Chapter 1: A Gentleman Scorned

Ethan couldn't stop thinking about two nights ago. Bella had taken the lead and straddled him on the bed, chasing her pleasure.

Although he was already madly in love with her, he loved her a bit more that night. He bit his bottom lip, getting turned on.

The cabbage factory had paid him his salary for the week, and he couldn't stop smiling. Ethan stopped at the flower shop and purchased red roses for his beautiful and sexy wife.

He opened the Uber app and called a driver. Taking the train would waste his time, and he couldn't bear to be away from Bella any longer on their anniversary.

After the ride, the driver said, “That will be $60, sir.”

Ethan checked his pockets, and instantly he began to sweat. His wallet had been stolen at the flower store. He drew out the linens of both pockets, and two twenty-dollar notes fell off.

“Erm… I swear I had money on me.” He rubbed the back of his neck, holding out the cash.

The driver glared at him and snatched the 40 dollars from his hand. “Not all thieves look like thugs, ay?"

Ethan's mood turned sour at what the man implied, but before he could comment, the Uber drove off. He pushed back the linens and adjusted the smile on his face as he pressed the bell on the house gate.

The security guard stationed there let him in. They were accustomed to greeting Bella, who was the one who paid them their salary, but Jason didn't mind.

“Bella! I'm home.” He shuffled out of his shoes and slipped on the flats neatly placed at the entrance.

His smile fell when he noticed the faces seated on the sofa in their living room.

“What are you two doing here?”

“It's a good thing you decided to show up, Ethan.” Beckam, his brother-in-law, scowled, rolling right over him.

“I asked you both a damned question!" Ethan loved his wife, but her family was what he had a problem with.

Bella's mother, Pamela Harrison, tossed a set of papers on the table before their sofa. She crossed her arms over her chest again, keeping up with her glare.

Ethan approached the table. "What are those?"

"Divorce papers. Sign them now and get out of my daughter's life."

"You must be mad to think I'll listen to a word you are saying, Pamela."

Ethan turned to leave the room and headed upstairs to change out of his clothes. By the looks of it, Bella wasn't home. He itched to call her, seeing that her family had decided to run mad today.

"Get back here!" Pamela screamed, pulling him back by his harm.

"If I wasn't a gentleman, you'd get a punch in the face for laying your hands on me." Ethan seethed.

Pamela's face squeezed in anger. She snatched the roses from his right hand and tossed them on the floor, stomping all over them with the heels of her shoe.

"Crazy woman!"

Beckam yelled, stopping him. "Ethan, what's really the fuss? Bella has signed the papers, too."

"You are lying. She won't do that to us."

Beckam smirked, content with the idea that he was hurting.

Fear slowly replaced the blood flowing through Ethan's veins. Bella loved him. She wouldn't dare abandon him. If she hadn't done that three years ago, she wouldn't do it now—today of all days.

"Check it and see for yourself." Beckam handed him the papers.

He took his from Bella's brother and shuffled through. Her signature had been signed over all the required fields. Ethan felt lightheaded. His world was about to crash.

"No...she wouldn't..." He was dumbfounded.

Pamela screamed, obviously out of patience. "Sign the papers, Ethan, or this would get really ugly!"

However, his hands crumpled the papers in his hold as anger got the better of him.

"I won't sign the divorce papers until I talk to Bella and know that this is what she wants."

"Don't you get it, you fool? This is the last time you'll set your eyes on anyone from my family again!" Pamela slapped him in the face with that reminder—not literally.

"Well, listen to me. I don't give a fuck about your family. My Bella is all that matters."

Beckam shrugged. "Call her, then. Save us the time and energy and call your Bella."

His mocking tone made Jason weary, but he dialed her number, and she answered on the third ring.

Her voice sounded small. "Hey."

"Bella, where are you? Your mom and brother came over."

Dead silence passed through the line like a ghost, bringing shivers in its wake for a long minute.

"I... did mom say anything?"

"Yes." Ethan glanced at the duo, who waited for him to finish. "She said you wanted a divorce."

Bella swallowed, hesitating for a moment. "Ethan, I can explain."

Suddenly, a man's breathless voice interrupted her in the background: "Baby, come back to bed. I miss you.”