Verdict of the Heart: I'm No Longer Yours

"We should divorce. The agreement will be sent to you. Please sign it as soon as possible."

Linsey Wheeler was enjoying dinner with a client when she caught sight of the message on her phone, which made her pause momentarily.

Three years earlier, she had married Bryson Higgins, who found their union unsatisfactory. On their wedding day, he had abandoned her to go abroad, making her a subject of ridicule in Ekarora. Now back in the country, he wasted no time in broaching the topic of divorce.

"Ms. Wheeler, don't just sit there. Allow me to propose a toast," the client offered cheerfully.

Yet, Linsey's spirits had waned. She quickly texted back, showing her nod on the divorce, and then stowed her phone.

As the hour grew late, she set aside her fork and bid her farewell. "Mr. Sullivan, I must be going now. I have other matters to attend to."

However, Devin Sullivan, the client, did not want her to leave yet and suggested, "Ms. Wheeler, perhaps you could stay a bit longer? I could drive you home afterward."

Linsey politely refused. "No, thank you. I really need to take care of other matters."

Devin appeared disappointed, but then struck upon an idea. He presented a glass of wine to Linsey. "Then, Ms. Wheeler, please do me the honor of finishing this last glass."

Unable to refuse, Linsey drank the wine. As she was preparing to leave, she suddenly felt an odd sensation. What was happening? Why was she feeling so hot...

Linsey realized something was amiss and clenched her fists, her brow furrowing.

It was then that Devin disclosed his true motives. He offered Linsey a sleazy grin. "Ms. Wheeler, you are both pretty and competent. Spend just one night with me, and your days of hard work will be over. You'll lead a carefree life. How does that sound?"

Linsey shot him a fierce glare. "You've drugged me!" Frustrated, she belatedly realized she had fallen into his trap!

As Devin reached out to her with that sleazy smile, Linsey recoiled in disgust and warned, "Stay away from me!"

Yet, as Linsey continued to resist, Devin did not hesitate. He lunged forward, aiming to kiss her.

"Ah!" Linsey cried out in terror, struggling fiercely. In her frantic state, she grasped a wine bottle from the table and hurled it at Devin.

Devin's howl of pain echoed as she shoved him back and fled the chamber with all her might.

However, the drug was taking its effect, and Linsey felt overwhelmed by a surge of heat throughout her body.

Nearly in despair, she suddenly ran into a man at the corner. Desperately, she clung to the man's arm. "Please help me!"

The man smelled of alcohol and the crisp scent of cedar. Instinctively, Linsey sought comfort in the coolness that radiated from him, hoping to quell the burning sensation within her.

However, it was far from enough for her. She craved more.

In her haze, she heard the man's voice, tense with restraint. "You brought this on yourself."

Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted off the ground and gently placed on a soft bed.

Before Linsey could gather her thoughts, the man, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol, pressed his lips against hers with a forceful, unbridled kiss that nearly broke through her defenses.

Yet, this was only the beginning. Everything that followed spiraled beyond her control.

On the bed, Linsey found herself beneath the man, her clothes removed with little regard. Her skin burned as his warm hands explored her, igniting an overwhelming arousal.

The room was soon filled with a chorus of gasps and moans, their silhouettes barely discernible in the dim light.

The intense encounter stretched on until it finally ceased.

When Linsey's eyes fluttered open, daylight was streaming through the windows. A sharp, indescribable pain shot through her, a stark reminder that the events of the night were not just fragments of a dream.

She lay there, her mind slowly reconstructing the memories of the night. She had spent the night with a stranger!

Panic set in as she turned to look at the man beside her, only to be struck by astonishment.

To her shock, the man was Bryson, her husband, whom she hadn't seen in three years!

As fate would have it, Bryson had mentioned divorce just yesterday, and now here they were, sharing a bed. Linsey couldn't help but question if this was some twisted jest fate had in store for her.

Noticing he was still asleep, Linsey quickly dressed, intent on leaving quietly. She felt it seemed wisest to leave promptly to prevent any misunderstanding.

However, as she attempted to rise from the bed, her wrist was seized in a firm grip. She turned, only to be met by his intense gaze.