Chapter 2

Mrs. Sterling, my mother-in-law, immediately stood up, slapping me across the face.

"Julian has been so good to you, but you dare to suggest divorce? You ungrateful wretch!"

The older relatives from the Sterling family began to gather around, trying to persuade me.

"Scarlett, Julian still loves you. Otherwise, if he secretly had a child with Seraphina, you wouldn't even know, would you?"

"Exactly! Julian is doing this for the Sterling family. If Seraphina gets angry and backs out, Sterling Corp. will be in danger."

I stared in shock at these elders, spouting morals and righteousness, and then let out a bitter laugh.

Julian flushed with anger and roared, "Enough! Scarlett will understand."

I looked around at the indignant relatives. This was the company and family I had sacrificed a prestigious career to save, pouring my soul into its survival.

A sharp, desolate pain pierced my heart. I lifted my chin, forcing back tears, and looked at Julian.

"Julian, we've weathered every storm together. Do you really want to sacrifice our marriage for the future of Sterling Corp.?"

Julian fell silent. After a long moment, he looked at me pleadingly.

"Scarlett, I'm not sacrificing our marriage for Sterling Corp.'s future. No matter what, you'll always be my most beloved wife."

"Scarlett, think about it. Seraphina is a titan, with unparalleled intelligence and deep connections to several prominent families in the capital. Given your health condition..."

I stared at Julian in shock. He finally said what was truly on his mind.

So he looked down on me because of my poor health. That's why, in our six years together, he always insisted on contraception.

But for whom had I drunk myself sick? For whom had I worked myself to the bone to secure deals, leading to a third of my stomach being removed?

A tear dropped onto the back of my hand. I looked up, my voice hoarse.

"Julian Sterling, what if I absolutely refuse?"

"Scarlett, I know it's hard for you to accept right now. It's okay... I'll give you time to think about it."

A flicker of guilt crossed Julian's face, but then he self-righteously raised his voice.

"A joint heir for the Sterling and Stratton families – that child must be born. This is for the greater good. You need to look at the bigger picture, not be so petty."

I laughed bitterly, tears welling in my eyes as I looked at Julian. At twenty-six, in the prime of his life, he already exuded the sharp, imposing aura of a CEO.

"So, you mean you're not only going to have a child with Seraphina, but this child will also inherit everything we have?"

"And I am just a tool for making money, destined to never have a child of my own?"

Julian pursed his lips, his voice silent, his expression complicated as he looked at me. All the relatives averted their gaze.

They stood up, offered a few more hollow words of advice, and swiftly left. Julian also left indifferently, closing the door behind him.

I sat there all night. As a sliver of dawn broke on the horizon, I wiped away my tears and called the company lawyer.

"Help me draft a divorce agreement. I want a divorce."