Ethan had made the conditions clear before their wedding—outside the board of directors, their marriage was to remain a secret.

He must have been waiting for Sophia’s return all along.

Every move he made was quietly preparing the way for her.

The phone call with Eleanor left Isabella’s mind reeling, but one thing stood out—she’d promised to bring her boyfriend home this Saturday. But who could she possibly bring?

Her thoughts were a tangled mess as she hurriedly gathered her belongings and left the office.

Standing on the sidewalk, she scanned the street anxiously.

A sleek Maybach pulled up smoothly in front of her.

The window slid down, revealing the striking face of a man who never failed to draw attention.

It was Ethan.

“Get in,” he said, his tone firm and commanding.

Despite every instinct telling her to refuse, the memory of Eleanor’s unsettling call pushed her into the car with reluctant acceptance.

This time, she deliberately chose the back seat instead of sitting beside him.

“I told you I’d make it up to you, but don’t think playing the victim will earn my sympathy,” Ethan remarked, a hint of reproach in his voice.

“Playing the victim?”

The irony of his words cut deep, and a sharp, humorless laugh escaped her.

“When are we finalizing the divorce?” she asked, her voice brittle and hollow.

Ethan, puzzled by her reaction, replied, “Relax, there’s no need to hurry—it’s not the right time.”

“Where are we going now?” Isabella pressed, frustration simmering beneath her words.

“We’re heading back to the family estate—Grandpa wants to see you,” Ethan explained, his tone softening slightly.

Arthur Blackwood had been a rare source of warmth in Isabella’s turbulent life, second only to Eleanor.

Since her family’s financial collapse in middle school and her parents’ mysterious disappearance, kindness had been scarce.

Ethan’s presence had once illuminated her world.

Now, everything was fading back into dull gray reality.

Isabella stayed silent, her quietness a silent agreement. After a long pause, she spoke again, her voice barely a whisper.

“One month.”

“What?” Ethan’s confusion was evident.

“I want the divorce finalized within a month,” she stated, her tone resolute yet edged with hidden urgency.

If things dragged on, Ethan might discover her secret—she was pregnant.

Given his attachment to Sophia, he would undoubtedly insist she terminate the pregnancy, and she refused to abandon her child.

Ethan’s brow furrowed in irritation. “The decision’s been made, Isabella. Stop playing these mind games with me,” he said, frustration lacing his words.

He knew exactly how deeply she cared for him, which always left him wrestling with guilt.

But he was determined not to let her emotions dictate their strained negotiations.