Vanessa felt like the luckiest woman in the whole world when she finally got married to the man she had been in love with secretly for seven years. If only she knew that she had just set herself up for drags and suffering... The elites barraged her with criticism at every chance they got. It was said that a country girl like her didn't deserve to be with such a distinguished man. Despite everything, Vanessa shut her ears and kept her eyes on Killian. All that mattered was that he was finally hers even though he didn't love her back. Vanessa was a firm believer that love can grow over time. She thought that if she treated Killian right, he would one day fall in love with her. But she received the greatest shocker when Killian continued to ignore her. It was as if she was pouring water into a basket. It wasn't until one day Vanessa realized that she was wasting her precious time. Even before she married Killian, she had it all. Money wasn't a problem for her. She had a pretty face, a killer body, and the charm boys died for. Why then should she continue to waste her youthful years on an emotionless robot? Vanessa filed for divorce and decided that they go their separate ways. It was a welcomed development for Killian until he saw her in the news after the divorce. His docile ex-wife was a whole new person. One moment she was dining with a tech mogul. And the next moment, she was rumored to be dating a fast-rising star. Jealousy engulfed Killian in a trice. He threw his phone to the wall and barked, "Fuck! That's my woman!" When they met again, Killian tried to move to her. But Vanessa just smiled politely and said, "Sir, I don't believe we have met. May I know who you are?" Killian couldn't believe his ears!
"Vanessa, what are you up to? Are you trying to run away from home?"
Just as Vanessa James was about to go downstairs with her suitcase, she heard her sister-in-law, Ella Bates, talking to her.
Instead of giving any responses, Vanessa spared her an indifferent glance and continued to go down the steps. When Vanessa reached downstairs, she happened to bump into her mother-in-law, Julia Bates, who always looked down upon her.
"Where are you going with a suitcase at this hour?" Julia asked with disdain laced in her gaze.
After getting married into the Bates family for three years, Vanessa knew that Julia was about to make things difficult for her.
If it was in the past, she would apologize and coax Julia carefully. However, things were different now. Since she no longer wanted to be with her husband, Killian Bates, how could she possibly put up with this bad-tempered woman anymore?
"Wherever. Don't worry, Mrs. Bates. I won't come back here again." Her voice was cold, and she was no longer as humble as before.
When Julia saw the sudden change in her attitude, her face darkened at once. "Vanessa, is this how you treat the elders?"
Vanessa raised her eyebrows. "I'm just treating you the same way you treat me."
Hearing that, Julia was bent out of shape. "Do you even still see me as your mother-in-law?"
Looking at Julia with a smile, Vanessa replied, "Sorry, you won't be my mother-in-law soon."
As soon as she finished speaking, a car honked from outside the villa.
"I'm leaving now. You can do whatever you want with the things I left in the room. I don't want them anymore. All that I ask is for you not to contact me again from now on." Dragging her suitcase with her slowly, she added, "The Bates are so disgusting."
Julia had yet to understand what Vanessa meant by saying that she would no longer be her daughter-in-law soon when she heard her calling the Bates disgusting. She flew into a rage at once. "Vanessa, are you crazy? I'm going to tell Killian that you-"
"Mom, did you see Vanessa? She was carrying her suitcase just now. Could it be that she wanted me to make her stay by walking past me on purpose?" As Ella descended the stairs, she saw Julia standing still at the front door, so she sauntered over, tugged at her mother's sleeve and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"
Julia had a complicated expression on her face. If it was in the past, Vanessa would always yield to her whenever she mentioned Killian. However, today, Vanessa left decisively without looking back.
The sports car outside sped away. Julia walked out and only caught sight of its taillights.
"She... She left?" Ella followed suit and quirked her lips. "Whatever. Louise is back now. Even if Vanessa doesn't leave now, Killian will still drive her out sooner or later!"
Julia felt that her words made sense. Now that Louise Keillor was back, it was smart of Vanessa to leave on her own.
Sitting in the Porsche, Vanessa flipped through the divorce agreement. After reading the terms, she dropped her signature without any hesitation.
At the sight of that, her friend, Nicole Clarke, clicked her tongue. "That's it?" she asked while driving.
Vanessa snapped the cap on her pen. "Or what?"
Killian's first love was back. There was nothing else Vanessa could do.
Three years were neither too long nor too short. Vanessa used to think that she could warm up Killian's heart no matter how cold it was.
However, she was wrong. Louise was the only one he loved.
Vanessa felt that she was indeed shameless. Back then, she had forced Killian to marry her by using repaying her favor as the reason. For three years, she had trapped herself in a loveless marriage. Now that Louise was back, Vanessa would naturally have to give up her position as Killian's wife.
After all, Killian had been keeping his virginity for the sake of Louise.
Yes, throughout the three years, Killian had never made love to Vanessa, not even once. No outsiders knew about this, or else she would end up as a laughingstock. Anyway, three years of hopeless marriage was enough to quell her seven years of infatuation.
Vanessa covered her eyes with her hand. She didn't want Nicole to see her tears.
No matter how free and easy one could be, anyone would still feel sad when their ten years of love didn't receive a good ending.
Soon, the red sports car pulled up outside the company building. Raising her sunglasses, Nicole said, "We are here. Vanessa, go ahead and do whatever you want. I've got your back!" Then, Nicole blew a kiss to her.
Vanessa smiled, "All right. I'm entering now."
It was going to be difficult to toss the divorce agreement at Killian in a way that was both domineering and graceful at the same time.
With the agreement in her hand, Vanessa pushed open the door and got out of the car. It wasn't her first time coming to his company, Grandwalk Company, nor was it the first time she was treated perfunctorily by the receptionist. "Miss James, you can't enter without an appointment. Mr. Bates is very busy. If everyone can meet him without an appointment, what's the point of me as a receptionist?"
Even a receptionist had the guts to be disrespectful to her. In the past three years, she had never been called Mrs. Bates in his company. Clear enough, Killian had never taken her seriously.
Vanessa looked down, letting out a soft chuckle. "The staff training here is pretty bad. Why do I have to make an appointment to see Killian when I am his wife? It seems like being his wife is pretty boring."
She cast a cold glance at the receptionist before walking to the elevator.
It was the first time the receptionist had seen Vanessa behaving like this. After being stunned for a moment, she let out a snort. Nevertheless, she was worried that something would happen, so she immediately called to inform Killian's secretary about it.
Hence, Killian was aware of Vanessa's arrival.
"I'm not seeing her," he frowned.
There was a meeting that he needed to attend in another five minutes.
His secretary, Gavin Harris, hummed in acknowledgment and left. As soon as Gavin walked out of the office, he saw Vanessa coming over.
She had dressed herself well today, which made her look gentle and dignified. Gavin felt that she was somewhat different today.
"Gavin," Vanessa greeted him. Before Gavin could say anything, she directly entered Killian's office and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Bates. I need you to sign an agreement." She strode toward the man at the desk and put the divorce agreement in front of him. "Sign it."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."