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Sophia was once a poor woman who married a billionaire, only to be divorced a few months later when their contractual agreement ended. Despite her brief marriage to a man of immense wealth, Sophia chose to return to living a normal life. However, her ex-husband, the billionaire, gradually became infatuated with her once again.
Sophie sat in the grand living room of the mansion, her eyes scanning the ornate decorations that adorned the walls. She could hear the sound of papers rustling as Edward, her husband of two years, read through the divorce decree that had just been handed to him.
Edward was a tall, imposing figure with a cool and collected demeanor. He was the type of man who always seemed to be in control, and Sophie had always admired his strength and confidence. But now, as she watched him sign the papers that would end their marriage, she felt only a deep sadness.
"Here," Edward said, handing her the signed decree. "I've also transferred ten million dollars to your account as compensation."
Sophie took the papers from him, her hands trembling slightly. She couldn't believe this was really happening. She had always known that their marriage was one of convenience, but she had hoped that they might grow to love each other over time.
"Is there no chance of continuing this relationship?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edward looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Sophie," he said finally. "I don't feel love for you. I never have."
Sophie felt a lump form in her throat as she absorbed his words. She had known, deep down, that this was how he felt, but hearing it out loud was still a shock.
"I see," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I understand."
She began to gather her things, packing them into a small suitcase. As she did so, she couldn't help but notice the way the room seemed to have grown colder, as if all the warmth and life had been sucked out of it.
When she was finished, Edward walked her to the door. He opened it for her, holding it as she stepped outside into the cool night air.
"Thank you for your kindness," Sophie said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edward nodded, but said nothing. He simply watched as Sophie walked down the long driveway and disappeared into the darkness.
As she made her way down the street, Sophie couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. She had given up so much to be with Edward, and now it was all over. She took a deep breath, the cold air filling her lungs and making her feel more alive than she had in months.
She knew that she would be okay. She was strong, and she would find a way to move on. But as she looked back at the mansion one last time, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for what might have been.
Sophie hailed a taxi, and the driver looked like an older man with a kind face and twinkling eyes. He greeted her cheerfully, despite the fact that Sophie was clearly upset.
"Rough day?" he asked, trying to make small talk as they pulled away from the curb.
Sophie managed a weak smile, but didn't say anything. She didn't feel like talking.
The driver seemed to sense her sadness, because he soon fell silent. As they drove through the city, he glanced at Sophie in the rearview mirror and said, "You know, there's an old legend about two stars in the sky. They're said to be in love, but they can never meet because they each hold their own egos in check. Neither one will give in and neither one will chase first."
Sophie listened to the story, feeling a sense of sadness wash over her. She couldn't help but think that her own situation was nothing like the legend. Her marriage to Edward had been a contract, a business arrangement with no real love or passion involved.
As they drove, Sophie looked out the window at the city streets. It had been a long time since she had seen them from this perspective. She had grown used to the luxury and comfort of Edward's mansion, and the small apartments and shops they were passing now seemed almost foreign to her.
The taxi driver must have noticed her wistful expression, because he asked, "Is there somewhere you'd like to go? Somewhere that might make you feel better?"
Sophie hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can you take me to my apartment? It's in the old part of town, near the park."
The driver nodded and turned the car in the direction of Sophie's old neighborhood. As they drove, Sophie couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. She remembered the happy times she had spent in her small apartment before Edward had come into her life.
When they finally arrived, Sophie paid the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She took a deep breath, feeling the familiar sights and sounds of her old neighborhood wash over her. It was good to be home.
As she made her way up the stairs to her apartment, Sophie couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. She knew that she would be okay, even without Edward. She was strong, and she would find a way to move on and build a new life for herself.
Sophie stood in front of her bedroom door, feeling a sense of heartbreak wash over her. She couldn't believe that her marriage to Edward was really over. He had been the first man to enter her life, and she had felt like she was unmarketable, like she would never find someone to marry her.
But now, as she stood in her small apartment, she realized that their marriage had been nothing more than a business arrangement. There had been no love, no passion, just a contract that had now been fulfilled.
Sophie felt the tears welling up in her eyes, and she tried to hold them back. She couldn't believe she was crying over something so trivial. It was just a contract marriage, after all. There was no reason to be upset.
But the tears kept coming, and soon Sophie was sobbing uncontrollably. She felt like a fool for getting so emotional over something that had never been real.
"Why am I crying?" she said out loud, exasperated by her own tears. "There was never any love there. It was just a business arrangement."
But even as she said the words, Sophie knew that they weren't entirely true. She had grown to care for Edward, even if it wasn't in the way that a wife should care for her husband. And now that he was gone, she felt a deep sense of loss.
Sophie took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. She knew that she needed to be strong. She had always been independent, and she would find a way to move on without Edward.
She opened the door to her bedroom and stepped inside, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She would be okay, she told herself. She would find a way to rebuild her life and be happy again.
Isabella Hart's seemingly happy marriage to Ethan Parker takes an unexpected turn when Ethan's former lover, who is currently married to someone else, re-enters Ethan's life, setting off a chain of dramatic events that deeply impact Isabella's world.
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."