Chapter 1 We Need To Get A Divorce

"Darling, the guest list is set. I'm finally going to be your bride publicly-"

Averie Peters never finished her sentence. Jorge Hardy caught her mouth in a kiss, cutting her off before she could say another word.

Averie's nails traced his back, leaving faint marks on his skin. A soft, breathless sound slipped from her lips, her eyes filled with a haze of affection.

For once, Jorge's cold expression melted. Desire flickered across his face, rare and raw.

He drew her closer, voice rough. "I want you so much."

Their bodies tangled, and they soon surrendered to the desire that pulled them under.

When it was over, Averie rested against Jorge's chest, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on his skin. Her breath came in soft waves, warm against him.

Jorge caught her hand, holding it still. His tone suddenly turned cold, even heavy. "Averie, we need to get a divorce."

Shock locked Averie in place. Tears sprang to her eyes, shimmering in them. "Why, Jorge?"

Three years had passed since they got married. Jorge had insisted her identity as his wife stay in the shadows, asking for a secret union and saying the timing wasn't right for a public one.

When he told her to run the Hardy household, she did it, and not even the staff knew that the strict house manager was actually Jorge's wife.

The only time Averie ever felt truly married to Jorge was at night, when she was in his arms.

After years of waiting, she was finally about to get the wedding that would announce her identity as Jorge's wife to the world, but he suddenly went back on his word and wanted to divorce her.

Jorge's words were final. "Rebecca's stepmother is forcing her to marry a seventy-year-old predator. If I marry Rebecca, I can get her out of that situation. I have to help her."

His eyes held a hard edge, and his tone did not waver. "It'll only be for two years. After that, I'll marry you again, and I swear I'll give you the wedding you deserve."

Averie's tears flowed down her cheeks. Every syllable trembled. "Did you ever stop to think about what this would do to me? Do you even care how I'd feel?"

Her eyes squeezed shut in agony.

She remembered the year everything had collapsed. The Peters family had lost everything, and she had gone from a socialite to someone everyone could trample over.

She'd had to make a living by being a bar girl.

Jorge had been the one to pay off her family's last debt.

He had given her a new beginning, letting her join his company as a fireworks designer.

He was her savior, her beacon of hope.

She had given herself to him willingly, hoping love could warm the unyielding coldness he carried.

Eventually, she got to marry him, convinced her devotion could somehow change him.

Only a week ago, she had stood before him with glowing eyes, showing off the fireworks she had designed for the wedding she thought they would finally hold.

But now, he wanted to divorce her. All because of Rebecca Morley, the woman who had once saved his life.

As Averie's tears spilled, Jorge assumed she was just throwing a small tantrum. His voice was indifferent. "You've always said you'd do anything for me, even die for me. Can't you swallow a little discomfort for once? Rebecca saved my life before, and I should help her. You've always been sensible, Averie. Don't disappoint me now."

Averie's vision blurred with tears.

A sharp, needling ache spread through her chest until she could hardly breathe.

"So because I've been sensible, I'm disposable? What does Rebecca's stepmother's plan for her have to do with me? If you're so determined to help her, find some wealthy bachelor and let him marry her instead!" Averie exclaimed, her voice cracking.

Jorge's next words hurt her completely. "I can't trust anyone else with her. She could get hurt."

A cold numbness crept through Averie's heart, and a strained laugh tore from her throat. "You're not just grateful to her for saving your life. You clearly have feelings for her. Don't pretend otherwise. You want a divorce, right? Fine, let's get one and end everything once and for all."

She dragged the back of her hand across her face, brushing away the tears.

Jorge only furrowed his brows. "After the divorce, don't tell anyone about our marriage. I won't have people calling Rebecca a homewrecker. She isn't that kind of woman."

He cared nothing about her pain.

He only cared about that woman's reputation.

Averie, who had endured silently and put her pride aside for Jorge for years, couldn't hold back any longer. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

"Jorge, I've spent years loving you and believing in you. I see now how wrong I was!"