😍Romance Novels📖

1.Chapter 1 His True Love Came Home

"Hello?"

"Nicole, Yosef's with me."

A sharp pain stabbed Nicole White's heart. Her grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles whitening.

Today was supposed to be her and Yosef Chandler's second wedding anniversary. And here he was, with Sophia Larson—his true love.

Nicole stared at the cold dinner on the table, her fingers curling slightly. "Where are you?" she asked, her voice steady.

Sophia hadn't expected Nicole to be so calm, let alone ask where they were. But she was thrilled—this was her chance to crush Nicole's last bit of hope. Her voice dripped with satisfaction as she said, "Canaan Club. Come see for yourself."

"Okay," Nicole replied flatly, hung up, and tossed the meticulously prepared dinner into the trash.

Since Sophia's return two weeks ago, Yosef had been spending almost all his time with her. But Nicole never thought he'd even blow off their wedding anniversary for her.

The harsh kitchen lights made her skin look ghostly pale. A dull, pulsing pain spread across her chest, slow and merciless.

She took a deep breath, grabbed her car keys, and walked out—some things needed to end.

*****

Nicole arrived at Canaan Club and found Yosef's private room easily. The door was left slightly ajar, and through the crack, she peeked inside.

There was a big table packed with over a dozen people. Yosef sat at the head, his features sharp and intense, that familiar touch of smugness etched across his face.

Sophia was seated to his left, stunning in a sleek black slip dress that showed off her killer body. On his right sat Patrick Chester, the well-known director. As for the other faces, Nicole didn't know a single one.

Patrick raised his glass to Yosef. "Don't worry, Mr. Chandler. Getting Ms. Larson the lead role is a done deal. No issues at all," he said with a smarmy grin that looked weird coming from such a big-shot director.

Yosef leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Then I'll count on you, Mr. Chester."

Typically, Yosef would just take a small sip during toasts. But this time, he downed the entire glass in one swift gulp.

Patrick, thrilled by the show of respect, quickly finished his drink.

Sophia stared at Yosef, her eyes soft with adoration.

It was obvious to anyone that Yosef was going out of his way for Sophia. People in the room started chiming in, egging them on.

"Not just anyone can get a director like Patrick Chester on board. Mr. Chandler's really pulling out all the stops for Ms. Larson."

"Totally! I've never seen Mr. Chandler this committed to a woman. She's one lucky girl."

"Check out that lovey-dovey look. He's definitely taking her home tonight."

Laughter erupted around the room.

Yosef remained silent, letting that casual smirk play across his lips.

Sophia soaked up the compliments, her smile growing increasingly coquettish. Suddenly, she glanced toward the door and caught sight of Nicole.

In an instant, the soft adoration in her eyes hardened into a provocative smile. She pressed herself against Yosef, sliding her arm through his and molding her body close, making their intimacy unmistakable.

"Yosef and I were together all four years of college," she announced to the room. "I'm the one he truly loves—who else would he go this far for?"

The room erupted.

"Whoa, did I hear that right? Mr. Chandler's a total romantic?"

"He's been jumping from one hookup to another for years, never settling down. Was he waiting all this time for Ms. Larson?"

Nicole stood quietly in the doorway. The bright lights hit her face, casting her soft features in a cold, sharp relief. Not intending to hear more, she turned and walked away.

Maybe she'd always known it would end like this. The pain wasn't as sharp as she'd expected—just a heavy, hollow ache settling deep in her chest. She'd been the perfect wife for two years, and still, she'd never truly captured his heart.

*****

This time of year, Harboriton was always drenched in rain.

During Nicole's drive home, a light drizzle started falling. The roads were slick, and her heart felt just as heavy and waterlogged.

Back home, she collapsed onto the couch and pulled up Sophia's Twitter.

Two weeks ago, Sophia had posted: [Back in town. Through everything, it's still you.] The photo showed two overlapping shadows on an airport floor.

Then, every few days, she'd have another post.

[A man focused on his work is seriously sexy.] Nine photos of her posing in Yosef's office were attached.

[My taste never changed. Neither did the person.] Attached was a picture of food, but in the corner was a long, elegant hand, with a ring identical to Nicole's on the ring finger.

The latest post was from today—Nicole and Yosef's anniversary: [The one who loves you will drop everything to be with you,] with a photo of Yosef in the passenger seat.

Tears welled up in Nicole's eyes, making them glisten like two pools of water.

Suddenly, her phone pinged—a video from Sophia. The clip was shot in the club's dimly lit private room, with background noise barely audible.

Yosef was lounging on the couch, eyes half-closed, a few strands of hair falling across his forehead. Three shirt buttons undone, he looked dangerously sexy, almost irresistible. Sophia was nestled in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

With the video, she sent a voice note that dripped with pure territorial intent. "Yosef said he never loved you. Every moment with you made him sick."

The last thread holding Nicole together snapped when she saw that video. She wiped her tears, stood up, and walked into the study, determined to draft the divorce papers.

After finishing the documents, she went to the bedroom to pack. She had plenty of clothes, bags, and jewelry, but she wasn't taking most of them—everything had been bought by Yosef.

Yosef might not have loved her, but he'd never shortchanged her on material things. High-end designer clothes, luxury goods, diamond jewelry—he'd have them delivered without her even asking. But that wasn't what she cared about.

Now that she'd decided to leave, keeping those things would only salt her wounds, dragging her down with painful memories. She picked out just a few outfits for the current season and gathered her items.

By the time she was done, it was one in the morning. Two large suitcases sat ready. Her delicate hands ached a bit from dragging them, but the elevator made the trip easier.

She placed the suitcases by the front door downstairs, all set for an early morning escape. The moment she set them down, the door unlocked.

Yosef was home.

2.Chapter 2 Let's Get A Divorce

Yosef had his suit jacket draped over one arm, his shirt collar loose and unbuttoned. He looked exhausted.

His gaze landed on the two large suitcases by the door, and a flash of annoyance crossed his face. "Going on a trip? Why didn't you mention anything?"

Nicole wanted to tell him she wasn't going on a trip—she was leaving this house, leaving him, filing for divorce. But she bit her tongue. After the night she'd had, she was too drained to argue.

Yosef met her silent, stunning eyes, then dropped his eyes to her skin—smooth as silk, almost luminous under the living room's crystal chandeliers. He took a few steps closer, his hand reaching out as if to touch her cheek.

Nicole caught a whiff of alcohol on him—mixed with a faint, familiar floral scent. She'd smelled this exact scent before, back when he and Sophia were together in college, during those four years.

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Nicole stepped back and walked away, heading upstairs.

Yosef's hand froze mid-air.

*****

Nicole went back to the bedroom, took a quick shower, and then crawled into bed.

Before long, a knock came at the door, followed by Yosef's voice. "Nicole, you asleep?"

Nicole lay there silently, her fingers clutching the edge of the blanket.

The knocking stopped, and she figured Yosef had left.

But after a long stretch of silence, his voice came again, low, almost a sigh. "I'm sorry about today."

A sharp pain stabbed Nicole's heart, and her eyes clouded with tears. In two years of marriage, no matter how reckless he'd been, he'd never once backed down. This was the first time he'd apologized to her. And it was because of Sophia.

*****

Nicole didn't sleep a wink. She got up early to make breakfast, like she did every morning. Yosef hated eating breakfast out, so she'd always prepared his meals.

At eight, Yosef came downstairs. He held out a blue square velvet box. "Anniversary gift."

Nicole set down her plate and fork, then opened the box. Inside was a pink diamond necklace—flawless, incredibly rare, easily worth over a million dollars.

Catching her blank stare and complete silence, Yosef asked, "Don't you like it?"

Nicole shook her head. She loved the necklace. But thinking about how he bought it with another woman in his heart made her feel like the gift was contaminated.

She set the necklace down and looked up at Yosef, her eyes glacial. "Yosef, let's... get a divorce."

Yosef froze mid-bite, his head snapping up. "What did you just say?"

"Let's get a divorce," Nicole repeated. Her voice was steady, her face completely blank. After a night of emotional turmoil, all her pain had crystallized into a single, clear decision. Now she just wanted to be as far from Yosef as possible.

She pulled out the divorce papers, a look of relief on her face. "I'm done with you."

Yosef stared at the papers, a flicker of rage crossing his face. He slammed his fork down so hard the plate rattled.

The sharp, loud crash made Nicole's heart skip a beat, but her icy expression didn't waver.

"Is this because I didn't spend our anniversary with you?" Yosef demanded.

Realizing he still didn't understand, Nicole frowned, "These past two years... I'm exhausted. I can't do this anymore."

Yosef paused, his tone casual and icy. "Wasn't this marriage something your family begged for? And now you think you can just walk away whenever you want?"

Nicole's calm façade was cracked, a flicker of hurt crossing her face.

Nicole's grandmother, Winona, and Yosef's grandmother, Selena, had been lifelong friends. Winona had even saved Selena's life years ago. These two old ladies had always dreamed of officially linking their families through marriage, making their bond even stronger.

But both of them had only one son, so they pinned all their hopes on the next generation. Luckily, their grandkids seemed ready to make their dream a reality.

Another problem came, however. The Whites had a single granddaughter, Nicole, while the Chandlers had twin sons, Logan and Yosef. This threw their matchmaking plans into total chaos. After much deliberation, they came up with a solution: Nicole could pick which one to marry.

In college, Yosef started dating Sophia. As a result, the family's marriage plan shifted to Nicole and Logan.

But fate had other plans. During their junior year, a car crash took Logan's life, leaving the Chandler family shattered by grief. The following year, Winona fell seriously ill.

Nicole's mom had died from an illness when she was five, and shortly after, her dad remarried. She'd grown up living with Winona. Worried Nicole might be mistreated by the Whites after her death, Winona used the old debt of gratitude to force Yosef into marriage.

Nicole had always assumed Yosef didn't like her and resented her for being forced to marry her. It explained all the reckless things he'd done since they married—the constant rumors with actresses, influencers, and even his secretary.

Though, whenever Nicole got upset, he'd distance himself instantly and have the company's PR team post damage control statements.

The statements read: [Mr. Chandler and Ms. Larson are just friends. We'll pursue legal action against anyone spreading lies], [Mr. Chandler doesn't know this influencer. Stop trying to create drama], and [The secretary was terminated for inappropriate behavior.]

Half the PR team at Chandler Group spent their time cleaning up these messy little "relationships" of his. And Yosef seemed to enjoy every moment of the drama. As soon as one rumor got squashed, another would surface.

Sometimes Nicole wondered if there was nothing between him and those women. He seemed to just enjoy watching her suffer, relishing her pain—all because Selena had forced this marriage and separated him from Sophia.

Two years had passed, and Nicole was exhausted—mentally and physically. And this time, it was different. Sophia was back, the woman he'd loved for four years and cared about most.

Even after Yosef blew off their anniversary, Nicole couldn't bring herself to be angry—what right did she have to be upset that he'd chosen Sophia over her?

A bitter ache settled in Nicole's chest, and she thought, 'I've torn him from Sophia, and he's tortured me for two years. We're even.'

"So, this marriage was a mistake from the start," she said flatly. "Time to set things right."

Something in her words must have hit a nerve. Yosef suddenly exploded. He jumped up and violently kicked the chair, sending it crashing to the floor with a thunderous bang.

Breathing hard with fury, he snarled, "Finally dropping the act, huh? If Selena hadn't forced this, you never would've married me, right? Now you're sorry you did?"

Nicole stared at his rage-filled face. Part of her wanted to tell him she wasn't sorry at all. But then Sophia's words from last night came flooding back, and she held her tongue.

She realized there was no point in fighting. All she wanted was for everyone to move on. So she nodded, her expression blank. "Yeah, I'm sorry."

Yosef froze, clearly caught off guard by her words.

The dining room fell into a suffocating silence.

After a long, tense moment, Yosef curled his lips into a half-smile, his voice icy. "Want a divorce? Not a chance in hell."

With that, he ripped the divorce papers into pieces and kicked the fallen chair with brutal force. "Fuck!" he cursed, slamming the door as he stormed out.

Seconds later, the roar of a sports car engine erupted outside, followed by the high-pitched screech of tires scraping against pavement.

Nicole sat stiffly in her chair, her face cold as stone. 'Looks like I'll have to get serious about this divorce,' she thought.

3.Chapter 3 We Haven't Even Slept Together

In the dim VIP section of the bar, young guys and girls sat around drinking, laughing, and clinking glasses.

Andy Lynn, who'd just gotten there, plopped down with his arm around his girlfriend, a playful grin on his face. "Hey, Yosef, it's been ages since you rounded us up for drinks. What's got you free tonight?"

The guys here had been Yosef's closest friends for years. Back when Logan was still alive, Chandler Group was running smoothly without Yosef lifting a finger. He'd spent his days just hanging out with them—drinking, racing cars, bungee jumping, catching waves—all that fun stuff.

After Logan died, their dad, Samuel, fell ill. Suddenly, Yosef had to step up and take over the family business. Chandler Group was massive, with a million moving parts. Between endless business meetings and corporate responsibilities, he barely had time to see these guys anymore.

Ben Norton glanced at Yosef's sour expression and nudged Andy. "Can't you tell Yosef's in a mood?"

Andy smacked his forehead. "My bad, didn't think. I'll down this one as an apology."

After that, the group leaned in, curious. "Yosef, you're the richest guy in Harboriton. What's got you so worked up?" one of them asked.

Yosef chugged another glass of whiskey, his voice cold. "Nicole wants a divorce."

Andy laughed. "That's awesome, isn't it? You've hated her since you were kids. Your family forced you to marry her. Now you're free, and we should toast to that. Why the long face?"

Yosef slammed his glass down on the table, mad. "Talk like that again and I'll cut your damn tongue out."

Andy liked joking around, but he saw the fire in Yosef's eyes and backed off fast. "Alright, alright, I'll zip it."

Ben could tell something was eating at Yosef and clapped him on the shoulder. "Is this about Sophia being back? Maybe Nicole is just trying to mess with you by bringing up divorce?"

Back in college, Sophia used to tag along with Yosef to car races—all his friends knew about their thing. And after she came back, she'd even asked them out for dinner together.

Jared Thorne jumped in with a grin. "Exactly! Every time you hit the gossip blogs, Nicole would throw a total fit. But she'd always come crawling back, begging you to take her back. Bet this is just another one of her drama stunts."

Their banter helped lighten Yosef's mood a bit. But he couldn't shake the memory of Nicole's face when she'd mentioned the divorce. She'd been eerily calm, like her heart was broken and she was serious this time. And that thought bugged him.

Ben nodded. "What woman wouldn't fight for the Mrs. Chandler title? Mark my words, Yosef. If you go through with the divorce, she'll be back in a month, crying and begging to get remarried."

Jared scoffed, "A month? Try two weeks, max. Remember how she'd get all huffy before? Never lasted more than a week."

Yosef's worries started to fade. He slipped back into his typical carefree mindset, thinking, 'Yeah, I was overcomplicating it.

'After all, Winona had pushed me into marrying Nicole just to get protection from our family—Nicole cannot survive without me. She's just sulking and trying to play hard to get, again.'

He shrugged, acting like it didn't matter. "Same old song and dance. Even if she's not sick of it, I am."

Andy, who'd been quiet this whole time, spoke up. "Yosef, just sign the papers. Give her a wake-up call so she'll stop pulling this drama."

Yosef stayed silent. His eyes narrowed, cold and sharp. 'Nicole's challenged me before, but she's never mentioned divorce. Now she's got the nerve to say it? Looks like she needs a serious reality check about crossing that line.'

*****

By the time Yosef got home, it was past midnight. Normally, Nicole would have been sound asleep. But as he walked in, she was sitting on the couch—knees pulled tight to her chest, looking small and vulnerable.

Yosef dropped his coat on the couch and walked over, ready to embrace her. But then he spotted the new divorce papers on the table, and the calm he'd just found vanished in a flash.

He yanked at his tie, trying to catch his breath. "You really want a divorce?"

Nicole looked up, her eyes clear and bright, with a faint stubbornness in them. Her voice was steady, no hesitation. "Yes."

Yosef's temper flared. "Aren't we doing fine these past two years? What's gotten into you?"

Nicole laughed out of anger. "Doing fine? Do we even act like a normal couple? We've been married two years, and yet we haven't even slept together." Ever since the wedding, they'd slept in separate rooms.

But on their wedding night, Nicole had seen an intense fire in Yosef's eyes. Back then, the second they stepped into the bedroom, he leaned down to kiss her—soft, gentle, like she was some precious thing he'd finally found again.

Nicole had been over the moon—she'd married the man she loved, and she'd thought that night would be perfect.

When Yosef pinned her down, the bright room lights stung her eyes. She covered them with a hand and gasped, "Yosef, can you turn off the lights?"

Those words hit Yosef like a bucket of ice water. He pulled back instantly, a cold, dangerous smirk playing across his lips. "What, can't even look at me?"

Nicole had no idea why he was saying that. She sat up, clutching her clothes, and looked at him helplessly. "What's wrong?"

Yosef didn't respond. He just muttered, "Damn bad luck," and walked out to the guest room, where he'd be sleeping from then on.

"I don't want to wake up to your face every morning—it ruins my whole day," he'd said.

Sometimes, when Yosef drank too much, he'd burst into her room and kiss her roughly. But he always pulled back at the last second. So after two years of marriage, they'd never slept together.

At Nicole's words, Yosef unbuttoned his shirt slowly as he strode straight toward her. "Oh, that's it? Just looking to get intimate? Fine, I'll give you what you want today."

His towering frame radiated an intimidating presence, his eyes swirling with turbulent darkness. Nicole flinched and quickly backpedaled. "That's not what I was saying!"

But before she could finish, Yosef had her pinned against the couch. He grabbed her by the neck, leaning in to kiss her.

Nicole whipped her head around, desperate to escape. She pounded and slapped at him, but he didn't even budge. His overwhelming cologne made her dizzy, stealing her breath. In a sudden rage, she struck him hard across the face. "Yosef, you're crazy!"

Yosef pressed his tongue against his cheek, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You already knew that, didn't you?"

Nicole was more convinced than ever that divorce was her only way out. To break this suffocating mess, she brought up the name she'd been avoiding for two years. "We need a divorce. Logan wouldn't want us to be like this."

The second Logan's name left her mouth, Yosef froze. He dropped onto the couch, shoulders slumping, his hair falling over his eyes.

After a long, heavy silence, he grabbed the pen and scrawled his name on the divorce papers. "You'll regret this," he growled, his jaw tight.

Nicole stared at the divorce papers, her heart unexpectedly steady. "Courthouse, tomorrow at nine," she said coldly.

Yosef hurled the pen across the room, muttered "Damn it," and slammed the door behind him. That night, he never returned home.

4.Chapter 4 Is He Fed Up With You?

Nicole didn't sleep a wink that night. The next day, she dragged herself to the courthouse.

Yosef was already there waiting. He looked beat, like he hadn't slept a minute, either.

Before long, they stepped out of the courthouse. He tossed the divorce papers to Nicole. "Keep them. You'll be switching back soon enough," he said with certainty, like he'd already figured out her "plan."

Nicole stayed quiet, her expression icy as she tucked the papers away. Soon enough, he would realize she meant every word—she was truly done with him.

Then they parted ways. Nicole drove back to the house to start packing her things.

She was just hauling her luggage to the car when an unexpected visitor appeared—Sophia. She had on a champagne bodycon dress, makeup perfect, looking totally put-together.

Spotting the two heavy suitcases, Sophia immediately caught on. "Are you moving out?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Mm-hmm," Nicole grunted, straining with a suitcase.

Sophia helped her load a box into the car and stuck close behind. "Did you and Yosef fight?" she asked.

Nicole paused, her calm gaze locking on her. "We're divorced."

"Divorced?" Sophia's eyes went wide with shock. Then a hint of satisfaction crept across her face. "Well, at least you know you don't deserve Yosef."

Nicole never liked Sophia. It wasn't because Yosef had a thing for her—she just didn't like the woman, plain and simple. She ignored Sophia, heaving another box into the car.

But Sophia wouldn't let it drop. "Did Yosef ask for it? Did he dump you?" she pressed. "Or is it because I'm back? He wants me again, so he got rid of you?"

Nicole was fed up with the questions. She climbed into the car and slammed the door. "Do these even matter? You're getting what you wanted, anyway."

She took one last glance at the villa she'd lived in for two years and added, "This is your place now. The code's Yosef's birthday."

She started the car. Her face, soft even when she wasn't smiling, now held a faint smile. "Hope you two are happy, she muttered. Then she drove off, leaving everything behind.

Sophia watched the car disappear, confused. She'd come back to win Yosef over. But all she'd done was post some cozy little moments with Yosef—only Nicole could see them—and Nicole had already given up?

Sophia gazed up at the massive house, situated in Harboriton's most exclusive neighborhood, Scenic Manor. Buying in wasn't just about money—one had to pass a serious background check. Only the truly wealthy and well-connected could get the keys.

A wave of excitement swept through Sophia. She hurried inside, her eyes darting around the luxurious interior. Her fingers traced expensive decorations, and her heart raced with anticipation. Soon, she'd be the lady of this house.

*****

Unlike his usual routine, Yosef left work early to head home. Though they were divorced, part of him hoped Nicole would be there—hugging him, sobbing, begging for forgiveness.

'She won't go back to the Whites, and this is her only home. Where else could she go after divorcing me?' Yosef thought, a flicker of confidence creeping in as he hit the gas.

As soon as he got home and opened the door, the aroma of a home-cooked meal hit him. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 'Just as I've expected, she couldn't last a day without me.'

He took his time changing his shoes before walking to the dining room. The table was loaded with his favorite dishes. But the food looked familiar—like the takeout from his usual restaurant.

'Oh, well. It doesn't matter. As long as Nicole says she's sorry, I'll let it slide,' Yosef thought. He draped his suit jacket over a chair, unbuttoned his cuffs, and headed to wash up for dinner.

He heard footsteps behind him but didn't turn, drawling, "I'll let this slide this time. But don't ever bring up divorce again."

"Yosef, you're just in time for dinner," Sophia chirped, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Yosef froze, then whirled around.

Sophia stood there in an apron, holding a bowl of soup.

He stared at her, stunned. "What are you doing in my house?"

Sophia set the soup on the table, beaming. "Surprise?"

She tugged at his arm, her voice syrupy sweet. "I picked up all your favorite dishes from that restaurant you love, and I've been simmering this soup for two hours. C'mon, sit and try it."

She pulled his hand, trying to get him to sit.

Yosef shook off her hand, his expression dark. "How'd you get the door code?"

Sophia noticed his mood darkening. She pouted and mumbled softly, "Nicole told me."

Veins popped in Yosef's forehead. "Get out," he said, his voice ice-cold.

Sophia wasn't leaving. She'd waited this long to get inside his place—there was no way she was bailing now.

She reached for his hand again but pulled back when she saw his furious face. She stood there with big eyes, looking like she was about to burst into tears.

"Yosef," she whined, "you're already divorced, and she moved out today. Why can't you give me a shot?"

Yosef ground his teeth. "Nicole told you about the divorce?"

"Yeah." Sophia nodded, her eyes pricking with unshed tears.

A dark storm clouded Yosef's face. He fixed her with a hard stare. "Don't think for a second I'm buying your act. I'll keep my promise, but that's where it ends. The only Mrs. Chandler is Nina."

Finally, Sophia's tears broke free. She stepped closer, her face a picture of raw heartbreak. "But Nicole left. She doesn't want you. I'm the only one who loves you."

"Shut up!" Yosef snapped. "She's just pissed. She'll be back. Soon."

"But—"

"Get. Out." Yosef's voice was cold, no room for argument.

Having no choice, Sophia left, slowly, dragging every step before she finally disappeared.

Yosef stared at the table piled with food, and then suddenly swept everything onto the floor in a violent burst of anger. Plates crashed, food splattered everywhere—total chaos.

*****

Nicole moved into her tiny apartment. It wasn't much, just 970 square feet, but it felt cozy. She'd bought it before the wedding.

After Logan's death, she had planned to leave the White family, so she used her savings to get this place. Never in a million years did she think she'd marry Yosef right after college.

The renovated apartment had never been lived in, so dust covered everything. Cleaning was brutal, and Nicole didn't finish until past 8 PM.

Just as she opened a suitcase to unpack her clothes, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—Yosef was calling. She frowned and ignored it. The call went to voicemail, but he immediately called back. This time, she hit decline without hesitation.

Yosef kept calling, one call after another. Finally, Nina had had enough and blocked his number. But within a minute, an unknown number lit up her screen.

She knew Yosef—once he got going, he didn't quit. Frowning, she answered. "Yosef, are you out of your mind?"

"Nicole, how dare you block me!" Yosef's furious voice erupted through the phone.

Nicole might've looked sweet and soft, but she had a spine. "What's the point of keeping you unblocked?" she snapped sarcastically.

Yosef went silent, but his heavy, ragged breathing over the line gave him away.

Nicole was about to hang up when Yosef's voice, seething with barely contained rage, cut through the silence. "Why did you let Sophia into our house?"

5.Chapter 5 You Deserve Better

Nicole didn't expect him to lose his mind over this. 'What's the big deal? Wasn't Sophia his favorite? He'd probably let her move in later if she wanted,' she wondered.

But Yosef was clearly livid. Nicole didn't feel like fighting—she just wanted off the phone. "She showed up, and I let her in," she said flatly.

Her words softened Yosef's anger. 'Maybe she still cares. At least Sophia showing up at our place wasn't her idea,' he thought. After a short pause, he asked, "Where are you?"

"Home," Nicole replied flatly.

"The White residence?"

"No. The apartment I bought before we got married."

That set Yosef off again. "So you were planning to leave me even before the wedding?"

Nicole said impatiently, "Believe whatever makes you happy." Arguing was useless—they were divorced, after all.

As she wasn't backing down, Yosef tried a different angle. His voice dropped, like he was doing her a favor. "I'm starving. Come back and cook me dinner, or I'm not eating."

'Has he not gotten the memo?' Nicole almost laughed out of anger. "We're divorced, Yosef. Stop bothering me," she said coldly and hung up.

Yosef stared at the blank screen, then hurled the phone across the room. "Nicole, you've got some nerve!" he snarled, his jaw tight.

*****

After hanging up on Yosef, Nicole took a minute to calm down, then went back to tidying the place and setting up her studio.

At five, Nicole moved to Southville with Winona and had lived there for a decade. Southville was a picturesque, historic city in Rivority, where she discovered her passion for oil painting and calligraphy.

Back when she decorated the apartment, she'd only fixed up the master bedroom. The other rooms had been knocked down to create one large studio space. Most of her supplies were already there, but she still needed oil paint and canvas paper.

Thinking of which, Nicole called Anna. She'd barely said "Hello" when Anna started spilling her guts.

"Oh my God, Nicole!" Anna burst out. "You finally called. Do you have any new artwork? My gallery is dying—if you don't help me out soon, I'll have to shut down completely."

Nicole listened quietly until Anna finished speaking, then smiled and said, "You free right now? I need to meet up." Since she needed specific paint and canvas paper, talking in person made sense.

Anna practically squealed with excitement. "Absolutely! Anytime, day or night—just name the spot."

*****

Nicole arrived at Essence Gallery to find Anna already in the coffee room, two steaming mugs ready.

The gallery was elegantly decorated in a traditional style, soft classical music drifting through the space—creating a sense of total calm.

Nicole looked graceful in a smoky gray knit sweater and white long skirt, her gentle features and tender skin standing out even more.

Anna stared at Nicole's delicate face, a flash of admiration in her eyes as she teased, "Who would've thought? Nina, the hot-shot oil painter everyone's raving about, is just a stunning twenty-something?"

When Nicole was eighteen, she donated her painting "Rivers and Mountains Scroll" to charity. Back then, she was just a broke college student, curious to see what might happen.

To her surprise, the piece blew everyone away, selling for 15 million, a crazy high price for a new artist. But Nicole stayed under the radar; the art world only knew "Nina," a mysterious rising star in oils, with no clue who she really was.

Anna was the only one who knew—Nicole had trusted her to handle the auction.

Nicole barely smiled at Anna's praise. "What's going on with your gallery lately?" she asked, her tone concerned.

Anna sighed. "Ugh, don't get me started. It's dead. Haven't sold a single painting in months."

Nicole knew galleries like Anna's had slow stretches, but when they hit, they hit big. "Don't stress," she said. "Your oil paintings are the best in Harboriton. They'll fly off the walls soon enough."

Anna topped off Nicole's coffee, then her own. "Here's hoping. So, what brings you by today?"

Nicole pulled out a sheet. "I need some oil paints and canvas paper, and here's the list."

She and Anna had met years back, when Nicole was hunting for high-end paints and canvas paper. Anna's stuff cost more, but it was top-shelf quality, so Nicole had stuck with her ever since.

Anna took the list, grinning. "Finally gonna pick up a brush again, huh? Our loyal little housewife's back?"

After marrying Yosef, Nicole had poured all her time into him—managing every little thing in his daily life, no room left for painting. Two years, and she hadn't created a single piece.

"I got divorced," she said, her voice steady.

Anna, mid-sip of coffee, spit it out. "What? You're divorced?"

Nicole just gave a soft, calm "Mm."

Anna sat there, stunned.

Though Nicole hadn't painted in two years, she'd occasionally visited galleries and exhibitions. Moreover, Yosef was a prominent figure in Harboriton. So Anna knew the basics of their marriage.

Anna had witnessed Nicole's devotion—how a talented artist had abandoned her craft for two years, solely to be the ideal wife. She'd never imagined they'd split so quickly.

After a brief pause, Anna said, "Good for you. Honestly, I always thought you two were a terrible match. You're gentle and soft, while he's just an arrogant jerk. Anyone could see he'd take advantage of you.

"And in those two years, he'd been constantly caught up in scandals with other women. You deserve so much better."

A flash of Yosef's carefree smile crossed Nicole's mind. "He wasn't always like that," she mumbled.

The old Yosef might have hit the bottle, raced cars, and lived recklessly, but he'd never messed around with other women. After marrying Nicole, everything changed.

Yosef's mother had said, "He married a woman he doesn't love—how could he not be suffering?"

'He was suffering, so he wanted me to suffer too. After all, my selfishness drove him to this. But thank God, it's not too late. I'll set him free to marry the woman he truly loves,' Nicole thought bitterly.

Anna looked at Nicole's soft face and felt a sudden pang. They'd been friends for six years—total opposites in personality, but they clicked, talked easy. Anna knew Nicole well, and it killed her to see such a kind soul hurt by Yosef the jerk.

Anna stood up, walked over, and draped her arm around Nicole's slender shoulders, grinning. "Just move on. The next guy will be way better. You've only had Logan and Yosef in your twenties. Date a few more, and you'll see—guys aren't all that great.

"To celebrate your divorce, I'm taking you out tonight. Time to show you what real fun looks like."

6.Chapter 6 Can You Take Me Home?

The sky was gray, threatening rain. But Anna was in high spirits—completely energized.

She brought Nicole to the city's hottest bar. The second they stepped in, every eye in the room swung their way—especially toward Nicole.

She wore a white strapless lace dress that hugged her tiny waist and flared just enough to tease every curve. Long, loose waves spilled over her bare shoulders, framing her delicate face. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced around the room—absolutely mesmerizing.

A bunch of guys came over with drinks, trying to chat Nicole up, but Anna shooed them all away. She leaned in close to Nicole's ear and said, "Honey, you have any idea how gorgeous you are? Look at these guys—they can't stop staring."

Nicole's cheeks flushed slightly. This was her first time in a bar, dressed so daringly. Her heart raced.

Then they entered the private room they'd reserved. Bianca Evans, a stylish woman in her forties, followed close behind, smiling. "Ms. Summers, everything's ready. Should I bring the guys in now?"

Anna was the second daughter of the Summers family. Fiery and outgoing, she was a regular at the bar and had known Bianca for years.

She flipped her hair with a flirty grin. "Night's too short to waste. Bring them in already."

Bianca lit up. She clapped her hands, and a line of men filed in—tall, lean, every shade of cute and hot, from fresh-faced college sweethearts to brooding heartbreakers.

Anna slung an arm over Nicole's shoulders and murmured, "These are college guys—all clean. Just relax and enjoy yourself."

The guys were in skimpy outfits, their muscles easy to see. Nicole's face flushed, her eyes darting everywhere but at them. "I-I don't..." she stammered.

Before she could finish, Anna flashed the guys a grin. "Quit standing around. Come sit."

The group had never seen a guest as sweet or pretty as Nicole. Their eyes lit up, and they swarmed around her.

"Hey, wanna play dice?"

"Need a palm reading? I'm good at it."

"C'mon, feel my abs."

Nicole froze, totally stuck on what to do.

Worried Nicole might get overwhelmed, Anna left just a cute guy with her and dragged the rest over for shots and dice.

Nicole made small talk with the cute guy, nerves driving her to knock back two drinks. The alcohol painted a soft rose flush across her tender cheeks and clouded her eyes until they looked like glass about to spill over.

The guy couldn't take his eyes off her. Something drew him closer, his breath warm against her ear as he lowered his voice. "Wanna hang later? Don't stress. I'm clean—and charge free."

The hot air on her ear made Nicole shiver. She jumped up, her eyes darting. "I-I need to hit the bathroom."

The guy stood too. "Let me go with you."

Nicole quickly waved him away. "No thanks. I'm fine."

As she was almost to the door, Anna noticed and stood up. "Where are you heading? I'll come."

Nicole glanced at the guys having fun around Anna and forced a smile. "It's fine. I'll be right back."

Anna knew the place—decent crowd, good security—so she didn't push it. "Hurry back, then," she said.

Nicole quickly nodded and slipped away. In the restroom, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to clear her head. With her low tolerance, even two drinks were too much, and she still felt dizzy.

Stumbling a little as she left the restroom, she ran straight into two people on her way back to the booth: Yosef and Sophia.

'Talk about bad luck,' Nicole thought. She tried to duck around them, wanting to avoid the hassle.

But Sophia spotted her right away. "Nicole? Is that you?" she called out.

Yosef's eyes snapped up from his screen instantly.

Nicole didn't even slow down—she just picked up speed and kept walking.

But Sophia wasn't letting her go. She stepped in front of Nicole, a sneaky smile on her face. "It's really you. Since when does the goody-goody hang out in bars?"

Soft lights and a warm buzz clung to Nicole, painting her perfect skin with a soft pink flush. She looked so stunning it almost hurt to watch.

Yosef froze for a second. His stare slid to her slip dress, and his face went dark. "What the hell are you wearing?" he snapped.

Nicole's expression turned cold. "We're divorced. How I dress isn't your concern," she said, spinning around to leave.

In two strides Yosef blocked her path. "It's been just days after our divorce, and you're already throwing yourself away?"

Sophia jumped in, fanning the flames. "Nicole, Yosef's just worried. Bars can be rough. How'd you end up here?"

She'd called Nicole out on purpose, hoping to turn Yosef against her and deepen their rift.

Nicole got even madder. She pointed at Sophia, who was in a black tank top, and fired at Yosef, "She's dressed like that too. Why aren't you chewing her out?"

Yosef didn't even glance at Sophia. He tugged Nicole toward the door. "You're not the same as her."

Nicole scoffed to herself, 'Right. Your precious girl can do no wrong. But everything I do—even how I dress—is a problem. If that's how it is, why won't you just leave me alone? It's crazy.'

That thought lit a stubborn fire in Nicole. She slapped Yosef hard across the face. "Are you crazy? Let me go!"

Yosef stared, stunned. During their marriage, she'd never laid a hand on him—always gentle, always careful. His eyes blazed. Ignoring her struggles, he lifted her into his arms.

Sophia's jaw clenched so hard she tasted iron as she watched Yosef's tight grip on Nicole.

*****

Outside the bar, rain was coming down in sheets, big drops slamming into the ground and splashing everywhere.

Yosef's driver stood by the car, holding an umbrella. Seeing Yosef carrying a thrashing Nicole, he froze for a second, then scrambled to open the door.

Just as Yosef was about to put Nicole in the car, she panicked and bit his shoulder—hard.

He yelped in pain and dropped her. "What are you, a wild animal?" he snarled. "Why do you always bite?"

Rain streaked down, soaking Nicole's thin frame. Wet hair stuck to her forehead, but her eyes blazed with stubbornness. "Yosef," she said, chin held high, "are you that desperate? You think you can still tell me what to do?"

Nicole had never talked back like this before. Yosef snapped, "Damn it! If I ever mess with you again, I might as well be a fool."

With that, he got in the car and slammed the door so hard the whole vehicle shook.

Sophia hurried in, calling, "Yosef, wait for me."

Yosef shot her an irritated glare. "Get lost!"

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes. "But—"

"Get out!" Yosef snapped, his voice tight with impatience and rage.

Sophia had no choice but to climb out of the car. The rain drenched her instantly, making her look a mess. She glared at Nicole, darting back into the bar to escape the downpour.

Nicole stood there, rain drumming on her skin like tiny fists. All she'd wanted was a clean break. But Yosef always knew how to provoke her most uncomfortable feelings.

'Why's it so hard to get a divorce?' she thought. A cold shiver ran through her, and she hugged herself tightly.

Then, suddenly, the rain stopped falling on her. She looked up to find a big black umbrella hovering over her.

Standing beneath it was a tall man with chiseled features that radiated cool sophistication. "Need a hand?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

Nicole stared at his stunning face, and a wild thought hit her. She shivered, teeth chattering as she stammered, "C-can you take me home?"

Lachlan Jackson's lips curved into a bright smile. "My pleasure."