Chapter 1 Let's Get a Divorce

"I hate being away from you."

A sweet, coquettish voice rang out. Catherine Quinn watched as the young woman stood on her tiptoes to kiss Harry Zimmerman's cheek.

Harry held an umbrella for the woman as he walked her to her car. "Drive safe. Text me when you get home."

Catherine stood frozen. Her eyes met Harry's as he happened to look up. She hadn't brought an umbrella and had been caught in the rain since getting off the bus. Seeing this play out made her heart ache.

She said nothing and walked past Harry and toward the building. She knew Harry was having an affair, but seeing it with her own eyes was different.

Catherine knew Harry loved someone else from the very beginning of their marriage. It was just that right before Harry planned to confess his feelings, the two of them ended up in bed together without warning.

Everything had happened so suddenly. Then a group of people walked in on them, and both families pressured them into a rushed marriage.

There was no ceremony, no rings. Just a piece of paper to prove their relationship, and nothing else.

The weather in March was bitterly cold, especially when she was drenched. A gust of wind made her shiver and sneeze.

"Why didn't you call me?" Harry's expression was unreadable.

Catherine smiled indifferently. "It wasn't that far anyway."

She wouldn't dare interrupt his little rendezvous.

Catherine went inside to shower and warm up in the bathroom. She came out wearing a bathrobe, and her wavy hair was still dripping. She then walked to the dressing table with a hairdryer in hand.

Behind her, the faint scent of tobacco drifted closer. Her body stiffened slightly. Harry reached out and took the hairdryer from her, and his other hand settled on the small of her back.

Catherine understood his intention perfectly. She lowered her eyes, turned, and pushed against him. "I'm not in the mood today."

"Well, I am." Harry grabbed her arm, lifted her, and carried her into the bathroom.

In the steam-filled room, Catherine's bathrobe quickly disappeared. The moment his scorching chest pressed against her, the heat made Catherine instinctively want to flee. But he gripped her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his kiss.

His ragged breaths mixed with the sounds of their passion. Catherine's body trembled as his hands explored her intimately. He teased her until she went rigid.

Harry lowered his head and took her into his mouth. His teeth grazed her most sensitive peak before applying pressure. Catherine let out a muffled groan. Her legs had weakened so much that she started to slide down.

He knew her body too well, easily coaxing responses from her. His fingers explored lower, and since she was already reacting, it made it easier for him to delve deeper and tease her.

Hearing Catherine's breathless moans, he chuckled softly near her ear. "So responsive. You react the moment I touch you."

To Catherine, his words held cruel irony. She was completely exposed while Harry remained dressed, as if he could detach himself from this passion at any moment.

It was like their entire relationship—only she was truly invested in the act.

Before she could think clearly, Harry lifted her onto the bathroom counter. He unbuckled his belt with one hand, gripping her thigh to wrap her legs around his waist.

Catherine looked down and saw that he was rigid with desire. He pressed his body against hers. She instinctively pushed against him. "Don't..."

Harry seized her wrists, pinning them to the sides. With a sudden thrust, he buried himself fully inside her.

Catherine gasped, and her nails dug into his shoulders. "Gently."

Harry kissed her neck while supporting her, carrying her to another side of the bathroom. Her full weight pressed against him with each movement. Every step sent shockwaves through her body, and the intense pleasure nearly overwhelmed her.

She was too breathless to speak, and she could only cling to his neck and whimper. Even if she was saying no, her body's need for him was undeniably honest.

Harry pressed her against the wall, moving vigorously beneath her. He pushed his fingers into her mouth, watching Catherine's flushed face. "You said you didn't want it? Then, why are you gripping me so tightly?"

"Look at this." He took Catherine's hand and made her touch where their bodies met. He showed her the evidence of their passion.

Her face burned with shame. "Stop... stop talking..."

Her tongue felt sore, and saliva trickled from the corner of her mouth.

"I know you like this." Harry breathed heavily, and his movements were becoming even more forceful.

Catherine bit his shoulder hard to stifle her cries. "Stop... please stop..."

Not only did he not stop, but he also intensified his pace, driving into her dozens of times before finally reaching his release. Catherine felt the powerful surge of his climax, and her mind went blank.

After a brief moment, Harry pulled Catherine close and took her again. His movements were relentless. All Catherine could do was hold on, passively enduring his demanding rhythm. She lost track of how long it lasted before Harry finally withdrew.

She collapsed weakly onto the cold marble counter. Her eyes were vacant. Her inner thighs were flushed and trembling, bearing evidence of their encounter.

Meanwhile, Harry didn't linger. He left as soon as they were finished. They were like strangers; even intimacy was merely physical release for him.

In truth, when Catherine first slept with Harry two years ago, she had her own motives. She had loved him since childhood, and with their arranged engagement, she had always hoped to become his wife.

But Harry's heart never held a place for her. This stolen marriage was never meant to last.

As she watched Harry under the shower spray, she said softly, "Harry, let's get a divorce."

The water stopped abruptly. The atmosphere in the bathroom instantly became suffocating.

Chapter 2 Making Harry Angry

Catherine knew he had heard her, so she repeated it. "Let's get divorced."

Harry turned on the shower, offering only one word: "Reason?"

"I don't love you anymore. That counts as a reason, doesn't it?" Catherine stood up and picked up the bathrobe from the floor. She slipped it on.

"You were the one who schemed to marry me in the first place, and now you're the one asking for a divorce." Harry let out a mocking laugh.

"Catherine, what do you take me for? Take back those words, and I can pretend you didn't say anything."

The water stopped, and Harry reached his hand toward her. "Bathrobe."

In the past, preparing his clothes and such small tasks had always been Catherine's responsibility. She stepped back and said firmly, "I want a divorce."

"Divorce? With what money? Don't forget that your mother's medical expenses are all being paid by the Zimmerman family."

Harry dropped his hand and reached past Catherine to grab a bathrobe, draping it over himself. The belt hung loosely around his waist. His expression was lazy and mocking. "You think that little money you make at work can accomplish anything?"

Harry pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it. Through the smoke, she couldn't see his face clearly. "Just be a good Mrs. Zimmerman."

Their first discussion about divorce ended badly. But Harry was right. Her earnings from her job weren't enough to cover her mother's expensive medical bills.

The Quinn and Zimmerman families had been family friends for generations, but six months after she married Harry, her father died in a car accident. Her mother became comatose, and the monthly expenses were a substantial burden that her current job couldn't possibly cover.

Misfortunes came one after another. She wanted to ask Harry for help, but she was told that Harry was watching fireworks with his girlfriend.

That night, the evening sky over Neovara was brilliant and colorful, yet the majestic display felt like a knife through her heart. She sat helplessly in the hospital corridor. Her calls to him were repeatedly declined.

No one knew that Catherine had cried until her eyes were swollen that night, and no one knew how the scar on her wrist came to be.

Harry loved to hold her from behind, forcing her to cry out when passion overcame them. Once, he ran his fingers over the scar on her left wrist and asked how she got it.

She told him it was from an accidental fall. After that, he never asked about it again.

Catherine curled up in bed, listening to the sound of a car starting downstairs. She had made Harry angry. She tilted her head back and blinked several times, but tears still fell stubbornly.

Her phone rang several times. It was a call from Harry's mother, Rachel Connor.

"Why are you calling so late, Rachel? Is something wrong?" Catherine's tone became calm in an instant. She showed no trace of her earlier distress.

Rachel said anxiously, "That little homewrecker is now brazenly showing up at our door, and you're still so calm. Don't you care if you lose Harry to that woman?"

Catherine wanted to speak but didn't know what to say. Rachel continued to plead earnestly, "Cathy, how can you not fight for what's yours!"

Catherine lowered her eyes with a bitter smile. Fighting would probably only make Harry despise her more.

"I understand. I'll try."

After placating Rachel, Catherine felt mentally and physically exhausted.

If she had known two years ago that marrying Harry would lead to this outcome, she probably wouldn't have acted so impulsively from the start. She wouldn't have slept with Harry despite knowing it was wrong.

Her current situation was perhaps her just punishment. Catherine had barely closed her eyes for two minutes when a shrill ring broke the silence.

"Ms. Quinn, our proposal got rejected." The urgent voice of her assistant, Cecilia Keane, came through.

Work mode kicked in as Catherine sat up. "What happened?"

"The client thinks our proposal won't work and wants us to redo it." Cecilia's tone sounded somewhat irritated.

They'd been working overtime on this proposal for two weeks, and they had designed it according to the client's requirements. If there were problems, they should have been mentioned from the beginning, not after the work was submitted.

"Did they say what the specific issues were?" Catherine quickly changed clothes and grabbed her bag to catch a cab.

Cecilia said, "That's just it. They didn't say anything specific. It's infuriating!"

Catherine comforted Cecilia. "I'm coming over right now."

On the way to the office, Catherine called the client's original contact person to ask about the proposal situation, only to be told, "Ms. Quinn, I'm sorry. Honestly, I loved your proposal, but unfortunately, the project has a new person in charge."

Catherine now understood that it was the new manager who didn't like the proposal. This meant all their recent hard work had been wasted.

Catherine got the new contact's phone number and called. "Hello, Ms. Stone, I'm the person in charge of the Bluebay project, Cath..."

"I know. Whatever it is, let's discuss it tomorrow. I need to rest now." The woman's tone was cold as she interrupted Catherine. Then, she hung up.

When she heard the dial tone from her phone, Catherine was stunned for a moment. Something about the voice seemed familiar to her. It was like she had heard it somewhere before.

Chapter 3 The New Manager

After Catherine comforted her team, she didn't feel like going home and instead spent the night at the office. The next day, she called the client again, but the call was quickly ended.

Catherine frowned slightly. It was already 10:00 am.

Cecilia said indignantly, "This new manager is totally disrespecting us. The previous proposal was approved by their side. Isn't this a breach of contract?"

"Let's wait until they get here."

Having stayed up all night without sleep, Catherine's eyes were bloodshot. She had no idea what to do now.

"They said they'd be here at 10:00 am, and there's still no sign of them! Ms. Quinn, I suspect they're doing this on purpose!" Cecilia paced back and forth in the office.

Catherine stood up. "Maybe they're on their way. I'm going to the restroom first."

Her eyes were dry and irritated now. She needed to pull herself together to face whatever came next.

After touching up her makeup, Catherine left the restroom. At the hallway window, she spotted a familiar license plate and saw a woman in a gray-brown coat getting out of the car.

Her heart instinctively skipped a beat. That was Harry's car. Could that woman be the new manager?

Catherine's suspicions were quickly confirmed.

The woman soon stood before her, smiling as she introduced herself. "Sorry, we ran into some unexpected traffic on the way. I'm Michelle Stone, the new manager for the Bluebay project."

Catherine's client was actually Harry's first love! At this point, no one noticed that Catherine's face had turned pale.

Catherine forced herself to smile cheerfully. "Hello, Ms. Stone. I'd appreciate it if you could point out the specific areas in this proposal that you're unsatisfied with. We can make modifications..."

"No need for modifications. I'm not very satisfied with this entire proposal. Let's just start over." Michelle was direct. She dismissed their work with a single sentence.

Catherine paused, forcing herself to remain patient. "Even if you're unsatisfied, you should at least explain what specifically you don't like, Ms. Stone. Besides, the previous manager already approved this version of the proposal..."

Michelle raised her hand with a smile. "Which is exactly why she was replaced, and why I took over. Do I need to spell it out?"

Catherine looked up and caught a flash of malice in Michelle's eyes. Now, she understood that this wasn't about the proposal at all. Michelle simply didn't like her and was deliberately rejecting her work.

Catherine suddenly remembered Rachel's words. The homewrecker she'd mentioned was now standing right in front of her, and she was even openly causing trouble at her workplace.

"Never mind then." Catherine concealed the darkness in her eyes, gathered her things, and prepared to leave with Cecilia.

As they reached the door, Michelle called out to her. "Ms. Quinn, although I'm not quite satisfied with this proposal, you can redo it. After all, your company has been working with Bluebay for a year or two now, right?"

Catherine's hand tightened, but her smile remained unchanged. "Yes, two years."

"So I still have quite a bit of trust in your company. I can give you another chance," Michelle said.

Catherine understood that the company would never give up Bluebay over her personal feelings. Bluebay Group had always been a major client for the company.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Stone." Catherine didn't want to take on this project. She knew exactly what Michelle was trying to do.

Michelle stood up and walked over to Catherine, extending her hand with a smile. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing your capabilities, Ms. Quinn. I'm sure you won't disappoint me."

Catherine stared at the outstretched hand for two seconds, then grasped Michelle's hand and smiled. "Here's to a pleasant collaboration."

"Ms. Quinn, are you free later? I'd like to treat you to lunch." Michelle secretly applied pressure with her grip.

Catherine's expression remained unchanged. "No need. I have a meeting to attend later."

Michelle looked disappointed. "Alright then. I should get going anyway. I have a date later."

She put extra emphasis on the word "date".

Chapter 4 Come Help Me Catch Them in the Act

"Let me walk you out, Ms. Stone." Catherine maintained her facade perfectly throughout, giving Michelle no reason to find fault.

Michelle studied Catherine carefully. She wondered if Catherine truly didn't know who she was, or if she was just pretending.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Ms. Stone? Is there something on my face?" Catherine raised her hand to touch her cheek.

Michelle smiled. "I just think you look a bit familiar, Ms. Quinn."

Catherine replied, "Maybe we've met before."

She escorted Michelle downstairs, and her phone rang at just the right moment. "Something's come up, so I won't walk you any further."

Michelle said considerately, "You go ahead and take care of your business."

Catherine turned and left. Her facade gradually crumbled. She still couldn't help but care. She also couldn't bear to watch them being affectionate together, and she didn't even have the courage to see Harry anymore.

However, the next thing Catherine did was stand by the window and watch Harry get out of the car. That busy man was actually waiting downstairs for Michelle.

Catherine watched Harry take Michelle's coat and hand her a water bottle. The gesture looked so natural, like they'd done this countless times before.

Catherine had seen that water bottle many times before. It was pink. She had once foolishly thought Harry had bought it for her, always hoping he would give it to her. But now she finally saw who it really belonged to.

Catherine couldn't watch anymore. Her eyes filled with moisture as she turned and ran to the restroom. Even though she felt terrible, she kept suppressing her emotions.

Breaking down and crying now would be too humiliating for her. She could only press tissues to the corners of her eyes to prevent tears from ruining her makeup.

Just then, her phone rang.

It was Rachel calling, and she was fuming over the phone. "Cathy, I found out that the homewrecker is having lunch with Harry at Kingswell Dining. Come help me catch them in the act!"

"I..." Catherine didn't want to disturb them.

But Rachel didn't give her a chance to speak. "I'm coming to pick you up right now!"

Then she hung up with a sharp click. Catherine stared at her phone, suddenly feeling a terrible headache.

Rachel had always been impulsive and straightforward. Even before the Quinn family's troubles, she had always liked Catherine.

Since marrying Harry, Rachel had treated her like her own daughter. Catherine was grateful to Rachel because, without her support, she probably wouldn't have been able to hold on.

Rachel dragged Catherine to Kingswell Dining. This was a famous restaurant in Neovara where even wealthy people had to make reservations and wait in line. But Rachel was a VIP customer here, and no one dared to stop her from entering.

Catherine thought about what she was about to witness and felt the urge to run away. Harry wouldn't want to see her.

Rachel gripped Catherine's hand tightly. "You're his legal wife. If that homewrecker isn't afraid, what are you afraid of?"

After saying this, Rachel didn't give Catherine a chance to respond and pushed open the private dining room door. Harry and Michelle both looked toward the entrance.

Harry stood up, instinctively moving to shield Michelle behind him while frowning. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"What? I'm not allowed to be here?" Rachel pulled Catherine to sit down.

Catherine felt both heartbroken and embarrassed. When she saw Michelle, she feigned surprise. "Ms. Stone?"

Then, her gaze moved between Harry and Michelle, and she said in shock, "Are… Are you two..."

Rachel picked up a fork and pulled Catherine down to sit. "Go ahead and eat. Why did you stop?"

A flash of displeasure crossed Harry's eyes, and his tone was somewhat helpless. "Mom, if you want to have lunch here, I can have them prepare a private room for you next door."

"No need. This place is fine." Rachel refused. "I mainly came here today to see how pretty this homewrecker really is."

The harsh words made Michelle's smile falter. "Mrs. Zimmerman…"

Rachel ignored her and began comparing her to Catherine. "Her eyes aren't as big as Cathy's, her nose isn't as pretty as Cathy's, and her lips aren't as full as Cathy's. Oh, but your nose bridge is quite high.

"Did you get work done? I remember you didn't use to look..."

"Enough!" Harry's voice turned cold with anger, and his gaze landed precisely on Catherine.

Then he took Michelle's hand and walked out. Catherine couldn't help but clench her fingers. He wasn't planning to blame her, was he?

Chapter 5 You're Pregnant

"Harry Zimmerman, stop right there!"

Rachel patted Catherine and headed outside. "Come on! Hurry up!"

Catherine was left alone in the private dining room. She looked at the elaborate lunch spread, took a deep breath, and walked out of the room. There was no point in stopping them anyway.

Her relationship with Harry would only get worse. Once cracks appeared in a marriage, they would only grow wider until everything split completely apart.

Catherine watched Rachel arguing with them in the distance, feeling increasingly exhausted. Rachel was working so hard to help her, so she couldn't let her down.

Catherine walked over and finally looked directly into Harry's dark eyes. "Don't you owe me an explanation for this?"

"What kind of explanation do you want?" Harry said mockingly. "You know exactly how our marriage came about, don't you?"

That single sentence shattered Catherine's courage. She suddenly had nothing to say.

Rachel scolded, "Harry, what do you mean by that? Cathy has worked so hard for our family these past two years. Is this how you treat her?"

"Those are just things anyone could do." Harry scoffed, dismissing all of Catherine's efforts.

"Harry, do you have no heart at all!" Rachel was furious and raised her hand to slap him.

But the slap didn't land on Harry's face. Instead, it hit Michelle's.

She covered her reddened cheek and said defiantly, "Mrs. Zimmerman, Harry does have a heart. It's just that some people don't deserve it! You're scolding him so recklessly without even asking what he actually wants!"

Rachel pointed at Michelle, livid with anger. Seeing that things were about to spiral out of control, Catherine quickly grabbed Rachel's hand. "Just let it go."

Harry glanced at Catherine with dark eyes and left with Michelle.

"Let it go? Not a chance!" Rachel rushed to follow them and accidentally pushed Catherine away.

Catherine fell to the ground, and abdominal pain struck her instantly. Before she could even speak, everything went black, and she fainted.

Rachel noticed the commotion behind her and called out to Harry, but he didn't slow his pace at all.

"Harry, Cathy fainted!"

Michelle gripped Harry's hand tightly. "Harry, this has to be one of their schemes. You can't believe them."

Harry grunted in agreement. In his experience, Catherine had always been healthy, so she wouldn't just faint for no reason. Maybe Michelle was right, and Catherine was just pretending. Her goal was probably to make him stay.

Seeing the slap mark on Michelle's face, Harry's voice softened. "Does your face still hurt?"

Michelle shook her head and smiled carelessly. "As long as you're okay, that's all that matters."

"I'm sorry. I'll find a way to make it up to you." Harry's tone was apologetic, and when he thought of Catherine, his heart grew cold.

When she saw Harry leave with Michelle without looking back, Rachel was truly disappointed. Catherine truly meant nothing to him.

Rachel hurriedly rushed Catherine to the hospital. She paced anxiously outside the examination room, and when she saw the doctor come out, she asked urgently, "How is she? What caused her to faint?"

"She's pregnant." The doctor adjusted his glasses.

Rachel was stunned, wondering if she had heard wrong. "She's pregnant?"

"Yes, about five weeks along. The pregnancy is a bit unstable, though. So, she should rest quietly for a while. Prolonged negative emotions aren't good for fetal development either. As her family, you should try to counsel her."

The doctor handed Rachel the test results. She looked at the pregnancy report and blinked. Catherine really was pregnant.

She was going to be a grandmother! The timing couldn't be better. Maybe it would be the key to repairing their relationship.

She returned to the hospital room and saw that Catherine had already woken up.

Catherine held her somewhat heavy head. "Rachel, what happened to me?"

"You're pregnant." Rachel placed her hand on Catherine's stomach. "Cathy, this is your chance to win Harry back."

Catherine was shocked. Her gaze fell to her own stomach. How could she possibly be pregnant?

She and Harry always used protection, so it was basically impossible for her to get pregnant. Harry didn't want to have children with her at all.

That was, unless...

A flash of realization hit her. Catherine suddenly remembered that over a month ago, Harry had been drinking heavily. His movements were rough, and she had discovered a torn condom while cleaning up the room afterward.

But she hadn't thought much of it at the time. She had assumed Harry had just accidentally torn it. She never expected to get pregnant from that one time.

Thinking of Harry's current attitude toward her, if he found out, he might make her get rid of the baby. Catherine's heart clenched with anxiety.

"Rachel, could we not tell him about this..."