Chapter 1

Everyone in Jonridge knew that Leon Quigley spoiled Victoria Smith, the once-down-and-out daughter of the Smiths, excessively. After their marriage, he kept her home for five years, where she revolved around him 24/7 and obeyed his every command. From what others saw, Victoria would never bring up a divorce, and Leon thought the same. … "Are you going to take care of Eva for the rest of your life? What about Victoria?" As a voice from the private room drifted out, Victoria froze mid-way through opening the door. Her expression shifted slightly. "I'll just keep Eva on the side, and Victoria will always be Mrs. Quigley. What's there to worry about?" Leon's nonchalant voice came from the room. It was deep and pleasant as always, but it left Victoria breathless as if a heavy weight had fallen onto her chest. She steadied herself and suppressed the sharp pain spreading in her chest. They'd been married for five years. Leon had done everything to show his love and spoken every word of affection, and yet, he'd been keeping a woman behind her back. That woman was none other than Eva Simmons, whom she despised. That was simply so ironic. "Will Victoria agree to that?" The conversation in the room continued. "She's obedient, and she'll understand with a hint. Plus, she doesn't have the right to refuse." Leon's voice was casual. A trace of self-mockery flashed through Victoria's eyes. Her fingertips paled as she gripped the door handle and pushed it open. The lively atmosphere in the private room came to an abrupt halt. Leon sat at the head of the table. With his white shirt standing out under the dim lighting, he exuded an air of elegance, while his facial features were flawlessly perfect. He seemed no different from heaven's favored child and was destined to receive all blessings. Seeing Victoria enter, Leon frowned slightly. But soon he returned to his usual composure and gestured for her to come over. "Come here." It was as if he were calling a well-trained cat. Victoria didn't move. She stubbornly stood her ground and announced, "I heard everything you said." "We were just joking, Victoria. Don't take it seriously." "Exactly. We've seen how Leon has spoiled you all these years; no one else can compare to you." Some immediately spoke up for Leon. Victoria ignored them and insisted on hearing it from Leon himself. Seeing her stance, Leon's demeanor cooled. He got up, and his tall figure radiated an undeniable pressure. "Good. Since you heard it, I was going to talk to you anyway." A sharp pain stabbed through Victoria's heart. It seemed he'd never intended to explain. Leon dismissed the others in the room and turned on the lights. Then, he habitually pulled Victoria onto his lap, while his hands wandered around her waist. As he leaned in to kiss her, he murmured, "I missed you." Victoria's stomach churned, and she forcefully broke free. "Let's talk." Instead of holding her back, Leon gazed at her and said, "You now have quite the temper, huh, Vicky?" Victoria remained silent as her stubborn gaze locked on his. She wanted to make her feelings clear. Leon leaned back lazily against the couch and looked into her eyes. Then, he said, "I want you to accept Eva's presence. She's very important to me." When he spoke, his voice was indifferent as if discussing what to have for dinner, but the words that came out were like a knife plunging her straight into hell. Victoria's eyes filled with disbelief. He continued, "As long as you agree, you'll always be Mrs. Quigley. No one can take your place." "Do you even hear what you're saying?" Victoria questioned in shock. Eva was her former best friend in college, and they'd fallen out. And now, Leon, her husband, was demanding she "share" him with that woman! Leon's expression was unreadable as he replied, "I know exactly what I'm saying." "I'll never agree to such an absurd request. No sane person would," Victoria said, reassessing him. "It doesn't matter whether you agree, and I'll take care of her for the rest of my life," Leon declared firmly. His tone left no room for argument. "I'm telling you this because you're the lady of the house, and you deserve to know." Victoria's fingers clenched tightly, and she scowled. Her voice was sarcastic. "Well, should I thank you for that?" "I won't mind if you want to," Leon replied. He had an infuriating way with words. Victoria's chest heaved with anger. She'd once thought of him as a courteous gentleman who was capable and principled. But now that his facade was ripped off, she finally saw his true colors. "Leon," Victoria called out. She decided to give him one last chance. He looked at her calmly. "Speak." "Have you made up your mind to keep her by your side, regardless of how much I disagree, hate, or even loathe her? Will you not change your mind?" she seriously asked. She'd decided that if he said no, she could forgive everything that'd just happened. But fate had other plans. Under her stubborn unyielding gaze, Leon replied with a single word. He said, "Yes." A sharp pain pierced Victoria's heart and sent it throbbing with agony. "No one can change my mind," he added. "In that case, let's get a divorce. Since you've chosen to take care of her for life, I'll give up the title of Mrs. Quigley for her." Victoria couldn't accept the decision or stay with him any longer. If this were any other marriage, she could've turned to her in-laws. But Leon's parents had opposed their marriage from the start. They believed Leon should marry someone from an equally powerful family. Though the Smiths had once been wealthy, they were nothing compared to the Quigley family of Jonridge in status. After her family business collapsed and her father, Wayne Smith, fled with embezzled funds, she lost any so-called "value" she had. "Have you thought this through?" Leon's gaze was dark and unreadable. "I have," Victoria announced. Loyalty was the bottom line for her in marriage. Leon studied her in silence. He hadn't expected the once obedient and docile Victoria to defy him one day. "Fine." He agreed quickly. His immediate acceptance stung her. Deep down, she'd always known that she'd never taken a place in his heart even after all these years of marriage. His kindness to her had likely been nothing more than a passing whim. As her heart ached, she pulled out the divorce papers she'd prepared. She should've seen it earlier. When she'd caught the scent of another woman's perfume on him three months ago and asked, he'd dismissed it as picking it up on a flight. She'd believed him, but now it was clear it'd been an excuse. Eva had returned three months ago, and the timing matched perfectly. "Here are the divorce papers. Take a look." Victoria signed her name and handed it to him. "Sign it if everything's alright. We'll file for divorce tomorrow." "You do realize what divorce means for you, don't you?" Leon asked. Victoria's grip tightened on the papers. "Yes, I do, and I don't need your reminder." "We've been married for five years, and you've remained unemployed," Leon said coldly as he picked up the papers. "How do you plan to cover your mother's expensive medical bills? Have you thought about that?" He flipped through the papers as he spoke. When his eyes fell on the terms stating equal division of marital assets and that she'd have full custody of their child, he looked up with a scrutinizing gaze. "You've got some nerve."