Chapter 1 Let's Get a Divorce
1483 Words
Charlotte Brooks, guided by her husband's secretary, Stella Mitchell, found Ethan Brooks' office.
It was her first visit to his company in their two-year marriage.
"Mr. Brooks is still in a meeting. Please wait for a moment," Stella explained kindly and poured her a cup of hot coffee.
"Thank you." Charlotte took it politely and sat on the sofa, observing the clean and simple reception room with its luxurious gray and white decor, typically Ethan's taste.
Stella, in the meantime, was secretly observing Charlotte, who looked young, with curled, long hair draping over her shoulders. Her gray, gentle, and bright eyes kept exuding a quiet and demure charm. She was a woman of few words, yet undeniably beautiful.
In fact, Stella was still shocked by the fact that Charlotte was Ethan's wife.
It was more shocking that the usually distant and aloof president, who always kept a polite distance from everyone, was actually married.
The idea of him showing tenderness to a woman was unimaginable.
The noise outside interrupted her thoughts.
"The meeting might be over," Stella hurriedly said. "Please wait here. I'll check it first."
Charlotte instinctively looked towards the door Stella was heading to.
A tall figure appeared at the door, with his head slightly tilting, and was discussing something with someone beside him. His chiseled profile was sharp, and his expression was cold and serious.
The person next to him...
When Charlotte saw the woman's bright smile, she froze and stood up unconsciously.
Just then, Ethan happened to look up and saw her standing in front of the sofa. He paused slightly and then frowned.
"What are you doing here?"
The woman next to him also looked over, seemingly surprised to see Charlotte.
With a courteous smile to the woman, Charlotte turned to Ethan and handed him the file folder she had been holding.
"Harper asked me to bring this to you."
Harper Brooks, Ethan's mother, hated to see her "doing nothing" at home, and Charlotte wasn't in the mood to face Harper at home, so she took the opportunity to bring it to Ethan.
Ethan took the folder from her. "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet," Charlotte replied.
Ethan closed the file in his hand and looked back at the group of people still with him. "We'll continue the meeting this afternoon. Everyone, go have lunch first."
The woman seemed to have something to say but then held back and responded with a meek "Sure". She then led the curious group away when the latter ones were all stealing glances at Charlotte.
Ethan took Charlotte to the company cafeteria for lunch.
While waiting for their food, Ethan remained busy, his eyes glued to the laptop. He typed rapidly on the keyboard, his expression as cold and focused as ever.
Charlotte propped her chin on her hand and quietly watched him.
He was very handsome, with sharp features and a stern expression. His high nose and slightly lowered head gave him an aura of imposing authority.
He always looked calm and indifferent, except during their most lovemaking moments.
She had secretly loved him for eight years, but now she didn't want him anymore.
The new divorce papers she had drafted were in her bag on her lap.
But now, she hesitated, pressing down on the papers.
Strictly speaking, Ethan hadn't done anything wrong. He just... didn't love her.
However, since they hadn't married for love, not loving her wasn't really a fault.
"What are you looking at?" Ethan's deep voice interrupted Charlotte's reverie.
She shifted her gaze to him, but he didn't even look up, still busy and focused on his laptop.
Charlotte always believed that watching him work was a pleasure.
"Hmm?" Given that she didn't respond, Ethan finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers.
Charlotte smiled at him. "Nothing."
Then she asked casually, "When did Bella start working at your company?"
Bella Reed was the girl who had been standing next to him earlier.
Charlotte had been in school with them for a year.
She was a transfer student, while Ethan and Bella were high school classmates and popular figures at school.
There were always rumors that they liked each other, but they never got together for some reason. In the end, Charlotte, who was not very noticeable, ended up with Ethan.
"Earlier this year, I think." Ethan's attention returned to his laptop. "I don't really remember. She got in through the HR interview."
Charlotte nodded and didn't ask any further.
Their meal was served quickly, and they fell into a long, quiet meal.
This was the norm in their two-year marriage. They enjoyed silence, so it wasn't a big deal, but...
She looked at the couple at the next table, who were feeding each other and laughing playfully.
Charlotte felt a bit envious.
That kind of intimacy would never happen between her and Ethan.
His focus was always on work and precision.
His life was like a tightly wound clock, precise and cold.
He calculated every second, knowing exactly what to do and what not to do.
A man like that was not suited for marriage.
And neither was she.
"What's wrong?" Ethan noticed her distraction and suddenly looked up at her.
Charlotte pressed her lips together slightly, meeting his eyes, and smiled, nodding. "Well, yeah..."
"Ding..." Ethan's attention was pulled back to his laptop by a new email.
Charlotte smiled. "Maybe you should get back to it. We can talk later."
"Okay."
It was an hour later when Ethan finished his work.
"Any plans?" he asked as he packed up his laptop.
Charlotte was taken aback, realizing Ethan was talking to her.
"I'd like to visit the bookstore and head back later."
Ethan nodded. "I'll let Henry take you. Don't stay out too late."
Henry Daniel was Ethan's assistant, and Charlotte had met him a few times.
She nodded. "Okay."
And with that, their lunch ended in blandness.
Charlotte didn't get home from the bookstore until nearly five.
Harper was still at home.
She gave Charlotte a disdainful look as she sat on the sofa.
Ignoring her, Charlotte quietly went to her room.
Soon, she heard the sound of objects clashing and Harper's enraged shouting.
Harper had never really liked her, and Charlotte knew that.
She could imagine how sour Harper's face looked, making her miss the freedom before marriage even more. Back then, she supported herself and had no expectations from anyone. She didn't have to flatter anyone or worry about their mood.
Despite that, she understood why Harper didn't like her. After all, she and Ethan were worlds apart in terms of status and background.
It was just a twist of fate that brought them together.
When they got married, she didn't know about Ethan's prestigious status, thinking he was just like her, an ordinary person striving for a living.
If she had known about their vast difference in status beforehand, she wouldn't have agreed to marry Ethan, especially since it was a marriage of convenience due to pregnancy.
At the beginning of their marriage, Charlotte had hopes for the future, so she could tolerate Harper's subtle disdain towards her behind Ethan's back.
Now that she had different plans for the future, Harper's attitude didn't matter to her anymore.
Finally, outraged by her silent defense, Harper stormed out of the house, slamming the door in frustration.
Charlotte wasn't in the mood to cook, so she ordered takeout casually.
Ethan had to work overtime, so he sent her a message in advance.
His company was still expanding, and working late was normal for him.
Charlotte was already used to his busy schedule.
Around eleven at night, he finally came home, while Charlotte was still busy in the study room.
Ethan was also used to her being busy. He went to take a shower first, and by the time he returned, Charlotte had already finished her nightly routine and was sitting up in bed reading.
When she caught his arrival, she put down her book and turned off her bedside lamp.
Ethan went to bed and turned off the light. As soon as he lay down, he turned over, pressing down on her. As his fresh, masculine scent approached, he kissed her.
In the dark, Ethan was gentle yet overwhelmingly assertive.
He shed all his daytime coldness, and Charlotte found it difficult to believe that the usually cold man could be so passionate and wild in bed.
Their lovemaking was nearly perfect.
After a long while, when all the heavy breathing and moans gradually died down in the dark, Charlotte was still held gently in Ethan's arms.
Their sweat-soaked bodies were a bit sticky, but Charlotte didn't push him away. Instead, she gently hugged him, burying her face in his sweaty chest.
"Ethan," she whispered his name softly, her voice still breathless.
"Hmm?" His voice, tinged with desire, was seductive in the darkness.
"Let's get a divorce."
- Writer
