobbing for a long time before finally gathering the strength to get up.

She went upstairs, packed her belongings, ready to leave.

Only at this moment did Emily truly realize how deeply her marriage had failed.

There had been no ceremony, no wedding ring. In the past year, she hadn't received any gifts.

Her belongings were the same as when she moved in a year ago.

Back then, she naively believed that as long as she lived well, she would surely have a home.

Who would have thought reality would slap her in the face so harshly?

But where could she go after leaving the Walker house?

Emily knew she couldn't return to the Brooks family. Her mother had always viewed James as a cash cow and would never agree to a divorce.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a glass of water on the bedside table, but she clearly remembered that she hadn't placed that glass of water.

With a look of disbelief, Emily recalled everything from the night before.

The start of everything was when James drank the water from this glass... And this glass of water...

Thinking of a certain possibility, an incredulous Emily rushed out of the room.