After a night of passion, Callan dropped a bombshell. "She's returned. I think we should divorce." Lacey felt devastated, realizing that her three years of devotion had been nothing but futile self-deception. She had believed Callan craved her body, so she strived to meet his every desire in an attempt to overshadow the person he truly yearned for. Despite her efforts, their relationship ended in divorce. Concealing her turmoil, Lacey left decisively. However, Callan halted her and asked with red-rimmed eyes, "Who is this man you call out for in your dreams every night?"
In the master bedroom of the Owen family's villa, two figures were entwined passionately.
As Callan Owen let out a deep growl, he and his wife, Lacey Owen, both collapsed onto the pristine bed.
Afterwards, he planted a tender kiss on her forehead before heading to the bathroom.
Lacey slowly opened her eyes, her gaze full of desire following the man.
Callan had been insatiable that day, making love to her on the sofa, in the bathroom, and finally on the bed.
Lacey thought about their undeniable chemistry in bed and felt her cheeks warm up.
Suddenly, the phone beside the bed rang.
With a slight frown, Lacey reached for it, unlocked the screen, and checked the message.
The message contained a photo of a couple dining together.
But Lacey's expression turned to stone when she recognized the people in the photo.
The man was her husband, Callan!
And the woman with him...
Her phone beeped again with a new message from the same sender.
"Lacey, after three years with Callan, it's time for you to return him to me, right?"
Lacey's hands shook uncontrollably.
It had been three years, and now the woman returned.
Staring at the image of her husband cozying up to another woman made her heart sink. Despite it being summer, a cold chill enveloped her.
The sender was Sylvia Barnes, Callan's former fiancee and the woman he truly loved.
Lacey's union with Callan was nothing more than a contract.
Three years prior, her adoptive mother suffered a heart attack and desperately needed surgery. Lacey's path crossed with Nadia Owen, Callan's grandmother, near the hospital, which led to their acquaintance.
Nadia's intervention enabled her foster mother to undergo the necessary surgery. Consequently, Lacey married Callan, who was in a deep coma following an accident and was at risk of permanent paralysis.
By some miracle, Callan recovered after three years, during which Lacey cared for him devotedly.
Over those years, she grew to love him, witnessing his struggles and resilience daily.
As for Sylvia, she had abandoned Callan at his lowest, opting to pursue her career abroad.
Lacey had convinced herself that Callan and Sylvia were a closed chapter. Yet, to her dismay, Callan met with Sylvia for dinner the moment she returned from overseas.
Was he really so eager to reconnect with her?
Lacey's heart sank as she stared at the photograph.
Over the last three years, Sylvia's name had been a constant echo, revealing how deeply Callan cherished her.
Lacey had been in denial, but the truth was clear now.
Despite being his wife for three years, she couldn't outshine the memories of Sylvia, who still held a place in his heart.
The sound of running water stopped. Callan emerged in a bathrobe and approached Lacey, who sat frozen on the bed.
"What's on your mind?"
Lacey hastily hid her phone and shook her head in response.
Callan embraced her, his head leaning in, his breath warm and damp on her ear.
Just moments ago, their connection felt right. But now, the image from the photo made her feel repulsed.
Struggling to maintain composure, she pushed Callan back and questioned, "Callan, can a couple be happy if one harbors feelings for someone else?"
The desire in his expression vanished.
His gaze intensified, filled with confusion. He scrutinized her before responding. "What are you implying?"
One harbors feelings for someone else? Was Lacey suggesting she was unhappy because she had feelings for another?
Taking a deep breath, Lacey confronted him with a steady gaze. "Have you seen Sylvia recently?"
Callan's reaction was a mix of surprise and complexity.
After a pause, he admitted, "Yes. She's returned. I think we should divorce."
Lacey felt a pang of heartache.
Though she braced herself for such a moment, the reality of his words was unbearable, mixing bitterness and sorrow.
Inhaling deeply, she replied with firmness, "Alright."
Callan detected a hint of resignation in her tone.
Was she so ready to let go?
Could it be because of that man?
With a surge of frustration, Callan's hand tightened into a fist.
He asked her sternly, "Lacey, did our marriage mean anything to you?"
"What's the point of discussing this now?" Lacey, struggling with her emotions, didn't catch the shift in Callan's expression.
With the return of his old flame, Callan's decision to leave her for another was clear. Did her feelings even matter now?
Lacey silently dressed and started to pack her belongings, fighting back tears.
Observing her actions, Callan's expression turned sour. "Are you in such a hurry to go?"
Perhaps she was anxious to be with the man she loved.
Lacey stopped momentarily.
She longed to show him the message from Sylvia, to expose the truth, yet she restrained herself.
Facing him, she retorted with a mocking laugh, "Look who's talking."
With those words, she grabbed her suitcase and left the room, swallowing her sadness and disgrace.
As she neared the door, Callan's voice halted her. "Lacey, does Christopher Hewitt mean that much to you?"
The mention of Christopher after so long made her heart jolt.
Lacey felt overwhelmed, flooded with memories she wished to forget.
Christopher had saved her once but then vanished. His fate was unknown. How could she simply move on from him?
Overcome with grief, Lacey found herself unable to speak.
Callan interpreted her silence as confirmation. Mocking his own folly, he muttered, "You're free now, Lacey."
Turning to face him one last time, Lacey realized those were the words he should hear from her.
She had shared three years of her life with Callan. With the divorce, he was now free to pursue the woman he truly loved.
Struggling with her emotions, Lacey replied, "The same goes for you."
With those words, she turned and walked away.
Callan watched her leave, his fists clenching and unclenching in a mix of emotions.
His gaze hardened, and he let go of his tension, heading towards his study.
As Lacey descended the stairs, she couldn't help but glance back.
The hallway was deserted, leaving her feeling profoundly let down.
A bitter laugh escaped her. What was she hoping for?
Gripping her suitcase firmly, she was about to exit when a disdainful voice called out, "Lacey, you're leaving, I see?"
Lacey glanced over her shoulder.
It was Dolores Owen, Callan's mother.
With a scornful look, Dolores remarked, "Of course, now that Sylvia is here, what chance do you stand?"
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
After a devastating divorce with the man she had been married to for over three years, Rachel thought her life was over. Her family disowned her, they wanted nothing to do with her anymore and she couldn't blame them. She had just divorced David Hart, one of the top successful bachelors in the country and heir to the Hart industries. But they would never understand that she didn't divorce him, he divorced her after she caught him cheating on her with her god-damned best friend! Rachel was just about to end everything by jumping off a bridge when she was saved by the most unexpected person. The boy she once bullied severally in highschool because he always wore ugly glass and was from a poor background, how come that glass make him so hot now? Why was he helping her get revenge on ex-husband who is trying to make her life even more miserable? And most important how did he get so handsome? What exactly does he want from her? ... No, you must want something, anything. If you can really help me get revenge on David and Lana, I can't just let you do it for free". Ethan went quiet for a while. I held my breath waiting for what his request might be. If it was something money could buy, I'll try my best to get it for him even though I was somehow broke right now. "You're right I do want something". He said after thinking for few minutes "What?" I asked slowly. " Until you get your revenge on David, Lana and every other person you want, you will live here". Live here as in...? " Wha... What are you saying? ". I stammered hoping he wasn't saying what I thought he was saying. I tried to step back but I missed a step and almost fell on the bed but Ethan caught me holding me in his muscular arms. Ethan moved his face closer to mine be was so close, our nose almost touched. " I want you to be with me! ".