1 “It Would Be On My Terms, Not Yours.”

“This is Mr. Stone’s divorce agreement, Mrs. Stone,” Alexander Stone’s butler, Charles said as he handed a large manila envelope to Sophia.

“Mrs. Stone, you have a three-day window to sign the agreement and vacate the premises.” Charles watched Sophia with indifference, his demeanor calm as he spoke.

Although Sophia had been anticipating this moment, her heart sank upon the mention of the divorce agreement. She glanced at Charles, accepted the envelope, and extracted the divorce agreement from within.

“Ten million dollars of alimony as long as he never lays eyes on me again?” she scoffed, looking straight at Charles, whose expression remained inscrutable. “How can he possibly believe he can get away with such an absurd demand?”

She continued reading, “In accordance with the terms of the divorce agreement, it is acknowledged that Sophia Stone has failed to fulfill her marital obligations for a period of three years. As a result, Alexander Stone reserves the right to initiate divorce proceedings.”

“This is ridiculous. How could I fulfill my duties when I couldn’t even see my so-called husband? He’s never been under the same roof with me in three years.” Sophia tossed the papers aside.

What a mockery this made of her marriage. She felt like Alexander was shrugging her off. Like she was the water on a dog’s back that he simply got rid of by shaking vigorously. She felt insulted.

Three years ago, Sophia reluctantly entered a marriage arranged by her grandfather, who had laid out three tasks to her during this marriage: stay out of the public eye, assist Alexander in taking over Stone Enterprise, and be his unwavering support.

Though the contractual stipulation that she remain invisible to the public eye always puzzled her, she had promised her grandfather to not disappoint him. She resigned from her powerful position at her own law firm, and tried to embrace her role as the low-profile wife of a CEO who never appeared in public.

Alexander took over Stone Enterprise soon after they united, and then, he became the world champion in hide-and-seek.

In the beginning, she tried to maintain a connection with her husband by preparing lunches and visiting his workplace. Yet, she soon realized that Alexander was either never at the office or too preoccupied to meet her.

After six months of futile attempts, she accepted the bitter truth that fulfilling her grandfather’s directives was impossible. She channeled her energy into developing her hobbies, all in her pursuit of self-improvement, persuading herself to see this period of respite as a relief from her life as a renowned lawyer and founder of the world-famous law firm.

Yet, she refused to touch a single cent of the money he sent her. She had her own income, enough to lead a comfortable life until the end of her days

She was certain that her marriage would eventually come to an end, but she was appalled by the way Alexander Stone twisted the narrative to paint her as the one who had failed in her marital duties.

place between a husband and

replied, “Mr. Stone is in

by someone?” Sophia didn’t

tell you is that he wishes for you to sign these papers, and he emphasized that he does not need

prefers. He didn’t want to see me even at the end of our marriage,

he simply bowed to her, then turned on his heels and began

and called Alexander’s office number—the only contact information she had for him which she had never even used in their three years of marriage. She was determined to know what was going on with

She dialed again. Her patience and virtue had limits, and he was dancing dangerously close to those limits. On

I’d like to speak

speaking?” the

she kept her tone calm. “I’m his wife. You’re not

to answer her question. “Oh, I see. It’s his ex-wife to be

said, “I have questions

clear in the divorce agreement. As a useless wife, he feels that he has already given you enough.

very specific words. “Useless

“You shouldn’t expect any more than what

heard the approach of a man’s voice from the other end of the phone. Her heart raced in anticipation. “Emily, why are

an unsettlingly playful giggle. “Alex, your wife is calling you. She has some questions about

a bitter laugh. So, this was the sordid

phone. His voice oozed with disdain and indifference as he coldly declared, “I

thought, he hung

for a

paced around her living room, her frustration bubbling over. “Useless wife?” she muttered angrily. “What right does he have to call me that? He was never around as a husband, so what

this really how he sees me? Tossed aside like

of their marriage, telling herself that arranged marriages succeeded all

patience, and unwavering support, hoping like an idiot he’ll eventually see the powerful, intelligent, and remarkable woman I am,” she murmured to herself the

he mocks me by throwing the blame on me, when he and only he is

lure of mere money. “If this is the callous attitude he wants to take,” she vowed, “then he has another thing coming. I won’t let him escape

up the papers strewn across the floor. She read through them once again, her eyes narrowing

on her lips, “it’s truly a shame you never bothered to get to know the real

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