Divorce? Not So Fast, Wife!

Chapter 2 What's Wrong with Loving Money?

As soon as Richard's eyes fluttered open, the entire Hawkins Villa erupted into a frenzy of excitement. The family doctor was summoned immediately. After a thorough examination, he respectfully informed Helen, "Madam, he's definitely improving. He's showing small reactions. I believe he'll wake up soon!"

"It might be best to find a way to stimulate him further to speed up the process," he added.

Helen was nearly in tears, her joy overwhelming as she clutched Claire's hand tightly. "Claire, you're truly a blessing to this family!"

Who could have expected this?

The Hawkins family had merely intended to find someone to care for Richard and perhaps carry on the family line. Yet, on the very first day Claire married into the family, Richard, who had been comatose for three months, opened his eyes!

And the doctor confirmed it—Richard had a strong chance of waking up!

The more Helen thought about it, the more excited she became. She immediately pulled out a card. "Claire, there's ten million dollars on this card. Take it and use it. If it's not enough, just let me know!"

Claire was momentarily stunned.

Ten million!

The Hawkins family certainly knew how to be generous.

Though the money felt like it was burning a hole in her pocket—after all, she hadn't really done anything, and maybe Richard was just on the verge of waking up on his own—who would refuse money handed to them so easily?

Claire smiled graciously, accepted the bank card without hesitation, and beamed sweetly. "Thank you, Mom."

After the initial wave of joy, the Hawkins family dispersed, reminding Claire to take good care of Richard before they left.

Once everyone was gone, Claire sat by Richard's bedside, studying him with curious eyes. Tentatively, she poked his abs again.

The man on the bed remained utterly still.

Unwilling to give up, Claire poked and prodded repeatedly, running her hands over his body several times.

The man on the bed showed no reaction.

Claire sighed. It must've been a coincidence earlier. How could she be so lucky that her mere presence would awaken someone who was practically in a vegetative state?

Claire stayed at the Hawkins residence for seven days.

During that time, Richard showed no signs of waking up. Even when she touched his abs or ran her hands over him again, nothing happened.

It seemed that Richard opening his eyes before had been purely coincidental and likely had nothing to do with her.

As Claire pondered these thoughts, she turned to wash a towel.

But in her daze, she thought she heard a low, hoarse voice. "Water…"

Claire tilted her head, listening carefully, but the sound was gone.

She resumed washing the towel, but then she heard it again, clearer this time. "Water…"

Claire spun around to look at Richard.

The man who had been comatose now had his eyes open, his thin lips struggling to form a single word. "Water."

She let out a startled gasp.

The next moment, the entire Hawkins family rushed into Richard's room.

Claire, pushed into a corner, watched in disbelief as the once-comatose man sipped water. Her world felt like it had been turned upside down.

Richard actually woke up?

She had been married for only seven days! Just seven days of enjoying the carefree life of a wealthy widow, and now he wakes up?

How could this happen?

Helen was wiping her tears. "Richard, you're finally awake! You scared me so much. I thought you'd never wake up…"

The rest of the Hawkins family chimed in, "Yes, Richard, you gave us quite a scare. Thank goodness for Claire!"

"Claire is truly the Hawkins family's lucky star!"

Richard's eyes were cold, and even though he had just woken up, he exuded a natural aura of authority. Hearing the unfamiliar name, he furrowed his brow. "Who is Claire?"

He didn't recall anyone by that name in the family.

Claire, hiding in the corner, was warmly ushered to the front by the Hawkins family.

Helen smiled, taking Claire's hand. "This is Claire, the wife I found for you! She's the youngest daughter of the Ashford family, with whom you have a marriage contract."

At the word "wife," Richard's expression darkened. His gaze deepened with displeasure. "This is ridiculous!"

He scrutinized Claire's face, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "The Ashford family willingly married their youngest daughter to a vegetative man, to live like a widow?"

His sharp gaze pierced through Claire, as if trying to uncover all her hidden motives.

Under his penetrating stare, Claire's heart tightened, but she replied calmly, "Of course, I'm willing."

Fifty thousand a month in spending money, plus a dowry of a hundred million… She loved money, and marrying a comatose husband seemed like a win-win situation.

Originally, she thought she'd be marrying to live as a widow, which was fine by her—a high-paying, low-effort job. At most, she'd have to self-sufficiently give Richard a child.

But who would've thought Richard would actually wake up?

"Heh."

Richard let out a derisive laugh. "Did you marry me, or did you marry the money?"

Claire met his gaze with composure and replied honestly, "I need money."

Richard's lips curled in a mocking smile. "I knew it."

Helen frowned in displeasure. "Even if it's for money, so what? Claire and you are already legally married. She's your lawful wife! Besides, it's thanks to Claire that you've woken up."

"You should treat Claire properly."

Richard's gaze grew darker, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Mom, everyone out. I need to talk to her."

Helen nodded and cast a meaningful look at Claire before leaving with the rest of the family.

The room was silent, the tension palpable.

"How much did the Hawkins family give you as a dowry?" Richard asked coldly. "I'll give you double. Let's get a divorce."

Claire's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! The Hawkins family gave me a hundred million. Double that is two hundred million. Transfer the money, and we'll divorce immediately. No hesitation!"

Richard laughed bitterly. "So it was all about the money."

Claire looked at him as if he were absurd. "If not for the money, what else? Because you were a vegetable, and I enjoy being a personal nurse? The doctor said your chances of waking up were slim. If not for the money, do you think I enjoy suffering or playing a widow? I'm young, attractive, and have plenty of options. If not for the money, do you think I'd be interested in you?"

Claire's words fired off like bullets.

Richard's expression darkened. "You…"

Claire cut him off. "What about me? I'm being honest—I married you for money. Don't think every woman is dying to marry you! You don't like me, and I don't like you. I like money!"

Richard stared at her coldly. "Materialistic. Gold-digger."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, you're the mighty head of the Hawkins family, managing billions. Of course, you wouldn't understand what it's like for us at the bottom! Loving money makes me materialistic? A gold-digger? At least I'm honest about it! I love money. Is that a crime?"