Chapter 1
"What is this?" Elise stared at the documents placed on her desk. The large words printed in bold seemed like an ominous sign: DIVORCE AGREEMENT.
"The divorce papers. Don't forget how you married into my family, Elise Thatcher," Kayden Anderson said coldly, his dark eyes seemed to be assessing her. It was this pair of deep and dark eyes that seemed to have a profound meaning that made Elise fall in love with him.
"Kayden, could I know why you want a divorce? We've been married for three years," Elise kept her calm, but her heart felt as if it was being stabbed by thousands of knives.
"Those three years I've been in a coma. You should know that this isn't my wish. I have no recollection of any memorable times with you. Grandma only let you marry into the family to make it convenient," Kayden spoke coldly. At that moment, his phone rang, cutting off the rest of his words.
Without waiting for her to sign or say something, Kayden strode out of the door after receiving a call. Elise stood in the room that she had stayed in for the past three years. She had worked her ass off to take care of her husband when he was in a coma after a car accident. She gave up many job opportunities and the scholarship to Paris for him. Yet, she was seen as nothing but a golddigger who wanted to use him to climb the social ladder.
Elise stared at her husband's broad back, laughing bitterly at herself. This was the man she had fallen head over heels for.
"Elise! What the hell are you doing upstairs?! Come downstairs and help in the kitchen. Make yourself useful for god's sake!" Maria bellowed. Maria was Kayden's spoilt younger sister who would always boss her around like she was a maid.
Elise walked downstairs. The servants and maids were rushing back and forth, decorating and preparing things. Elise wondered what was the special occasion.
"There you are! Why are you so slow? Didn't eat enough food? My brother is so magnanimous to let you stay here for free. Free food, free roof over your head, free clothes and money. Come and help in the kitchen!" Maria glared at her with disdain and disgust.
"Yes, Maria," Elise followed her to the kitchen and began to cut the vegetables and wash them. Maria just stood there to supervise, ordering the servants about. Never in her life had she done a household chore.
After the dishes were prepared and cooked, Elise headed back to her room where the divorce papers were lying there on the table. Along the way, she passed by her brother-in-law's room.
"It's a good thing that we have a nanny like Elise to do the cooking and household chores. Sigh... These servants are all so useless. What are we even paying them for?" Maria's voice came from inside the room.
"She's nothing but a golddigger. If it wasn't for grandma, my brother would have married someone who's worthy of him," James said. James was Kayden's younger brother.
"She seemed to have forgotten that Kayden married her so that she could nurse him back to health. Everyday I have to see that disgusting face of hers! I can't wait to kick her out. Ugh!" Maria complained.
Elise thought that if she worked hard enough and pleased her in-laws, they would eventually accept her. Unfortunately, it was all her wishful thinking. She bit her lips and walked past, returning to her room. She looked at the divorce papers again, an invisible noose tightening around her neck, suffocating her.
Elise picked up the pen and signed her name. She called the butler, Johnson, to come over.
"Yes, Mrs. Anderson. What can I do for you?"
"This, this, and this. I don't need any villa in the suburbs or ten million cash as compensation. Cancel it."
Johnson blinked, surprise evident on his face. "Mrs. Anderson, are you sure? The amount is a lot. Besides, you'll be living in this city all by yourself."
"I'm sure. Please do it," Elise flashed a sad smile. What she wanted and lost couldn't be compared to just ten million dollars and a villa worth twenty millions. Was Kayden making fun of her?
They seemed to have forgotten that Elise was the one who brought Kayden back, the one who healed him, the one who got him back on track.
"I'll do it right away," Johnson said. There was some commotion downstairs. Elise took a peek from upstairs. She saw a designer's handbag on the table. It wasn't hers, and she knew that Maria doesn't like this brand. So whose was it?
Her past suspicions resurfaced in her mind. Elise went downstairs and came face to face with Kayden. And he had a woman in his arms. Upon seeing her, the woman purposely leaned into Kayden's chest and flashed a provocative smirk at Elise. Elise recognized this woman.
The heiress of the Paige Group, and Kayden's first love. At that moment, Elise felt her heart shattered to pieces. He brought his mistress home?!
Kayden and Jessica walked past her, treating her like she was furniture. She watched as Maria and James went over to greet Jessica warmly. No wonder they were preparing food and decorating the place. It was for Jessica to move in!
Furious, Elise pulled the wedding ring off her finger and flung it at Kayden. The metal hit his chest, and he turned and glared at her.
"What are you doing, Elise?" His tone was cold and chilling.
"Elise, why did you throw that worthless piece of metal at my brother? Apologize!" Maria crossed her arms.
"Apologize? Sure. Tomorrow, I'll personally come over to your office and give you my sincerest apologies," Elise sneered.
"Elise Thatcher, watch your behavior," Kayden warned.
"Kayde, don't get worked up. I think there's some misunderstanding," Jessica stroked Kayden's chest while calling him affectionately.
"There's no misunderstanding," Elise decided that she had enough. "Johnson, bring the divorce papers."
