Chapter 1 Happy Divorce
"Happy third anniversary, get home earlier, I've prepared a surprise for you, you would like it." After sending that message, Stella Radomil put down her phone and entered the kitchen once again. She turned down the flame of the stove and went to cut the vegetables, enjoying getting busy, as if the reply for the message that she would never get did not affect her mood at all.
The housemaid interrupted her and said, "Let me help you, missus."
"It's alright, go mind your own thing. I want to make dinner for him tonight on my own." The housemaid looked envious and said. "You and Mr. Conrad really love each other." Stella let out a smile and did not reply. Did she and Clarence Conrad really love each other? Or should she say, they were just acting?
Clarence reached home at 7pm and the housemaid was sensible enough to leave. As soon as Stella just finished arranging the bowls and chopsticks, she could sense the man's warm breaths from behind. Her chin was clamped and she was forcibly kissed on the lips. Feeling startled, she pushed him away.
Clarence put his hand around her waist and pinched her chin. He narrowed his dark eyes and said indifferently, "Didn't you want this by deliberately asking me to come back?" Stella explained softly, "No. Today's our third wedding anniversary. I really do have gifts to give you."
Clarence released her and tidied his slightly wrinkled shirt, saying blandly, "You don't have to give me any gifts. Your surprise never gives me joy but shock." The corner of Stella's lips twitched. She did not retort but turned around and entered the kitchen. The last dish was placed on the table shortly.
Stella sat opposite Clarence and poured red wine into his glass. She then poured for herself too. She took the glass and said, "To our third wedding anniversary, cheers." Clarence's facial features looked fabulous and mature under the light. He had mesmerizing jawline and straight nose. His slightly pursed thin lips implied that he was not satisfied of the wedding anniversary dinner which took place only between them.
Stella smiled. She did not expect him to reply her and she raised the wine glass, gulping down the red wine. After finished, she poured the second glass, one glass after the next. At last, she was slightly drunk. She lied on the table and looked at the man opposite her who had not shown any change in expression throughout. She drawled, "Clarence, just for today, can't you at least show me some smile?"
"What do you want me to do? Acting crazy with you or celebrate this freaking boring anniversary with you?"
"How could it be boring? How many anniversaries would you have throughout your life? It could be no more anniversaries after this one."
As if she was telling a joke, Clarence sneered. "Would you make it happen?" Stella shook the wine left in the glass and there were some tears in her eyes after being shined by the gentle light. "Maybe…not." Clarence no longer wanted to waste time on her. He stood up and went upstairs.
He took off his necktie and blazer with annoyance. As he was going to unbutton his shirt, a pair of soft hands surrounded his waist from his back and the smell of alcohol flooded him. Stella said, "Relax, I've not given you my gift yet…" Clarence turned around and put his hands in the pockets. He looked at her without uttering a word.
Stella was blushing and she was staring at him with limpid, innocent eyes. It was hard to move his eyes away from her. Clarence's Adam's apple rolled. Although he refused to admit, the woman before him was indeed gorgeous, and she was capable to move a man's heart. If not, he would not get tricked by her in the first place.
He moved his eyes downward and there were her lips drenched by red wine. They were red and alluring. When she was moving her hands into his shirt, he almost immediately raised her chin and kissed her lips hard without hesitance. Stella moaned due to the pain.
Her eyes had already gone misty when they were on the bed. She put her arms around his neck. Clarence placed his hands at her sides and raised his eyebrow, as if he was teasing her silently. "I thought you don't want it?"
"I'm sure you know when a woman says no, it means yes."
Clarence sneered. He once again stooped and kissed her. Stella was exceptionally enthusiastic tonight. She bit his lips and the rusty smell of the blood spread between their mouths. That kiss seemed to be a battle. The winner would have the authority to control the other.
As he was going to extend his hand to take something out of the bedside cabinet, Stella spoke abruptly, "Clarence, let's divorce." He who was hovering above her stopped. "What did you say?" Although Stella knew he had heard that clearly, she still repeated clearly, "Let's divorce."
Clarence instantly lost his excitement. He got up slowly and asked coldly, "How much money do you want this time?" She had always been like that, going great lengths for the money. Her tricks had kept on evolving. "I don't want a single penny." Stella took out a divorce agreement from under the pillow and said. "Have a look. You can sign on it if there's no problem."
Clarence pulled down his face and said, "Enough is enough, I have no time to play such a ridiculous game with you."
"Didn't I say I want to give you a surprise tonight? Look, isn't this the greatest news ever?"
Clarence looked at her with an expressionless face. He inexplicably thought that her smile was slightly an eyesore. Stella smiled and said, "Clarence, happy divorce." Clarence pursed his lips. He spoke after a few seconds, "Are you serious?" Stella nodded. "How's that, there's only joy, but no shock this time anymore."
"Good. You better not regret about it." He left straightaway after saying only those words. The door was banged shut. Stella lowered her head and looked at the divorce agreement in her hands which Clarence had never glanced at. She only let out a smile at length.
That night, Stella packed all her things up, and her things were too little that they only filled one luggage bag. She did not take any jewelries, bags, shoes and clothes bought by Clarence. After all, he was reluctant to buy those for her back then. Those luxurious possessions had become meaningless after they divorced. They were completely useless to her.
Stella looked at the divorce agreement left on the cold tea table when she left, and she still picked it up. She passed by the dining hall and glanced at the dining table. The cutleries in front of Clarence were clean and shiny. He still did not use them at all.
That wedding anniversary celebration was as unwelcoming as she imagined. But luckily it overlapped with their divorce anniversary. Clarence might smile after brooding for a long time when he thought about it in the future. That could be the most satisfying thing she had done to him since they got married for such a long period of time.
Sitting inside the cab, Stella looked at the changing view outside and suddenly felt that load was taken off her mind. She had become the fake daughter-in-law of a wealthy and dignified family for three years. It was time for her to return to her slum.
