The day my husband's plane crashed into the sea, I broke down and attempted to die with him.

It was only after being rescued that I remembered it was April Fool's Day.

Before losing consciousness, I heard the mocking voice of his lover.

"Theo, your sister-in-law is really head over heels for you.

If she finds out you're messing with her, she'll go insane!"

He chuckled softly.

"Go insane? Esme Fairchild is more docile than a dog after giving birth.Just don't let her know about this.This is the last time I'll test her love for me."

Everyone burst out laughing, swearing to keep it secret.

I lay on the stretcher, unable to shed another tear.

Theo Pembroke didn't know-

When I woke up in the hospital, there was a bouquet of flower on the table.

In the past, when I was sick, Theo Pembroke wouldn't even show his face,only sending his assistant over with piles of supplements.

Seeing my indifferent expression,he got me some water.

"Happy to see I'm not dead?"

I turned my head and caught a glimpse of the faint kiss mark on his neck,my voice was calm.

"Theo Pembroke, let's get a divorce."

His hand paused slightly.

Then, right in front of me, he made a phone call.

Soon, the assistant brought over Theobe.

It had been months since I last saw him,and he'd grown taller.

But he was still distant from me.

I gave birth to Theobe,but right after the breastfeeding period,he was taken away by the Theo's dad.

I only got to see him during holidays.

I knew exactly why Theo Pembroke brought him to me.

Back when he partied too much outside,and I was mad and ignored him,he'd always send our son to keep me company.

I've lost count of how many times this trick has been repeated.

But now, this trump card no longer works on me.

Seeing Theobe, chubbier than before, I didn't smile.

He frowned in displeasure,a mini version of Theo,even the way he said my name had Theo's accent.

"Esme Fairchild, you're still so stiff and boring.Dad, I don't want to stay here.

I want to go back and play Golluck with Lydia."

Lydia?

No wonder he never calls me "Mom."

Turns out, he's long since accepted someone else as his mother.

Theo's eyes turned cold.

Theobe immediately shut up and climbed into my arms.

"Daddy scolded me!"

In the past, I would always protect Theobe,but this time, I pushed him away.

"Go complain to your Lydia."

Two nearly identical faces froze.

I continued,"Theo Pembroke, I'm serious about the divorce.I'm not joking."

A flicker of anger passed through his eyes,but was quickly replaced by a mocking smile.

"Esme Fairchild, playing hard to get can backfire.If you really piss me off,don't expect to see your son again."

No wonder he didn't react when I first mentioned divorce-he thought I was retreating in order to advance.

I remembered last year,when he played around with a young starlet so muchthat she was hospitalized for ruptured ovaries and internal bleeding-it even trended on the hot search.

I tried to divorce him.

He locked me in a room and wouldn't let me see Theobe for half a year.

That's when I finally learned my lesson.

That was also when I realized-I couldn't love him anymore.

"Theo Pembroke, I'll be moving out of the Pembroke family after I'm discharged."

I stated again seriously, looking straight into his eyes.

Realizing I wasn't joking, his expression turned grim.

"Whether you can divorce me depends on whether you've got what it takes."

After he left, holding Theobe by the hand,I picked up my phone and sent a message to that unfamiliar number.

"I've made up my mind.I'll leave a week after the dance competition ends."

After getting out of the hospital,I went back to the villa, packed a few things,and headed straight to the dance studio.

Since I had already made up my mind,I didn't want to have any more entanglements with Theo.

When everyone saw me,their gazes were filled with strange meanings.

A colleague pulled me into a corner, asking worriedly.

"Esme, how did you offend Madam? Not only did she snatch your competition spot, but she also had the director fire you."

Madam?

I followed her gaze to the figure in the center of the stage.

Lydia Montague, dressed in gold and silver, did have a bit of that canary vibe.

Almost forgot-she always referred to herself as 'Madam' here at the dance institute.

At this moment, she was holding her head high, basking in the envious gazes of others. Suddenly, she noticed me in the shadows.

"Esme sis, I'm really sorry. Maybe my dancing skills are more suitable for the competition, so the director gave the only spot to me."

I never cared what nonsense she pulled before, but this competition was important to me-I absolutely couldn't give it to her.

"Lydia Montague, what level is your dancing exactly? The kind for performing to men? And do you dare tell everyone your real identity?"

She was originally a small-time internet talent streamer, who only got into this high-end dance institution thanks to her connection with Theo Pembroke.

She used to act all timid in front of me-now she dared to climb over my head? That's intolerable.

Lydia Montague turned red, speechless, her eyes welling with tears.

At that moment, a hand reached around her waist from behind.

Theo Pembroke looked at me with a strong sense of intimidation in his eyes.

"And what's your identity?"

My lips moved, but a bitter taste rose in my throat.

His mother died because of me.

Even after nine years of marriage and giving birth to his son, I still couldn't repay that life-saving debt.

When drunk, he once strangled my neck and said:

"Esme Fairchild, you married into the Pembroke family to atone, not to enjoy life. Don't forget your place!"

Seeing me distracted, Theo Pembroke leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Esme Fairchild, if you still want to keep this job, move back home obediently."

Only then did I realize-he was the 'director' Lydia Montague referred to.

He gave my competition spot to Lydia Montague and pressured the institute owner to fire me.

He was forcing me to bow my head and take back the divorce.

Seeing I remained unmoved, Theo Pembroke's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Now that you want to escape my control? Then I'll break your wings and see how you fly."

He made a phone call.

Shortly after, my best friend sent me a message.

"Esme, I think I offended someone. I just got promoted last month, but the supervisor called me into the office and said they're letting me go..."

My lips pressed tightly together as I packed my things.

While leaving, I heard Lydia Montague's mocking voice.

"Esme sis, aren't you just like me-depending on a man? And you thought you had so much backbone?"

My hand on the suitcase paused. I responded defiantly:

"Did you forget? He and I aren't divorced yet. He's still my husband..."

Suddenly, Theo Pembroke gripped my arm tightly.

"Esme Fairchild, who gave you the guts to bully Lydia in front of me? And the warning I gave you-have you forgotten them all?"

My heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle.

Since we got married, he had never made my identity public.

People only knew he was married, but women still surrounded him.

Since I couldn't join the dance competition, there was no reason to wait another week to leave.

With that thought, I felt a little better.

Before going home, I stopped by the law office and printed a divorce agreement.

Then I sent another text to that phone number.

"No need to wait a week. I'll leave in two days."

Back at the villa, I sat on the couch in a daze.

Theo Pembroke came home at this hour, which was rare.

He stood at the entrance, meeting my gaze.

It was as if he saw his past self.

After work, sitting in the living room, waiting late into the night, finally waiting for the husband to return home.

I walked up with a smile, thoughtfully helping him take off his coat and shoes.

"Honey, was today tiring? I learned a new massage technique, would you like to try it...?"

These past few years, except for working as a dance instructor at the institute, I spent all my remaining time revolving around him.

Day after day, yet I never received a single kind look from him.

Now stepping out of it and examining the past as a bystander, I found myself utterly foolish.

Seeing I didn't respond, Theo Pembroke frowned.

"What are you thinking? Running away?"

I found it a little funny.

"What if I wanted to run away? What would you do?"

He walked over to me and suddenly pushed me down on the sofa, cleverly changing the subject.

"You don't like our son, then let's have a daughter. Daughters are more obedient and can keep you company. That way, life at home might be a bit better for you."

When I married into this family, the servants saw that Theo Pembroke treated me with indifference, and since I had a mild temper, they didn't take me seriously either.

All the hard and dirty work was dumped on me.

Back then I loved Theo deeply, and never once complained to him.

He saw my situation but watched coldly from the side.

My thoughts returned as my nightgown was pulled off.

His kisses fell on my body.

Fierce and domineering, carrying a hint of punishment.

No matter how he provoked me, I stayed completely unmoved.

Turns out, when you no longer love someone, your body doesn't respond.

Theo lost interest and got off me.

"Esme Fairchild, I know your body well. You shouldn't be reacting like this."

He grabbed my chin and examined me.

"Tell me, have you slept with another man?"