After Divorce, She Bloomed

"Are you sure, Mrs. Bennett?" Cole cleared his throat as he had just accessed the documents about the couple and found something strange.

"Do you know that Ethan Bennett had a supplement agreement to your prenup? That he will get to keep seventy percent of all your fortune if you ask for a divorce?"

Vanessa felt the earth shake again. Why did she have no idea about that bullshit supplemental agreement? "When?" She asked with her lips shivering.

"About half a year ago and it has your signature," Cole added.

Vanessa clenched her fists as she remembered that at that time point, Ethan had coaxed her into signing a document saying it was for a fund for their future child.

So, it was all a lie? He started betraying her that long ago? She thought he would at least have some feelings for their past but actually, he had already prepared various traps for her. To grab everything from her. With no mercy.

She could only but chuckle at his heartless nature, wetting her dry lips as she blinked back a couple of tears.

Wow, crying over a piece of trash like Ethan, how far have you truly fallen Vanessa Bennett?

"Mrs. Bennett," Cole's voice snapped her out of her state of rumination. "May I remind you something more?" He began,

"This supplemental agreement will likely affect the inheritance you will receive from your original family of origin even though Mr.

Bennett never knew your real background."

That fact hit Vanessa again but the sickening feeling of betrayal made her want a divorce over everything! She would definitely divorce Ethan, but it didn't mean she would give away the property she and her family had worked so hard to build. Never!

"Mrs. Bennett-?" Vanessa raised her hand to interrupt him.

"Call me Ms. Reeds from now on," She requested after taking a deep breath.

"Prepare the divorce paper for me and make sure Ethan Bennett won't get even a penny from me." She demanded.

"As the exclusive attorney of the Reeds," she looked at Cole with determined eyes, "I'm sure you can help me make it. Don't disappoint me Cole."

"Of course... Ms. Reeds." Cole responded with a bow.

As soon as she left the office, Vanessa found her way into her car, slamming the door shut with a bang before resting her head on the stirring wheel.

Fuck, how could she have been so stupid! She cursed herself in her mind, recalling how her family members had warned her against Ethan.

God, the prenup, how stupid had she really been? Signing something like that in the belief that neither of them would ever ask for a divorce? That their marriage would last just like her parents?

She had never felt more ashamed of herself than at this moment for disappointing her parents. They had doted on her, nurtured her with care, and even nurtured her with care, and even planned to let her inherit all the family property, but she had taken them as demons that prevented her from pursuing love and freedom just because of Ethan's sweet words.

"Perhaps I should be crowned the queen of stupidity," Vanessa muttered under her breath as she turned on the engine and began driving home.

Halfway stuck in traffic, she received a call from Lorraine.

With the phone on speaker, eyes focused on the road, she answered.

"Lorraine-" She didn't even get the chance to finish her words.

"Nessa, Jesus Christ! Why weren't you picking up your phone? Are you alright?" Lorraine exclaimed, bombarding her with questions.

Hearing how concerned her friend sounded, acted as some sort of consolation to Vanessa.

She smiled, although it was only faint.

"I'm fine, Lorraine." Her answer, an obvious lie to even herself, tasted like hot coal on her tongue.

She swallowed, thankful that she was currently in traffic as she had the chance to look up and blink fresh fears away.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Oh, Nessa," Lorraine cooed once she heard her friend's voice waver. A wave of guilt washed over her and just like a few days back, she regretted telling Vanessa about Ethan's affair. But something deep down told her it was for the best.

"I should thank you. If it wasn't for you, l'd still be fooled by Ethan. That asshole not only cheated on me but also planned to take all my property!"

"Say what?!" Vanessa could hear Lorraine scream in anger. As she pulled into the driveway of her Villa, she added. "But don't worry, I won't let him win."

For the first time today, Vanessa said words that even she believed.

"Sure. Always remember, you have me, if anything."

"Yeah, Bye." Nodding her head even though Lorraine couldn't see, Vanessa Agreed. Her eyes remained closed for a little while, but when she opened them again, it was clear that she had made up her mind. A solution to the problem had formed.

'Just you wait, Ethan.' She thought as she gathered a few papers from the glove compartment before stepping out. Her brows furrowed when she took notice of Ethan's Maybach parked in the driveway.

Ethan returned home? It wasn't like him. Did he realize she had stalked him?

She scowled, clearly not ready to face him after the rather entertaining scene she had watched in his office.

Nonetheless, she matched into her home, and just as she had suspected, Lo' and behold, the devil sat on one of the couches, a glass of whiskey held between his fingers.

When he looked up and stared into her eyes, Vanessa felt her insides twist and burn hot with anger.

"Why are you home so late?"

Ethan questioned in a lazy tone, but the bulging veins at the side of his neck told a different story than what his voice was telling.

Vanessa however, ignored his words, simply turning around to take her coat off and hang it.

Her action caused Ethan to finally take on a tone matching the veins in his neck. "I asked you a freaking question, Vanessa!"

"Why the hell are you coming in so late and why haven't you prepared my dinner!"

For a second, Vanessa had been taken aback by his raised tone.

But as quickly as the shock had come, it faded when she recalled all the nasty things he had said to his mistress.

As anger rose to the surface, her jaws tightened and she clenched her fist. Unlike in the past, instead of trying to coax Ethan, she looked him straight in the eyes, mirroring his icy stare.

"You must not have seen all the traffic on the road because you were so immersed in work. And as for your food, I suggest you order yourself takeout. I have no plan of preparing you dinner."

"What?" Ethan sputtered as he stood up, caught off guard by her sudden defensive attitude.

Vanessa was never one to talk back to him. "Order myself takeouts when I have a wife here at home? Are you even listening to yourself?!" Ethan couldn't suppress his anger. Had he been so good to her lately that she had forgotten who was in charge of the house?

Vanessa ignored his outburst, placing her bag on the table to gently reach into it and pull out the papers she had shoved into her bag earlier.

Ра!

She threw them on the table, in front of him before he could say anything else.

Ethan looked from the papers and then back to her, raising his perfectly shaped brows.

"What is this?"

"The documents you suggested to me to expand the co-partnership with Lorraine for the laboratory," Ethan's lips curved into a slight smile, which only lasted for a few seconds.

"She rejected it. She feel no need to accept the investment of your friend."

"What?"