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PERSON_PROFILE

Chapter 1:
PROLOGUE:
Our three-year marriage is facing many challenges, and growing up as an orphan, who am I to expect anything better?
My husband, Carter Whitlock, is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Strong, kind, and fiercely devoted, he’s swept me off my feet from the moment we first met. In his arms, I’ve found solace and belonging.
My mother-in-law, Elmyra, always has a disapproving gaze that’s never far from my side. The other members of the Whitlock family, too, seem to regard me with suspicion and disdain, as if I’m an interloper in their midst.
I long to earn their acceptance, to prove myself worthy of their family name. Each day, I strive to be the perfect wife for Carter, tending to his needs with care and devotion. Yet no matter how hard I try, it seems as though I can never quite measure up to their expectations.
Even so, a sense of determination always stirs within me. I won’t be cowed by their judgment, nor won’t I allow their harsh words to dim the light of my love for Carter.
I'll be strong and unwavering in my resolve, and I’ll make my husband proud.
------
Hazel’s POV
I have an unbelievable secret that I can’t wait to tell my husband.
With our three year anniversary coming up, it’s about time we make our family complete. I hear the rumors being spread about me by his relatives; the whisper that I’m barren.
I look down at the little pink plus sign on the test and I smile. It’s all going to change now. Carter will be so happy when I tell him.
When I first met Carter at college, I had just stepped out of the campus coffee shop and a cyclist almost ran me over. Carter stepped in and grabbed me out of harm’s way. I instantly felt butterflies in my stomach.
He has been my hero from the very beginning. He is the city's most famous bachelor. and an incredibly rich man. I never thought he would be interested in someone like me. I had nothing to give him. Because of that, I have always felt inferior to him in our marriage.
Not everyone approved of the marriage from the beginning. The house staff is respectful, but I think it’s only because I am the mistress. Not because they think I deserve it. I see the judgment in their eyes when they look at me.
Both my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law are constantly making comments about my appearance. They love to remind me that I represent the formidable Whitlock family. As if my looks and the way I dress will forever stain their family’s image.
I wasn’t even allowed to make any decisions on my own wedding. I tried to pick out the flowers and I was told my taste was ‘too simple’ for a wedding to the most nobel family. I have also been told on several occasions that I should be ‘seen and not heard’ during family meetings. Nobody trusts my opinion, let alone asks for it.
Carter’s mother, Elmyra, has always been distant and indifferent to me. She treats me like an outcast and every time she approaches me I get nervous. Her hair is always perfectly done up; her makeup and clothes flawless. She is an intimidating woman and she often makes me feel small.
She knows exactly what to say to cut deeply too.
“I suppose you are happy riding my son’s coat tails the rest of your life? What purpose do you serve if you can’t give him an heir?”
“It’s probably for the best, dear. As an orphan, you wouldn’t know the first thing about being a mother anyway.”
“I don’t know what my son was thinking when he decided to marry you. You aren’t strong enough to be the lady of this family.”
But I know I can rely on Carter to protect me from her harsh words and actions when he’s around. He even defends me against his mother when she is hard on me.
“I know you want to be a grandmother mom, but Hazel and I are happy. We will have a child when we are ready.” Then he turns to me and kisses me on the forehead.
I don’t know why Elmyra hates me so much. It makes me feel bad about myself, like I will never be good enough for her son. But, from now on, everything is going to change.
Even Elmyra will have to start treating me better once she hears the news. I have a husband who adores me, a beautiful home and now, after years of trying, a new addition on the way to make our family complete.
Me, an orphan, finally getting a real family to call her own.
Just then Carter walks out of the bedroom looking as handsome as ever with his dark blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and chiseled jaw.
“Morning, babe. What’s for breakfast?” Carter asks as he strolls into the kitchen.
He kisses me on the cheek and lightly squeezes my wrist as he walks past me to get his coffee.
“Eggs and bacon,” I reply with a giggle.
We eat our breakfast in companionable silence. I cherish every moment alone with my husband. I don’t care what his mother or his other relatives think. I just want his approval. The one person who has truly loved me and been there for me in my life.
While I’m standing at the sink washing dishes, I feel a presence behind me suddenly. Something cold and heavy is placed on my heart. I look down at the most beautiful diamond necklace I’ve ever seen. It has a big cushion cut stone in the center and smaller stones wrapping up the sides of the necklace.
“Carter! What is this for?” I ask breathlessly.
“For being so beautiful,” he replies.
He leads me over to a mirror on the wall and I gasp in surprise.
“It’s stunning,” I say in awe.
“Tonight I’d like you to wear it to dinner with that short black dress I like. And, when we get back I’d like you to wear only this,” he says suggestively.
“Yes, sir,” I say softly.
I tip my head back to allow him access to my lips. He kisses me deeply and caresses my body and I lean into him.
“I wish I could stay in bed all day with you, but this meeting is important,” he moans and steps back.
“I will be waiting for you,” I say with a coy look.
“What would I do without you? You are the love of my life,” he replies.
He gives me another quick kiss and then he’s headed towards the door. I sigh happily, thinking about how much I’m going to miss him today. We had already planned on going out to dinner, but now it's going to be special. I will tell him I’m with child tonight and surprise him.
Out of the blue, my phone rings. I see that it’s my best friend, Lillian.
I’ve been so focused on being the perfect wife for Carter that I’ve lost touch with many of my friends.
But Lilian is different. She knows everything about Carter and me. She knows how my mother-in-law and the other family members treat me. She has always been there for me. She knows what to say to make me feel better about anything.
-[“Hi, Hazel. How are you?”]- she asks.
“I’m doing ok,” I say.
-[“Your voice doesn’t sound ok. Spill it.”]-
“It’s nothing, just had a visit from Elmyra.”
-[“You really shouldn’t put up with her crap, Hazel. Talk to Carter about it, maybe he can get her to lay off.”]-
“I appreciate that but I think that will just make me look weak to her. She’s a complicated woman,” I say.
-[“She’s a shrew,”]-
Lillian’s sarcasm makes me laugh.
“Speaking of which, I have to get ready for this afternoon tea so she doesn’t have my head. Talk later?” I ask.
-[“So you’ll be gone all afternoon?”]-
“Yes, unfortunately. These ladies love to drone on about family traditions,” I reply and then add, “Why, do you need something?”
-[“No, I’m ok. I was going to ask you to lunch but another time. I’m always here for you Hazel so if it gets too much give me a call.”]-
“Thank you. You are such a great friend,” I reply warmly.
I hang up with Lillian and feel a pang of regret. I’m going to make it a priority to dedicate more time to our friendship.
My day is over quickly. The tea goes very well and I decide to head home early. Usually, I’d follow the women back to Elmyra's house for dinner. I always want to be part of them. But this time, I’m very tired.
I walk into our apartment and set my bag on the counter. I hum to myself, excited about seeing Carter soon. I start to walk into the kitchen when I hear a noise. It sounds like a moan. I stop what I’m doing instantly.
Fear creeps up my spine. I make my way back towards the sound and I hear it again. Then I hear a bang noise and I almost jump out of my skin.
My heart is pounding and my legs feel shaky. Something is wrong. I know it in my gut.
I start to push the door open slowly and it makes a small creaking sound. What I see makes me gasp.
A woman is grinding on top of Carter and he’s moaning. He grabs her groin and looks up at her adoringly. I feel like someone has just ripped my heart out.
My breathing becomes erratic. I start to panic. My knees feel like jello. I clutch the door frame for support.
How could he do this to me?! This man who said I was the love of his life just this morning! This man who gave me a beautiful necklace and told me he hated leaving me!
Just then, the woman turns to me with an evil grin. Like she’s enjoying making me watch in horror.
I can’t believe my own eyes. I draw shaky breaths as tears fall down my face.
My heart pounds mercilessly as I lock eyes with Carter—the man I’ve once loved, now a mere stranger before me.
Everything I thought I knew about my husband. About my life. Destroyed in an instant.
The sight before me shocks me to my core.
Lillian and Carter.
In our bed.
Making love.

Chapter 2:
The man who says he loves me in the morning is now making love with my best friend.
Carter's hands roam over Lillian's underdressed body, his lips trailing feverish kisses along her neck, while Lillian's laughter echoes in the room like a cruel taunt.
My throat constricts. I want to curse, to scream, to lash out at them with every ounce of fury burning inside me. But my voice fails me, lost in a desert of despair.
Finally, Carter and Lillian notice my presence, their affection abruptly extinguished like a candle snuffed out by a gust of wind. My tears fall unchecked now, hot and bitter against my cheeks. Carter scrambles to his feet, hastily pulling on his clothes.
“Why are you here?” he asks.
Lillian remains on the bed, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips, her gaze cold and calculating. She revels in my agony, relishing the destruction she has wrought.
“It’s not what you think it is,” Carter says.
My heart shatters into a million jagged pieces. I need to get out of here! I clutch at my ventricle, willing my heart to keep beating.
Carter catches up to me, his hand reaching out to touch my arm, but I recoil from his touch as if burned.
"Hazel, let’s talk," he demands, his voice raw with emotion.
But I shake my head, my resolve hardening with each passing moment.
“Talk about what?” My voice is a mere ghost of its former strength. “About how you slept with my best friend behind my back?”
Now, I'm left shattered, questioning every moment of intimacy with Carter, every laugh shared with Lillian. Was it all a facade, a cruel illusion of love and friendship? The pain is unbearable, the disbelief suffocating!
I make it back to our house after a hazy drive. I ascend to the master bedroom, my movements fueled by a desperate need to escape.
With trembling hands, I begin to pull out my clothes and belongings from the cabinets and drawers, stuffing them haphazardly into a suitcase.
I don’t care how messy it looks, don’t care about anything except getting away from all of it!
"What’s gotten into you this time?" Elmyra calls out, breaking through the haze of my grief.
I turn to her, standing in the doorway, her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched. Her aura exudes mockery and arrogance.
I manage to choke out, "I’m leaving."
Elmyra hisses, as if wanting to curse at me. But before she can speak again, I brush past her, down the stairs and flee from the house, my suitcase clutched tightly in my numbing hands.
I steady my breath, then climb into my car and start the engine, the roar of the motor drowning out the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind.
I drive without direction; my subconscious takes control of the steering wheel and leads me to the only place I may feel safe - my parents' house.
Mama is actually waiting for me at the threshold, I’m overwhelmed that I ignore the fact why she knows I’m coming.
I walk in the doorway and papa, who’s reading a paper, frowns and asks, "Why do you look like that?”
I sink onto the sofa, struggling to hold back my sobs.
"What happened?" Mama perches on the edge of the sofa, her hand reaching out to brush away the tears that are staining my cheeks.
I take a shaky breath, my heart constricting with pain. "I caught Carter and Lillian...together."
I thought I'd have my parents’ support. But then, to my horror, their expressions darken, a look of apprehension crossing their faces.
"Hazel," mama begins, her tone accusatory. "What have you done wrong?"
Mama’s words suffocate me with its cruelty.
“He is cheating on me–!That assho–”
Slap! My head rears back from pain and shock. Papa just slaps me across the face! I hold my hand to my cheek.
“Go back to Carter now, apologize for leaving, promise him that you won't do it again and that you'll stay by his side.”
From the looks on their faces, I realize that they don't care about Carter's cheating. Only that I have brought disgrace upon them.
Mama’s eyes are cold as she adds, "You must have done something wrong to cause Carter to cheat on you. Have you thought about what it would do to our family? Your brother's scholarship is still on Carter's dime. Your sister is about to out in the society and can't be dragged down by you. Now, do everything you can to not let Carter leave you.”
This is my parents, my adoptive parents. I grew up pleasing them and being the best student in school, but they never look at me.
Being adopted at a young age will do that. You are so grateful to the people who have taken you in. You are terrified of making a mistake that they may send you back to the orphanage and decide to adopt another child.
A child that’s more obedient, smarter, better. So you bust yourself trying to make them proud of you. You stifle any part of yourself that may talk back or speak up.
It wasn't until I married Carter that papa accepted me. The day we got married was the happiest day of my life. I thought mama and papa have considered me family all these years, now it turns out I was wrong.
They don't care about me, at all.
Papa says, "Have you had enough, I'm going to call Carter and have him bring you home. "
I can’t take this anymore, this isn’t what I’m here for! This place can't provide the safety or even the comfort I desperately need!
I turn on my heels and storm out of the house with my suitcase in hands before they can react.
Humiliated, despised, and helpless… as I begin to acknowledge that I lost my husband and my family on the same day.

Chapter 3:
It all clicks.
The late night calls, the flirtings, the unusual caring with Lillian - their chuckles in bed, my parents' coldness, Elmyra's sneers. My mind replays these scenes over and over again, like a broken record.
I sit on the edge of the bed of the apartment I rented since last night, the weight of the world keeps pressing down on my shoulders.
Just as I’m sinking deeper into the darkness of my thoughts, my phone shatters the silence. I jolt as I wipe away my tears. My hand trembles slightly as I glance at the screen. Then, my jaw clenches in anger when I see the caller ID—Lillian.
“Really? You still have the guts to call me?” I hiss.
-["Listen, Hazel, it's evident where his heart lies, and frankly, your dramatics won't change that. Just gracefully accept the truth and move on, like any sensible person would."]-
Lilian says in her sweet voice, without a hint of remorse or shame.
-[“We need to talk, Express Cafe, now.”]-
My grip on the phone tightens, my nails digging into my palm as I fight to keep my composure. I force my anger down, steeling myself for whatever lies Lillian is about to spin.
"Fool me once" I say courageously, “If you think…”
-[“Don't you want to know why and when your husband cheated on you?”]-
She's been my best friend long enough to know what will pinch me. She hangs up, the silence that follows echoing in the small apartment like a deafening roar.
Express Cafe is just a few minutes' drive away. I slip into a corner booth and wait, quickly smooth concealer around my swollen eyes, as I watch the door with bated breath.
Lilian comes in blushing like a woman in love, and ironically, her love has turned out to be mine.
An awkward silence ensues and we stare at our respective coffee cups for a while.
“Why, Lillian?” I finally ask.
"Hazel, you need to face the truth. Carter loves me, not you. He's only with you because he wants an heir, a baby. Once he gets what he wants from you, he'll leave you for me."
"Is that so?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to maintain my composure.
A very faint smile plays at the corners of Lilian’s lips that she tries so hard to hide by tilting her head down as she reaches into her bag and produces her phone. With a few taps of her finger, she turns the screen towards me, revealing a string of text messages between her and Carter.
"He's been seeing me behind your back, Hazel," Lilian says, her voice holding a tinged of a smug satisfaction. "He's been telling me everything. How he can't stand being with you, how he's only staying with you for appearance’s sake. He's using you, and you're too blind to see it."
My breath dries in my throat as I read the messages.
The Carter in the text messages is nothing like the husband I knew. I can tell by his texts that he is happy, which makes my heart ache even more.
“But what does that have to do with why you betrayed me? You were my best friend,” I say, trying not to show how much these messages hurt me.
“At first we were friends, but then I realized I could never really respect you. The way you let people walk all over you...I’m sorry but it’s just pathetic. And then I stayed close to you so I could be near Carter,” she replies.
“He never loved you, I’m always his true love. He met me first. ” she continues.
I swallow a lump in my throat and quietly take a deep breath.
“How long has this been going on?” I ask.
“Pretty much since the beginning. A few months into your marriage, maybe,” she says without remorse.
My head is reeling with the idea that Carter has been cheating on me for so long. I’m shocked that Lillian has such a mean streak. She’s never my friend to begin with.
How could I have let these kinds of people into my life, into my heart?
Just then I hear the door jingle, prompting me to look up. To my shock, Carter appears.
“You called Carter?” I ask Lillian in a horrified tone.
“You two really need to talk. You need to think about your life choices, accept the reality and it's good for all of us.” she replies snidely.
She gets up to leave and Carter takes her place in the opposite chair.
"Come home with me. We had a good time, didn't we? We can still live the life we had before. It’s not like you don’t enjoy the things we do together,” he says.
He tries to run his hand up my arm but I slap him away.
“Don’t touch me. I only enjoyed them when I thought I was the only one you were doing it with!” I whisper between my gritted teeth.
"I'm the only one who can stand you in bed, you know how boring you used to be in bed? I made you moan over and over. You know you still want me..."
He stares at me with those cold eyes. The eyes I once loved. He’s finally stopped pretending.
It’s all been an act. I see that now. Carter changes his personality to suit his needs. He manipulates people to get what he wants. He manipulated me before and he’s trying to do it again!
I say nothing, trying to keep my anger in check.
“I don’t know why you are fighting this so hard. Most women would die to be in your place. They’d be very happy to get even the tiniest scrap from me,”
He pauses, waiting for my reply. But I keep my silence.
“You agreed to my terms. I have your signature on the prenuptial agreement to prove it. So get over yourself and fulfill your duty to me. Then you can go on about your sad little life, while I rise to the top and make my family proud,” he boasts.
“Did you ever love me?” I ask.
"Love is too strong of a word.” He laughs out loud as if he has heard something ridiculous. “You have good breeding, your parents assured me like you would be an obedient wife, and all along you've done well. Why don't you keep it up? Come home now, before I run out of patience."
He’s never loved me. His tone reminds me of the new racehorse he bought last month. A new, premium racehorse, presentable, brings him victories and can be bred to produce foals again. He never sees me as a wife, or even as a person.
“Not a chance,” I say proudly.
“Remember your prenup? If you don't bear me children, you will be ruined. Your family will be in debt for the rest of their lives. Don't you dare try to leave me.” His pupils dilate like that of a wild animal's, and he chokes me with his hand.
I can barely breathe, I can feel he’s serious about hurting me, this man I had loved is literally taking my breath away.
“I’m leaving you, one way or another…." With what strength I have left I try to remove his hand and finish the sentence with the last of my breath.
My peripheral vision sees that people are already whispering and looking over at us, and some even take out their phones and start taking pictures of us.
”How are you…” He growls, low and dangerous.
He notices the look in the crowd's eyes, and I'm betting he won’t dare make a scandal like domestic scandal in public if he wants to remain reputable. He stares at me with anger in his eyes.
He then lets go and I can finally breathe heavily. I cough, calling his bluff. He finally breaks the stare and leaves in a huff.
The look on his face is absolutely worth it. I may have to pay the consequences later. But for now, I feel free for the first time in my life.
I will leave Carter, no matter the cost.

Chapter 4:
Read your contract - This should be on my tombstone.
I dug out my prenup from when papa told me not to worry about anything, that they would protect me and all I had to do was sign it, and so I did. But now, I realize that every conditioning of this prenup is working against me.
My parents sold me into marriage, and they’ll be furious with me for getting a divorce. They’ll be bankrupt and vulnerable to attacks without Carter’s protection.
“If you want a divorce, you won’t get a penny from me. You will no longer be under my protection. Think twice, Hazel.”
Those are Carter's words, which are burned in my memory.
I just wanna brush off the agreement and his threat by not thinking too much about them. But then, they start to haunt me, making me understand the realness of it all.
Escaping isn’t a possibility, and Carter proves that…
The rain pours as I stand on the doorstep of my rented house, the water mingles with the tears I try so hard to hold back.
“Your husband's men took your car. I was about to tell you while they’re here so you can talk to them about it, but they’re so aggressive and I got scared that they may hurt me,” my landlord says.
A rush of anger and helplessness courses through me as I stare at the empty space of the parking lot where I last left my car.
As if that’s not enough for Carter, he adds another unwanted surprise for me.
“Also,” the landlord begins, pity and fear etched across her wrinkled face. "Your husband called through the cellphone of one of his men. He threatened me, said he'd ruin my business if I don't evict you. So.., I can't keep the house rented to you anymore.”
The world seems to tilt, the ground shifting beneath my feet. "B-but, I have nowhere to go. Besides, I need time to find a new place."
The landlord shakes her head, her face stern. "I can't risk it. The young Whitlock has too much influence. I can't afford to be caught in whatever marital problem you have."
I wanna protest again, but she’s right. Carter may put her in a difficult situation like he’s doing to me now, and I don’t wanna be the reason for it.
With a heavy heart, I pack my things, and drag myself and my suitcase out into the storm. I then head to the nearest hotel.
Without cash, I rely on my credit cards. The clerk at the front desk shakes his head as he hands back my credit card to me. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Whitlock. Your card has been declined."
My cheeks burn with shame. "Can you try again, please?"
The clerk tries again,... and beep! Declined, again!
Maybe this hotel’s POS machine isn’t working - at least that’s what I wanna believe in, though deep down, my inkling is telling me something else.
I walk to another hotel, and approach the front desk, my hands shaking as I present my credit card.
"I need a room, please," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
To my surprise, without even taking my credit card, the clerk shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Whitlock. We can't help you."
“Why?” I ask with a little frustration.
The manager, who looks uncomfortable, comes to the clerk’s rescue, and answers, “Mr. Carter Whitlock has banned you from our hotel."
You’ve got to be kidding me? Where would I go now?
There’s no refuge for me now. Carter’s reach is far and his influence powerful, making sure I’m isolated, vulnerable. He’s trying to force me back, cutting me off financially, stripping away my options.
Soon I will be in debt and poor, which isn’t good, especially that I’m now going to be a mother.
I have to find a way out of this, and the only temporary solution I can think of is to pawn my pearls and earrings for some cash.
I quickly head to a pawnshop, and its owner eyes me as I lay my jewelry on the counter.
"I need to cash these," I say.
He picks up the pearls, turning them over in his hands, his eyes narrowing as he glances at my suitcase. "You left home?”
“Y-yes, and it’s hard to find a place to stay. My credit cards have been declining, so I need cash.”
The owner smirks as he says, “Nice pieces, but I can't give you much for them. Market's down, you see."
My heart sinks. I know he’s lying, taking advantage of my desperation. But what choice do I have - haggling? Then what? Get another rejection? I don’t wanna face with that.
"How much?" I ask, bracing myself.
He names a figure that’s insultingly low, but I nod, swallowing my pride and the bitter taste of defeat. "I'll take it."
At least I have money that'll last for a few days if I spend it wisely. That’s what matters for now.
He counts out the bills with deliberate slowness while his eyes on me, a predator sensing vulnerability. When he finally hands over the money, I grab it. But I have to stay in the lobby for a moment, waiting for the rain to stop.
Suddenly, my eyes flicker on the TV that’s currently showing a flash news with a caption; ‘The Divorce of the Century’. The wife, once vilified by the town, now stood vindicated by Marius Thorne, the town's most revered lawyer.
“Marius Thorne,” I echo.
Marius Thorne’s image flashes on the screen, a vision of confidence and success. His gold eyes, piercing, enchanting even.
According to the news, he's a partner at the biggest law firm in town and he never loses in court.
“He may be who I need,” I murmur to myself, excitement surging within me.
Once the rain stops, I begin searching for a new place to stay.
With newfound determination and what little cash I have, I find refuge in a cramped flat that doesn't check documents.
The landlord, a cold and distant old lady, lays down the rules; no pets allowed, no men allowed, before disappearing from my sight.
In this tiny room, my troubled heart finally quiets down. For now, I’m safe, hidden from Carter's relentless pursuit.
Through G****e, I search the name ‘Marius Thorne’, and quickly call the numbers on the law firm profile he’s working with. After a few rings, a female voice echoes from the other end of the line.
-[“Counsel Commanders Law Firm, how can we help you?”]-
“Hi! I’m filing for divorce and I need to make an appointment with Marius Thorne, is he available to speak with?”

Chapter 5:
Divorce is never as easy as I thought it would be.
-[“I’m calling to inform you that Mr. Thorne has decided to NOT take your case. We can recommend good divorce lawyers if needed….”]-
The woman’s tone is cool and reserved over the phone.
Confusion clouds my thoughts, and questions race through my mind—why would he turn me away? Is he busy? Or does he find my case not worthy of his time?
I quickly rush to the law firm, hoping to personally meet and talk to Marius Throne, but I’m told by his secretary that appointments with Marius Throne are currently lined up for a month from now.
So, he’s busy. Even so,... I’m still hoping that he’ll have a change of heart and accept my divorce case if only he can understand my situation.
It’s a good case, hard case to be exact - my prenup agreement is harsh and my husband was caught cheating red-handed. This may pique his interest.
The bustling lobby seems to shrink in an instant as I, lost in my thoughts, collide with someone in a sharp, tailored suit. I stumble back, instinctively apologizing.
"Oh, I'm so sor-!"
But when the man speaks, I freeze mid-apology.
"Hazel?" he says, his voice a mix of surprise and recognition.
My brow furrows as I stare at him, trying to place the familiar handsome face.
Then, it hits me.
"Leslie?!" I exclaim, my confusion giving way to excitement. "It's nice to see you again!"
Leslie returns my smile, his eyes lighting up with warmth. "It's nice to see you again too."
My mind trips me back to our high school days, the laughter, the secrets shared, which were overshadowed by the years of silence that followed my marriage to Carter.
"It’s been a long time,” I say. “What are you doing in a place like this?"
A proud smile tugs at Leslie's lips as he proudly gestures around the lobby. "I work here as a Senior Legal Associate."
Senior Legal Associate? - I echo inwardly with awe.
Quickly, a glimmer of possibility shines through my uncertainty! And when Leslie asks the question back to me, I know I have to seize the opportunity.
“How about you, what are you doing here?”
In a heartbeat, I reply, "I'm divorcing my husband, and I need to talk to Attorney Thorne now. His secretary said he has many cases lined up for him. But he’s my only hope. Can you help me meet him, please?"
As I wait for his response, I look into his eyes, praying for a lifeline.
“Mr. Thorne is a troublesome boss, difficult to work with, and even harder to persuade,” he says.
My stubbornness refuses to let doubt cloud my determination. I’m desperate. Despite the warning signs, I press on, my resolve unshaken.
"Just let me talk to him. Then I'll decide whether I still want to trust my case to him or not... please?"
Leslie's smile turns brittle. "Alright. I'll try to talk to him first about you. Follow me."
I follow Leslie, then wait outside one of the doors that are lining the corridor as I watch him disappear into the room.
I hope Leslie's charm will be enough to sway Marius Thorne, to at least grant me a chance to plead my case. And maybe, just maybe, if I can make him understand, I can turn the tide in my favor.
After a moment of agony, Leslie finally emerges from the room, his smile radiant as he meets my eager gaze.
“You may now go in,” he announces, his voice tinged with excitement.
My heart leaps with anticipation, and I can't help but squeal with delight.
With a grin, I say, “Thank you so, so much!”
I waste no time in crossing the threshold into the room. As I close the door, my eyes quickly fall upon Marius Thorne behind the mahogany desk.
He’s tall and he’s impeccably handsome too, more so than Leslie and even Carter himself. Clad in a printed suit, he exudes an air of impassiveness that sends chills down my spine. His jawline is sharp, his gold eyes are more piercing in person than they were on TV, and his dark hair perfectly groomed.
Marius’ voice is devoid of emotion just like his expression. "My secretary and Leslie told me that you’re planning to divorce your husband, Carter of the Whitlock Family.”
Surprised, I ask, "You know my husband?"
Is Marius Thorne turning me off because of my husband?
He dodges my question, and delivers his verdict instead. "I have a full schedule for the rest of the year to take on new cases. I can recommend good divorce lawyers to you If you need..."
Disappointment and frustration foam in my heart, my hands clenching to my sides. "Is there anything I can do to change your mind?"
Marius remains unmoved.
Without a tiny hint of second-thought, he crashes me with a one-word answer, “None.”
Pride becomes my shield from rejection. I’ve walked away from anyone where I’m unwanted. I did that from Carter and his family, from my parents, God, I can just walk away from this stranger too!
With a forced smile, I turn to the door. But just as I reach the threshold, a hand grips my wrist with unexpected force. Then, Carter's angry face looms over me. I struggle to maintain my balance.
"Carter, let go of me!" I demand, my voice trembling with fear and defiance.
“What do you think you’re doing here?!” he asks back, his face red with beasty fury.
Carter drags me aggressively. I try to get rid of him, shoving my wrist from his iron grip, but his strength is overpowering.
Finally, we reach the lobby, where curious eyes watch our confrontation unfold.
Carter releases my wrist, but my humiliation doesn't end there. In a voice sharp and cold, he unleashes a torrent of threats that makes my blood run cold.
"I own half of this law firm. When my wife came to my firm looking for a divorce lawyer, You think I wouldn't notice that?——"
My eyes widen in surprise… that’s news to me.
Carter pinches my hand and says, “You didn't really think that you could find a lawyer who would dare take you on, did you?”
My mind goes blank, could this be the reason why Marius Thorne kept refusing me? Is there any other divorce attorney in town who will take my case? Who’s not scared of Carter?
Carter grabs my arm once again. “Stop defying me! You can’t just waltz out of our marriage without consequences. Didn’t I already make sure you know that? The hardship you’re going through now is just the tip of the iceberg of what else I can do to you."
I try to let go myself, but it’s no use, Carter is much stronger than I am. He then tightens his grip on me, which prompts me to hiss in pain.
“Carter, please,” I beg.
Carter parts his lips, but before he can continue his tirade, a pair of hands intervenes, grasping both my arm and his.
I look up, and see Marius standing before us.

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