Chapter 161

“Eighteen years ago, Jackson and I were arranged to be married by our parents. At that timé, we were not familiar with each other, even strangers. However, after getting married, I discovered that Jackson had never let go of his first love.

“Three years ago, the ghost of his past returned to haunt our present. His first love came back to town, a widow burdened with grief. Jackson, hearing of her plight, became a man possessed. He helped her relentlessly, with a fervor and dedication I had never seen in him, not even for his own family.

“Last year, her brother was involved in a hit-and-run, facing a demand for a staggering settlement of two million dollars. Jackson paid it without batting an eye. He bought her a new house, a new car, and took personal charge of her child’s education. Our own daughter never received such diligence from him.

“I used to believe Jackson was emotionally detached, but that detachment, it turned out, was reserved for me, our daughter, and the family we built together. His heart belonged to another woman and her child.

“However, that child wasn’t his. Before our marriage, his family paid a substantial amount to ensure she left Ravenwood, erasing her from our lives-or so they thought. These secrets only surfaced to me much later.”

Megan sighed deeply, her smile tinged with bitterness. “Our daughter started college this September, and that’s when Jackson started clamoring for a divorce. He said now that our child was grown, we could finally set each other free.” The mention of divorce brought a crimson tide to Megan’s eyes.

Estrella slid some tissues across the table. “So, Ms. Megan, you want me to handle your divorce case, and to fight for everything you’re entitled to?”

Marriages that reached such an impasse left little but separation and division of assets. Men, once their minds are set on divorce, are as stubborn as mules-especially with their hearts claimed by another. Jackson’s decades-long infatuation was relentless.

Megan’s story was all too familiar to Estrella, echoing her own journey, possibly foreshadowing her future. If that was the case, then perhaps it was best to let go. Their daughter was grown, and there was no need for Megan to cling to a loveless partnership. Megan met Estrella’s gaze, took a tissue and wiped away the wetness from her eyes. “Ms. Estrella,” she began, swallowing against the lump in her throat, “I’m not out to win the greatest prize.”

Stunned by Megan’s words, Estrella simply watched her. Megan continued, her voice shaking, “Jackson has made it clear. He’d give up half his holdings, half his wealth, even half his business, if I just agree to a divorce. He’d let me decide the terms, just as long as I

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Chapter 161

end our

be with his first love. For a woman like Estrella who understood the depth of

almost unbearable.

the offer of seeking maximum

want a divorce. I want you to fight

the time and was the CEO of a company, with a decent wealth. Estrella hadn’t expected that a man who thrived in the

voluntary commitment; there’s no winning or losing here. Even if you win this battle, Jackson can simply file again, and the court will likely grant the

counsellor, not a lawyer,” Estrella remarked. “Lawyers are about law and cold hard facts,

that. I’ve sought therapy, I’ve tried different approaches but to no avail, and that’s why I came to you. Ms. Estrella, could you please help me out? Please help me keep my marriage intact in the first hearing. Can you just buy

divorce just as their daughter’s final exams ended. Megan, however, had not given her consent. She had attempted various strategies to salvage their relationship, but this only served to fortify

husband has come this far.

Can

you

bear it?”

there are many things you won’t understand. When we

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