After three years of marriage, Alexander and Yvonne were husband and wife in name only. Pressured to have a child, Yvonne attempted IVF multiple times without success. Alexander eventually found out about this. 'Take off your clothes,' he said brusquely one evening, eyeing her coolly. Yvonne looked at him in confusion. 'Didn't you want a child? I'm giving you one night,' he stated, unbuckling his belt. She laughed nervously, deflecting with a barbed comment about his numerous affairs. To her surprise, his 'generosity' extended beyond just one night. Alexander seemed to enjoy teasing her, indulging her whims, and their intimate moments. When his childhood sweetheart returned, Yvonne decided to step aside. As she packed her bags to leave, Alexander blocked her path. 'Where are you going?' he demanded. 'The rightful wife has returned. I know my place - back to obscurity,' she replied bitterly. 'Don't be silly. You're Mrs. Thornton. Everyone else is irrelevant,' he said, kneeling to tie her shoelaces. Later, he discovered she wasn't leaving out of jealousy, but to be with another man - endangering their unborn child in the process. Furious, he confronted her. 'Yvonne, no one can forgive a wife who would harm her own child for another man.' Wincing, she retorted, 'Once we're divorced, I won't be your wife anymore.' Eight months later, after their child was born, they divorced. Yvonne left the country while Alexander raised their child alone. Rumors spread that Alexander Thornton was a ruthless man who'd used his wife merely as a surrogate, discarding her after she'd given birth. Little did they know he was the one who'd been abandoned. Eventually, he maneuvered to force her return. 'What position are you applying for?' he asked, reviewing her resume. 'Secretary,' she replied. 'The position of Mrs. Thornton is still open,' he countered. Yvonne looked at him scornfully. 'Alexander, you're pathetic. You chase women who don't love you and force yourself on those who want nothing to do with you. You haven't changed.' 'Such a contradiction,' he murmured, drawing her close. 'Wasn't it you who clung to me last night, weeping and saying how much you missed our son and me?' Yvonne was stunned into silence, unsure if she had indeed done so.