Mr. Harrison Sr. owed the Miller family a life-altering debt. Mrs. Collins used that debt to force Grandpa Harrison to make Jake marry me. For ten years, he’d hated me. He’d even paraded countless women into his bed just to spite me, to drive me away. I became the joke of our elite circle, yet Jake would just coldly tell me, “What right do you have to feel wronged? You brought this on yourself.” Everyone believed I’d cling to Jake forever. He thought so too. Until the person I trusted most, betrayed me. My resolve shattered. The moment I handed him the divorce papers, a wave of relief washed over me. I smiled, a genuine, unburdened smile. “Finally,” I whispered, “this charade of a marriage can end.” 1 I stepped onto the yacht, the party’s wild energy already hitting its peak. In the center of the crowd, Jake Harrison lounged on a sofa, his posture effortlessly casual. That familiar back, a sight that still made my heart ache. She was perched on Jake’s lap, looking alluring, her fingers playfully tracing his neck. Men and women raised their champagne glasses, shouts of “Kiss! Kiss!” echoing around. Brittany Collins' cheeks were flushed, her eyes gleaming with a reckless desire. Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly, sweeping over the crowd. A slow smirk curved his lips. Without a flicker of hesitation, he pointed me out. “Look over there,” he drawled, “your best friend is watching us.” A collective turn, and then silence. Their eyes, filled with open mockery, landed on me. Someone, I couldn’t tell who, broke the silence with a snide “Hey, Mrs. Harrison!” Others quickly followed suit. Brittany, still on Jake’s lap, glanced at me, showing no intention of moving. I clenched my fists, my gaze locked on her. My heart was bleeding, gushing tears of blood I couldn't shed. I never imagined Brittany would betray me. She was family, chosen by me, the person I relied on and trusted above all else! I wanted to scream, to demand why, but not now. Not like this. Brittany let out a sickly sweet laugh. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?” she purred. “I betrayed her, I chose you. Can you love me now?” The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Everyone waited, unspoken, for the drama to unfold. My marriage to Jake was a sham, a hollow shell. He flaunted his affairs openly, women cycling in and out of his life like a revolving door. But this time, the woman at his side was my most trusted friend. I ignored Brittany, my gaze fixed on Jake. My face was blank, my voice flat. “The media are swarming the dock, waiting for your yacht to pull in.” “Jake, come with me.” He tilted his head, drawing out a lazy “Hmm…” then a definite “No.” Seeing his refusal, Brittany brazenly burrowed deeper into his embrace, flashing me a triumphant smirk. As the yacht neared the dock, an array of high-powered cameras were already zeroed in, shutters clicking furiously. Flashbulbs erupted like a relentless storm. I curled my fingers, my palm stinging. They got the shot. The Harrison family wouldn't let this go easily; I knew that much. Suddenly, Jake’s teasing voice reached my ear. “Like it, Mrs. Harrison?” he drawled. “Those old fogies probably won’t let you off the hook easily, will they?” “How about you divorce me? I could help you out.” I bit my lip, forcing the words past a choked throat. “Jake, do you… do you really want a divorce?” In ten years, this was the first time I'd even hinted at it. Jake’s playful smirk instantly vanished, his deep eyes suddenly filled with a complex, unreadable emotion. Before he could react, I stated plainly, “Then let’s get one.” It felt like a sentence I’d been waiting a decade to say. The moment the words left my lips, I felt an incredible lightness. What wasn’t mine, was never truly mine to begin with. The heavy emotions I’d suppressed for so long finally found an outlet, beginning to dissipate, thread by thread. “Chloe, are you serious?” Brittany's voice was an uncontrollable burst of delight. However, the hand Jake had around her waist tightened, a painful squeeze. Brittany winced, a sharp gasp escaping her. “Ow!” she pouted, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Jake, you’re hurting me.” Jake ignored her completely, his gaze fixed solely on me. In an unprecedented move, he released Brittany, walking directly to my side. “Let’s go. Home.” He added, his voice smooth and possessive, “Mrs. Harrison.” I clearly saw the cruel amusement dancing in his eyes. He was doing this on purpose. He knew how much Brittany meant to me. And he knew that if paparazzi captured these photos, if a scandal erupted, I’d be the one punished. Jake had gone to great lengths to make me say the word “divorce.” 2 I put on a blank face and casually linked my arm through his. “Let’s go.” Jake immediately let out a harsh, sarcastic laugh. I was used to it, I just tuned him out. As Mrs. Harrison, I had to be perfectly composed in public. Soon, I wouldn't have to endure days like this anymore. The moment we stepped ashore, I released his hand. He quickly clasped mine, fingers intertwining, his tone mocking. “Better act the part, Mrs. Harrison. Don't go half-hearted.” “The paparazzi are still snapping away.” I frowned slightly, turning my head to look out the window. Whatever. Let him. The ride home was silent, a heavy quiet that lingered until we reached the front door. The instant we walked in, he pushed me against the wall. In the dim, hazy light, I caught a glimpse of the dangerous amusement in his eyes. I was utterly drained, my voice a soft murmur. “Jake, I don't want to.” I tried to push him away. Jake’s grip tightened, and he bit my collarbone, a subtle punishment. He scoffed. “Mrs. Harrison, those old fogies are still waiting for you to get pregnant.” My body stiffened. Every time he said “Mrs. Harrison,” it was a cold reminder to remember my place, my identity. Once, I willingly wore these shackles, without the right to call for a stop, simply accepting my fate. Now, I could. My only reason for compromise had betrayed me. I no longer had anything holding me back. For the first time, I bravely pushed Jake Harrison away. “Jake, I don't have to be Mrs. Harrison anymore.” He froze for a moment, his gaze holding mine, intensely. “Chloe Miller, are you serious?” My heart plummeted. “I’m willing to give you what you want. Isn’t that good?” “I’ve clung to you for ten years, and you’re tired. I’m tired too. Let’s just release each other.” Before the words fully faded, Jake’s hand gripped mine, a vice-like hold. His body pressed against mine, as if he wanted to meld me into the wall. After a tense standoff, he spoke, his voice thick with suppressed rage. “Chloe Miller, your tactics are transparent. I won’t let you get what you want!” With that, he turned, furious, and stormed out without a backward glance. I was bewildered. Staring at his retreating back, I fell into thought. This was what he’d always wanted, and I’d given it to him. Why was he angry? A sharp slam echoed through the house, pulling me back. No matter what, my decision was made. But the thought of Brittany still brought a dull ache to my chest. My phone vibrated again. I pulled it from my pocket, my finger tracing the screen, hovering over Brittany's constantly popping up messages. Finally, I tapped open the chat. “Chloe Miller, you know everything now.” “Since that’s the case, give Jake to me.” “You two have been together for ten years, and he still doesn’t love you. Why don’t you let me try?” “Maybe he’ll fall in love with me?” “I know it’s wrong to steal my best friend’s man, but I really can’t control myself.” “The moment you introduced us, I was deeply drawn to him.” “I tried, I avoided seeing him, but you kept bringing him around. I didn't mean to.” “You forced me!” … The more I read, the more my heart bled. This was the person I once trusted the most. I laughed, a bitter, self-deprecating sound. “Brittany Collins, I truly misjudged you.” “Since you want him, I’ll grant you your wish!” I typed these two sentences quickly and sent them. After that, our friendship was completely shattered. For a man, she betrayed me. It was me who misjudged her, in the end. That night, I couldn’t sleep a wink. When I woke, my eyes were red and swollen. It took a long time with ice packs to make them look remotely normal. 3 My mind drifted for a few minutes. Then I remembered the tough battle ahead today and quickly grabbed my phone. I opened the trending news feed and, sure enough, saw last night's story plastered at the top. The photo showed Brittany sitting on Jake’s lap, with me standing opposite them. The comments were a chaotic mix: “Mrs. Harrison is just too generous, practically serving up her best friend to the heir.” “The heir plays dirty! Hooking up with his wife’s best friend and making his wife stand guard, savage!!” “The heir is so hot! If I were Chloe, I’d line up all his conquests for him!” “Don’t you guys feel bad for Chloe? She’s being betrayed by two of the people closest to her at the same time. My heart aches for her.” “LOL, she deserves it! The heir never wanted to marry her. If she hadn’t used that debt to threaten Grandpa Harrison, how would he have ever married her?!” “Exactly! And she keeps clinging to him, no self-respect! This is happening, and she still won’t divorce him, so pathetic!” “Wait, seriously? The heir is clearly a jerk, and you’re all roasting Chloe? Why aren't you yelling at the heir and that disgusting best friend? What kind of people are you?!” “Let me be fair. It's a classic case of 'one party willing to suffer, the other willing to inflict pain.' We, the online peanut gallery, don't know the full story, so let's just enjoy the drama.” The gossip forums were a mess of arguments. In the blink of an eye, the trending topic vanished. The Harrison family’s PR team had stepped in. A sound came from the entryway. Jake was back. He gave me a curt glance. “Be at the family estate in thirty minutes.” I nodded. What was coming would come. It was a Harrison family tradition that everyone had to return to the family estate every weekend. Any deviation would face family consequences. Even the notoriously free-spirited Jake had never broken this rule. “Chloe Miller, good luck with that!” He smirked faintly, his tone brimming with schadenfreude. At the entrance to the Harrison family estate. Jake didn’t even bother with pretenses. He strode ahead, leaving me to walk into the main hall alone. When I entered, he was already charming Grandma Harrison, making her chuckle with delight. “Grandma,” I greeted, performing the proper etiquette. “Mm,” Grandma Harrison responded, neither warm nor cold. “Your parents are waiting for you in the study.” I nodded slightly. “Understood.” I knew exactly what was coming. Meanwhile, Jake, the instigator, wore a slight smirk, not even bothering to lift an eyelid. The moment I stepped into the study, Mrs. Harrison's hand cracked across my face. My head snapped to the side, my mouth filling with the faint taste of blood. She blew lightly on her hand, then returned to her poised, elegant demeanor. Mrs. Harrison looked at me coldly, every word laced with disdain: “Chloe, you’ve disappointed me greatly.” “A woman who can’t even hold onto her husband’s heart, how can you be Mrs. Harrison?!” “If I had known, I never would have agreed to Grandpa making Jake marry you!” “What a mess!” I kept my head bowed, my hands unconsciously clenching. “Chloe, if you still can’t make Jake love you, then you two should get a divorce as soon as possible!” I snapped my head up, my eyes filled with an undeniable resolve. “Fine. I’ll divorce him!” Mrs. Harrison’s eyes widened in disbelief. Mr. Harrison also frowned slightly, asking uncertainly, “Are you serious?” “Absolutely!” My voice was firm. Mr. Harrison waved a hand, signaling me to leave. I stood outside the study door, faintly hearing the conversation inside. “You, what are you doing blaming her for your son’s foolishness?!” Mr. Harrison sighed. “Who else should I blame?!” “Before Jake married her, he never did anything so outrageous!” Mrs. Harrison couldn’t help but complain: “If you two hadn’t forced Jake to marry a woman he didn’t love, would he have turned out this way?” “You don’t know how much pain he’s in!” Mr. Harrison looked at her, helpless. “Don’t you know what kind of person your son is?” “If he really didn’t like it, who could force him?!” “Now Chloe wants a divorce, just watch, it’s going to be a huge mess…” Mrs. Harrison froze. “That’s impossible, right? If Jake really loved Chloe, how could he act like that…?” “He can keep playing his games, until he finally pushes his wife away…” 4 Yes, how could Jake Harrison ever love me? I turned and left. Walking down the long corridor, I saw Jake waiting for me at the end. He stood with his arms crossed, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. I silently tried to walk past him. But he grabbed my wrist, his hand gently touching the side of my face that had been slapped. He scoffed lightly: “Tsk~ That’s it?” “Was the punishment a little too light?” His deep voice was laced with a lazy laugh, giving no hint of his true emotions. My eyes were clear, unruffled. “Yeah, I told Mom and Dad about the divorce.” He paused, taking a sharp drag from his cigarette. “What did they say?” I shook my head. “They didn't say anything.” Grandpa Harrison was still in charge; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison couldn't make the final decision. And if I wanted a divorce, I’d have to wait for Grandpa Harrison to return. “Right, what right do they have to say no!” His voice was faint, but a harsh edge seeped in. “Damn it, you brought this on yourself, you deserve it.” Jake left abruptly. Leaving me to suffer, once again, the Harrison family's veiled insults, disguised as lessons in marital duties. I accepted it all, without a trace of humility or defiance. I waited. After leaving the Harrison estate, I had the driver take me to the nursing home as usual. Halfway there, I received a call from the nursing home: “Mrs. Harrison, it’s not good.” “Mrs. Collins’s condition has worsened. Please come as soon as possible.” My heart plummeted. I frantically pulled out my phone and called Brittany. I kept calling all the way to the nursing home, but no one picked up. Finally, at the door of the hospital room, the call connected. “Brittany, get to the nursing home right now! Mrs. Collins is in trouble!” Brittany sneered: “Chloe Miller, you were so generous letting Jake fill his life with other women, so why is it a problem when it’s me? And now you’re cursing my mom?” “Don't I know how my mom is feeling?!” “Even if something was really wrong, she has you, after all, she always treated you better than me!” “I don’t even know who her real daughter is, for her to make you marry Jake Harrison!” Before I could reply, she hung up. I tightly clutched my phone. Pushing open the door, I saw the emaciated woman in the bed. My eyes instantly blurred with tears. “What happened?” Mrs. Collins had been much better when I visited her two days ago. The nurse dared not look at me. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Harrison, I couldn’t stop her, Mrs. Collins saw the online news…” I froze. “Chloe,” she whispered, struggling to speak. I rushed to the bedside, grasping her hand. “Mrs. Collins.” She patted my hand reassuringly, her cloudy eyes welling up with tears. “Chloe, Mrs. Collins apologizes for Brittany. It’s all my fault… I didn’t raise her well…” “If it weren't for her heart attack back then, you… wouldn’t have resolutely married Jake Harrison…” “It’s all Mrs. Collins who ruined you…” The more she spoke, the heavier her breathing became. I wiped her tears, my voice soft. “Mrs. Collins, everything I did was my own choice. It has nothing to do with you; don’t blame yourself.” “And when I was little, if you hadn’t taken me in, I probably would have died already.” Her tears flowed even more. “It was our Miller family who dragged you down… Now Brittany treats you like this… I… I’m so sorry, Chloe!” “You… don’t worry, I told Grandpa Harrison to let you divorce Jake Harrison. After this… Chloe must be happy… you won’t have to suffer so much anymore…” Tears blurred my vision, but I managed a faint smile. “It’s not hard at all. Being Mrs. Harrison in the Harrison family is very comfortable. Famous, rich, what’s not to like?” She looked at me for a long time, then turned her head away with a pained expression. After a long moment, Mrs. Collins cautiously asked, “Chloe, can you ask that ungrateful daughter to come see me?” I nodded repeatedly. “Okay.” But the call I made went unanswered again. I tried Jake, but his phone also got no reply. Finally, I called Jake Harrison’s assistant. The assistant told me Brittany and Jake had gone to the Arctic to see the Northern Lights together. Tears I couldn’t hold back streamed down my face. Mrs. Collins saw my tears, as if she understood everything. She chuckled softly. “Forget it, Chloe. Don't torment yourself anymore. You don't owe our Miller family anything…” With that, she closed her eyes, a look of peace on her face. I cried hysterically. After Mrs. Collins’s funeral, the two of them were brought back by Grandpa Harrison. At the Harrison family estate. I stood to the side. Jake was kneeling on the ground. Brittany had been sent to Mrs. Collins's grave site. Grandpa Harrison’s cane struck Jake’s back again and again. In the past, whenever Grandpa hit him, I’d step in front of him, my heart aching. Each time, I’d take a blow or two myself. Now, I stood unmoving to the side. Grandpa Harrison saw my unyielding resolve, knowing my heart had truly been broken. He beat Jake almost to death, then said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow, you two will get a divorce.” Jake, sprawled on the ground, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then, he gritted his teeth. “I don’t agree! Why should she get to marry when she wants and divorce when she wants?!” Grandpa Harrison struck his back again. “You don’t have a choice! You’ve completely broken Chloe’s heart; do you really think she’ll ever come back?!” I bowed to Grandpa Harrison. “Thank you, Grandpa.” He sighed. “Jake wronged you. You may go.” Dragging the luggage I’d already packed, I left the Harrison family estate.
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