Chapter 1 Pregnant and He Wants a Divorce

The steam rose thick in the bathroom as Gabriel Walton showered. Jessica Morgan got out of bed, the memories of the previous night coloring her cheeks red. Though they were married, she still felt an endearing shyness each time they were intimate.

The sound of water ceased, and Gabriel emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist. She spoke gently as she handed him his clothes, "Breakfast is ready; I'll be waiting downstairs."

"Okay," he responded.

In the kitchen downstairs, Jessica carefully placed a cake in the middle of the table, her fingers nervously clutching a pregnancy test result, her heart was thumping with anticipation. Today marked their second wedding anniversary. The thought of revealing her pregnancy had her both on edge and filled with excitement.

Gabriel, now dressed in a tailored black suit that emphasized his elegant charm, descended the stairs. After they had finished their breakfast, Jessica gripped the test report as she took a deep breath and started, "Gabriel, there's something I need to tell you."

"I have something to say too," he replied.

"You go first," she offered.

He stood up, pulled out some papers from a drawer, and slid them across to her. "This is a divorce agreement. Take a look when you can."

The words blindsided Jessica. It took everything she had not to crumble right then and there. Inhaling sharply, the air cut through her like a knife.

"Divorce agreement?" Her mind went numb. It took her a moment to regain her voice and ask blankly, "You want to divorce me?"

"Yes," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Clutching the pregnancy test, she wanted to ask if there was truly no turning back. If we have a baby together, wouldn't you reconsider? But before she could speak, his voice continued.

"Diana's back. I want to end our marriage early. We agreed on a three-year marriage but the circumstances have changed. Let's cut it down by a year."

"I know this is sudden but do take a look at this draft. If you have any requests, I'll fulfill them as long as they're reasonable," he added.

"Sure, I'll check it later," Jessica said numbly.

She hid her hands behind her, the pregnancy test clutched tightly, damp with nervous sweat. She knew there was no point in revealing it now.

"There's one more thing I need to ask of you," Gabriel said.

Clenching her fists tighter, she forced a smile and looked up at him, "Of course, tell me. I'll help if I can."

"It's about the divorce, you’ll need to talk to Xavier about it. He won't agree to it if it comes from me," he reckoned.

"Okay, I get it," she replied.

She was just an average girl from a family of humble origins. Her mother Giselle was a nurse while her father was a gambler.

Such a modest background made the notion of reaching the heights of the Walton family utterly unthinkable.

Fate intervened when Gabriel's uncle Xavier and her father were sabotaged by a business rival, resulting in a car crash that triggered heart conditions in both men.

By chance, Giselle was passing by, and with her kind heart, she saved the two elderly men.

Years later, Giselle was diagnosed with cancer. She worried about Jessica’s future. Knowing that she could not entrust her daughter to her husband because he had a gambling habit. Thus, she reached out to the Waltons, beseeching them to look after her beloved daughter, Jessica.

Xavier took it upon himself to decide Jessica's fate, promising her to Gabriel as soon as she graduated.

Back then, Gabriel told her, "I will marry you, but my heart belongs to another. Our marriage will only last for three years. After that, you'll be the one to ask Xavier for a divorce, and we can both move on peacefully."

She swallowed the bitterness and hid all her love beneath a calm facade. "I'm aware," she replied evenly. "I, too, have someone else in my heart. When the contract ends, I will honor my promise and leave on my own accord."

After they married, he fulfilled all his duties as a husband. He loved her, spoiled her, and protected her, truly treating her well.

All their friends knew she was Gabriel's pride and joy, his precious jewel. If anyone dared upset her, they'd swiftly learn what it felt like to fall from grace. Everyone envied her for marrying such a good man, an amazing husband.

Yet only Jessica knew the truth. Their marriage wasn't born out of love; it was a contract.

The kindness this man had showered upon her had nothing to do with love; it was merely fulfilling a duty. If there was any real affection, it was purely for her body, which he cherished with a fervent intensity.

The three years that they had agreed upon had come to an end, and now that the woman he truly cherished had returned, Jessica knew it was time for her to step aside.

She bent over, picking up the "Divorce Agreement" from the table.

Appetite gone, she was about to return to her room when Gabriel, visibly agitated, tugged at his tie and stopped her.

"When you ask for a divorce, Xavier will surely want to know why. You mentioned once that you've loved someone else for many years. Now that I'm setting you free, you can seek him out and pursue your happiness. Even if Xavier disapproves, he'll find it hard to refuse that reasoning."

Jessica nodded, her voice soft, "Yes, I will tell Xavier that."

Finishing her words, she hurried to leave, fearing if she stayed any longer, she might regret it and confess to Gabriel and say the words, "I don't want a divorce."

Gabriel suddenly reached out, and Jessica instinctively stepped back, fearing he'd discover what she was holding.

His concern deepened as he insisted on taking her hand. "You look pale. Are you feeling all right?"

"It's nothing," Jessica quickly pulled her hand away.

"After two years of marriage, do you think I can't tell when you're lying?" Gabriel's gaze was penetrating.

Jessica finally caved. "It's just that time of the month."

"Make sure to rest later," he suggested.

After speaking, Gabriel caught a glimpse of Jessica’s tightly clenched right hand and asked softly, "What's in your hand that you're holding so tight?"

Jessica tossed it into the trash like a hot potato and forced a smile as she said, "It was just some trash I forgot I was holding."

He would never know how much her heart ached at that moment. It was as if someone had taken an axe to her heart, cleaving it in two, leaving it bloodied and mangled. With each piece still bleeding, she cradled her shattered heart, in agony too great for living.

In her heart, she murmured, "Gabriel... how does a perfectly good marriage just fall apart?"

Marrying him had been a leap of faith. But now, her departure was anything but graceful or dignified.

"Jessica, silly girl, you've lost the bet. He doesn't love you, not even a bit."

Seeing her stagger with weakness, Gabriel didn't think twice before sweeping her into his arms.

Startled, Jessica quickly protested, "Let me go, I can walk by myself."

"You're too weak; stop being so stubborn." His voice, tender and alluring, resonated in her ears.

That voice she'd listened to for two years, which she had been infatuated with, was now abruptly leaving her. Jessica blinked back tears that she couldn’t hold in any longer.

Gabriel teased her, "You're not a young lady anymore, crying over your period. Stop crying; I’ll call a doctor to have a look at you later."

"I'm not crying," Jessica said defiantly. The fool, the blockhead. He had no idea what she was truly crying about.

"All right, all right, if you say you're not crying, then you’re not," Gabriel relented.

"Can you tell me who he is?" he asked abruptly out of nowhere.

"Who?" Jessica was perplexed.

"The man you've been pining for all these years. I'm curious, who's so lucky to have held your thoughts for so long?" Gabriel inquired.