Chapter 1 Forced Marriage

Nathan Lawson's phone buzzed, immediately waking Naomi Graham immediately from her sleep.

He had just returned from a two-week business trip and had been relentless in bed the whole night. Naomi was a light sleeper, so the slight noise was enough to wake her up almost instantly.

However, Nathan reacted faster than she did. He sat up at once and answered the call, "Yeah, I'm back." His voice was soft and slightly raspy from sleep.

The person on the other end said something, but Naomi couldn't hear them well. Still, she could vaguely hear a woman's soft voice.

Nathan fell silent for a moment before saying, "I'll be right there."

With that, he got out of bed.

Naomi kept her eyes shut. Even without looking at him, she knew his every move by heart. He went into the walk-in closet, put on his shirt, and grabbed his jacket.

The door shut behind him. After a brief moment, she heard the rumbles of the car engine from downstairs.

Both of them were so familiar with the entire routine. It was just the same thing he had been doing for the past three years of their marriage.

Naomi finally got up from bed. Enduring the soreness and pain in her body, she walked toward the window.

Nathan had already left.

She stood there for a while before returning to bed. But no matter how she tried, she couldn't fall back asleep.

…

The next day, the Lawson family was having a gathering. As Nathan's wife, Naomi naturally had to be there.

The moment she entered the house, she saw a woman sitting on the couch in the living room, arranging the flowers quietly.

The woman wore a pristine white dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders. With her bright complexion, she looked just like a delicate doll.

Meeting Naomi's gaze, she flashed a smile. "Naomi, you're here."

Only then did Naomi nod and said softly, "Hello, Chloe."

Just as Chloe Byrne was about to respond, a voice tinged with annoyance rang out behind Naomi. "Didn't Nathan come back with you?"

Naomi turned around and greeted Nathan's mother, then said, "He's busy with work, so he'll be here later."

Nathan's mother, Katie Ashworth, frowned unhappily and swiftly changed the topic. "I told you to visit the hospital last time. But you didn't go, did you?"

Naomi looked down, keeping her mouth shut.

"You two have been married for three years," Katie hissed. "If you don't want children, just say so. Plenty of women out there are waiting to carry Nathan's children. We can't let the Lawsons' bloodline end with you."

"Mom," Chloe said gently before Naomi could say anything. "Naomi is still young. Give her some time."

"Chloe, I know you're kind, but how can I not be anxious?" Katie asked and shot Naomi a sharp look.

Displeased, she continued, "Back then, someone came here and insisted on marrying Nathan because of a promise made decades ago, which no one even remembered. But now, you can't even conceive. This family must've been cursed to have met you!"

Naomi had heard the same thing countless times. She remained unmoved and merely stood there in silence.

However, others would've thought she was dissatisfied and unhappy.

"Just leave!" Katie snapped. "I get so irritated every time I see you!"

Only then did Naomi respond to her before turning to leave.

The Lawson residence was located in the center of Westwyn. The building was grand, sprawling over 10,000 square feet.

However, there wasn't even a spot for Naomi.

Katie was right. Naomi had shamelessly forced Nathan into this marriage with her.

Chapter 2 No Plan to Have Kids

Back then, Naomi's father, Benedict Graham, had been sent to prison. Her mother, Tasha Weber, had fallen ill and needed money for treatment.

Left with no choice, Naomi could only bring the keepsake from her and Nathan's grandparents to the Lawson residence, requesting them to honor the arranged marriage agreement.

That news had become the talk of the city.

Naomi had done it on purpose. If not, the Lawsons might refuse to fulfill the agreement.

In the end, the situation had gone in her favor.

Naomi knew what the Lawsons thought of her. To them, she was nothing but a shameless parasite who leeched off them. Nathan had only married her for the sake of the Lawson family's reputation.

Besides, Nathan's older brother, Calvin Lawson, had been severely ill at the time. Nathan had hoped that by marrying her, she might bring some luck to their family.

However, Calvin still passed away a month after Nathan and Naomi's wedding.

The Lawsons only resented Naomi more over the past two years. She had tried to change their minds, but apparently, her effort was of no avail.

As such, Naomi stopped doing anything now. She had only a month left anyway.

As Naomi dwelt on those thoughts, footsteps sounded behind her. She immediately knew who it was and didn't turn around.

The next instant, the person's voice rang out. "Mom might be overly concerned, but she only wanted the best for you and Nathan. Don't take her words to heart."

Naomi shot Chloe a look and replied, "I know."

"Do you want me… to talk to Nathan?" Chloe asked softly.

Naomi chuckled and asked, "About what? Are you going to tell him to have a baby with me?"

As soon as the words left Naomi's mouth, Chloe's expression noticeably changed.

"Go ahead," Naomi continued. "Talk to him."

Chloe couldn't hold herself back anymore and called out in a low voice, "Naomi Graham."

Naomi sneered. "Yeah, that's right. Won't you get tired of saying things against what you truly feel all the time? I know you dislike me just like they do. You even… hate me, right?"

Chloe didn't answer.

Naomi said nothing more, but her smile widened. Bathed in the warm glow of the evening sun, her beautiful face looked more stunning than ever.

Naomi was unlike the graceful, sophisticated Chloe. Her facial features were deep and refined, yet there was a subtle aggression in her striking, delicate appearance.

She was used to not wearing makeup most of the time, and she often wore a nonchalant expression. As such, she could easily go unnoticed by people.

But Chloe knew that most men would find Naomi irresistible. She was pure yet sultry.

Chloe's hands gradually curled into fists at her sides.

Just then, the housekeeper's voice came from outside. "Mr. Nathan has arrived."

Naomi put on her usual expression again, as if nothing had happened. Then, she walked away.

Nathan happened to walk toward her, and when the two met, Naomi couldn't help but stop in her tracks.

Nonetheless, she knew Nathan wasn't there for her. Without saying a word, she nodded at him before brushing past him.

…

It was just another family dinner, the same as always.

Nathan discussed company matters with his father, Henry Lawson. Meanwhile, Chloe chatted with Katie about an art exhibition that had been held some time ago.

Naomi was the only one in the dining room who stayed silent the entire time. It was as if she was an outsider who couldn't fit in.

Just as she thought that would be the end of the family dinner, Katie suddenly said, "I'll bring you to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow."

Katie didn't mention anyone, but they all knew who she was referring to.

Naomi looked up slowly.

Katie swept her gaze across Naomi in displeasure before looking at Nathan. "You're almost 29. You should start planning to have kids. If there's something wrong with Naomi's health…"

She let her words trail off, but anyone could easily grasp the meaning behind them.

Naomi opened her mouth to speak, when Nathan suddenly revealed, "Sorry, but I have no plan to have kids at the moment."

Chapter 3 Passenger Seat

Nathan's answer instantly put a halt to the topic.

Katie looked like she wanted to say more, but Chloe swiftly distracted her, smiling as she talked about the art exhibition in Westwyn.

Although Katie was still slightly displeased, she didn't ignore Chloe and said, "I think it's not bad. Let's go together someday."

"Sure," Chloe replied with a bright smile.

Meanwhile, Naomi kept her head down as she continued to eat, as if nothing had happened.

In the end, they finished the meal peacefully.

Naomi thought the dinner was no different from the previous gathering. Just as Naomi wanted to leave with Nathan, Chloe followed behind them.

Naomi had gotten into the car, but Nathan quickly turned back after spotting Chloe.

"Didn't I tell you to stay here for the time being?"

Nathan's voice echoed through the hollow whispers of the night breeze. His voice was gentle and deep, unlike anything Naomi had ever heard.

Chloe replied softly, "I'm fine. I don't want Mom to worry about me, so I think… I'll go back and stay there."

After a momentary silence, Nathan eventually gave in and hummed in response. Then, he said, "I'll drive you back."

Chloe agreed with a smile, then opened the door to the passenger seat out of habit.

She was stunned when she saw Naomi, who was already in the car. It felt as if they had forgotten about her existence.

Naomi smiled at her and said, "Hi, Chloe."

Without a word, Chloe closed the door and got into the backseat instead.

Soon, Nathan started the engine.

He had always been a man of few words. Back when they had first gotten married, Naomi would chatter endlessly during car rides. She would talk about things that had happened in her company or the gossip she had seen on the news.

However, Nathan rarely responded to her. Over time, Naomi didn't feel the urge to share with him anymore.

And now, she simply stared out of the window in silence.

As night fell upon the bustling city, people drowned themselves in the world of lavish pleasures. Naomi couldn't help narrowing her eyes.

After some time, Chloe spoke up. "Nathan, I heard the scarlet gilia on the mountain are blooming, and they look really good this year."

"Really?" he replied.

It sounded perfunctory, but Naomi knew it was a relatively warm response. He had always reacted that way in front of her.

Chloe grinned. "Yeah. I remember we always went with your brother and played there back in the day. There was also a cafe. I kind of… miss that place."

The smile on her face gradually faded, and her gaze tinged with a sense of melancholy. "Now, it's just the two of us, and you're busy with work. Maybe…"

"I'll go with you when I'm free," Nathan said.

Chloe's eyes instantly lit up. "Really?"

Then, as if remembering something, Chloe glanced at Naomi. "Hmm… Naomi, do you want to come with us? That place is actually—"

"Count me out," Naomi cut her off and flashed a smile. Then, she added, "I'm not from here, so I don't have any special feelings about that place."

She knew what Chloe wanted to remind her of. Chloe was implying that she and Nathan were childhood friends, and Naomi would always be the outsider.

Tension seemed to fill the car at once.

Just then, Naomi's phone rang. She glanced at the message and turned to Nathan. "Pull over. I need to go to Dylan's school."

Chapter 4 Let's Get a Divorce

"Dylan!"

Naomi had just gotten out of the cab and walked for a while when she saw the young man standing outside the school gates.

Dylan Graham was in a school uniform. He had shot up over the past two years, making him look much slimmer than before.

His features bore a resemblance to Naomi's, and he had deep-set eyes, too. One would easily notice the hearing aid in his ear, yet he was smiling brightly.

He signed, "How did you get here so fast?"

"I was nearby." Naomi smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "Your hair has grown longer. I'll take you for a haircut this weekend."

Dylan waved his hand, signing again. "I'll be sitting for the SATs next month, so I'll cut it after that."

Naomi laughed at his reaction. "What kind of logic is that?"

Dylan scratched his head and chuckled.

"Fine, just cut it after the exam." Naomi flashed a gentle smile. "So, what did you call me here for?"

Dylan nodded and shoved a check into Naomi's hand.

"This is my prize from the competition last month," he signed. "I'm taking the SATs soon, so just keep it for me."

Naomi tried to hand it back. "Didn't I tell you to keep the money yourself? After the exam, you and your classmates—"

However, Dylan insisted and signed, "I'm not going on any trips. I told you that we'll be going to Belchester when I'm done with the SATs."

Naomi was stunned at his response.

However, Dylan panicked when he saw Naomi's reaction, his hands moving rapidly as he signed, "You promised me!"

"Okay. Got it." Naomi laughed and said, "Don't worry. I didn't forget. There's still a month left, right?"

…

It was almost 10:00 pm when Naomi returned to the villa.

All the housekeepers had gotten off work, but the light in the living room on the first floor remained lit.

She paused for a brief moment. Then, she took a few steps forward and saw the person sitting on the couch.

Nathan had taken off his jacket and wore only a light-colored shirt. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms. Under the lights, his charming features looked just like a perfect piece of art.

Naomi soon snapped back to her senses and said, "You're back."

Upon hearing her voice, Nathan looked up and stared at her.

Naomi stood somewhere between the foyer and the living room, keeping a polite distance from him.

Before he could say anything, Naomi continued, "Dylan is sitting for the SATs soon, so I went to drop something off for him."

She sounded as though she was explaining what she had done just now.

Only then did Nathan hum in response. Then, he waited for her to continue speaking. After all, Naomi had always enjoyed telling him all these trivial matters in the past.

She would tell him about Dylan's grades at school, what she had encountered these days, or even a dog she had come across at the roadside.

However, Naomi didn't do that. She merely went upstairs after "explaining" herself. She didn't even say another word to Nathan.

Nathan couldn't help but frown at the change.

When he returned to the bedroom, he noticed that Naomi had finished washing up and was wiping her face at the vanity.

Naomi hesitated for a bit when she saw him come in, but she still turned and looked at him. "I have something to tell you."

Instead of replying, Nathan turned and walked toward the walk-in closet. He knew Naomi would follow him.

Sure enough, he heard her footsteps approaching.

Just as he unbuttoned his shirt, her voice rang out. "Nathan, let's get a divorce."

As soon as she finished speaking, the button fell off Nathan's shirt. It landed silently on the soft carpet.

Chapter 5 Deserve Freedom

Nathan stared at the button on the carpet, his face blank and expressionless.

Naomi didn't notice his strange reaction. She merely continued, "There's a cool-off period if we file for a divorce. Let's do it tomorrow. If you're busy, we can wait until you're free, or you can have your assistant do it for you.

She added, "I'll move out first, and once Dylan is done with the SATs, we'll leave Westwyn. Don't worry. I won't take a single cent of your assets. This is the agreement I've drafted. Just let me know if you have any requests, and I'll work things out. Thank you for taking care of me these last two years."

With that, Naomi handed the agreement over to him.

She had rehearsed those words for quite a while now, so she managed to say everything smoothly.

However, even after a moment had passed, Nathan neither responded nor took the agreement from her.

Naomi's hand hung awkwardly in the air.

She was no stranger to his indifference, but what she had just said wasn't another trivial matter. She thought he should at least give her some responses.

After waiting for a while, Naomi didn't look at him and just placed the agreement aside. "If there aren't any issues, I will—"

"Naomi Graham, did I agree to it?" Nathan, who had been standing there, finally replied.

Naomi hadn't expected such a reply from him. But soon, she returned to her senses and said, "Don't worry. I won't threaten you with the agreement between our families anymore. You and Chloe… can finally be together openly."

After she finished speaking, Nathan merely chuckled. Then, he turned around and looked at her.

He still wore the same deadpan expression, but a cold glint flickered in his deep-set eyes. "So, am I supposed to thank you?"

Naomi pretended not to sense the mockery in his words and replied, "You don't have to."

Nathan fell silent, but he took the agreement and swiftly flipped through it.

"Are you leaving with nothing?" He scoffed. "Yeah, as you should. My family has been providing you with everything, haven't we?

"You couldn't even get a job without my family, and your mom would've died of her illness at the hospital.

"You cried and begged for help from my family back then. And now, you think you've taken enough advantage and can live on your own, so you want to leave, huh?"

It would be absurd if Naomi were to say this was her first time hearing so many words from him after almost three years of marriage.

And every word was laced with mockery.

"What do you take us Lawsons for? You think you can just come and go as you please?" Nathan spat. He laughed as he tore the agreement into pieces. Then, he threw them into the trash can.

Naomi just looked at him. "Mr. Lawson, why did you do that?" she asked in a low voice. "We were… actually forced to get married back then. Now that everything's settled, shouldn't we just let each other go? Don't you agree with me?"

As soon as her words fell, Nathan suddenly grabbed her hand.

Then, he yanked her toward him. However, she braced herself against his chest and stopped herself from falling right into his embrace, keeping a sliver of distance between them.

"You—" Naomi started, but Nathan held her chin and forced her to lift her head.

When he met her gaze, he asked coldly, "Let each other go? Naomi, do you even deserve freedom?"