Chapter 4

Sophia's POV

Richard was so angry he fell ill and was admitted to the ICU.

He said, "Just consider it marrying her for my sake. Live with her for five years. After five years, if you still don't love her, you can divorce."

Ethan loved Richard dearly. He agreed.

But to make his position clear, on the first day of marriage, Ethan had a lawyer draft divorce papers, signed them, and handed them to his grandfather.

At the wedding, when I heard him say "I do," I actually felt hope.

I thought five years would be enough.

If I tried my best to love him and treat him well, one day he would see me.

For five years after the wedding, I did everything I could for him.

When he traveled for business, I packed his suitcase with clothes.

When he had business dinners, no matter how late, I waited for him on the sofa at home.

But I hadn't expected Ethan to be ice that could never be melted.

We only saw each other at the office.

He never ate the food I cooked.

He never accepted the water I offered.

A year ago, Isabella appeared.

At first, Ethan still considered my position and didn't let Isabella appear in public.

Later, one phone call from Isabella could summon him away.

Isabella could freely enter and exit his CEO office.

He started bringing Isabella to public events while I, Mrs. Carter, became a joke.

Last week, I went to Ethan's office to deliver documents and ran right into Isabella coming out.

She was holding a cup of hot coffee, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Long time no see, Mrs. Carter." Isabella laughed softly. "I heard Ethan hasn't been home in over a month? Why haven't you figured out your situation yet?"

Before I could respond, Isabella flicked her wrist and splashed the scalding coffee on herself.

She fell backward, clutching the doorframe and crying.

"I just wanted to bring you coffee. Why did you push me?"

Ethan heard the commotion and rushed out, pulling Isabella into his arms.

He looked up at me, his eyes ice-cold. "Sophia, apologize to her."

It was the first time he'd casually punished me.

"I didn't push her." I shook my head.

"Still making excuses." Ethan's face darkened. "Do you think being my wife gives you the right to bully people?"

Isabella clutched his sleeve, crying. "Ethan, don't blame her. I shouldn't have appeared by your side. She's your wife. She's still wearing your wedding ring..."

Ethan looked at the tears in Isabella's eyes, then turned to glare at me furiously. "If you won't apologize, you don't need to wear the ring either."

He raised his hand and a bodyguard stepped forward, forcibly removing my wedding ring.

My finger was scraped, blood flowing freely.

Ethan didn't even glance at me. He placed the ring in Isabella's palm.

"If you like it, it's yours."

He carried Isabella out of the office without looking back at me.

That day, I finally understood. Five years, over eighteen hundred days and nights. I was nothing but trash to him.

I looked at the two scarves.

One he gave me, which I treasured.

One I gave him, which he treated as garbage.

Just like our positions in this relationship.

I reached up to touch my empty ring finger. A tear dropped onto the scarf.

Thank goodness, the five years were over.

Thank goodness, I got that agreement he'd signed.

Next week I could leave.

From then on, Ethan and I would have no connection.

I took everything from the closet, including both scarves, and threw them in the trash.