After Elliot betrayed me, our marriage dragged on for another six years. During that time, we even had a son. Just when everyone thought we were heading toward a happy, stable life, I filed for divorce. He looked at me in utter disbelief. "We’ve been doing so well! What are you throwing a tantrum for?!" I raised an eyebrow. "Doing well? Where did you get that illusion?" Then, I pulled out our asset portfolio. "In these six years, I’ve doubled our net worth to 6 billion dollars. After the divorce, whether we keep it as a partnership in shares or cash out is entirely up to you." 01 Over these six years, I’m not saying I never tried to genuinely move on. Especially after Liam was born. It's a pity that the battle six years ago was just too unforgettable. Elliot slept with a business partner’s secretary after a drunken night. The girl showed up pregnant, demanding my place. The company’s stock plunged, evaporating 200 million dollars overnight. In just three days, I accompanied Elliot to public events as if nothing had happened, throwing my full support behind him and weathering the storm hand-in-hand. The public praised my magnanimity, rationality, and foresight, though some mocked the bitter reality of being a billionaire’s wife. I just smiled and never responded. But no matter how perfectly Elliot played the devoted family man afterward, I could easily see through his warmth and lies. I could never drown in them again. A year ago, his college goddess, Audrey, went through a messy divorce and quietly returned to New York with her six-year-old daughter. He then started living a double life. Liam was lucky to see his dad once a week. The truth is, Elliot had plenty of time. He was a man with an extreme gift for investment, once dubbed the "Man Who Could Predict the Market." Before he hit thirty, he had amassed enough wealth to retire. At his peak, he gracefully stepped down from his last board position, becoming a highly independent angel investor. I could only tell Liam that Daddy was very busy, and Liam would nod innocently. Elliot was indeed very busy. Busy touring penthouses with Audrey, buying her a house, backing her up, and finding a prep school for her six-year-old. Worried the little girl might feel slighted, he donated millions to build a new library for the school. His private legal team was deployed the second Audrey’s plane landed, helping her fight her ex-husband for her assets. Audrey, who should have been keeping a low profile after a downfall, was thrust into the spotlight as Manhattan's most talked-about woman, all because Elliot stood up for her. Times had changed. Elliot, now semi-retired, no longer had to worry that his scandals would tank the stock market. He was enjoying the most reckless, self-indulgent phase of his life. Honestly, for a couple worth billions like us, the word "divorce" isn't thrown around lightly. So, Elliot froze for a second. "Are you jealous of Audrey?" That tone of disbelief, as if I were being completely unreasonable. "She’s in trouble, and I have the power to help. You know how rare college bonds are; we aren't hurting for this little bit of money. You’ve been with me for so many years, don't you have a bigger picture than this?" "That love letter in the safe," I interrupted. Over the years, we were spouses, but also mentor and mentee. Elliot always liked to critique me from a pedestal. If I didn't puncture his ego right away, he would undoubtedly use the excuse of "helping an old classmate" to take the moral high ground and tear me down. "You opened the safe?" I reminded him calmly, "On the day of Liam's one-month milestone, you were feeling appreciative of my hard work and told me to open the safe to get the company seal for you." That was also the time Elliot took 5 million from his pre-marital assets and merged it into our joint accounts, which became my first bucket of gold to enter the venture capital circle. He seemed to just remember, looking a bit flustered. "That was just something from when we were young! If there was really something going on with her, why would I make such a public spectacle of it!" Toward the end, his confidence returned. "We weren't even together back then, and now that we both have kids, it’s even more impossible. Stop looking for trouble where there is none." I was sick to death of his condescension and disregard. "Elliot, you don't need to explain anything to me. Think about how you’re going to explain this to Liam." "What did you tell him?" he asked warily. I laughed. "Do I need to say anything? In the past year, Liam was hospitalized once for pneumonia, had the flu three times, got hurt at school once, and was bullied for six months. As his father, have you shown up even once?" A flash of guilt crossed Elliot's eyes. It took a long time before he said, "You’ve always handled Liam’s affairs. If something was difficult, you should have proactively told me." "Yes, that is how it’s been all these years." I looked at him. "Liam and I have never complained. But did you know Liam transferred to St. Jude’s half a year ago?" Elliot didn't speak for a long time. I let out a scoff: "Liam always believed you were just very busy. But you let him see with his own eyes how you ran around for a little girl named Mia. "He heard Mia telling the teachers and classmates that her dad is Elliot Vance, a billionaire who could buy half of Manhattan, and that her family donated the library. "Liam refused to accept that and argued with Mia, but no one believed he was Elliot Vance's son because Elliot Vance never picked him up or dropped him off at school. In the end, Liam was psychologically bullied and isolated. "In a child's world, a father is enough to make or break them." Elliot was furious. "Don't you have a mouth? Why didn't you tell them!" "You built your wealth from scratch; I believed Liam was just as strong. In the school registry, you explicitly instructed not to use your name to keep Liam from becoming spoiled." He was speechless, frustratedly running his hands through his hair and pacing around with his hands on his hips. "Then you should have told me directly! Why didn't you tell me Liam transferred schools!" "Did I not? I told you Liam was about to move up to St. Jude’s Lower School, and I wanted to transfer him to the advanced class half a year early to adapt to the environment. You just replied 'okay' and hung up." I paused. "Later, I only found out from the news that when Mia was picked up by a stranger that day, you backed Audrey up and aggressively went to the Carter family to demand answers." Elliot glared at me indignantly, then slumped down in defeat. After a long time, he said exhaustedly, "Sloane, you clearly had a way to handle this, but you let me lose face in front of Liam." I closed my eyes, turned around. "Yes, I should have taken our marriage certificate and Liam's birth certificate to the principal right then, and demanded a school-wide assembly to prove that Liam is your son." 02 My negotiation with Elliot that day, although ending on a sour note, successfully made him feel guilty. The divorce was now officially on the agenda. Affection cannot withstand the grind of time, nor is it suited for repeated exploitation; a man's guilt must be used strategically. So, I left Liam behind, moved out on my own, and stopped questioning or bothering him. Elliot didn't try to stop me; he thought I was just throwing a tantrum. According to the nanny, he dropped all his external affairs to stay with Liam full-time, swearing to make up for years of absence all at once. Before going to bed, Liam secretly called me: "Mom, that arrogant Mia cried and apologized to me today. I accepted it." I nodded and listened; the little guy was very eager to talk. "Mia's mom is very pretty and gentle. She told me to call her Auntie Audrey." "Do you like her?" Liam thought for a moment. "She smiles a lot like you, Mom. But I still don't really like her." "Then you don't have to like her. You never have to force yourself." He would eventually know he had the right to do so. With the documents prepared, I invited Tori out for drinks. "Wow, did you finally make a move? Audrey hasn't been causing trouble for me lately; I see she's busy sucking up to your Elliot." Tori was Elliot's private attorney, especially skilled in divorce law. For the past year, she had been at Audrey's beck and call. Tori and I had been best friends since college, though few people knew that. Hearing I wanted a divorce, she jumped up in shock: "Are you crazy? You didn't divorce him six years ago when you had no ties and no kids, but now that your position as Mrs. Vance is secure, you want out?!" I lit a cigarette, looked down, and smiled wryly. "What would I have gotten if I divorced him back then?" Tori had witnessed my struggles during that time. When the mistress called to force my hand, I was driving. I had just found out I was three months pregnant, and a moment of distraction nearly cost me two lives. In the three days after the D&C procedure, everyone urged me to divorce him. I was still young, beautiful, and known as a top-tier scholar in New York. Among my suitors, Elliot was never the most outstanding. Without him, I had a bright future. Back then, Elliot had just made a name for himself in the investment world. Coming from a poor background, he stood out like an uncultured nouveau riche among the upper-class elites. My mom always used to say: "Besides giving you a title, he's inferior to others in every way." I was so angry I kicked her out. "If you don't have self-respect, I do!" Elliot was the man I chose, and I didn't regret it. I trusted my judgment. I wouldn't let myself bow out so pathetically. From the moment I helped him stabilize the stock market and forgave his infidelity, he was no longer my husband, but my business partner. "A settlement of five million? Ten million? It all depended on his conscience." Elliot's prenuptial agreement was airtight. Tori clicked her tongue. "Wouldn't that have been enough?" I replied, "Of course not. With Elliot's capabilities, what is that little amount?" Tori sighed. "True, Elliot's vision has been terrifyingly sharp these past few years. His assets are beyond your imagination." She shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, I can't tell you the exact numbers." "Anyway, I advise you, don't get this divorce. Keep the wealth in the family. You endured it six years ago, there's no need to throw a fit now." I smiled noncommittally and shook my head. Selling low and starting over from scratch—that's throwing a fit. Cashing out at the peak and walking away loaded—calling that a fit is just being greedy. Finally, Tori looked at my investment reports and asset portfolio from recent years and gasped: "6 billion. My god, what a rush! But what about Liam? If you planned this so early, you shouldn't have had him." I lowered my eyes, my thumb gently tracing the edge of the table. "My life has had no accidents, and neither is Liam. Otherwise, how could Elliot trust me so much?" With Elliot's shrewdness, if it weren't for Liam, he might have appreciated my magnanimity, but he wouldn't have treated me as one of his own. I needed more than just his money; I needed his mentorship. And what relationship in this world is closer than blood? Tori was speechless. "Isn't that too unfair to Liam?" "How could it be? He's my only child, and Elliot's too. He will receive all of our love." Tori pulled her hair. "Elliot too? What do you mean?" "When Liam was three, he got a vasectomy. Irreversible," I stated. There was no denying that Elliot and I had shared some sweet times, especially before his affair. There were times I looked at Liam's face and constantly asked myself if I should just let it go and live a normal life. But I could never truly let go of my resentment. I asked Tori, "When he chose to roll in bed with his secretary, with his shrewdness and logic, do you think he didn't weigh the choice between sleeping with her and losing me?" She looked at me with a complex expression, her lips parting, but she ultimately said nothing. He definitely weighed the options. And that calculation was something I would never forgive for the rest of my life. Tori finally took my divorce case. With two paths branching out, having endured for so long, it was time I finally met Audrey. Late at night, I made a phone call. It rang until the very last second before she picked up. "Sister, want to meet up?" I said. 03 "Sloane, I'm so sorry about what happened with Liam. I never expected Mia to form a clique at school using the library donation." The mockery in my calling her "Sister" was palpable, but she pretended not to notice, trying to pull off a familiar, friendly tone. It seemed the Jenkins family had truly hit rock bottom; no wonder she was thick-skinned enough to have Liam call her 'Auntie.' "Please call me Mrs. Vance. Also, no need to apologize. A million dollars lets you throw your weight around, but Liam and I won't take it to heart," I said lightly. "Sloane, do you have to speak to me with such superiority? I am your sister, after all." She sounded wronged, her voice choking up. "Whether you believe it or not, Elliot and I are completely innocent." I responded with a cold sneer. "I know you're bothered that I went on a blind date with Arthur Carter six years ago, but that was an arrangement by the family, and I ultimately didn't marry him, did I?" She suddenly changed the subject. I sneered. "So six years later, you want to steal my man again, is that it? I'm very grateful for your validation of my taste." "Sloane, don't be like this. I know your status as an illegitimate daughter cost you Arthur, but I've already convinced Mom and Dad. As long as you're willing, you can come back and be officially recognized by the family at any time." "Recognized? The Jenkins family is dreaming! Besides, Miss Jenkins has truly inherited her parents' traits—feigning innocence while loving to play the other woman. It really is disgusting!" My words grew heated. No one in New York knew that before Robert Adams married my mother, he was involved with Brenda Jenkins. To shave ten years off his struggle, he broke off his engagement to become the live-in son-in-law for the Jenkins family. After securing his position in the Jenkins family, he coaxed my mother into having me. My mother was blinded by love; she stayed unmarried her whole life, willingly acting as his underground lover. Yet she would wake up in the middle of the night full of resentment, feeling the whole world owed her, living her entire life in a state of madness. That was my unbearable background, which I had never mentioned. In fact, I had long forgotten about it, but I didn't expect Audrey to use it to agitate me! Audrey sobbed through the phone. I found it annoying and was about to hang up when a familiar voice suddenly came through: "Sloane, you're crossing the line." "Elliot?!" I parted my lips in surprise. Past midnight, and he was actually by Audrey's side? Then where was Liam?! "I have no intention of interfering in your family affairs, but you shouldn't misunderstand Audrey and your father like this. You're a mother now too; does the goodwill of parents just disgust you?" Elliot sounded displeased. "It's because of this attitude that you throw the word 'divorce' around so casually. I think you need to take a serious lesson in family responsibility." My voice started trembling. "What gives you the right to interrogate me?" "As a father, and even more so as a husband!" I snapped back, "As a husband, you eavesdrop on your wife's phone call with your little lover, and then you stand up to speak for her?" "Sloane!" "As a father, you think there are no bad parents in the world, that all parents are kind and merciful?" "Enough!" "As a wife, as a mother, I might not be perfect, but I'm at least a hundred times better than that bastard Robert Adams! As a product of that toxic affair, don't I even have the right to feel resentful? What gives you the right to demand I forgive them! What gives you the right to play peacemaker!" Knowing this was all intentionally steered by Audrey, I still ended up in a loud argument with Elliot over the phone. We argued about the Jenkins family, the Carter family, and then my ex-boyfriend, Arthur Carter. Elliot stubbornly believed that my demand for a divorce was due to my resentment over my original family's flaws, and my lingering feelings for Arthur. He wanted me to reconcile with the Jenkins family for my own good. "Elliot, I never knew you had become so self-righteous!" I roared, my voice humiliating and choked with tears, even a bit frantic. I hadn't lost my composure this much even when his mistress cornered me all those years ago. Elliot finally realized something was wrong, his voice panicking as he hurriedly said, "Wait for me to come back." My response was to hurl the phone fiercely into the night sky, smashing it with all my might, leaving a trail of debris. Standing numbly in the night wind for a while, my whole body was still trembling from the eye of the storm, yet at the same time, I felt the extreme, cold rationality that follows a frantic outburst. In that moment, a thought surfaced: Fine. Elliot won't divorce me quietly; this is the perfect breach. Afterward, I quickly drove back. I needed to find Liam. After staying with Liam until he fell asleep, perhaps influenced by Audrey's words, I actually dreamed of events from six years ago. Back then, I had just graduated from Columbia. With my pure, striking looks and dazzling academic record, many corporations extended offers to me. Just as I was about to accept an offer from the Carter Group, my mother stormed into my apartment, furious: "Isn't Arthur Carter your boyfriend? Why did your dad say Audrey is dating him! Listen to me, you absolutely cannot let that bitch's daughter win!" At that time, Arthur and I had been dating under the radar for two years, just one step away from our parents meeting. "Anyone else is fine, but why the Jenkins family? Why do those two women insist on making my life difficult?" My mother wiped away angry tears, then recklessly ranted about old grievances, hating the unfairness of fate, cursing Robert Adams as a scumbag who ruined her life. Her contorted, haggard, and frantic appearance made me frown. But I was also thankful to her. Because a few days later, while I was on a date with Arthur, we ran into Mrs. Carter. The elegant woman was accompanied by two friends. After eyeing me up and down, she said with a half-smile: "I've heard of Miss Adams. Arthur mentioned you too. You're very hardworking and independent. It's just a pity about your father—" "Enough!" Arthur shielded me behind him, cutting off his mother's words. When it was just the two of us, he looked slightly exhausted and told me to wait, saying he would handle it. I looked at him steadily for a while, then shook my head. Two years. I had come to understand Arthur somewhat. He was the kind of man whose gentlemanly respect and aloofness were carved into his bones. Despite his prestigious background, he wasn't arrogant or condescending. Therefore, he never lacked female attention. Anyone who knew him would praise his sincerity and grace. But I knew that after his sincere conversations, he would turn away and forget, leaving no trace behind. His sincerity was like some people's smiles—just an expression, completely detached from emotion. Two years, the best two years of a woman's life, ending like this. Naturally, I was unwilling. The beast in my chest was baring its fangs, restless. But then I suddenly thought of my mother, Robert Adams, and Brenda. With Arthur, I was destined to be the casualty of a marriage of convenience. I wasn't going to bet on it. I closed my eyes again, letting my mother's self-pitying, frantic, and resentful image play out in my mind for a moment, and my heart suddenly grew calm. Watching others lose their minds is always better than experiencing it yourself. My gaze turned resolute. I, Sloane Adams, would never allow myself to become a weak person who only complains and bares her pain for others to mock, just like her! So, I stepped back, crossed my hands over my stomach, and bowed my head slightly: "Thank you very much for your companionship and help over the past two years. I've learned enough from you." He swayed slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of obscurity: "Sloane, you don't believe me?" I slowly smiled at him: "Mr. Carter, let's part on good terms." Then I nodded lightly, turned, and walked away, drawing the most perfect and dignified period to our relationship. After learning of the breakup, my mother stormed into my apartment again, smashing everything to pieces, cursing my incompetence: "I was hoping to rely on you to turn things around, but you're nothing! Wasting a perfectly good face! What does it matter how good your grades are? Without a family background, who will look up to you!" After venting, she grabbed me, a strange light in her eyes: "Sloane, even if you can't be Arthur's wife, there's no need to break up. A man like him can't possibly have only one family—" "Enough, get out!" I finally erupted, pointing at the door and screaming for her to leave. How could there be a mother like this in the world! After that day, I completely cut ties with her until a year later, when Elliot and I got married. She brazenly showed up at the door, forcing a thaw in our relationship. "Aside from the title, how does he compare to Arthur Carter?" she grumbled at me in dissatisfaction. I looked at her coldly: "Do you want to be thrown out by me again?" 04 In the morning, I found Elliot sitting in the living room. He had clearly been up all night; the ashtray was full of cigarette butts. He had come back after dropping Liam off at school. This time, I directly pulled out the divorce papers: "Let's divorce." He jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot. "Sloane, stop being stubborn. Saying 'divorce' once is enough." His voice softened. "We were doing so well. Can we stop this nonsense?" I looked at him coldly. "Doing well? I apologize for giving you that illusion." "What do you mean? I explained the secretary thing to you long ago; I was set up." His face instantly paled. "If it's because of Audrey, there's even less need. You saw it last night; I only helped her because I know your relationship with the Jenkins family. She is your sister, after all." I slammed the divorce papers fiercely onto his smug face. "If you really knew, you wouldn't be spouting such bullshit!" "Elliot, what exactly are you trying to do? Dig up my dark past to whitewash yourself and Audrey?" Because I threw them so hard, the sharp edges of the paper cut several bloody scratches on his face, but he looked at me as if he didn't feel the pain. After a long while, he finally spoke. "Sloane, the older generation's affairs have nothing to do with you. Reconciling with the Jenkins family would benefit you. I know you still care about your background and Arthur." My years of composure completely crumbled at this moment. It took immense effort to control my emotions. "So, is that what Audrey told you? Or is that what you think? Elliot, you're truly despicable. My background, and Arthur—what does any of that have to do with my divorcing you!" My tears rolled down like a relentless flood. "You promised me. You said you would never let women on the outside hurt me again. But now, not only are you hurting me, you're hurting Liam! And you not only refuse to admit your mistake, you pretend to be my savior!" Did he really not know? I had spent my entire life trying to distance myself from the Jenkins family. When my mother went crazy and caused a scene, I wished their whole family would just die! What gave him the right to casually step up and say he was helping me get recognized by the family, fulfilling my wish? Elliot's eyes showed confusion and a hint of panic. "Sloane, if you don't want to, I can—" I silently picked up the papers scattered on the floor one by one. By the time I gathered them all, I had regained my calm. "There's no need. Sign it. Do you still remember what you promised me six years ago when I was on the brink of death?" I threw out my final trump card, staring into his eyes, forcing him to recall that day. "I said, Elliot, if one day I find I still can't let it go, please don't stop me. Set me free." Back then, he knelt by my hospital bed, holding my hand, sobbing with regret and self-blame, his tears pooling in my palm. "Sloane, I won't. I won't make another mistake. I will definitely treat you well." He promised me over and over again. The doctor standing by urged us, saying I needed a D&C immediately; blood had already soaked the bed. With a pale face, I stubbornly looked at Elliot, insisting on an answer. "Okay, I promise you. If you ever want to be free." As soon as he finished speaking, I passed out from the pain. Elliot seemed to suddenly wake up. He hugged me, his voice pleading: "Sloane, don't do this. I'll change. I'll change everything, okay?" I silently refused. After a long time, he finally let me go slowly. Then he stood up, placed his hands on my shoulders, and asked in a deep voice: "Sloane, do we really have to go this far?" I knew Elliot could bow his head to me, but his pride wouldn't allow him to keep begging relentlessly. "Yes," I said. His eyes suddenly turned fierce. "Even if I won't make it easy for you to leave? Even if I might leave you with nothing?" I looked at him calmly, showing no weakness. "Yes." Elliot tilted his head back, closed his eyes, then roughly threw my hand off and turned his back to me. "I will have the divorce papers redrafted. I want Liam. As for the rest, don't worry, the result will satisfy you." "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Vance." I walked out the door; he didn't even look back. Tori hurried over to meet me. Seeing my state, she asked in alarm, "What happened? Did you argue? Did you fight? What's the result?" I pulled out a tissue, wiped away the damp tear tracks, and gently tossed it into a nearby trash can. "It's done. Let's go." I calmly slid into the car. Tori didn't understand. Negotiating a divorce with a shrewd investor like Elliot, getting emotional was foolish. Rational calculation held no chance of winning either. I was very satisfied with my performance today. "I guess I won't have to be running errands for Audrey anymore," Tori said, rubbing her chin. I smiled, looking down. "No need. From here on out, she won't have time to worry about anything else."
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