No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I'm Done! Free Preview

The day Amelia Harlow returned to Eldoria, she got into a car accident.

The situation wasn't too serious, but dealing with all the paperwork was a nightmare. Amelia was exhausted from running around.

She limped out of the hospital and tried calling Ethan Rowe three times. He didn't answer.

On the fourth try, a little girl picked up.

"Ethan is celebrating my birthday and bought lots of lovely presents for me and Mommy. He's too busy to talk to you."

The voice belonged to a four or five-year-old. Sweet and childish.

Amelia froze.

It wasn't until his secretary Kevin Cain's voice came through that she snapped back to reality.

"Mrs. Rowe, Mr. Rowe is at Reverie Heights celebrating Ms. Boyd's birthday. Would you like to come over?" Kevin's tone was hesitant, as if he were holding something back.

It took Amelia a moment to process that the "Ms. Boyd" Kevin had mentioned was Hannah Gray's daughter, Isla Boyd.

Hannah was the widow of Ethan's best friend.

Shortly after her husband's death, she had returned to Eldoria with her daughter. Tonight was the welcome-back party Ethan had arranged for her.

Amelia's heart sank. She looked at her disheveled reflection in the car mirror and finally spoke after a long pause. "Where are they?"

After hanging up, Amelia took a cab alone to the outskirts.

Reverie Heights was built halfway up the hillside. The accident had injured Amelia's leg.

Fighting through the pain, she limped up the hill.

It snowed early this October. When Amelia stepped into the restaurant, Isla blew out the candles and made her wish.

"I wish that me and Mommy and Ethan could be together forever! I hope Mommy can marry Ethan!"

The girl's childish voice was adorable.

Amelia stopped in her tracks, staring at them.

Ethan and Hannah sat on either side of Isla. The flickering candlelight softened the usual cold, distant expression on the man's face.

At first glance, they looked like a family of three—warm and cozy.

The Grays and Rowes went way back. Hannah and Ethan were childhood sweethearts. Later in high school, they became the most popular couple at school.

Everyone said it was such a shame that the Grays fell on hard times, which was why Hannah eventually married Ethan's best friend, Jack Boyd, to save her family and moved with him to Harborville.

And Amelia had simply lucked into becoming Ethan's wife.

Hannah and Ethan were supposed to be the perfect match.

Hannah glanced at Ethan and said to her daughter with a smile, "Don't talk nonsense. Ethan has a wife."

"But Ethan doesn't like his wife," the girl said matter-of-factly, pouting. "Besides, that woman is just a vicious witch. She's the one who stole Ethan away."

Hannah quickly interrupted. "Isla, mind your manners!"

Someone nearby laughed.

"Isla has a point, Hannah. Let's be honest, this all started with Amelia. If she hadn't schemed her way in with that 'debt of gratitude' act, Fiona Rowe would never have had the leverage to force Ethan's hand. This is on Amelia, not Isla.

"All these years, Ethan's stayed faithful to you and never even touched Amelia. He even convinced her he was into platonic relationships and she actually believed it. How can someone like Amelia even call herself Ethan's wife? Right, Ethan?"

The restaurant buzzed with chatter.

Their words felt like a slap across Amelia's face.

She stood frozen, forgetting even the pain in her leg.

All these years, Ethan had never touched her.

After they got married, he said he wanted a platonic marriage. She had actually believed him.

But it turned out he was just staying faithful to Hannah.

Every single person around him knew full well that being Ethan's wife had been nothing but a joke from start to finish.

Ethan raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when his gaze finally landed on Amelia standing in the doorway.

He frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Only then did everyone notice Amelia's presence.

She had come in a hurry, still showing signs of the car accident. Her hair was disheveled and her dress was filthy.

She looked utterly pathetic.

The crowd fell silent, punctuated by a few sighs. Their eyes showed nothing but disgust. One muttered, "How unlucky. Why did she have to show up?"

Amelia felt a stab of pain in her chest.

Ethan had booked the entire place, and everyone else there was one of his friends. Everyone looked at her with disgust, as if she were something dirty.

But she was supposed to be Ethan's legitimate wife.

In the end, it was Hannah who broke the tension with a smile. "Ms. Harlow, today is Isla's birthday. Please, sit down and celebrate with us. Isla, cut a slice of cake for Ms. Harlow."

She and Hannah had their issues.

But adult issues shouldn't involve children.

No matter how pathetic she looked, she still said, "Happy birthday."

Isla had been well-taught.

Her eyes darted around, and she obediently picked up a slice of cake and walked over to Amelia.

Just as Amelia was about to take the cake, Isla suddenly pulled out a cross necklace and said sweetly, "Ms. Harlow, Ethan got these cross necklaces for me and Mommy at the chapel today. They'll keep me and Mommy safe and blessed. I'll trade you this cross necklace if you give Ethan back to my mommy, okay? He doesn't like you anyway."

Amelia's gaze fell on the cross necklace in Isla's hand.

The cross necklaces were exquisite. You could tell at a glance they were from Lumina Chapel.

To receive a blessing at Lumina Chapel required climbing a thousand stone steps up the mountain trail.

Ethan had been injured before and had lingering complications. He couldn't do strenuous exercise.

That kind of hiking would damage his meniscus and could even leave him disabled.

But for Hannah's sake, he had gone anyway.

After getting the cross necklaces, Ethan's leg injury became severe.

Amelia had stayed by his side for a week, day and night, barely sleeping, massaging him daily, and preparing therapeutic baths. Only then did his leg gradually recover.

What had any of it even meant?

Was it all just a joke?

Amelia swallowed hard, pushing down the bitter feelings welling up inside her.

She didn't take Isla's cross necklace. She simply said softly, "Fine. I'll give him back to you."

As soon as she spoke, everyone froze.

Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"

Amelia looked up and said calmly, "Ethan, let's get a divorce."

"Divorce?" Ethan's face darkened, his expression puzzled. "Just because I'm celebrating Isla's birthday?"

It was so much more than that.

Unanswered phone calls. A marriage where she felt widowed. A husband who stayed faithful to someone else.

Beyond the irony, she just found it absurd and laughable.

"I don't need a useless man, and I definitely don't need a husband who's playing house with another woman and her daughter. I'll have my lawyer send you the divorce papers."

Amelia dropped those words and turned to leave.

Her blunt words were so shocking that quite a few people were stunned into silence.

Hannah, the person at the center of it all, gave a bitter smile and tried to smooth things over. "It's all Isla's and my fault. I didn't think Ms. Harlow would be this upset. Ethan, Ms. Harlow is your wife after all. You should probably go after her and check on her."

"Not necessary." Ethan was unconcerned. "She's been Mrs. Rowe for so many years. Without me, how would she even survive?"

Six years of a sexless marriage, and she had put up with it all. There was no way she would actually be willing to divorce now.

She was just throwing a tantrum for his benefit.

Hannah bit her lip, hesitating. "But what about the Everetts? That might be hard to explain. "After all, Amelia lived with the Everetts for three years. If Mason finds out ... "

Amelia was the adopted daughter of the Harlows. After Beatrice Harlow was brought back to the family, Amelia had been kicked out and later adopted by the Everetts.

Rumor had it that during those three years with the Everetts, they had treasured Amelia like a precious gem.

Amelia had loved art back then. To bid on a painting she liked, the second son of the Everetts had once spent millions at an auction house, making a grand spectacle for her.

If Amelia hadn't insisted on returning to the Harlows, she would probably still be living comfortably with the Everetts today.

The history between the Everetts and Amelia was something outsiders knew nothing about.

But Ethan was well aware that over these six years, Mason Everett had been abroad and had never once contacted Amelia.

"The Everetts won't bother with her anymore."

Thinking of her retreating figure earlier, Ethan suppressed his irritation and said coolly, "Today is Isla's birthday. Let her throw whatever tantrum she wants."

As for divorce, with all the scandal surrounding Hannah, if he divorced now, it would only confirm the rumors and ruin Hannah's reputation.

There was no way he could divorce at this critical moment.

Besides, he understood Amelia.

She loved him deeply. She would never let go easily.

"True. She only lived with them for three years. Would Mason really treasure her like some precious gem?

"Without the Everetts, if Amelia really divorces, she's the one who'll suffer."

...

Amelia took a cab back to the villa.

After the exhausting day, she was completely worn out, but she still managed to call her best friend, Lily Rayne.

"Lily, help me prepare divorce papers."

She went silent for a moment, then sounded surprised. "You want to divorce Ethan? Why? Ethan may be cold, but he treats you decently. Besides, with the Rowes protecting you, the Harlows can't pull anything. And you've liked him for so many years. After all that history ... "

"It's not worth it," Amelia said softly. "When I married him, it was more because he saved my life."

And because he looked somewhat like that person.

Her feelings for Ethan were complicated.

Over the years, maybe it was transference, or maybe gratitude.

That's why she had obediently played the role of Ethan's wife for six years.

The first time she met Ethan, she didn't feel anything special, just a sense of familiarity.

Later, when he rescued her from that fire, she developed hazy feelings for him.

But by then she had already returned to the Harlows and was no longer the Everetts' treasured daughter.

So she buried that crush for a long time.

Until Fiona suggested that Ethan marry her.

Once those vague, inexplicable feelings faded, for various reasons, she'd play the fool in this arrangement for years.

It wasn't that she loved him so deeply it broke her heart. More than anything, it was just resentment at being played.

Seeing her resolute attitude, Lily pushed further. "Then why the sudden decision to divorce?"

She understood Amelia. She seemed gentle, but was actually stubborn and persistent.

Six years had already passed.

Why was she suddenly bringing up divorce?

Amelia's tone was calm. "He and I haven't had sex in six years."

Lily was stunned. "He can't ... get it up?"

Amelia didn't explain, just smiled. "Something like that."

Psychological impotence still counted as impotence.

"Divorce him. You have to divorce him. I'll bring the papers over tomorrow." Lily frowned. "Looking all handsome on the outside, but he's got problems down there? That's just wrong on so many levels."

Exactly.

Who would have thought she'd willingly stay with him for six years like this?

With all that wasted time, she might as well have devoted herself to charity work.

Before hanging up, Lily hesitated. "Amelia, divorcing him won't be that easy. Do the Everetts know about this? Should you talk to Mason ... "

Hannah's return to Eldoria was already causing a huge scandal.

Divorcing now would be a slap in the Rowes' face and confirm all the rumors about them.

There was no way Ethan would agree.

Amelia said softly, "I left the Everetts a long time ago."

Mason had his own life, and she needed to handle her own problems. She had lost the right to bother him long ago.

Amelia hung up in silence. She was exhausted, so after washing up, she quickly went to bed.

Probably because she'd mentioned someone from her past, she didn't sleep well that night.

When she woke up and went downstairs, she was planning to go to the hospital.

However, there were two uninvited guests in the villa.

Seeing her, Ethan softened his tone for once. "Isla's a bit shy around strangers. She'll stay here for a couple of days. You don't mind, right?"

Shy around strangers.

Amelia couldn't help but laugh.

Jack's body was barely cold, and Hannah was already so eager to find a new father for her daughter?

"Whatever," Amelia said calmly.

She was planning to move out anyway.

She changed into a dark sweater dress. With her bright eyes lowered, she looked relaxed and casual.

She looked beautiful in a different way.

Ethan froze for a moment, pressing his lips together. "Don't worry, they won't disturb you."

Amelia couldn't be bothered to respond and turned to leave.

However, Isla had already picked out her room.

Her gaze wandered around and finally landed on Amelia's bedroom.

"Ethan, I want this room."

Her eyes fell on the teddy bear on Amelia's bed and lit up.

Then she ran over excitedly.

"I love this teddy bear. I want this too!"

Amelia saw the bear in her hands, frowned, and her voice turned cold. "Put my things down."

This teddy bear was left to her by Nora Everett.

Isla had always been spoiled. She wasn't about to listen.

She grabbed the bear's ears and yanked them, then pulled on Ethan's hand and taunted Amelia. "Ethan, I like this teddy bear and this room. Can you make the bad woman move out?"

"Isla! We're guests here. Ms. Harlow was kind enough to let us stay. You can't be so rude." After scolding her daughter, Hannah looked at Amelia with an uneasy expression. "Ms. Harlow, could I buy this teddy bear from you?"

"No."

Amelia took the teddy bear back from Isla's hands and refused flatly.

Seeing Isla's lips quiver as she was about to burst into tears, Ethan frowned. "It's just a teddy bear. Why are you fighting with a child?"

Amelia found it laughable.

Even if he was a stranger to his own wife, he should at least know she always slept with the teddy bear.

Six years together, had he ever really seen her at all?

"Until I get the divorce papers, I'm still Mrs. Rowe, and half of this house belongs to me," Amelia said coolly. "As long as I don't allow it, your sweetheart and your little princess can be kicked out at any time."

After she spoke, Isla's eyes widened in disbelief. Fuming, she said, "Ethan said that from now on he's going to be family with me and Mommy. In this house, you're the extra one ... "

"Isla!"

Before she could finish, Hannah quickly interrupted and said humbly, "Ms. Harlow, Isla and I won't disturb you."

Her attitude was humble enough that Ethan's expression softened, and he let Hannah take Isla to rest.

Amelia got straight to the point. "Since you brought them back, give me the Emberfall Villa. I want to move there in a few days. I'm sure you don't want us living under the same roof either."

The bluntness of Amelia's demand for the property made Ethan chuckle softly, and he actually felt relieved.

In the end, she still needed to depend on him.

As for the divorce, she'd come to her senses in a few days.

"Fine, I'll have Kevin prepare the transfer documents later and put the villa in your name. Once Hannah and Isla move out in a little while, you can come back."

Amelia just smiled.

She wasn't coming back.

She wanted the Emberfall Villa simply because it had originally been a gift from the Everetts.

Back then, because of internal conflicts within the Rowes, she'd mortgaged it, and it eventually ended up in Ethan's hands.

Amelia's heart ached.

Back then, for Ethan's sake, she'd been willing to give up even things from the Everetts.

Unfortunately, she'd lost that bet in the end.

Her expression became more desolate, yet more striking.

Ethan's heart suddenly stirred.

Amelia had always been the docile and obedient type. She had probably brought up divorce yesterday just out of spite.

After all, for Hannah's sake, he'd left her alone in an empty bed for six whole years.

Ethan brushed away a stray strand of hair from her face, suddenly feeling a pang of reluctance.

Actually, things between him and Hannah were all in the past.

Now it was more about her being a pitiful widow with Jack's orphaned child.

He said gently, "Amelia, actually, as long as you behave, you'll always hold the title of Mrs. Rowe."

Amelia's stomach churned, feeling nothing but disgust.

What did he take her for?

A backup plan?

He'd remained faithful to Hannah for six years, brought his sweetheart home, allowed the other woman to waltz right in, and still had the audacity to give her some hollow promise.

She wanted to avoid his touch.

Just then, Hannah's voice came from outside the door. "Ethan, where did you put Isla's dress?"

Ethan jerked his hand back.

Amelia froze for a moment, then nearly laughed.

He was terrified that Hannah might misunderstand.

Hannah pushed the door open, and seeing the two of them standing close, she walked forward with a smile and linked her arm through Ethan's. She complained, "Isla can't find her dress and she's throwing a tantrum. You should go check on her."

"I'll go take a look."

He said this to Amelia.

Amelia nodded. She watched coldly as Ethan accompanied Hannah to comfort the child, feeling completely indifferent.

A family of three.

Her marriage with Ethan was truly too crowded. There had been no room for her for a long time.

...

The news that Hannah had moved in with the child soon reached Lily as well.

On this trip to see Amelia, besides delivering the divorce papers and cursing out Ethan, Lily also brought explosive news.

"Amelia, I heard Mason is coming back soon."

Lily looked up, watching her hesitantly.

Amelia's heart trembled, her expression dazed.

Mason.

Actually, she'd long lost the right to call him that.

To the Everetts now, she was just a stranger.

Her smile turned bitter. "Lily, the Everetts were good to me."

Back then, because of her, there had been a rift between Mason and Nora.

The Everetts' situation was complicated. Her existence would only give Mason more grief.

Moreover, the person he kept in his heart wasn't her.

Therefore, the farther she stayed from him, the better.

Lily felt a pang of sadness. Outsiders had no idea what had happened between Amelia and the Everetts back then.

Three years of affection.

The Everett brothers had all doted on Amelia as their little sister.

Until later, when Amelia stubbornly moved back to the Harlows, and the Everetts' second son went abroad.

If Amelia had the Everetts' protection, how would the Rowes dare to bully her like this?

"I'm just giving you a heads-up. Right now, the most important thing for you is to get a divorce from Ethan."

Amelia took the divorce papers she handed over, along with the property transfer agreement she'd prepared, and made a trip to Rowe Group.

She'd always held a nominal position at Rowe Group and had even worked at the grassroots level for a while.

Because of internal conflicts at Rowe Group, Amelia had put in considerable effort to help Ethan.

Privately, she'd also helped Rowe Group secure many projects.

But back then, she hadn't known that Ethan had been harboring Hannah in his heart.

Although Rowe Group's employees didn't know about their secret marriage, they had a good impression of her.

When she arrived at Rowe Group, a little girl's carefree, lively laughter echoed through the lobby.

Not far away, Isla sat in a corner like a little princess surrounded by courtiers, blowing bubbles, with snacks and toys piled all around her.

At the same time, employees were gossiping.

"The girl Mr. Rowe brought in today must be his daughter, right? He really spoils his little princess. Not only did he specially set up a children's area in the office, he even played blocks with her. Just for a meeting, he had someone specially prepare snacks for her too."

"I heard the little princess is Mr. Rowe's daughter with his childhood sweetheart, that Ms. Gray, who just arrived today. They do look quite well-matched. But thinking about it this way, Mrs. Rowe is pretty pitiful. Mr. Rowe even has an illegitimate daughter."

"Men, when they don't love you anymore, that's just how it is. Mr. Rowe was forced to marry Mrs. Rowe in the first place. Now that the real deal is back, and she even brought the little princess, who would he choose? Need you even ask?"

Rumors flew, and everyone's words carried sympathy for the legitimate wife.

This kind of thing was common among the elite, but flaunting it so brazenly without any regard for the wife's dignity was indeed rare.

Listening to this, Amelia felt as if her heart had been viciously clawed at.

She still remembered that after marrying Ethan, he'd told her he didn't like children and they'd never have any in this lifetime.

Turned out it wasn't that he didn't like children. He just didn't want children with her.

Lost in thought, she didn't notice when Isla had snuck up in front of her.

"Bad woman, what are you doing here? Ethan doesn't want you anymore. Why are you still throwing yourself at him?"

Amelia hadn't planned on arguing with a five-year-old child. She was about to leave with the divorce papers when Isla blocked her path, showing off triumphantly.

"I'm warning you, stop pestering Ethan. Ethan belongs to me and Mommy. An old hag like you, Ethan doesn't like you at all! Do you know, Ethan bought me and Mommy lots of sparkly things, and he even bought Mommy a heart-shaped necklace, all diamonds."

A heart-shaped necklace?

Wasn't that the one she'd liked a while back? She'd even specifically mentioned it.

Who would have thought Ethan had actually given it to Hannah?

"How about that, old witch? Do you know how little you matter now, you ugly hag?"

Isla wore a pretty princess dress and a little crown, tilting her chin up high.

Amelia suddenly spoke up. "You have something green in your teeth."

Isla's eyes widened.

Amelia bent down and said deliberately, "Also, an old witch's specialty is turning annoying little kids like you into mutes in the dead of night."

Isla immediately covered her mouth, looking at her with both resentment and terror.

After a moment, she burst out crying.

This quickly drew the attention of people around them.

Amelia ignored it and stood up, walking toward the CEO's office.

She waited in the office for a while until Ethan's meeting ended and she finally saw him.

When he saw her, Ethan immediately launched into accusations. "Why did you lose your temper with Isla? She's just a child. Isla is timid. You scared her to tears and it took Hannah forever to calm her down."

"She's just a child, which is exactly why she needs more harsh lessons from an old witch like me." Amelia let out a mocking laugh. "If you want to know what happened, just pull up the security footage."

Rowe Group worked efficiently.

Soon, Ethan saw what had actually happened.

He felt a twinge of regret for blaming Amelia without hearing her side first, and for once softened his tone.

"Isla is still young. I'll have Hannah teach her well."

Amelia's thoughts were entirely on the divorce papers. She couldn't be bothered to remind Ethan that being young was never an excuse for bad behavior.

She pulled out the property transfer agreement and said indifferently, "This is the Emberfall Villa contract. Sign it. I'll move there in the next couple of days."

Ethan glanced at it. It was indeed a transfer agreement in duplicate.

He signed at the bottom of the page.

Amelia took it. One more month, she told herself.

She was about to leave when Ethan suddenly called out to her.

"In the next couple of days, come back with me to the estate. Grandma really misses you. Mom knows Hannah is back and wants to throw her a welcome party."

Amelia laughed bitterly.

So he was asking her to return to the estate to help welcome his sweetheart?

Amelia had wanted to refuse.

But thinking of Fiona, she still nodded. "Alright."

Fiona was an elder she truly got along with.

After the divorce, she probably wouldn't have any connection with this elder anymore.

Forget it. Consider it a farewell.

After agreeing to return to the estate, Amelia quickly left Rowe Group.

She had barely left when Hannah pushed the door open and entered.

Ethan looked up and asked gently, "How is Isla?"

"She was really scared." Hannah shook her head, her eyes red. "Ethan, I know Ms. Harlow has issues with me, and I don't blame her. After all, I'm the one who affected your relationship. But Isla is still young, and children her age can't handle being frightened. Could you talk to Ms. Harlow and ask her not to target Isla?"

Her tone was bitter, her attitude humble.

If it were before, Ethan would have blamed Amelia without question.

But he had seen with his own eyes in the security footage just how nasty a five-year-old child could be.

"Amelia isn't that kind of person." Ethan said patiently. "Hannah, even though Isla is only five, she still needs to be taught properly. The things she said were really harsh."

Hannah's heart sank, and she smiled bitterly. "You know about Jack's health. All these years, I've been raising her alone. Without a father's guidance, she's been a bit unruly."

Ethan was Jack's childhood friend.

Even setting aside his past with Hannah, he would still take responsibility for Hannah and her daughter.

"I know. From now on, with me here, I'll help you raise Isla properly."

Only then did Hannah smile through her tears.

But Ethan suddenly thought of Amelia.

He had always overlooked her, but recently he'd discovered that compared to Hannah's gentle and gracious motherly demeanor, Amelia was actually more stubborn at her core.

Only when facing him she was much more docile.

Having Hannah in their lives had still caused Amelia considerable pain.

Ethan felt uncomfortable about it.

Once Isla adapted, he wanted to find an opportunity to have Isla and Hannah move out.

...

Amelia had no idea about Ethan's thoughts. Her mind was only on the remaining month of the divorce waiting period.

In that month, she only wanted to get through it smoothly and finalize the divorce with him.

As for her future, the possibilities were endless.

Anywhere would be better than being trapped in this marriage.

The next day, Amelia went back to the estate on her own.

Yesterday, Isla had claimed she wasn't feeling well and fussed all night, making Ethan read her stories.

Ethan hadn't slept well, so he woke up late the next day.

Amelia couldn't be bothered to wait for him and simply called her own car to the estate.

Fiona's health wasn't good.

She chatted with Fiona for quite a while and coaxed her to sleep before preparing to go downstairs.

Downstairs, Isla was holding up a piece of paper, being adorable toward Grace Rowe. "Grace, look at my drawing! This is Mommy, this is Ethan, and this is you."

"Isla's family portrait is really nice."

Grace smiled for the first time in a while and praised her repeatedly.

A family portrait.

Amelia found it amusing.

Grace had never liked her but easily accepted Ethan playing father.

However, when she came downstairs, she noticed the design sketches scattered on the table.

They were all her previous works.

Even the "paper" Isla had used for the family portrait was no exception.

After marrying Ethan, she'd had no choice but to become a dutiful wife supporting her husband. As for design work, aside from creating something when inspiration struck, she hadn't continued pursuing it seriously.

But in the end, these designs were all her heart and soul.

One of them was even a wedding dress she'd designed for herself and Ethan.

Amelia's expression shifted, her tone turning cold. "Who gave you permission to touch my things?"

Hannah looked surprised. "Isla wanted to draw earlier, and Ethan told me to find paper. I thought these were scrap paper, so I took them."

Grace couldn't stand Amelia and said unhappily, "They're just a few rough sketches. What's the big deal? All these years, you and Ethan haven't even had children. Hannah raised Isla so well. She's smart and adorable. What's wrong with using a few of your sketches?"

"You won't use them anyway. Amelia, don't be so uptight."

Ethan's voice was gentle as he coaxed her softly.

Amelia looked up, staring into Ethan's deep eyes.

So all these years, her hard work had been worthless in Ethan and the Rowes' eyes.

"It's nothing really." Amelia said unhurriedly. "That design in Isla's hands was originally a gift I was going to give you. Fashion Weekly offered eight million dollars for it, and once made, it would be one of a kind in the world. What a shame."

Grace stared at the ridiculous family portrait in Isla's hands, her expression shifting drastically.

She could have kicked herself.

Amelia never lied.

An eight million dollar offer!

And it was a one-of-a-kind piece!

And it was ruined by some so-called family portrait!

"Hannah, you really need to teach your child properly. When you're in someone else's home, don't touch things that shouldn't be touched."

Grace impatiently let go of her hand, and the warm affection from before disappeared from her face.

"Grace, I'll be careful next time."

Hannah's face paled, looking pitiful.

Amelia gathered up the designs and returned to her room, out of sight, out of mind.

After hesitating, Ethan still followed into the room.

"Hannah didn't mean it."

The moment he opened his mouth, it was to defend Hannah.

Amelia's tone was flat. "Did she not see the signature on the work, or could she not tell they were design sketches?"

Ethan looked at Amelia and suddenly felt she'd lost her former docility and was much more spirited.

"I'll compensate you. I'll have Kevin transfer eight million dollars to you in a bit." Ethan pressed his lips together. "Amelia, be good. Hannah and her daughter haven't had it easy. Give them some slack."

Hadn't she given them enough slack already?

She'd even given away her own husband.

"Fine." Amelia suddenly felt at peace. "In another month, it'll be our anniversary. That day, I have a gift for you."

Hearing this, Ethan suddenly felt relieved.

These past few days, she'd seemed like a different person, and he'd thought ...

Apparently he'd been overthinking.

She still couldn't leave him.

Ethan's eyes showed a hint of amusement. "Alright. In a couple of days, it's your grandfather's birthday celebration. I'll prepare a gift for him as well."

Amelia still carried the Harlow name, even though the Harlows had kicked her out.

But the debt of being raised by the Harlows weighed on her, and she had to attend David Harlow's birthday celebration no matter what.

"Alright."

She lowered her eyes, but in her heart, she was only waiting for a month from now to arrive.

Their sixth anniversary.

And the time to say goodbye to her identity as Ethan's wife.

That evening, heavy snow began to fall, and everything became deathly quiet.

Both Amelia and Hannah had no choice but to stay at the Rowe Estate.

With Fiona watching, Amelia had to share a room with Ethan.

Amelia felt unusually uncomfortable.

She couldn't help but mock herself.

In the past, she'd loved him so carefully. Even when Ethan used the excuse of a platonic marriage to refuse any intimacy with her, she still felt delighted by his closeness.

But now, that joy from the past was long gone.

Ethan didn't notice. He just affectionately patted her head. "You want to shower first?"

Amelia avoided his touch. She was about to speak when Hannah's knock suddenly sounded at the door.

Ethan opened it.

Hannah's eyes were red, looking extremely anxious. "Ethan, Isla had a nightmare. She's confused and not feeling well. Can you come check on her?"

Ethan looked toward Amelia.

Amelia felt relieved inside and said indifferently, "The child comes first. I'll explain to Fiona."

Perfect. She didn't want to share a room with him anyway.

Ethan hesitated but still left. "I'll be back soon."

Watching Ethan's departing figure, Amelia knew in her heart that he wouldn't come back.

When she first married into the family, she had trouble sleeping in a new place and often had nightmares too.

Perhaps because of Fiona, Ethan had often stayed by her side.

When she cried hard, Ethan would always say, "Be good. I'm here."

Thinking back, they had shared such brief moments of sweetness.

Unfortunately, now it only felt like a thorn in her throat.

...

After a night of wind and snow, the next day, snow weighed down the branches.

Outside, she could hear Ethan playing games with Isla. Before long, Ethan left for work.

Tonight was David's birthday celebration, and Amelia made plans with Lily to pick out a gift.

Before Amelia left, Isla was holding Hannah's hand, looking at her provocatively.

"Ethan said he'll come put me to bed every night and stay with me and Mommy. You'll be kicked out soon, and then Ethan will be my daddy. A woman like you who just leeches off men, ugly and mean, without Ethan, you'll definitely end up miserable!"

The six-year-old girl looked triumphant.

Hannah just curved her lips. "Ms. Harlow, don't take a child's words to heart."

Amelia said coldly, "Done pretending?"

Hannah stopped pretending. "Ethan isn't here. Let's be straight with each other. You know exactly how he treats you. I have a child. I need someone to depend on."

The Boyds were already a mess. Without Ethan's protection, how could she have come back smoothly?

A woman with a child always had it hard.

What was wrong with her and Ethan rekindling their romance?

"Jack's barely been dead a week, and does he know you've already lined up your next meal ticket?" Amelia said sarcastically.

Hannah's expression shifted.

"He's already dead. Am I supposed to be a widow forever?" Hannah said flatly. "These past few days, Ethan has been with me and Isla constantly. You know how Ethan feels about me. I hope you have some self-awareness."

"I'm not sure about the rest, but tonight, he won't be."

Amelia understood Ethan well.

He always kept up appearances, especially putting on a good show in front of elders.

No matter what, he wouldn't miss David's birthday celebration.

After saying this, she stepped out of the estate to meet Lily.

Hannah watched her retreating figure, pressing her lips together, a flash of unwillingness in her eyes.

Amelia didn't give much thought to Hannah's scheming.

The essence of the problem was that something had gone wrong between her and Ethan.

Without Hannah, there would be someone else.

It made no difference.

She and Lily went to several antique shops downtown and picked out collectibles that David would like.

That evening, Ethan came as promised to pick up Amelia for the celebration.

David's birthday party was being held at a classic garden estate in the suburbs. Last night's heavy snow had left deep drifts.

Halfway through the drive, Ethan's phone kept ringing.

He pulled over and answered.

Two minutes later, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Isla fell off the slide and hit her head. Amelia, I need to go to the hospital. Hannah is alone and probably can't handle it by herself."

Ethan's eyes grew even darker.

Amelia couldn't read what was in those depths, but she only felt desolate inside.

Thinking of the Harlows, she still tried to fight for herself once. "Can't you have Kevin go with her?"

"Hannah is terrified. She's been crying." Ethan pressed his lips together. "Jack is gone. I can't just abandon her."

"Fine."

This time, Amelia said nothing more and simply agreed softly.

She knew in her heart it had nothing to do with Jack.

Even as his wife, she meant nothing.

She pulled the door handle and got straight out of the car.

"I'll have Kevin come pick you up. He'll be here soon. Once I take care of Isla's injury, I'll come right away."

Ethan gave her a deep look and drove off.

The wilderness was deserted, and the midwinter snow had frozen into thin sheets.

Amelia stood there quietly, watching Ethan drive away.

All these years, the Harlows had been harsh with her.

They'd only held back because of the Everetts and Ethan.

He knew perfectly well she'd be given a hard time going to the celebration alone, but he still left.

The cold winter snow fell on her.

Amelia didn't know how long she'd been walking. Her hands and feet were so cold they were nearly numb.

Behind her, headlights appeared.

In the limited-edition Maybach, the man in the back seat was hidden in the shifting light and shadow. He lowered his eyes, his expression indifferent as he toyed with a childishly cute pink keychain in his hand.

The letters "A.H." on the keychain were already frayed, as if someone had touched them many times.

The assistant looked over in surprise and suddenly spoke. "Mr. Everett, it's Ms. Harlow."

After saying this, he felt uneasy.

Everyone close to Mason knew that Amelia was forbidden territory for him.

He had once treasured her like a precious gem but in the end had completely given her up.

Mason glanced out the window.

The snow was falling heavily. She was dressed very lightly but seemed numb, walking blankly through the snow.

She looked thin and pitiful.

Just like years ago when he'd found her.

"Drive."

Mason looked away and gave a flat order.

The assistant hesitated. "Mr. Everett, the snow is so heavy. If Ms. Harlow keeps going like this ... "

"Feel sorry for her?" Mason said flatly. "You can walk with her."

After he said this, the assistant immediately fell silent.

Just as the window was rolling up, suddenly, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground came from outside the car.

The cold cut to the bone.

Amelia was already so cold she'd gone numb.

Just as her consciousness grew increasingly hazy, a familiar scent rushed into her nose.