Chapter 2 Let's Get Divorced
1922 Words
Cassidy exclaimed in shock, "Who? I've never heard of this before!"
Aria shook her head and sighed. "Lucas is the type who keeps everything to himself. Even those he trusts the most might not know what's really on his mind. It's normal that you don't know."
She paused, then continued, "But I don't care about any of that anymore. I've made up my mind. I'm going to divorce Lucas and leave the Thornwell family with my child."
Under Cassidy's utterly astonished gaze, Aria smiled, her face turned upward, but tears silently rolled down the corners of her eyes.
"Actually, the day he barged into the room was the anniversary of our first meeting. But he's probably long forgotten about it."
Cassidy thought Aria was referring to the first time they met at the welfare center three years ago, when Aria fell in love at first sight with Lucas, who had come to do charity work, and later schemed to d**g him and marry into the Thornwell family.
But Aria and Lucas had known each other long before that.
It went back fifteen years, when she was still the young lady of the Hale family, the wealthiest in Seasale City. If her parents hadn't passed away unexpectedly and the Hale family hadn't gone bankrupt, perhaps they would have already been married through a family arrangement, and others would have praised them as childhood sweethearts, a loving couple.
But there are no "ifs" in this world.
The day she met him, snow was falling in the depths of winter.
He was like an abandoned doll—exquisite and beautiful, yet covered in mud.
At that time, she was a princess on a pedestal, basking in endless adoration, with any treasure at her fingertips. Yet, it was only this battered, worn doll that touched her heart.
She wanted to pick up the doll, clean it thoroughly, hold it in her hands, and keep it close to her.
She knew more than anyone else the clean, gentle heart beneath that dirty exterior.
But before she could offer him warmth, she herself fell from grace.
From then on, she couldn't protect herself, let alone protect him.
As she wandered through the world, she often wondered about that boy: Had he been happy without her protection? Were people still mistreating him? Was he growing up well?
To her surprise, when she saw him again, he was doing much better than she had imagined. He had gradually found his own radiance, developed a sharper edge, learned how to protect himself, and even had someone he wanted to protect.
Although that person wasn't her.
She felt relieved and let go.
This time, when she returned, she was no longer Vivienne from Apricot Blossom Lane, but Aria from the Welfare Institute.
She would never reveal her true identity. She only hoped that the beautiful story belonging to Aria and Lucas would remain in childhood memories, untouched by the cruelty of reality.
Three years ago, she had been set up, had an intimate encounter with Lucas, and even get pregnant.
Just as she was about to abort the child, Lena approached her, saying that the man she had been with that night was her boyfriend.
They were in love, but his family opposed their marriage because she couldn't bear children to continue the family line. Her boyfriend also disagreed with surrogacy.
At that moment, she happened to appear, having had an intimate encounter with Lucas and becoming pregnant with his child!
Lena promised to donate one million to the Welfare Institute, begging her to give birth to this child and fulfill their wishes.
But how could she, who had never been in love, bear a child for someone else?
She instinctively refused.
But Ms. Pierce, the matron of the Welfare Institute knelt before her, crying and begging her to agree.
One million could keep the Welfare Institute running, ensuring all the children were well-fed and clothed, and prevent them from dying from simple illnesses. The temptation was overwhelming.
Moreover, many children in the Welfare Institute were mentally disabled and had serious living problems. If they left, they would die.
After a night of struggle, she agreed.
For herself, and for the Welfare Institute.
Later, she realized that he was the little boy she had helped years ago!
She felt a sense of relief because that boy had grown up and was loved, even though that person wasn't her.
It wasn't until she lost the child in an accidental miscarriage that she discovered this had all been Lena's plan from the start!
It was she who drugged her, causing her to have an intimate encounter with Lucas. It was also Lena who made Lucas misunderstand her as a woman who only cared about profit.
She wanted to explain herself. But with the Welfare Institute having received that one million, she had no way to explain clearly.
For these three years, Lucas had hated her thoroughly.
Lena's plan was so well-executed, using her to become the unshakeable first love in Lucas's heart.
However, this woman didn't anticipate one thing: Lucas hated her, and hated her child even more. If it weren't for that night when he was drunk, this pregnancy wouldn't have happened either.
But what good did being pregnant do? It only made Lucas more disgusted with her, and her days became even harder.
This deal could no longer continue. If she stayed in the Thornwell family for a few more days, neither she nor the child would be safe.
She was the only survivor of the Hale family. Even if just for her deceased parents, she must live on, strong and proud.
"Are you sure you want to divorce?" Cassidy with tears in her eyes, somewhat reluctant. "Aria, as a professional obstetrician, I must remind you that with your current physical condition, conceiving this child was extremely difficult. But being pregnant doesn't guarantee a safe birth. Your subsequent prenatal care and physical conditioning will require substantial financial support. Without the Thornwell family, can you manage on your own?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Aria's eyes. "Do you mean my physical condition is very poor?"
Cassidy said, "I told you that year when you were seriously injured, your body was severely damaged. Moreover, childbirth itself is not a simple matter."
Aria certainly remembered.
On that blizzard day, she fainted in the frozen lake at her doorstep.
As her body sank, she heard Lena anxiously searching for her and also heard Lucas coldly said, "Such a vicious woman only harms others. How could anyone harm her?"
See? Even Lena cared more about her life and death than Lucas did.
That time, she suffered a great blow to her health and took a full year to recover.
"Of course, if you're determined to divorce, I will support you too," Cassidy held her hand. "I can lend you money and use all the resources and connections at my disposal to ensure the safe birth of the child."
Living a free and happy life alone is far more comfortable than being the Thornwell family's daughter-in-law. This was what Cassidy frequently said. She had been Lucas's high school classmate for a few years and had disliked him since they were young.
The image of Lucas during middle school that she described was worlds apart from the one Aria knew as a child.
Aria didn't know what experiences he had gone through over the years that caused such a drastic change, but she finally understood that he was no longer the little boy from back then.
"Thank you, Cassidy," Aria said with a tearful smile. "Don't worry, even on my own, I'll do everything in my power to raise the child."
This wasn't for Lucas's child, but for the bloodline of the Hale family.
"I must get this divorce. After my child is born, it can't have any connection to the Thornwell family."
In a private room of an upscale hospital, late at night.
Two message notifications rang out simultaneously.
Lena, still feverish and confused, picked up her phone. Seeing the content of the message, her eyes widened in shock.
The message was from Aria.
Aria: Miss Marlowe, I'm formally requesting to end our arrangement. I'm planning to divorce Lucas. By his side, no matter how many children I conceive, none will survive. I'm giving up; I can't go through with this deal.
Aria: However, rest assured, I will repay every cent of your and the Thornwell family's money. As long as you don't cause problems for the Welfare Institute, I will change my name and disappear forever, never revealing the contents of our transaction to anyone.
Lena shook with rage, her fingers clenched into fists, her eyes flashing with fury.
Divorce? How dare Aria make this decision without consulting her?!
This was her and Lucas's child. Aria was just a surrogate mother; she had no right to determine its future! Even if she wanted to stop the transaction, she should wait until after the child was born and leave it behind before leaving!
And she even dared to threaten her, that wretch...
Lucas noticed the movement on the bed. "What's wrong?"
Lena's lips trembled slightly. After several moments of hesitation, she couldn't bring herself to speak. She could only suppress her inner anxiety and say, "Lucas, I'm fine. You should hurry home to accompany Aria. She hasn't been feeling well lately, you should pay more attention to her."
Lucas's face instantly turned cold. "At a time like this, you still have the energy to care about her? Hmph, that vicious woman is perfectly fine. There are servants and nannies at home to take care of her. You should just worry about yourself. Don't forget, you have an important schedule next week."
Lena knew he was referring to a competitive variety show newly invested by the Thornwell Group, but she was just a special guest judge. Even if she had to cancel a couple of episodes due to illness, it wouldn't delay the progress of the competition.
"Lucas, I'm worried about the baby in Aria's belly... You finally have a child after three years of marriage, you must be extremely careful. If anything happens, not to mention Mrs. Thornwell, even I would be heartbroken."
The sharp light in Lucas's eyes softened. He ruffled Lena's hair. "You're just too kind, always worrying about others. That woman with her dirty thoughts doesn't deserve your pity. If something really happens to her child, it would be her own fault for bringing it upon herself. She pulled this stunt three years ago."
Lena leaned against the man's broad, warm chest, feeling a flood of warmth in her heart.
Along with the sweetness, there was also a hint of exasperation, as if disappointed in his inability to see the bigger picture.
She hated herself for damaging her body through excessive dieting, making it impossible for her to have children. She also hated Lucas's stubborn righteousness, unwilling to consider more for her and their future marriage.
The one she resented the most was Aria, but she had no choice but to grit her teeth and protect that woman's child.
As long as there was a child, she could naturally marry into the Thornwell family.
Thinking this, she urged again, "Lucas, quickly check your phone. I think I just heard someone send you a message. Could it be something urgent so late at night?"
Lucas only then remembered. The moment he saw the message, he visibly took a deep breath.
Aria: I want a divorce.
- Writer
