After Three Divorce Demands, Her Awakening and New Life

In five years of marriage, Tanner Cooper had asked Yvonne Mason for a divorce three times. The first time was after a car crash that left his leg injured. He claimed he didn't want to hold her back. Yvonne refused to leave him. She walked miles to a church to get a cross necklace for him, only to find it hanging around Noelle Hayes' neck—Noelle was his childhood sweetheart. The second time, photos of Tanner and Noelle hooking up in a car made the front pages of the tabloids. He demanded that Yvonne tell the public they had already divorced, just to save Noelle's reputation. Yvonne wouldn't agree to the divorce. But in front of the cameras, she calmly said she trusted Tanner and that Noelle was just a close friend to both of them. After that, everyone in their circle labeled her a desperate doormat. The third time was the night before. Yvonne got a call from one of Tanner's friends, saying he'd killed a man. It was a bitter, freezing winter, and snow was falling hard. Yvonne didn't even bother changing. She rushed straight out into the blizzard, still in her pajamas and slippers, and made it to the club. A group of people crowded into a private room. On the floor in the middle lay a man, his face bruised and swollen. Yvonne said, her voice tight, "What happened? Why was there a fight?" One of the men muttered, "It's all Tanner's fault—he lost his temper. This guy just called Noelle a mistress, and Tanner beat him within an inch of his life. He can't stand anyone saying a single bad word about Noelle..." Another man chimed in cruelly, "Well, what's done is done. An eye for an eye. You love Tanner so much, Yvonne—why don't you turn yourself in for him?" Yvonne froze. She lifted her head and scanned the room. "Where's Tanner?" Someone answered, "He took Noelle to another room. Said it's bad luck to be around a dead body, and he didn't want to upset her." Yvonne fell silent. A man added, "Yvonne, Tanner has his whole life ahead of him. Who else is going to help him if you won't?" Another agreed. "Exactly. You keep saying you love him. Can you really stand by and watch him throw his life away?" Yvonne's hands at her sides curled into tight fists. "Fine. I'll go to prison for him." For a few seconds, the room went dead quiet. Then everyone burst out laughing. One man cursed, amused. "Damn. You really are as pathetic as everyone says. You'd do anything for Tanner." Another added, "Tanner called it perfectly. He knew you'd fall for it." Yvonne stared in shock as a hidden door in the room slowly opened. Tanner sat in the small booth behind it, his arm wrapped around Noelle as he fed her a grape. The "dead man" on the floor quickly got up and stepped aside. Yvonne finally realized she'd been set up. Tanner snapped his fingers. One of his lackeys tossed a document onto the floor at Yvonne's feet. Tanner said coldly, "Yvonne, you were willing to take the blame for murder. Signing a divorce paper shouldn't be a big deal, right?" Yvonne glanced down at the paper on the floor, then lifted her eyes to Tanner. "Tanner, do you really want a divorce this badly?" A lackey sneered, "Can't you figure it out, doormat? Tanner's just sick of you clinging to him..." "I want to hear it from him," Yvonne cut him off sharply. Tanner shrugged, wearing an expression that clearly said he'd known she would be this stubborn all along. "Yvonne, if you insist on hearing the truth, don't get mad when I'm blunt." Yvonne nodded quietly. "Go on." Tanner said, "I've asked for a divorce more than once over the years, but you always dodged the question. It's gotten old, and I'm tired of it. You know I only married you because of my grandfather's will. Now I've inherited everything he left me. This marriage doesn't serve any purpose anymore. And I hate women who won't let go." He leaned in and kissed Noelle's cheek. "Noelle is my childhood friend—the one I've always loved. But my grandfather misunderstood her and never approved. I've put her through so much, keeping her by my side without a title... She's gentle and innocent. I can't let her be treated like that. I have to give her what she deserves." Yvonne nodded slowly. "I understand, Tanner. You really do want a divorce. Alright. I'll agree to it."