Shantelle Scott has been in love with Evan Thompson since she was young. When Evan's father arranged for her to be his wife, she willingly agreed, despite knowing it was against Evan's will. She devoted her life to him in their two-year marriage, forgetting her aspirations. She hoped her husband would love her back.

Sadly, one day, Evan coldly said, "I want a divorce! I want you out of my life, Shantelle!"

Years passed, Shantelle became a famous surgeon. When her ex-husband came to see her, he asked, "Doctor Shant, I need your expertise."

"What is wrong with you, Mister Thompson?" She asked.

Yearning reflected in the man's eyes as he suggested, "My heart is broken, and only you can mend it."

Shantelle laughed and replied, "Mister Thompson, I am a doctor. I'm not God."

***

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"I want a divorce! I am now the CEO of the Thompson Group of Companies- the master of the Thompsons. My father can no longer control me. I am done with your selfishness!" Evan Thompson, her husband, towered over her as he yelled. "I thought I knew you. I thought you would change, but I was wrong to think that you deserved a chance!"

"Evan, please," Shantelle's words broke in and out. This wasn't the first time her husband had brought up the divorce in the past few months, but now he had the divorce papers in his hand.

Fear crept into Shantelle's heart, knowing how serious he was this time. She reasoned, "I thought you were cheating on me. So I did every married woman would do and confront a mistress whom you have been housing in a luxury apartment -"

"I was only helping her!" Evan insisted. "She isn't a mistress! Why are you so insecure?"

"Nicole has no one. I brought her here to Rose Hills, and she is my responsibility. Two years ago, Nicole quit her job in Lockwood to be with me. She has no one. Do you hear me? No one. You and father ensured she could not get a decent job!" Evan shot back.

With a frown, Shantelle said back, "She could have gotten a decent job if she stayed away from Rose Hills -"

"And with what? No money - in a new town without anyone she knows?" Evan retorted.

"Then, she could go back to Lockwood -" Shantelle tried to reason, but he cut her off again.

"That's not the point, Shantelle! Haven't you realized it? I do not like to be dictated!" Evan said. He pointed at her and described, "You think you can control my life? Who do I want to be acquainted with?"

"That's never going to happen, Shantelle! Never! I only permitted this marriage because of my father - because he threatened me with my inheritance, my birthright!" Evan added. "You realized how unfair that was for me?"

"And what if I cheated? Why would it matter to you? You forced yourself into this marriage - conspired with my father to trap me in this situation! You knew that I had my eye on Nicole, but did that matter to you? No! You had to squeeze yourself into my life!" Evan shot back, his voice strengthening.

'Forced myself into his life?' Shantelle silently asked. 'But we have known each other longer!'

Shantelle and Evan had been married for two years. Their parents were close friends and had always said that she and Evan were bound to get married.

Evan was the gentle older brother she looked up to when they were young. He treated her kindly and even blushed at her claims of marrying him.

She was five years younger than Evan, so her thirteen-year-old self did not hold back in expressing her love for him back then. Sadly, the time came when Evan had to leave Rose Hills City for his college and master's degree.

Evan only visited Rose Hills during holidays since he was often busy, taking two majors in college and managing an off-shore branch near Lockwood City.

When Evan fully returned to Rose Hills, he was already twenty-five years old, ready to take on more responsibility in his father's company. He was mature, more brilliant, taller, better built, and absolutely good-looking. However, when he came back, he brought someone with him, a friend whom he introduced as a potential girlfriend, Nicole Lively.

Shantelle never saw the signs. Whenever Evan visited Rose Hills, they chatted like old times. She was always very transparent about her attraction towards him, yet he never shut her down. Imagine her surprise and dismay when he returned with a woman he was casually dating at that time.

The oddest part was how Nicole Lively looked somewhat similar to her. Nicole had long blonde hair, amber-colored eyes, and the same nose. If not for Shantelle's blue orbs, more prominent jawlines, and tall figure, they were almost the same.

It wasn't just Shantelle who was disappointed when Evan brought home a girl. His father, Erick Thompson, was so furious that he tried to push Nicole away. He paid her off to leave the city, but she never took the bait.

After some time, Evan's father forced him to marry Shantelle. He would have been disowned if he had not. It was Erick's way of declaring that Nicole Lively had no place in their family.

Yes, Shantelle was selfish. The thought of Evan being with another woman made her incredibly resentful. So when Evan's father insisted on their marriage, she... willingly agreed.

Shantelle was only twenty when she married Evan, still studying biochemistry at a local university that her father co-founded, but that did not stop her from being with the man she had loved. She thought this was her chance. Eventually, he would love her. She loved Evan so much and would do anything for him - to be with him, including working with Erick Thompson to keep Nicole Lively away.

Erick and Shantelle tried everything. With her own family's influence, they banned Nicole from entering the city. For over a year, Nicole was out of the picture. However, Shantelle had to admit the woman had her ways!

Nicole found her way back to Rose Hills with Evan's help.

"Now that I hold power and my father can no longer run the company, I can finally make this decision with no one to threaten me," Evan coldly said. "I want you out of my life, Shantelle!"

"But Evan, I love you," she admitted, water welled in her eyes this time. "I did everything for you to love me. Since I was young, you knew I have always loved you."

She kneeled in front of Evan and wrapped her arms around his knees. She begged, "Please don't leave me. I love you so much."

"BUT! I DON'T. LOVE YOU! I never did!" Evan forced his frame away from her. He then slammed the papers against the living room table.

With how strongly he struck the table, Shantelle shuddered, feeling chills down her spine. For seconds, she remained silent, gawking at the document.

'This is it. It has come to this. Despite everything I had done to earn his love,' Shantelle said to herself. Her breathing became labored as tears finally rolled down her face.

Shantelle felt utterly defeated.

Her mouth parted, yet no words left her lips. Before she could respond, Evan groaned, saying, "You are unbelievable! What happened to the Shantelle I used to know?"

'What does he mean? I am still the same Shantelle, except I tried to fight for what I thought was right for me - him - his love!' She pondered deeply.

"Fuck!" He clenched his jaws before saying, "I'm leaving. I have better things to do than deal with you."

Pointing to the divorce agreement, he said, "I'll give you one week. One week to sign that document."

He stood up and put on his coat. As he did, Shantelle asked, "Where?" She gulped. "Where are you going?"

"None of your business." He took a few steps forward and then purposely said, "Maybe I'll stay at Nicole's apartment - anywhere but here."

The next thing Shantelle heard was the loud banging of their double doors.

Selfish? Yes, that was true. It was because she loved Evan so much.

Insecure? How could she not be? Knowing that Nicole Lively was at arm's length, Shantelle's insecurity grew.

Shantelle and Evan had a relatively tranquil marriage for more than a year. It wasn't fruitful or romantic - the dream marriage she wished for, but at least they were civil. Occasionally, they spent quality time as a married couple. Occasionally, they had made love. Shantelle could tell that Evan had tried.

However, six months ago, she received an anonymous message, tipping her of Nicole Lively's return. She became paranoid. She kept prying, infuriating Evan with her constant interrogating and snooping. He started bringing up a divorce since. Eventually, whoever gave her clues sent her photos of Evan and Nicole together, having lunch or taking her to a luxury apartment building.

That was when Shantelle pursued to know where Nicole lived. So when she found out that Evan was paying for the apartment, she stormed into the apartment building and gave Nicole a piece of her mind. Shantelle made sure everyone in the building knew that Nicole was a mistress!

Naturally, Evan found out about it. That was how they wound up in their most noteworthy argument, within the living room of their villa.

So yes, she was selfish and insecure, but that was all because of her love for Evan.

What hurt Shantelle the most, however, were Evan's words. 'I DON'T. LOVE YOU! I never did!'

She thought, if there was no ounce of affection for her, then why? Why would he touch her? She ridiculed herself, still sitting on the floor. She muttered, "I guess I'm just the convenient partner."

"Of course, Shantelle. You already know this," she added. Evan had never told her he loved her. He never even said he liked her. She was just someone his father forced him to marry.

Shantelle got up from the floor when she realized the maids were staring at her. 'They must have overheard. How shameful. How pathetic.'

She picked up the divorce papers and went to the master's bedroom. It was then that she read the terms of the contract. To set Evan free, she would get ten million dollars as alimony.

Shantelle set the document aside and stood in front of a full-length mirror. Watching the stain on her face, the bags around her eyes, and her skinny frame, she murmured, "How pitiful."

Before she became Misses Thompson, she was once the most sought-after young girl in college. She could not count the number of men who confessed their love for her, yet she chose to be with a man who did not love her.

"How pathetic." She told herself. "Shantelle, you are so pathetic!"

It's fair to say that love can turn one into someone foolish.

Shantelle was only twenty-two years old. She graduated at the top of her class in biochemistry, finishing her degree in seven semesters. She wasn't supposed to be someone who felt unloved and unwanted. She was meant to be greater!

After finishing college, she was so hung up, knowing that Nicole was just around the corner, that she did not even think about herself or her career. She had always wanted to become a doctor - a surgeon, but that would mean leaving the city to pursue medicine - allowing Nicole to see her husband freely! Thus, she gave up on that idea.

After studying herself in the mirror, Shantelle looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the portrait of her and Evan. It was a picture of them on their wedding day.

She noted how she was so happy. Her eyes were gleaming in the photo, but as she glanced at Evan's face, her heart sank. In that photo, there was only hurt in Evan's expression.

Guilt washed over her. Then, after some time, she laughed. The kind of laughter that was mixed with misery. Indeed, she was pathetic. She was at fault for marrying Evan against his will. If she had said no back then, he would have been free to choose, and she would not be in such a wretched state.

Shantelle did not know for how long she reflected on her decisions in life, but before dozing off to sleep that night, she admitted, "You are right, Evan. You are right. I am to blame for this."

***

"Mrs. Thompson, have dinner. You barely ate for two days," Mrs. Shaw, their house caretaker, walked in the door, forcing Shantelle to get up from the bed.

Shantelle did not know how, but she managed with only water and bread for two days. That was how depressed she had become after Evan gave her the divorce papers.

"I brought your dinner instead, so you don't have to go out," Mrs. Shaw said.

Mrs. Shaw urged Shantelle to eat. She did not leave, making sure Shantelle filled her stomach.

After Shantelle finished half her plate, she smiled and said, "Mrs. Shaw, thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for being my constant companion here at home, but -"

The words were stuck in her throat, and she cried, saying, "I'm afraid I must leave. I'm afraid I have pushed myself too hard on Evan's life that he hates me -"

"Shhh. Mrs. Thompson. You are a good person. You just need to learn that love cannot be forced," Mrs. Shaw said. "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, then it never was."

Shantelle smiled at Mrs. Shaw. She acknowledged, "Thank you, Mrs. Shaw. I guess I know that already. I was... really hoping he would love me one day."

Mrs. Shaw nodded. She had been working with Evan's family for years. When Evan moved to his marital home, the Thompsons asked her to take care of the newlywed couple.

She had known Shantelle since she was in high school. The Scotts were constant visitors to the Thompson's home. Thus, Mrs. Shaw was aware of her kind nature, but Shantelle slowly changed since she married Evan.

Mrs. Shaw tried to mind her own business, but this time, she could not help but give Shantelle her advice. If they were both unhappy with the marriage, why stay?

"Have you decided?" Mrs. Shaw asked.

Shantelle nodded and faintly replied, "Yes, I have."

After Mrs. Shaw left, Shantelle first took out a paper and pen. Evan has been bringing up the divorce since four months ago, but it was only in the past twenty-four hours that Shantelle gave it enough thought.

She sucked in a breath and wrote a letter to Evan:

[My Dearest Evan,

You first helped me with my math homework when I was ten. Your technique for mastering mathematics was excellent. I thought you were so brilliant.

Remember when my parents were so busy because of a doctor's conference my father had to attend? Mom and Dad had to leave me in your house, and we made a mess of the kitchen, making pancakes. I enjoyed those happy times with you.

When I was twelve, our families went camping by the lake, and you saved me after falling into the water. That was the first time I felt I truly liked you. Even if I was just a kid, I was crazy about you.

I only told you about how I felt when I was thirteen because I knew you were leaving for college.

Evan, my love for you is not shallow. It goes deeper than you can imagine, but I was wrong about how I showed my love. You are right. I should not have agreed to the marriage and trapped you into such a commitment.

I've heard this line many times, but I have always denied it. Loving someone means setting them free. So, here it is. I have already signed the divorce papers.

I hope you and Nicole will find happiness. I'm sorry to have come between the two of you. Forgive me for being selfish. Forgive my childish ways.

Goodbye, Evan.

Take care.

Love,

Shantelle. ]

Dark circles formed around her eyes as Shantelle packed her bags at five in the morning. She kept returning to the closet and deciding on what to bring. Evan bought her a few dresses. Even if they were in a loveless marriage, somehow, he had thought about her.

"I think it's better not to bring anything that would remind me of Evan," she mumbled and resumed packing only those she bought with her father's money.

When she was done, she called for her father's driver and asked him to pick her up. Only then did she read the terms of their divorce. She read it once and twice until it all sunk into her head.

"You are getting a divorce, Shanty. You are getting a divorce," she repeated. "No more crying. Cry later when you are at home."

"Ten million dollars." She reread. Evan would give her ten million dollars as alimony for accepting the divorce terms.

Shantelle marked out the alimony. She affixed her signature on the correction. Afterward, she cautiously signed her name on every page and at the last part.

She felt a knife stab her heart as she affixed her signature next to Evan's. For a moment, she wondered when he had signed this contract.

When Shantelle was done, her shaking hands placed the same document beside the table, and she sadly removed her wedding ring. Tears threatened to fall again, but she held back.

Shantelle allowed herself a few minutes to take it all in. Just as she was sitting on the bed, her phone buzzed. Immediately, she assumed it was her father's driver.

To her surprise, it was the same anonymous number that had been telling her about Evan and Nicole. However, the message was bolder this time, declaring herself.

Her eyes widened at what she saw, and her heart galloped!

On her screen was a picture of Evan having coffee at an unfamiliar dining area. From the photo, Shantelle could tell that Evan had just woken up. His hair was messy, and he wore his usual office attire, except it was all wrinkled.

The message on her phone read: [No matter what you do, he will come back to me. He never loved you. Give up.]

Shantelle's face turned ghostly white. She could not believe her eyes! Apparently, her mysterious tipper was none other than Nicole Lively herself! How brazen!

Her mouth fell open as she threw her head back on the sheets. She laughed and laughed while tears streamed down her face.

After what felt like ten minutes of laughing and crying, her heart out, she replied to the message, saying: [So it was you all along, Nicole. I would never have thought. Well, you can have him. I accept my defeat.]

Either way, Shantelle had already signed the divorce papers and earnestly accepted that Evan did not love her.

For seconds, she contemplated what to do. Still, she thought it was necessary to let Evan know what Nicole had done. She took a screenshot of Nicole's message. Then she sent it to Evan.

Shantelle typed her message: [I agree to the divorce. You can have your ten million dollars. I don't need the money, Evan. I am Shantelle Scott, daughter of the world-famous cardio surgeon, Doctor William Scott. Thank you for everything, Evan, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.]

Before leaving, Shantelle made sure that Evan would get her message clearly. She wrote added instructions in her letter:

[By the way, I marked out the alimony and countersigned it. As I said in my text, you don't need to give me any money. And, I'm sorry about the picture message I sent you. I just thought you should know.]

The next call she received was that of her father's driver. She gave her room one last look before finally leaving her marital home.

***

Last night, in a private room in an exclusive club, Evan was spending time with his friends. His brown-colored eyes narrowed at his drink. His perfectly sculpted and slightly bearded jaws clenched before gulping down a full glass of hard liquor.

After settling the glass on the table, he ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and announced, "I'm divorcing Shantelle."

Dead air fell upon the room, but soon, one of his friends, Sean, asked, "I can't believe this. Are you serious, Evan?"

"He is dead serious, man. We all knew he was always envious of our single-blessed life," Wendell remarked before gulping down a full glass of wine.

"What's going on?" Keith arrived, curious about the purpose of their gathering.

Sean Ross, Keith Henderson, and Wendell Franco have been good friends with Evan since high school. They parted ways when they studied at different colleges, but they had always communicated with each other.

Sean and Wendell first glanced at Evan. Seeing he was seriously drinking his liquor, Wendell revealed, "Evan is divorcing our beautiful Shanty."

"What?" Keith asked with a frown. He sat next to Evan and poured himself a glass of wine. "Why?"

"Why not?" Evan said back. "I never wanted to get married two years ago. I was twenty-five then, at the prime of my life. I had many plans. It was all my father's doing, and she rode in on it. She is not that innocent!"

"But I thought you both were fine last year?" Sean asked. "Weren't you going out on occasional dates?"

"A few. A few dinner dates were just a front to appease my father." Evan scoffed. His response was his way of justifying his decision. "I just endured it. But now that father no longer has the stamina to run the corporation, and he has no choice but to hand me the full authority, I am free to make my own choices."

"Besides, I have had enough of her being constantly jealous and insecure!" Evan added.

There was silence between the four friends, but eventually, Keith sought, "Is this because of Nicole Lively?"

"I don't know, man. I mean, you have been spending time with Nicole lately. Plus, you kept that a secret from Shanty. It's natural for Shanty to be jealous," Wendell suggested.

"Who I make friends with is none of her business," Evan curtly pointed out and then indulged himself in another glass of alcohol. "Whose side are you on?"

The temperature in their room dropped instantly. It took minutes and a few more drinks for Sean to break the ice. He asked, "So you are only interested in becoming friends with Nicole? Or are you planning to make her your girlfriend after the divorce?"

Evan thought deeply about it. That was the plan before he was forced into marriage. Now, many things had changed, but of course, he still felt responsible for Nicole's well-being. Nevertheless, he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

Despite his uncertainties, he retorted, "Why not? I brought Nicole to Rose Hills two years ago with that intention."

Evan immediately noticed the varied expressions of his friends. Keith scoffed. Sean sneered. Wendell bit his lip. All the more irritation filled his heart.

"What the hell is wrong with all of you?" Evan cast them an intimidating glare as he questioned.

"Nothing, Evan. It's just that." Sean cautiously looked at Wendell and Keith. When he confirmed their minds were synched, he said, "We don't get you, Evan."

Keith nodded. He, for one, had known Shantelle and Evan since they were young. Evan used to cherish Shantelle, and their families always knew they would end up together. Everything changed when he came home one day and brought Nicole Lively.

"What do you mean you don't get me?" Evan, in his stern voice, sought.

"Sure, they have similarities, but if you look closely, they are so far apart. And it's not just the look; it's everything else; Shantelle's background, her character." Shaking his head, Keith said, "Let me show you, Evan." With his left hand raised above his head, he said, "This is Shantelle." Then, he lowered his right hand below his waist and suggested, "This is Nicole Lively."

"That's the difference between the two of them. Any man would want Shantelle over Nicole. We don't get how you like Nicole over your wife," Keith said in a sarcastic tone.

"Then!" Evan yelled, "Why don't you marry her?!"

Angered by his friend's idea, Evan pushed the liquor bottles off the table, spilling the contents on the tiles. He got up and fixed his coat and acted to leave.

Just when he had heard enough from his friends, Keith said back, "Are you sure about that, Evan? Because if you are not interested in Shanty, I'd be more than happy to pursue her!"

The thought of Keith wooing his wife filled his heart with fury. Keith was a known playboy. He dated women left and right! He did not deserve someone like Shantelle. He said back, "Don't even think about it!"