Finally, Our Noble Heiress Comes Back Home

"Regina, are you kidding me?"

Asher picked up a piece of paper from the table and waved it in front of Regina, who sat straight-backed, her face blank, unsmiling.

"It's our anniversary, and you're asking me to sign divorce papers?"

Regina nodded. "Yes. This is your anniversary gift. I took the initiative to give you a gift first instead of waiting for you to give me one."

Regina's tone of voice, clearly mocking, stunned Asher for a moment.

Asher slammed the table. "Don't joke, Regina. This isn't funny. Why are you suddenly asking for a divorce? Is it because I've been unemployed lately and haven't found a new job? Are you feeling burdened by having to work alone and shoulder all the household chores?"

This time Regina smiled, but her eyes were cold. "No. I don't mind helping you take care of your family. But one thing I can't accept is... you lying and cheating. That's disgusting!"

=====

Seven months earlier...

That night, Asher came home with a gloomy expression. His work jacket had been hastily removed, and his tie was left undone.

Regina had also just returned from work and had only taken a few steps into the house. She greeted Asher at the door, worried by her husband's expression.

"What's wrong, honey?" Regina asked softly. "Why do you look upset? Did something happen?"

Asher flopped onto the sofa. "I quit my job, honey. They just approved the process this afternoon, and now I've officially resigned from that damn office!"

Regina fell silent, staring at her husband with wide eyes. "Quit? Why, honey? You've been doing fine at work, right?"

"I can't stand the unfair treatment at work anymore. They're always pushing me, giving me workloads I don't deserve. I'm not appreciated. So... I'm quitting," Asher said, his voice a mix of frustration and despair.

Regina looked at him, confused. "But, I thought everything was fine, and you were doing quite well at work. In fact, you just received a bonus last month. What's wrong?"

Asher sighed heavily. "I've never been able to tell you what I'm really going through and feeling, babe, because I'm afraid you'll be sad or it'll be a burden on your mind. You have a heavy workload yourself. But this time, I can't do it anymore. I'm tired and stressed."

Actually, Regina still wasn't sure what exactly made Asher decide to suddenly quit his job without discussing it with her.

They were usually open about even the smallest things, but for something this big, Asher hadn't even said anything.

"So, what are you going to do next?" Regina asked, confused. "Are you going to look for a new job?"

"I haven't thought about that," Asher said lightly. "I think I'll take a break for a while before starting again. You don't mind, right?"

"Then, what will happen to our family's finances if you don't work?" Regina asked hesitantly. "What about your mother and younger siblings?"

"Come on, babe, they'll understand," Asher said. "Besides, you work, so you can handle our financial problems. Haven't you always been like that? What's the difference?"

The difference is, you've always provided for your family, and I've supported myself. If you stop working, who will take over?

Regina only thought about these words in her mind, but didn't say them out loud to Asher.

That's how it was. During their marriage, Regina had never received any money from Asher, not even enough to buy an eyebrow pencil, because all of his money had been given to Magie-her mother and two younger siblings, Olivia and Janus.

"You work too, and your salary is quite good. I have to be responsible for my mother and younger siblings because I'm their breadwinner after my father passed away," Asher said when Regina asked about it.

"But, Asher, as a husband, shouldn't you still provide for me even though I'm working?" Regina asked.

"Babe, are you really going to argue about this and make my family dislike you even more because you're preventing me from fulfilling my obligations?" Asher asked sharply. "Besides, didn't I explain my family situation to you before we got married, and you said it wasn't a big deal because you only loved me, not my money?"

Regina didn't respond.

"Babe, why are you so quiet?" Asher rebuked. "Are you angry because I suddenly stopped working?"

Regina swallowed her thoughts and smiled. "No, it's okay. You can rest first before starting again later."

Asher smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Babe... you're such an understanding wife."

Regina smiled. "We'll get through this together."

However, after a month, things started to feel uncomfortable for Regina.

Asher was often away, even though he was no longer working, and sometimes he came home late.

"You're not working anymore, but you're always coming home late," Regina protested one night. "What are you doing?"

Asher stared at Regina with cold eyes. "I'm trying to expand my network, Regina. I need to broaden my horizons so I can get a better job."

"But you never seem like you're looking for a job," Regina said, annoyed. "You're just-"

"Uh, I guess I came at a bad time."

Regina and Asher turned to the door together, seeing Olivia standing awkwardly.

"Oh, Olivia, it's okay, come in," Regina said. "We were just talking."

Asher hugged his little sister affectionately and led her to the sofa. "You just got home from college and stopped by here on purpose?"

"Yes," Olivia replied. She turned to Regina, looking awkward. "I need money to pay for this semester's tuition. The payment was due yesterday," Olivia said.

"I'll transfer the money now," Asher said, taking out his phone.

"I also need some extra money to do research and buy some books," Olivia added.

"I've transferred it," Asher said. "Give some to Janus, too. I heard he needs to buy new mountaineering gear."

That's how Asher spoiled his younger siblings.

Regina hadn't cared about it when Asher was working, but now that he was unemployed, did he really need to keep doing it?

And in fact, the following month, Asher said his savings were running low and asked Regina to help him manage his family's finances until he found a new job.

"Honey, I already use my salary for our daily living, how am I supposed to manage money if I have to cover your family's living expenses too?" Regina protested.

Asher clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Gosh, Regina, why are you so stingy? I know you usually get extra money that's even more than your salary. Overtime bonuses, tips from guests. Try saving a little and share it with my family."

"But, Asher--"

"My mother would say her hunch against our marriage was right if she knew you would act like this," Asher snapped sharply. "Don't make me start believing what she thinks about you, babe. Please?"

And Regina transferred some money to Magie, because her mother-in-law needed extra money for her golf club activities.

Asher kissed Regina's forehead affectionately. "I know you're a generous woman, babe. That's why I don't regret marrying you."

That's a lie.

"Why are there so many?" Regina complained, staring at all the bills scattered on the table in front of her.

"Regina, why is your brow furrowed so deeply, like a grandmother?" asked Asher, who was standing in the doorway, dressed and smelling good.

"Look at this!" Regina said sharply. "Your mother's, Olivia's, and Janus's credit card bills, why are they all sent here? Am I the one who has to pay for them? The bills from the boutique, the bills from the club, the bills from restaurants and cafes. Oh my!"

"I don't have much money on me right now," Asher said, straightening his shirt. "So please just pay them all first so they won't be terrorized by debt collectors."

Regina was flabbergasted by Asher's answer and only then noticed his unusual appearance.

"Why are you dressed so neatly? And did you use your perfume to bathe? The smell won't even go away for a week," Regina said irritably.

"I'm going to meet up with my middle school friend," Asher said. "Who knows, maybe that meeting will be good news for me."

"Honey, it's my day off and you're going out?" Regina asked, confused. "Why don't you just stay home and help me clean the house? Look how tall the grass is in the yard."

"Oh come on, baby, don't we have a gardener and a housekeeper? Why do we have to do everything ourselves? We pay them a pretty penny, right?" Asher said lightly.

Regina laughed sarcastically. "It's precisely because it's expensive and I can't afford it that I fired them all. So please help me clean everything up."

Asher looked surprised. "Since when?"

"Since you became unemployed and left all our family affairs and yours to me!" Regina said sharply.

Asher's face darkened. "Don't be so sarcastic with me, Regina. You act as if my family have been bothering you for a long time."

"Do you realize, even though it's only been a few months since I've had to fully take care of your family, but actually, since we got married, you've never given me anything. All your money is only for your family and for our family alone, the two of us, in fact you're actually relying on my salary. Have you ever thought about that? You never even bought me a burger on the street after payday, but always took your family to eat at a restaurant in a five-star hotel every month, without inviting me."

Asher glared at Regina and quickly reached out.

SLAP!!!

Regina held her cheek, which felt hot from Asher's palm.

"You shouldn't say things like that to your husband, Regina!" Asher said in a low voice. "I wasn't the one who forced you to get married quickly, but now you're insulting me?"

"I'm not insulting," Regina said, her voice trembling. "I'm just stating the facts. I don't mind helping you with anything, but shouldn't you?"

Asher snickered. "You're really just jealous, because your social circle is limited to friends at that small orphanage, right? And I heard most of them have already left somewhere. Come on, Regina, don't compare me to you. Even when I'm in trouble, there are still many people who are enthusiastic about seeing me."

Regina was speechless. It had been almost five months since Asher quit his job, and he hadn't done anything, but his attitude was getting more and more annoying.

Not to mention her family. Her mother and two younger siblings were completely unaffected by Asher's unemployment, because Asher had so easily shifted the responsibility of supporting them to Regina.

And now Regina realized that Asher's salary when he was working must have been substantial, because he always managed to meet their needs and wants without complaint.

But she, his wife, never even knew how much he earned, let alone held a single penny he gave her.

"You don't need to bring up my orphanage, Asher," Regina said angrily. "It has nothing to do with our current affairs. Stop changing the subject!"

Asher was truly furious now and was ready to strike again, but suddenly Magie burst into the dining room with a thump.

"Mom?" Asher called. "What's wrong? You're here so early?"

"I wanted to ask Regina," Magie said with a sour expression. "Why haven't you transferred my monthly allowance yet? I have so many things to pay, and they're due today."

Regina pointed to a stack of bills on the table. "I have to pay all these bills, and these aren't even my expenses. How can I give you any more money?"

"Gosh, Regina, stop making an excuse!" Magie snapped, banging the table. "I know you have savings. Why don't you just use them? How do you think I'm supposed to pay for things and buy things if you're like this, so calculating?"

Regina turned to Arshen, who seemed unconcerned and was now putting on his shoes.

"Arshen?" Regina reprimanded in a low voice.

Arshen raised an eyebrow flatly. "Transfer it to my mother immediately, Regina, don't be so stingy. You have quite a lot of savings, right?"

"I'm saving it for our child," Regina hissed, distraught.

Magie sneered. "A child? It's been almost five years and you haven't even missed a single period, and now you're talking about a child? Are you still asleep and dreaming, Regina?"

"Instead of talking about nothing, you'd be better off giving the money to my mother!" Arshen said coldly.

Regina's heart had hardened from hearing such sarcasm and ridicule too often.

She picked up her phone and transferred some money to Magie's account.

"Don't forget Olivia and Janus's needs too," Magie said. "Just transfer it all at once for a month, so we don't have to bother asking for it again later."

Asher kissed Magie's cheek while Regina was transferring more money to Olivia and Janus. He ignored Regina completely and walked straight to the door, Magie following behind him.

"Regina's cheek is swollen. Did you hit her?" Magie asked Asher as her son pulled the car out of the garage.

"I only slapped her because she said something that offended me," Asher replied. "I'll apologize to her when I get home, Mom."

"No need," Magie snapped. "She deserved it. She needs to learn some restraint once in a while. It's a good thing you still want her as her husband, and you're trying to fight back!"

"She's upset about having to spend money to pay the bills," Asher said.

"That's her job as a wife, not just to be pampered and treated like a mistress. Besides, she hasn't been able to give you what you want most," Magie said boredly. "I'm pretty sure now that she's infertile, Asher."

Asher laughed softly and leaned toward Magie, whispering something.

Magie's eyes widened and she nodded happily, then they high-fived.

Behind the door, Regina heard and saw the entire scene in the yard, her hands clenched until her knuckles turned white.

Just as Asher got into the car and started the engine, the gate suddenly opened and three men entered.

"Mom!" Janus shouted, but he was held by the men on either side of him: a police officer and a businessman. They restrained him.

Asher turned off the car and got out, while Magie rushed anxiously toward her youngest son. Regina, however, decided against getting in and got out to approach them.

"What's wrong, officer?" Asher asked. He pointed at Janus. "Why are you arresting my brother?"

"Are you Mr. Asher Jeremy?" the officer asked. "Mr. Janus Jeremy's brother?"

"Yes, I'm his older brother," Asher replied impatiently.

"Mr. Janus hit Mr. Parker's car and he has to pay for the repairs, but he tries to run away, so we have to hold your responsible or we'll take legal action against Mr. Janus," the officer said firmly.

Asher stared at Janus for a moment, then pointed to his hands, which were being held by the two men at his sides.

"Let go of my brother. You have no right to treat him so harshly," Asher said angrily. "I'll pay for your car repairs!"

When the officer and Mr. Parker released Janus, he immediately ran into Magie's arms, who rubbed his back worriedly.

The officer gave Asher a cold look. "You should come with me to the police station now so we can-"

"No need," Asher interrupted quickly. "Let's settle this here. How much did your car repairs cost, Mr. Parker? My wife will transfer the money to you right now."

Regina, who was behind Asher, was shocked and pointed to her chest.

"ME?"

"But this is my last money," Regina said irritably. "If you use this, what will happen next month? Your mother and siblings will be begging me for this and that, and then you'll tell me to shut their mouths with my money!"

"Gosh, Regina!" Asher snapped sharply. "Why is your temper so bad? Are you really going to start counting and arguing with me about money? Again?"

"Oh, you said I count my money?" Regina said sharply. "Of course I have to count it! It's my money. I worked hard to earn it. Now, I can't even use it to buy an Americano at the cafe because I have to pay for your mom's spa bill, Olivia's pink bag, and Janus's game point refill! Does that make sense?"

"My mother almost died giving birth to me! She raised me, spoiled me, so it's only natural that I do everything for her now. You don't have a mother, so you don't know what it feels like," Asher snapped mockingly.

Regina's face flushed red. She stood up and pushed Asher so hard that he stumbled backward.

"You bastard!" Regina cursed angrily. "You don't even want to know how much I had to pay to keep your troublemaking brother out of jail! I should have just let the police take him!"

Asher smacked his lips in annoyance and grabbed Regina's hand, gripping it so tightly that she winced from the pain.

"Don't ever talk bad about my family! You work and earn your own living. That's why I agreed to marry you," Asher said. "Living in this house, being able to manage everything as a respectable wife, that alone should be enough to make you grateful!"

"A wife? You've never even introduced me to your friends, or taken me to office or family events. You've never even posted about me or us on your social media, even though you're quite active and always posting about the cheesy things you do with your friends and family!" Regina snapped hoarsely. "Wife my ass!"

Asher raised his hand, and without thinking, Regina thrust it at his cheek with a cold expression.

"And now you're starting to slap on me?" Regina challenged. "Just slap me. I'll take a picture and go to the police with proof that you abused me. Go ahead and slap me!"

Asher snorted angrily, then slapped Regina's hand away angrily.

"You've become annoying just because you're the only one working now," Asher hissed. "Do you think what you give us is worth what you get from us?"

Regina felt her heart being squeezed by an invisible hand. So now Asher was using the word "us" to refer to himself and his family, making Regina an outsider.

"Then I'll quit my job too," Regina said calmly. "Besides, I've been wanting to quit for a long time, because I want to focus on my pregnancy program."

Asher's face turned angry. "Don't you dare do that! Who will pay for all the family's needs if you quit your job too? Pregnancy programs? Will they be of any use? Who will pay for the exorbitant costs? You should realize, if only you were normal, you could definitely get pregnant without any programs!"

This time, Regina couldn't hold back her tears. She let her cheeks wet and sat down in front of the dressing table, ignoring Asher.

Asher held Regina's shoulders from behind and stared at her through the mirror.

"Honey, I'm sorry if I was too harsh," Asher said softly, stroking Regina's shoulder. "But, my friend asked anyone who wants to join her business to deposit the capital immediately. I don't have much left after resigning from the office, so I need your savings. I'll replace it once the business is up and running and I get my share of the profits."

"What about me? I have needs too!" Regina asked sharply.

Asher stroked Regina's necklace. "You still have some jewelry you can sell, right?"

Regina slapped Asher's hand away and threw her ATM card on the edge of the table. She then continued to put on her makeup after wiping away her tears.

Asher smiled and took the ATM card, kissed the top of Regina's head, and quickly left the room. He didn't even say thank you.

Regina threw her blush brush at the door after Asher left. Things were getting more and more unbearable.

"Regina, why are your eyes so puffy?" Sonya asked when she saw Regina enter the staff room. "Did you not get enough sleep or have you been crying too much?"

Regina sighed. Sonya had been her best friend since high school and was now her coworker at The Violet Orchid Hotel.

"I think I'm going to quit my job, Sonya," Regina said quietly.

"What?" Sonya said, shocked. "Stop talking nonsense, Regina! What are you going to do if you're not working? And didn't you say your husband hasn't found a new job yet?"

"Hmm," Regina muttered. "And I don't think he's really interested in looking for a new job. Lately, he's been talking about business with his friends. I don't know which ones."

"In fact, an accountant like your husband, I'm sure he'll easily find a job at any company he wants," Sonya said with a sneer.

Before she could answer, Regina's phone rang with a text message. Regina picked it up and read the message.

"Regina, transfer the money immediately to pay for Janus's field trip next month. The school has already requested the payment, and Janus won't go to school unless it's paid!"

Regina bit her lip in exasperation. Sonya raised an eyebrow without asking any questions, and Regina flatly showed Magie the message.

"Gosh!" Sonya growled. "That old bitch! Do they think you're an ATM machine?"

Regina just shrugged and put her phone in her bag. She wasn't going to send the money Magie asked for, and she didn't care what her mother-in-law would say.

"Regina, let's go to dinner first," Sonya said, after finishing her work. "I just got news from home. My sister gave birth to a baby girl two hours ago!" I'm an auntie!"

"Wow, congratulations," Regina said happily. "That means I get to choose the most expensive restaurant in town."

"Go ahead," Sonya said with a laugh. "I'll pay for whatever you eat!"

Sonya's favorite restaurant was located a bit out of town and served excellent seafood. It wasn't the weekend, but when they arrived, it was bustling.

The restaurant manager, who was actually Sonya's cousin, found a place for her on the second floor, in an open area near a beautiful fish pond.

The restaurant had several gazebos for customers to eat in, which had a pleasant natural feel.

"I need to go to the bathroom for a minute," Regina said. "You can order first. I'll eat whatever."

After leaving the bathroom, Regina was about to enter the gazebo she and Sonya shared when her eyes accidentally caught sight of another gazebo and she froze.

Sonya grabbed Regina's hand. "Hey, why are you still standing outside?" Come on in, the food will be served soon."

"Just a moment," Regina said. "My mother-in-law and sisters-in-law are in the gazebo. I'll go greet them."

Regina stepped toward the gazebo, but then Sonya pulled her hand back.

"What?" Regina asked.

"Isn't that your husband?" Sonya pointed toward the elevator, whose doors had just opened.

Regina followed Sonya's finger and was stunned.

Asher, wearing a clearly new and expensive suit, slicked-back hair, and a beaming face, was holding the waist of a glamorous woman in a beautiful evening gown and dazzling jewelry.

They walked close together toward the gazebo where Asher's family was sitting. Upon seeing them, Magie and Asher's two younger sisters immediately stood up and greeted them affectionately, as if they were already very close.

Regina felt her heart skip a beat. In all her time married to Asher, Magie had never smiled so brightly or given her such a tender look.

"Oh my God, Regina," Sonya said angrily. "Look at the way your bastard husband kissed that woman. Gross!"