She bit her lower lip, her expression fraught with hesitation.

"Austin, have you really decided to divorce Ela?" Judith asked tentatively.

She had been suspicious ever since their argument when Austin had repeatedly refused to agree to a divorce. It made her wonder.

"Divorce is thebest option! Get rid of Ella now while you can. After all the years you've invested in your feelings for Judith, you deserve a perfect ending," Paul interjected.

The others at the table turned to Austin simultaneously.

Everyone knew Ela was widely considered Austin's most devoted admirer.

Her pursuit of him had caused quite a sensation at Lincoln Tech University.

If Austin hadn't been paralyzed, giving her the perfect opportunity,Judith would likely be Mrs. Raymond now instead.

Ella was calculating and manipulative, willing to do anything to secure her position with Austin.

It seemed unlikely she would agree to a divorce without a fight.

She would inevitably cling to him desperately.

At the center of the conversation, Austin crossed his legs, his expression unreadable as he calmly pressed down on his lighter and remained silent.

An awkward silence filled the air until Paul joked, "From Austin's troubled expression, I'm guessing Ella is making things difficult. She's refusing the

divorce,right?"

"She just can't let go of Austin."

Judith knew better than anyone at the table that Ella had been the one to suggest divorce.

But who could say this wasn't another of her tactics toattract Austin's attention?

The unease spreading through her heart was palpable.

Judith had returned specifically to reunite with Austin.

With a gentle smile, she sat down beside Austin and dropped a bombshell.

"I just saw Ella with a man, and they looked extremely close. Do you think she might have found someone new?"

Her words caused an uproar among the group.

"Impossible! Ella loves Austin too much. It's probably just another trick to get his attention," Paul declared, slamming his glass down emphatically.

Judith moved closer, studying his profile in the dim light,trying to detect any emotional response.

Austín merely let out a cold laugh. "Let's not talk about her. Today is Judith's welcome party."

She secretly sighed with relief.

Austin must have completely severed ties with Ella that night.

Now he truly despised her.

He wouldn't even allow her name to be mentioned.

Relieved. she suppressed her delight and raised her glass. "Thank you all for the hospitality today."

"No need for formalities, Judith. Welcome back to the family."

"You look even more beautiful, Judith!"

Ella returned home, dragging her exhausted body to bed.

The doctor had prescribed several medications to help her recover.

Since the miscarriage. Ella had frequently experienced abdominal pain and bleeding.

Her already fragile health, combined with this trauma, had left her mentally and physically drained.

Reflecting on her past life, she realized it had been completely consumed by household chores and revolving around Austin.

Her world had centered entirely on him, making her forget that she should prioritize herself.

No one loved her, so why couldn't she love herself more?

With this realization, Ella mechanically swallowed two pills and leaned against her desk, staring blankly at the ceiling as she exhaled deeply.

From now on, she would eat properly, never skip meals, maintain a healthy sleep schedule, and earn as much money as possible. Her life was just beginning!

After these reflections, Ella treated herself to a hot shower.

As she finished and prepared for bed, she heard rustling sounds at her door.

The noise forced Ella to get up.

The door opened.

Austin stood there with a wrench in hand.

He looked at Ella, his eyes different from usual-clouded with desire as he approached step by step.

"Austin, you picked the lock?" Ella could hardly believe that this mature.composed man would do something so completely out of character.

Austin tossed the lock cylinder and wrench aside, loosening his collar.

His tie hung slack, giving him the appearance of a debauched gentleman with unmistakable lust on his face.

"Did you think you could keep me out?" he asked.

Ella's lips twitched. "Don't you have a spare key?"

"Couldn't find it."

He moved closer until he was mere inches away, his presence overwhelming.

Ella couldn't stop her legs from trembling, though she maintained a facade of composure. "Why not just break the whole door down while you're at it?"

"Ella, your tantrum needs to have limits," Austin said, clearly displeased with her current defiant attitude.

Where had the obedient, compliant Ella gone?

She didn't want to waste words. "Get out." she said coldly,pointing toward the door.

Austin's gaze grew dark and penetrating as he closed the remaining distance between them.

"Where would I go?" he asked, his fingers sliding beneath her clothes.

"This is my territory. You're trespassing." Ella had wanted to remain in control, but her waist was her sensitive spot.

Whenever they made love, Austin would deliberately kiss her there,watching her tremble and shiver as if it heightened his desire.

Her legs weakened as she felt his cool fingertips tracing patterns on her skin, sending electric currents through her body as her blood rushed and heated.

"What's yours is mine," he murmured.

Austin guided her step by step, seducing her until she couldn't stand,inevitably retreating toward the edge of the bed.

Ella admitted his sexual prowess was exceptional-so good that she'd forgotten how thoroughly rotten this man was.

His sexual appetite was insatiable, but she remained resolute, "We're divorced."

Stay calm. Stay clear-headed.

She wouldn't mistake sexual desire for love again.

Nor would she use their passionate bedroom encounters as excuses for his infidelity.

His hand paused, his eyes still smoldering with desire, a look so intense that for a moment. Ella's heart skipped a beat.

He was so dominant that when he pressed her onto the bed.she melted like water.

"Still want that divorce?" he asked.

Ella could hear her heart pounding thunderously.

Austin lowered himself, his kisses delicately trailing along her neck and collarbone, creating a tingling sensation.

"Still want that divorce?" he repeated, raising his head from her chest.

Ella's back was damp with perspiration, her breathing labored as she tried to escape, only to have him firmly grasp her ankle and pull her against his hips.

His hand slipped beneath her silk nightgown, traveling up her inner thigh."Still want that divorce?"

His husky voice felt like turning pages of a book, vibrating against her eardrum.

Ella's composure had already crumbled.

He knew exactly how to manipulate her body-her climnax points,sensitive areas, and every pathway to pleasure.

But how many women had he pleasured this way?

Through a wall, she had heard it so clearly.

He had betrayed her completely in body and soul-Ella couldn't continue to lose herself in him.

Were all thetimes he'd hurt her meaningless?

Could these small acts of pleasure replace all the times she'd been neglected and abandoned?

She was truly exhausted.

Ella opened her eyes and slapped him hard across the face.

"Get out." she demanded.

She stared at Austin's face, her eyes calm as a deep pool.

Austin's cheek stung with numbness.

When he regained his senses, he saw two clear tracks of tears running down her cheeks.

The white curtains billowed in the cold wind.

The warm ceiling light suddenly seemed pale and harsh to her,piercing her eyes as pain radiated through her body, making even her stomach cramp.

Austin studied her tears, his thin lips curving into a silent mockery. "Who is that man?"

"Is he satisfying you so well that you're ready to kick me out?"

He asked again.