Chapter 1 Let's Get a Divorce

The atmosphere was dense with muffled sounds of exertion and hurried breathing, creating a sense of confinement within the dimly lit room, thickened by the intimacy shared between the two. Steam obscured the glass as their heated exhales merged in the warm, humid air. Addison Daves' eyes glistened with unshed tears, her delicate fingers instinctively exploring the firm contours of Lance Johnston's back as his breaths quickened beneath her touch. After what felt like an eternity steeped in this charged tension, footsteps resonated from outside, heralding an approaching departure. Addison turned her attention to the slightly intoxicated man in front of her, her breath catching in her throat as she shifted her gaze away from the glistening sweat dotting Lance's nose. His warm breath fluttered against her collarbone, sending a cascade of chills racing down her spine. "Grandpa's gone ... " Addison reminded him softly, her voice gentle as she signaled that it was time to end the charade. Lance seemed unaware, lost in a daze as he fixated on Addison, his eyes clouded and unfocused, making it nearly impossible to discern his thoughts. "Virginia ... " His voice, deep and rough like sandpaper scraping against the shore, carried an undeniable allure that pulled her in. He reached out slowly, his hand gliding to caress Addison's cheek. Without makeup to accentuate her features, Addison's lips shone a vivid crimson, a stark contrast to her delicate, upturned nose, now flushed with a hint of yearning. His presence surrounded her, his voice weaving through the space like a silken thread, and she heard the name "Virginia" slip from his lips. A name that belonged to another woman. She gazed into Lance's eyes, shrouded in a dense fog, yet she recognized the familiar handsome features that had once captivated her. In a moment of impulsive passion, she leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him. She didn't care. Her gaze remained locked on Lance, his eyes like deep wells pulling forth memories of the man she had once longed for with all her heart. But suddenly, reality jolted her back as she noted the proximity of Lance's face, feeling a churning unease in her stomach. Before she could push him away, Lance's expression shifted, the fog dispersing to reveal sharp clarity. With an abrupt motion, he shoved her away. Caught off guard, Addison stumbled back, her legs momentarily giving way as she wobbled on the brink of falling. Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him, Lance instinctively reached out to steady her, but stopped short as he replayed the earlier scene in his mind. His expression darkened, and he withdrew his hand before redirecting his attention to his crumpled shirt, still rumpled and disheveled. Addison felt little in response to his sudden movement. Once she regained her balance, she regarded him with a warm gaze, void of any anger. "Lance, are you feeling alright?" Despite being so roughly pushed away, her instinct was still to check on him. She tolerated all his behaviors, whether they were good or bad, and no matter how extreme his actions, Addison remained composed, never allowing resentment to surface. She would always forgive him, and it was evident to everyone that she was hopelessly in love with Lance. Yet, everyone also understood that Addison was merely a placeholder. To those around them, she was the punchline of a cruel joke, willingly playing the role of the substitute while deeply in love with Lance, yet unable to win his true affection, as his heart still belonged to his so-called first love. People felt pity for Addison, ensnared in the darkness, unaware she was simply a substitute in Lance's life. She was a woman filled with hazy dreams of love, having long since relinquished her self-respect, ultimately becoming the target of ridicule. "Addison, let's get a divorce." As Lance finished straightening his shirt, he unexpectedly blurted out the words without preamble. "Virginia's back. We shouldn't have any ties between us anymore," he continued, unyielding. Addison fell silent. Lance didn't bother gauging her reaction, fully aware she would resist and likely plead for him to reconsider. What he needed to focus on now was finding a way to finalize the divorce smoothly. He had made promises to Virginia Dolton, a commitment he felt he must uphold as a man. Realizing his tone might have been too harsh and somewhat cruel toward Addison, a girl already alone in the world, he reconsidered. She had finally found a semblance of a home, and suddenly suggesting divorce would undoubtedly deliver a tremendous blow. Moreover, Addison had loved him for so many years; she wouldn't easily accept a divorce. He sensed that to leave, he needed to soften his approach. His voice turned gentle, imbued with warmth as he lowered it. "As compensation, I'll give you a check. Write down whatever amount you want. Honestly, I don't know how much it would take to make it up to you, so just write what you think is fair." For an ordinary person, this was a significant temptation, and he figured Addison would likely not refuse. "I never made you work after marrying into the Johnstons. If you want a job, you can choose any position at any company under the Johnstons umbrella." If she wanted to pursue a career, the Johnstons could provide that for her, as long as she could finalize the divorce! Since marrying into the Johnstons, Addison had epitomized the role of a gentle and devoted wife; he knew she had played that role flawlessly. She had been the model of decorum, calm yet resolute. At social gatherings, she stood out among the other women, making them appear ordinary in comparison. She had handled everything exceptionally well. She had endured so much. Even when he treated her poorly, she still loved him. But she would never be Virginia. Virginia was returning home, and it was time for Addison to go. He understood Addison would likely cry and plead for him to stay, her heart breaking, but in his mind, she had no rightful place. "I can give you whatever you want, no matter what it is. You—" Lance looked at Addison, his voice gentle yet filled with certainty. However, his sentence was suddenly interrupted by a soft but resolute response. "Okay," she said.