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Chapter_1
Alice White stared at the divorce papers lying on the table. Her hand trembled slightly as she realized her husband had already signed them.
Her gaze shifted toward the window, and there, standing tall and commanding, was Jasper Beckett. Even from behind, his presence was imposing—charming yet cold, domineering yet distant. The afternoon sun cast a glow over his figure, but it did little to warm the air between them.
“I’ve signed it,” Jasper’s voice cut through the silence. “You should hurry up and do the same. I want all the legal procedures wrapped up before Lia returns.”
His hands were clasped behind his back as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the horizon, not even bothering to look at her.
“We agreed on the pre-marital assets. There won’t be any issues. But I’m offering you an additional 20 million and a villa on the outskirts. It wouldn’t look right if you left with nothing. Grandpa would never let me hear the end of it.”
Alice’s chest tightened. “Does Grandpa know about this? About the divorce?”
Jasper’s tone remained indifferent. “So what if he knows? Does it change anything?”
Her hands clenched around the table as her vision blurred with unshed tears. “Jasper… can we… can we not get a divorce?”
Finally, he turned, his piercing gaze meeting hers. His features were sharp—thin lips, deep-set eyes, and a face carved with harsh lines. Even now, Alice couldn’t help the flutter in her chest at the sight of him.
“Why?” His question was cold, almost dismissive.
“Because I love you.” Alice’s voice broke as tears welled in her eyes. “I love you, Jasper. I still want to be your wife. Even if you don’t feel the same.”
“Alice White, I’ve had enough!” Jasper snapped, his voice filled with frustration. “Every second of this loveless marriage is torture. It was a mistake from the start. You knew I was at odds with Grandpa. You knew I loved someone else. Now that three years have passed, and Lia’s coming back from Mosgravia, it’s time for you to go. You’re no longer Mrs. Beckett.”
Her head hung low, and the tears spilled over, splashing onto the divorce papers. She wiped them away quickly, but Jasper saw. His gaze softened for a moment, but it was fleeting.
The sudden buzz of his phone cut through the tension. He glanced at the screen, then answered immediately.
“Lia, have you boarded the plane?” His voice, once cold and distant, now carried warmth and affection.
“I’m already at Solana City airport,” came the excited response.
“What? Didn’t you say you’d fly in tonight?”
“I wanted to surprise you!”
“Wait for me. I’ll pick you up now.” Jasper turned and hurried toward the door, his eyes not even lingering on Alice.
As the door to the study slammed shut, a heavy silence filled the room. Alice, who had loved Jasper for ten long years, now found herself abandoned. They had been married for three, and through it all, she had stayed loyal, pouring her heart into a relationship that was one-sided from the start. He had never loved her, and now, she was being cast aside in favor of someone else.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and glanced at the signature on the divorce papers. Tears blurred her vision once again as she silently bade him farewell.
That night, Jasper arrived at Seaview Manor, his arm around Liana Gardner’s slender waist. The sight of them together, radiating the kind of love Alice had always longed for, was like a slap in the face. They were the picture of happiness as they entered the villa, attracting the attention of everyone around them.
“Jasper,” Liana whispered, her voice laced with concern, “you haven’t divorced Alice yet. Shouldn’t we be more discreet? Alice will hate me.”
“She won’t,” Jasper replied with a dismissive wave. “I don’t love her. It was just a contract. She knows her place.”
The rest of the Beckett family circled Liana, showing their support and care. Meanwhile, Alice, still in the kitchen, silently prepared dinner. Alone.
Amid the crowd, Jasper caught a glimpse of her—lonely, isolated. He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Even now, she was still playing the loyal wife. “Does she honestly think there’s a chance to turn this around?” he thought. “How laughable.”
The moment was interrupted when the butler rushed in, panic evident in his steps.
“Mr. Beckett! Madam Alice… she’s gone!”
“Gone?” Jasper’s brow furrowed. “When?”
“Just moments ago. She didn’t take anything. After removing her apron, she left through the back door. A black car picked her up.”
Jasper stormed into the bedroom, his heart racing. The room was spotless, but on the bed, the signed divorce papers lay, marked with tear stains. His anger flared as he stormed to the window, spotting a Rolls-Royce speeding away from the manor.
“Who does she think she is?” he muttered, furious. “She’s leaving, but now she’s in a hurry?”
He quickly dialed his secretary. “Find out who owns the car with plate number A9999.”
Five minutes later, the call came in. “Mr. Beckett, we’ve traced the car. It belongs to the president of KS Group.”
The president of KS Group? Alice had no connections. No wealth, no notable background. How could she possibly know someone like that? Had she already moved on so quickly?
“Mr. Beckett,” the secretary hesitated. “Did you really divorce Madam Alice today?”
Jasper’s voice was sharp. “Why, can’t I? When would you have preferred it?”
“It’s her birthday today.”
Jasper froze, the words hitting him like a thunderclap.
In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, Jonah Taylor held Alice’s hand, his grip reassuring.
“When Silas heard you were coming back, he prepared a fireworks display to welcome you.”
“I’m not in the mood for fireworks,” Alice replied quietly, her voice thick with emotion.
As she leaned against her eldest brother’s shoulder, she let out a sigh, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She glanced down at her phone, finding the last message was from Liana, not Jasper.
“You know what I told you?” the message read. “You’ll give me back what’s mine. Jasper is mine. Don’t even think about getting him back.”
Alice allowed herself one final tear before she wiped it away and closed her eyes. She was done with the past.
Jonah squeezed her hand tighter. “Are you okay?”
“Jasper killed Alice White today,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “But it’s my birthday today… and I’m finally free.”
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