Chapter 4 He Tore Up The Divorce Agreement

From a simple background, Brenton had climbed his way up step by step. Luck played a part, but his mind and ability were what truly pushed him forward.

Without warning, a memory surfaced in Arabella's mind. Back then, during a crucial round of company funding, they had been up against another tech firm for venture capital.

Just before the final stage, the rival company's boss got into a car accident and missed the opportunity, which allowed Brenton to secure the deal.

Looking back, the other team's technology had actually been stronger. The timing of that accident felt too convenient.

For years, Arabella had placed Brenton on a pedestal and never once thought to question his character. But now, doubts crept in.

"Do you really mean those words?" Arabella asked. A cold feeling spread through her body as she looked at Brenton, her voice unsteady, her eyes tinged with red.

Misinterpreting her reaction, Brenton's expression softened. He smiled and brushed her cheek with his hand. "Of course, I mean it. Bella, we've known each other for thirteen years. How could you doubt my loyalty? Think about it. If I didn't love you, why would I go against every unpleasant voice, including your blood family and adoptive father's, just to be with you? Why would I build this company with you? Bella, you and I are meant to grow old together."

Years back, after Arabella went missing, she ended up in an orphanage. Later, she was adopted by a man with the last name Sullivan, and even after returning to the Rogers family, she had never changed it.

Every word Brenton spoke sounded sincere, and he genuinely meant every single word. Brinley had always been the one he could never reach, the dream he once held onto, the love he had imagined. Yet, the moment he chose Arabella, whatever chance he once had with Brinley was already over.

As for Sallie, she never meant anything serious to him. In his mind, there had only ever been one person who could stand beside him as his wife, and that was Arabella. From the beginning, he had never imagined spending his life with anyone else.

There was no denying that Brenton had an attractive appearance. When he smiled, his eyes carried a warmth that felt sincere, enough to draw anyone in without resistance.

If Arabella hadn't heard that conversation with her own ears, she might have continued believing in that illusion, never realizing he was a master of deception. She forced herself to steady her breathing. "Then agree to one thing for me."

A faint lift of his brow showed his curiosity, and his tone softened with indulgence. "Go ahead. I'll say yes to whatever you want."

Without hesitation, Arabella stepped back and reached for the bedside table. She picked up a set of papers and placed them in his hands. "If you're really that certain you won't betray me, then sign this."

Brenton took the papers with an easy smile, but the moment his eyes landed on the bold title-Divorce Agreement-his expression changed. "Arabella, what is this supposed to mean? Why the heck are you making a fuss?"

His grip tightened around the papers, and the sound of them crumpling filled the silence.

"You claimed your unwavering loyalty to me, so why hesitate? Just sign it. Once you do, I'll believe everything you say. You-"

She didn't get to finish her words as Brenton cut in, his expression darkening. "That's enough! All of this just over a female secretary of mine? You've been suspicious nonstop. Arabella, haven't I treated you well enough all these years? A marriage is built on trust, and now you're testing me with this? You've really disappointed me! Don't ever show me something like this again!"

He didn't bother reading a single line of the clause. With one motion, he tore the agreement apart and flung the pieces aside before storming out. The door slammed shut behind him.

Amid the scattered fragments, Arabella remained where she stood, her fists tightening as a cold, mocking look filled her eyes. Madisyn had been right. There was no way Brenton would agree to a divorce easily. It had only been a test, yet his reaction had already gone this far. But if he truly cared about her as he'd claimed, he would have noticed that so many of her belongings were already gone from the house.

Even while he strayed in both body and heart, he still wanted to keep her bound to this hollow marriage.

She realized that the usual way of ending a marriage wouldn't work. She would have to find another way.

Because of their argument, the ride back to the Rogers family estate passed in tense silence.

As the car drew closer to their destination, Brenton finally broke the silence. He reached for Arabella's hand, his tone softening. "If having a female secretary around me bothers you that much, I'll move Sallie to another department."

In his mind, there was no real chance Arabella wanted a divorce. She couldn't live without him. Her feelings for him ran too deep, and that was why she reacted with intense jealousy.

With that thought, a sense of satisfaction settled in him, and he decided he could afford to give in a little. Reassigning Sallie away from the CEO's office wasn't impossible. Still, Arabella needed to understand when to stop pushing. He wouldn't let her act increasingly recklessly.

With that in mind, he added, "I'll let this slide this time. But Bella, I won't keep putting up with your unreasonable behavior."

Holding back the urge to pull her hand away, Arabella answered in a steady voice, "Maybe I've taken too much bitter medicine lately, and it's got me all worked up."

Concern showed on Brenton's face as he reached out and brushed her hair. "You've been through a lot, honey. But for our future, and for the baby, just hold on a little longer, alright? I've already thought it through. We'll have just one child. I've even chosen the name."

He leaned closer, wrapping his arms around her, his voice lowering with anticipation as he spoke near her ear.

Arabella lowered her gaze, hiding the icy contempt in her eyes. In her heart, she had already decided to tear apart every illusion he was clinging to.

Inside the Rogers family's estate, a full spread of dishes covered the table, yet not a single person reached for their utensils.

Seated around the table were Arabella's parents, Jorge and Lauren Rogers, along with her brothers, Brody and Archie Rogers.

Right across from them, a large screen had been set up, showing a video call interface as they waited for Brinley, who was overseas, to connect.

"You can all wait if you want. I'm going to eat," Arabella said as she picked up her fork and knife to dig in.

Jorge's expression darkened immediately. "Put that down. How rude of you!"

"So, it's not rude to have everyone sit here hungry just to wait for Brinley to answer a call?" Arabella retorted.

The situation felt almost laughable to Arabella. They had insisted she come back for this dinner, even when she didn't want to, yet every time, she was expected to sit and wait for Brinley.

Because of the time difference, the entire household had even adjusted their meal times just for Brinley.

Lauren's brows knitted together. "Arabella, your sister is all alone studying abroad. She feels lonely, and all she asks for is a daily video call with her family. What's wrong with waiting a little for her?"

Brody added, "Look at the effort the family put into this meal for you. Meanwhile, Brinley can only have simple food where she is. What more do you want?"

A mocking sound came from Archie as he spoke. "Dad, Mom, Brody, every time Arabella comes back, she stirs up trouble. If she hadn't always competed with Brinley over everything, Brinley wouldn't have chosen a school abroad just to avoid further conflicts. If Arabella could be even half as thoughtful as Brinley, this family wouldn't be such a mess."

Arabella found the whole scene absurd. Just mentioning her growling stomach, and yet that alone was enough to draw criticism from everyone. Brinley didn't even have to come back, and the entire family rushed to her defense.

Arabella exhaled as their indifference no longer wounded her; she gave up trying to earn their approval and fight for their affection. If not for wanting to look into the past incident and find out whether Jorge, Lauren, and Brody knew anything, she wouldn't have stepped into this house again.

With a faint, mocking smile, Arabella ladled herself a bowl of soup. "So she went abroad just to avoid me? That's unexpected. I always thought she left because her grades weren't good enough for an ordinary school here."

"By the way, I heard she chased after some pilot she's obsessed with overseas. So, did she manage to win him over?" she added casually, her gaze shifting toward Brenton beside her.

Brenton's face didn't change, but Arabella caught the way his hand tightened against his knee. The sadness of unrequited love. The thought made her appetite return.

Arabella lowered her head and reached for her soup, but before she could taste it, Archie suddenly knocked the bowl over. "Arabella, are you pretending not to hear us? I dare you to eat!"

The soup spilled over Arabella's clothes, seeping through the fabric as heat spread across her chest and stomach.

But no one showed an ounce of concern for Arabella.

Archie continued, pointing at her, "And what kind of nonsense did you just spout? Brinley is talented enough to get into university with her skills in cello, piano, and painting alone!"

Brody's voice followed, stern and disapproving. "And what's wrong with her pursuing someone she likes? That shows confidence. It means she knows what she wants and has the courage to go for it. Unlike you, always bringing embarrassment to this family. It's a good thing Brenton is willing to tolerate you."

Without warning, Arabella stood up and grabbed at her clothes, and only then did Brenton realize she had been burned.

"That's enough. Bella is hurt. Let me take a look," Brenton said firmly, pulling her closer.

"The soup isn't even hot. How badly could she be hurt? It's just attention-seeking behavior. She's always been like this. Brenton, you're too easily fooled," Lauren remarked with a dismissive tone.

A cold laugh slipped from Arabella as she brushed his hand aside and lifted the hem of her shirt.