Chapter 1 Let Us Divorce
- Wrenley's hand trembled as she finally mustered the courage to speak the words that had been weighing heavily on her heart. "Spencer, let's divorce."
- Samantha's scornful words echoed loudly in her mind. 'Spencer married you just because your voice sounds like Yalena's. He and Yalena grew up together. If you have an ounce of self-respect left, don't hold onto a marriage built on lies. You're nothing more than a substitute. Yalena has returned, and tonight, they're celebrating her birthday together. Just wait for Spencer to divorce you!"
- The realization struck Wrenley like a thunderbolt. So, his late-night absence was to celebrate another woman's birthday. He only married me because of my voice… No wonder Spencer revels in me calling him 'Spen.'
- Spencer's gaze bore into her, his dark eyes betraying no hint of remorse as he demanded, "What did you just say?"
- Wrenley tightened her lips, her eyes blazing with determination. "I said, let's divorce."
- With swift, purposeful movements, she reached for a suitcase, her hands moving on autopilot as she began to pack her belongings.
- Spencer's expression turned frigid as he lunged forward and seized her wrist in a vice-like grip. "Don't forget. You were the one who begged me to marry you in the first place."
- Her wrist was held so tight that it hurt. Realization dawned upon her that her earnestness was nothing but a futile plea reflected in his eyes, tangled amidst a web of irony and remorse that coiled within his heart.
- She gritted her teeth in frustration and fired back, "Isn't divorce precisely what you've been yearning for?"
- They both harbored an unspoken acknowledgment of how their marriage came to be.
- She had naively harbored the belief that by embodying the role of Mrs. Pearson to perfection, she could gradually thaw the icy fortress guarding his heart. Yet, the stark reality staring back at her was a cruel reminder: her efforts had only served to heap further disgrace upon herself.
- Tears threatened to overflow from her eyes as she defiantly locked gazes with him. Spencer's eyes narrowed, and in a sudden gesture, he released her hand.
- "Do you truly grasp the magnitude of what divorce entails?" he probed.
- Wrenley remained silent, her complexion briefly paling in the face of the impending reality.
- Speaking on her behalf in a tone devoid of any emotion, he added, "The moment you step beyond that threshold, you forfeit the title of Mrs. Pearson. As stipulated in our marriage contract, you shall not receive a single penny from the Pearson Family, and you'll revert to your former life."
- "Hah! Who would even recall that I once bore the title of Mrs. Pearson?" She retorted, her voice laced with bitter resignation.
- It was only after she got into the taxi that the weight of her emotions finally overwhelmed her, and tears welled up in her eyes. However, she wiped them away to remove any evidence of her lingering tears.
- …
- In the expansive confines of the villa, Spencer's expression darkened with each incessant ring of his phone. Finally, he answered.
- "Spencer, have you arrived home?" came the anxious inquiry through the receiver.
- "Yes," he responded tersely as he snuffed out his cigarette.
- "Spencer, let me ask you. Now that Yalena is back, when do you intend to proceed with the divorce from Wrenley?" Samantha's voice carried urgency.
- Spencer's voice took on a somber note at the mere mention of ''divorce.'' "When did I ever indicate plans for a divorce?"
- A pregnant pause followed as Samantha hesitated. She stole a glance at the woman seated beside her and clenched her teeth in frustration. "But didn't you marry her under the premise that..."
- "My personal affairs are not for your scrutiny," Spencer interjected icily, his patience waning. Just as he was poised to terminate the call, the familiar voice of the woman spoke up slowly, "Spen, are you still harboring resentment toward me?"
- Spencer fell silent upon hearing her voice as he fixed his gaze on the forgotten bracelet lying on the coffee table. With a thoughtful expression, he leaned forward to reach out to retrieve the delicate piece of jewelry and idly toyed with it in his hand. "It's getting late. You should get some rest," he finally murmured, his voice carrying a soothing warmth. With that, he ended the call.
- "Hello? Spencer! Spencer!" Samantha's voice echoed in disbelief as she stared at the disconnected call. Her bewilderment was evident. "What does he mean? Is he reconsidering the divorce?"
- Meanwhile, Yalena regarded the disconnected call with a mixture of emotions swirling in her gaze. After a prolonged moment of contemplation, she spoke softly to Samantha, "Do you think Spencer might be developing genuine feelings for his wife?"
- "How could that be?" Samantha's brows furrowed deeply, her disbelief evident in her tone. "I distinctly remember hearing Spencer confess that he wedded Wrenley because her voice resembled yours. And now you're already married, he married her instead. It seems implausible that he could harbor any affection for Wrenley."
- Yalena's mind raced back to the moment she laid eyes on him earlier that evening. There was no trace of the usual warmth in his gaze, and an unsettling tension lingered in the air, causing her fists to clench reflexively.
- "It's not uncommon for emotions to evolve over time," she said, attempting to rationalize the perplexing situation.
- Samantha, however, remained skeptical. "But isn't that even more improbable? Considering the depth of history shared between you and Spencer, Wrenley's presence pales in comparison. She's a mere fraction of what you signify to him."
- Yalena felt a slight easing of tension in her brow at Samantha's words. "Yet, tonight, his demeanor toward me was distant," she confessed softly, a hint of disappointment lacing her voice. It was different from before when he treated her with warmth.
- Samantha offered a reassuring squeeze of her hand. "Yalena, you must trust me on this. Spencer's heart remains steadfastly devoted to you. I can vouch for the fact that he would never develop feelings for a mere substitute. His love for you runs deep. When you left without a word all those years ago, he spent 6 months searching for you, only to learn of your marriage to another. Undoubtedly, there's lingering resentment in his heart. Just coax him a little more, and he'll surely come around."
- Upon hearing this, Yalena simply lowered her gaze as a gentle smile graced her lip "You're right. There's still plenty of time ahead."