The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 279

The word 'divorce' sent a shockwave through the room, plunging the estate into a stunned, deafening silence.

Vivian stared at me like I had suddenly sprouted a second head. After a long, tense pause, she scoffed in irritation. "If memory serves, this isn't the first time you've weaponized that word. We only agreed to this union because Maxwell saved Ferris's life. But that doesn't mean you can treat this marriage like a joke and constantly use it to threaten us!"

She shot a haughty look at Ferris before turning her nose up at me. "Do you honestly think Ferris won't divorce you?"

Oh, I knew Ferris would divorce me in a heartbeat.

I could easily read the subtext beneath Vivian's little speech. Ferris hadn't divorced me because the Sterlings cherished me. He had stayed married purely because of The Prenuptial Agreement. Though the contract was kept under wraps, it was inherently tied to the Sterling family's pristine reputation. There was absolutely no way they would ever be the ones to initiate the split.

It was all about protecting the family's image.

That way, if the scandalous truth ever leaked, they could proudly proclaim that I was the one who demanded the divorce.

They were always guarding against us.

A wry smile touched my lips as I replied calmly, "The Sterling family's deep sense of loyalty is truly unforgettable. But Dr. Sterling and I are simply incompatible. Divorce is the best possible outcome for both of us."

Visible relief washed over Vivian's face. She turned to Ferris with a triumphant smirk. "If that's the case, let's call Counselor Winston right now. We can draft The Marital Dissolution Agreement immediately."

She cast a look of utter disgust at Lucille and me, clearly trying to put us in our place.

Lucille caught the condescending glare and fired right back. "Perfect. Let's not waste any time. Call this Mr. Winston or whoever he is immediately. The sooner we sign the papers, the sooner we can get back to the hospital."

It was phrased politely, but the underlying message was brutally clear.

Ferris was going to meet with Mr. Winston to finalize The Marital Dissolution Agreement.

Even though I had expected this exact outcome, seeing Ferris accept it without a single word of protest felt like a jagged blade plunging straight into my chest. The agonizing pain was completely suffocating.

I knew better than anyone that this was exactly what he had wanted all along.

But I had loved this man for eight long years. We had shared a home and a life for three. How could he just throw me away without a second thought?