Chapter 1

"Elizabeth, you wicked woman with the heart of a snake! Why did you plot to harm Esme Russel? Did you think that by killing Esme, I would fall in love with you? Dream on!"

"Let me tell you, even if every woman on earth were to die, I still wouldn't love you!"

Alexander Tudor grabbed Elizabeth Percy by the throat and shouted fiercely.

Elizabeth looked at the man in front of her, her heart filled with immense pain.

If others didn't know about her relationship with Alexander, they would think the two were mortal enemies.

But in reality, this man named Alexander was Elizabeth's husband!

Yes, they were not enemies, but a married couple!

How ridiculous it was! Her husband was furious with her because of another woman, even going so far as to grab her by the throat, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Elizabeth, if you dare to harm Esme again, I will not let you off! Behave yourself for the next six months, and then we will get a divorce!" Alexander warned.

"I didn't push Esme Russel. She fell into the pool on her own!" Elizabeth said weakly.

She was soaked, her frail body trembling, still terrified from nearly drowning.

"Stop lying. You've been friends with Esme for years. You know she's scared of water!" His grip tightened.

Just because she and Esme had been friends for years, he immediately blamed her.

A tear slid down Elizabeth's cheek.

She had loved Alexander Tudor for four years and had been married to him for three.

Three years ago, when she found out she could marry Alexander, she was over the moon.

But after marrying him, she found it was his mother Elara Tudor thatwouldn't let his beloved Esme marry him. She was just a tool!

When Esme fell into the pool, everyone rushed to save her, surrounding her with concern.

But when Elizabeth fell into the pool, no one cared. She nearly died in that icy water.

He remembered Esme was scared of water, but he forgot she was also scared of water.

When Elizabeth realized her carefully maintained marriage was just a hollow shell, she couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing her sitting on the sofa with a cold smile, Alexander's eyes grew even colder.

"Crazy woman!"

Yeah, she was crazy.

To marry Alexander, she defied her father over and over, turning the Percy family upside down. She even cut ties with them, causing her dad, Declan, to fall ill and end up in the hospital.

Declan had warned her, "Marrying a man who doesn't love you will only bring you pain. You won't win."

But she foolishly believed that as long as Alexander was willing to marry her, it was the greatest acknowledgment of her. She also believed her love would touch Alexander.

She had sworn to Declan that she was confident in this marriage and she wouldn't lose, but she was wrong.

Whether she won or lost was never up to her. It was up to Alexander.

Just then, Alexander's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, the anger on his face disappeared.

In the quiet living room, Elizabeth vaguely heard a woman's sweet voice on the other end of the line.

He picked up his suit jacket, his tone gentle, "Don't worry, I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone, shot a vicious glance at Elizabeth, and walked out.

"Alexander."

Elizabeth's voice was raspy, trying to get him to stay, "I'm scared of water too."

Alexander didn't even pause, finding her words ridiculous.

Esme was terrified of water because she almost drowned saving him when he was kidnapped.

‘Elizabeth has a diving certificate, but she says she's scared of water?’

‘Does she think lying will make me love her?’

‘She's delusional!’ Alexander thought.

Elizabeth watched him push open the door, tears streaming down her face. She was heartbroken, realizing he had never truly chosen her in all these years.

With red eyes, she asked, "In these seven years, have you ever loved me, even a little?"

He finally turned, sneering, " You think you have the right to talk about love with me? Elizabeth, save your cheap pity. It disgusts me!"

His eyes were filled with anger.

She knew he had someone else he wanted to marry, yet she still schemed to marry him. Was this Elizabeth's idea of love?

Elizabeth's heart ached. She closed her eyes, tears slowly streaming down.

She couldn't earn even a bit of Alexander's trust in seven years.

Rather than continuing to torment each other, it was better to end it now.

She no longer wanted to stay in a marriage that disgusted him.

Elizabeth wiped her tears, looked at him, and said, "Alexander, let's get a divorce."

Alexander stopped in his tracks. He turned to her, eyes wide with surprise.

He couldn't believe Elizabeth just said that. For three years, she played the perfect wife.

No matter how harsh he was, she never mentioned divorce.

What was this?

Alexander's throat tightened, his brows furrowing. "Elizabeth, cut the crap. Go to the hospital and apologize to Esme!"

Elizabeth bit her lip, feeling completely numb.

She gathered her strength and, for the first time, snapped back, "I said divorce. Don't you get it?"

Alexander was stunned by her outburst, his eyes darkening.

She stood by the sofa, close yet feeling miles away.

He hadn't carefully looked at Elizabeth in a long time.

She'd lost weight, no longer the vibrant woman she was before their marriage. Now, she seemed faded.

It was May, and Lisbon hadn't fully warmed up yet. Elizabeth had fallen into the pool, soaked in cold water, now trembling and looking miserable.

He should be happy Elizabeth wanted a divorce, right? But looking at her face, he felt like he couldn't breathe.

"You sure about this? " Alexander asked, eyeing Elizabeth. She seemed like a stranger to him now.

She had schemed to get this marriage. Was she really ready to let it go?

Alexander, all suited up, looked tall and handsome. That face of his was what Elizabeth couldn't resist. She'd put up with his cold stares and Esme's presence just to keep this marriage going.

She thought she'd done everything she could for this marriage. But it took two to tango. She didn't want to be a puppet anymore, nor did she want to come between him and the woman he truly loved.

"I've thought it through," Elizabeth said, nodding with a warm smile.

Alexander's brow twitched, and he gripped his jacket tighter. That strange, irritable feeling was back.

"I've loved you for seven years, Alexander. I lost." Elizabeth forced a gentle smile, even though it hurt.

She had lost. Alexander never loved her from the start. She didn't want to admit it before, but now she had to.

Alexander listened, feeling especially irritated.

"Do whatever you want."

With that, he slammed the door and left.

Elizabeth was no stranger to throwing fits. If he ignored her for a few days, she'd act like nothing happened.

She slumped onto the sofa, a bitter smile on her face.

"Time to wake up from this seven-year dream," she thought.

She grabbed her phone and dialed a number.