Chapter 12

"Yes, that's right—I'm a slave!" Jasper raised his hand and slowly stroked my hair, as if I were the most precious thing in his world. But the words that left his mouth pierced through me, almost making me wish I could die. "Isn’t it just money you want? You don’t want to be my wife? I offer you everything, and still, you turn me down? Do you think I’m disgusting?" His hand continued its gentle caress until it reached my chin, at which point he gripped it tightly. "What right do you have to call me disgusting? What gives you the right to reject me? Huh? You’re far more disgusting than I am, do you know that?" Jasper snarled, his grip on my chin so tight I thought he might break it. The pain made my eyes well up with tears. I tried to pry his hand away, but it was useless. My voice cracked as I cried out, "Shut up! I didn’t say that!" "You filthy woman. Now that I’ve bought you with money, you’ll never escape me. The more you try to avoid me, the more I’ll torment you." Jasper’s anger twisted into a dark smile as he loosened his grip on my chin. He casually pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket and began wiping his fingers slowly, as if he’d touched something vile. My chest heaved, breath coming in ragged gasps. I shut my eyes briefly, then turned and went back to the bedroom, where I returned with a piece of paper. It was a divorce agreement, the words Divorce Agreement boldly printed in large letters. I held the paper high, my voice broken, "We’re getting a divorce. We’re getting a divorce! The fifty million, I’ll find a way to pay it back, but you’ll never make me your slave! You can’t insult me like this!" Jasper stared at me, seeing how close I was to breaking. His anger flared again, but when he saw my pale face, the faint redness around my eyes, and the bruise on my chin from his earlier grip, he forced himself to suppress it. He reached for the paper and threw it aside. "Not a chance! I told you, you’re not leaving me. You’re not leaving!" Jasper shoved me into the bedroom, quickly slammed the door, and locked it with a key. "Jasper! Let me out! You bastard!" I shouted, pounding on the door, twisting the doorknob. "Open the door now!" Ignoring me, Jasper walked into the living room, grabbed his coat, changed his shoes, and left the house, locking the front door behind him. Click. I heard the sound of his car engine starting from outside the window. I rushed over, pulled the curtain aside, and looked down. Sure enough, he was driving away. He was gone. I gripped the curtains tightly, my arms trembling. After a long while, I finally calmed down. The weight of everything I had been holding back shattered. Letting go of the curtains, I leaned against the window and finally gave in to my grief, sobbing uncontrollably. When Sophia opened the door, she found me sitting on the floor, staring blankly out the window. I must have looked like a lifeless doll, she thought to herself, her lips curling in a dismissive frown as she clicked her heels across the floor and walked toward me. "Why are you sitting on the floor? What are you doing?" Sophia asked, her hand clutching a designer handbag, her perfectly manicured nails gleaming in the light, her expensive jewelry sparkling as she looked down at me with obvious disdain. "Mother? You’re here?" I snapped out of my daze, quickly standing up and wiping my face. I forced a smile, but it was weak. Sophia made a small movement with her mouth, still not used to me calling her mother. She adjusted her well-groomed hair, then turned on her heel. "Come with me." I followed her into the living room, where she sat down on the couch, seemingly lost in her own world. Nervously, I asked, "Mother, would you like something to drink? Should I make you some coffee?" I always felt uncertain around Sophia, like I could never quite measure up. We had an unspoken mutual dislike for each other, but as an elder and Jasper’s mother, I still had to show her respect. Sophia raised a hand to stop me. "Sit down. I have something to say." Reluctantly, I obeyed and sat on the sofa, straightening up like a student preparing for a lesson. Sophia tilted her chin toward the coffee table, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "What’s this Divorce Agreement? Are you the one wanting to divorce Jasper, or is it that Jasper doesn’t want you anymore?" I glanced at the Divorce Agreement Sophia had picked up and placed on the coffee table. With difficulty, I spoke, "I want to divorce Jasper." Sophia let out a sarcastic laugh, her smile widening. "Well, at least you have some self-awareness. You’ve dragged Jasper along for two years. You know, I’ve never been happy with you. When you two got married, I said it from the start—you’re not good enough for him. Divorce was only a matter of time." My fingers gripped the fabric of my skirt, my joints turning white from the pressure. "Jasper actually kept you locked up at home? Hmph, well, it’s for the best. At least he won’t embarrass himself by taking you out. Your family’s in shambles now, like rats in the street. Everyone’s trying to kick you down!" Sophia’s voice grew more smug as she saw my pale face. I let go of the skirt I was gripping and lifted my head to meet her gaze. "I know. I will divorce Jasper. I’ll leave soon, but I have conditions." Sophia looked at me with disdain, a mocking laugh escaping her. "I knew it. People like you always have demands. Come on, what’s the condition? Or how much are you asking for?" “I don’t want money.” I met Sophia’s gaze and continued, “I just want to divorce Jasper and never see him again. I also hope he won’t come after me anymore.” “Is it really that simple?” Sophia raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Then sign the Divorce Agreement first and leave it with me. And as for Jasper, how could he possibly come after you? You’re dreaming, hmph.” “I’ve already signed it.” I stood up and gave a slight bow to Sophia. “Well then, I’ll gather my things and leave now.” “Go ahead.” Sophia nodded. She watched as I quickly packed a few clothes and personal items, grabbed my phone, wallet, and ID from the TV cabinet, and, after bidding her farewell, left the house, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. She glanced back at the Divorce Agreement on the coffee table, muttering to herself, “Really thinking too much. Jasper coming after her? What a joke.” Sophia carefully opened the Divorce Agreement and read it over a few times, ensuring it didn’t negatively affect her son or the family’s interests. Satisfied, she tucked it into her bag and, with a click of her heels, left the house. Jasper's POV Titan Global Holdings. CEO's Office. After the meeting, I returned to my office to find my mother sitting on the sofa, sipping tea. I frowned. This selfish woman—she cared more about her own interests and the family business than about me. She hardly ever visited, too busy playing the role of the wealthy wife at home. If she was here today, it couldn’t be good. “Mom, what are you doing here?” I loosened my tie and sat down next to her. “I’m here to give you something.” Sophia reached into her bag, pulled out the Divorce Agreement, and placed it on the table, sliding it toward me. “Sign this.”