<b>Chapter </b><b>1 </b>


    Everyone in Jsburg knew that Jeffrey Hanson had pampered Reba Jensen, the fallen heiress, turning her into a woman who Ved only for him.


    He’d kept her tucked away at home since their wedding five years ago, where she lived in his shadow.


    always avable, always obedient.


    Divorce was an option for anyone in the world–except for Reba. Of this, Jeffrey was absolutely


    certain.


    “You’re really going to provide for Andrea indefinitely? What about Reba?” The voice from the private room made Reba freeze, her hand still on the door, her face tightening.


    “She’s just my mistress. Reba will always be my wife, There’s no conflict.” Jeffrey’s voice drifted out, smooth and unconcerned as always, each word hitting Reba like a physical blow.


    She forced herself to steady her stance as a sharp pain spread throughout her chest.


    They had been married for five years. He had done everything to prove his devotion and whispered every word she longed to hear. It never crossed her mind that all this time, he had been keeping


    another woman.


    And that woman was Andrea Sampson–the one person she couldn’t stand. The irony cut deep.


    “Would Reba ever agree to that?” the first person continued.


    “She’s obedient. She’ll understand quickly. Besides, she can’t afford to say no,” Jeffrey said, his tone


    casual and dismissive.


    Reba’s lips curved into a humorless smile. Her knuckles went pale as she clenched the door handle. Then she pushed the door open, and the lively atmosphere in the private room came to an abrupt halt.


    Jeffrey sat at the end of the table, his white shirt stark against the moody lighting. He looked untouchable and wless, like someone fate had always smiled upon.


    When Reba walked in, Jeffrey’s expression tightened almost imperceptibly before easing. He gestured casually for her toe closer. “Come here,” he said, the words smooth andmanding, as if he was calling a pet to heel.


    Reba stood perfectly still, her voice steady as she said, “I heard every word you just said.”


    “It was just a joke, Reba,” one man quickly assured her. “You shouldn’t take it seriously.”


    “Jeffrey has always treated you like a queen,” another man added in defense. “He would neverpare you to anyone else.”


    Reba ignored them, keeping her gaze fixed on Jeffrey as she waited to hear what he would say.


    Jeffrey’s expression turned cool as he rose to his <b>full </b>height, hismanding presence instantly dominating the space between them. “Since you overheard, this saves me the trouble of bringing it up myself,” he stated calmly.


    His words felt like a sharp sting, confirming he had never intended to exin the situation to her.


    Jeffrey turned to dismiss everyone from the room before turning on the main lights.


    He pulled Reba onto hisp with practiced ease, his hand resting possessively at her waist as he leaned in to kiss her neck. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured. “We can continue our discussion while remind you how much.”


    Reba felt a wave of nausea as she pulled away from his grasp. “Let’s talk first,” she insisted.


    Jeffrey released her with a calm remark, “My dear wife is showing some spirit these days.”


    Reba remained silent but held his gaze with stubborn defiance, her position unmistakably clear.


    Jeffrey leaned backfortably into the sofa cushions, his demeanor rxed as if they were merely discussing what to have for dinner.


    But his next words hit like a physical blow. “I need you to ept Andrea’s ce in my life,” Jeffrey said, looking directly at her. “She matters to me.”


    Reba stared back at him inplete disbelief.


    “If you agree to this, you’ll always remain my wife,” he continued. “No one will ever take


    position.”


    “Do you actually realize what you’re saying?” she asked, her voice strained with emotion.


    your


    Andrea had been both her college ssmate and closest friend until they had a serious falling out.


    She couldn’t believe her husband actually expected her to share their marriage with another woman.


    Jeffrey’s expression remained unreadable as he responded, “I know exactly what I’m saying.”


    “I could never agree to something so absurd,” Reba said, seeing him in an entirely new light. “No reasonable person would ept such a thing.”


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    “Your agreement doesn’t matter to me,” Jeffrey stated with finality. “I will support her regardless of your feelings. I’m only telling you this because you’re my wife and deserve to know the truth.”


    Reba’s delicate hands clenched at her sides as she asked with bitter sarcasm, thanking you for this?”


    “Should I be


    “I wouldn’t refuse your gratitude,” Jeffrey replied, demonstrating his remarkable ability to provoke


    her.


    Reba’s chest heaved with anger as she realized the humble, principled man she thought she knew had been nothing but an act, and now she was seeing his true nature revealed.


    Jeffrey,” Reba said, determined to offer him one final chance to exin himself.


    He looked up at her withpleteposure and said, “I’m listening to what you have to say.


    “Are you absolutely determined to keep her in your life even if I object, even if I hate it, even if the very idea disgusts me? Would nothing make you reconsider?” Reba asked with painful sincerity.


    She had already resolved that if he denied it, she would find a way to forgive everything that had just happened.


    But life rarely gave people what they hoped for. Meeting her stubborn, defiant gaze, Jeffrey stated clearly and without hesitation, “Yes.”


    Reba felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her chest that took her breath away.


    “And nothing will change my decision,” Jeffrey added, his voice leaving no room for argument.


    “Then I want a divorce.” Reba couldn’t ept what he was asking, and she knew she couldn’t stay with him after this. “If you’ve chosen to take care of her for life, then let her have it all–including my ce as Mrs. Hanson.”


    Under different circumstances, she might have sought help from his parents. But Jeffrey’s mother and father had never approved of their marriage, and she knew they would offer no support now.


    They believed Jeffrey should marry someone from his own social ss. Although Reba’s family had been wealthy once, they were nothingpared to the powerful Hanson family of Jsburg.


    After her family’spany went bankrupt and her father disappeared with the remaining money, she became even less desirable in their eyes.


    “Make sure you’ve thought this throughpletely,” Jeffrey said, his eyes darkening.


    To Reba, loyalty was non–negotiable in marriage. “I’ve never been more certain of anything,” she stated firmly.


    Jeffrey stared at her intently, surprised to see such defiance from someone who had always been so


    obedient before.


    any hesitation.


    “Very well,” he agreed without any


    His quick agreement cut deeper than she expected. The painful truth settled in her heart–after all their years together, she’d never truly found her way into his heart. Those moments of tenderness he’d shown her, she now understood, were likely nothing more than fleeting impulses.


    Actually, she’d sensed something was wrong three months ago when she first noticed the unfamiliar perfume on his clothes. When she asked him about it, he casually imed it must have been from someone on his flight.


    She had believed him at the time, but now she realized the story about the ne had just been an


    excuse.


    Andrea had returned to the country exactly three months ago, and the timing made it obvious they had been together.


    As these thoughts weighed heavily on her heart, she reached into her bag and withdrew the divorce papers she had prepared in advance.


    “Here are the divorce papers,” she said, signing them right in front of him before handing them over. “If everything looks correct, sign them, and we can file for divorce tomorrow.”


    “You do understand what divorce would mean for you,” Jeffrey stated bluntly.


    Reba’s hand tightened slightly around the papers. “I don’t need you to remind me of the consequences.”


    “You haven’t worked during our five years of marriage,” Jeffrey said as he took the documents, his words deliberately harsh. “How do you n to pay for your mother’s expensive medical treatments? Have you actually considered that?”


    He opened the agreement and scanned the terms, his eyes narrowing when he saw the equal division of assets and her request for full/custody. His gaze turned cold as he looked back at her. “You certainly have some bold expectations.”