Ruan Ningyuan held her breath, waiting for the final judgement.
The thunderstorm outdoors was thundering, candle-yellow light spilled onto the desk, the ink-colored text on the white paper was particularly eye-catching:
Divorce Agreement.
No one knew how hard it was for her to make this decision, let alone know that, for these five years, she had already exhausted all her energy to maintain this marriage.
The man sitting opposite her did not look at the document on the table, but was staring at Ruan Ningyuan with deep eyes.
"So, your frequent disappearances these days were to plan this?" The man’s voice was clear and cold, there was absolutely no indication of any emotional ups and downs.
What was he talking about? Plan?
Ruan Ningyuan's breathing became a bit rapid, "Isn't this what you've been expecting for long, it's been five years, you must have been suffering too, why not sign this thing, let go of yourself and let others go."
Before she could finish, the man abruptly stood up, his tall figure completely overshadowed the table lamp's light on the table. His face was hidden in the dark, his features were somewhat vague, yet they held an indescribable majesty.
No matter how nonchalantly he spoke, there was an undeniable authority in his voice, "Do I need to remind you that once you leave the Zuo family, the Ruan family will not keep you either."
Ruan Ningyuan's hands clenched into fists. Of course, she knew, that’s why she had such a hard time making this decision. But the mistress outside was already pregnant and had confronted her, she couldn't turn a blind eye!
She looked at him indifferently, "I hear your girlfriend is pregnant with your child, are you not interested in it anymore?"
The man's gaze locked on Ruan Ningyuan's fair and beautiful face, his eyes suddenly became sharp, and he suddenly raised his hand, grabbed her chin with his distinct knuckles.
Zuo Jinnan's thin lips were slightly hooked up, there was a cold mocking smile in his eyes. "You want to divorce, isn't it because I've never touched you?"
Ruan Ningyuan was momentarily shocked, her hands and feet became stiff.
Five years. They had been married for exactly five years, but who knew that Zuo Jinnan had never touched her!
"So be it..." Zuo Jinnan slowly said, "I will grant you your wish."
Before Ruan Ningyuan could respond to the man's words, she felt the ground give way beneath her, and the next thing she knew, she was roughly flung onto the bed.
"What are you doing?!" exclaimed Ruan Ningyuan in surprise.
"What am I doing? I am doing as you wished," replied the man.
His words lingered in Ruan Ningyuan’s ears. She felt the heavy weight of the man on her as he pinned her limbs down. His warm and large hand, rough yet fiery, traced her body through her thin clothes.
The air became viscous, its ambiguity filling Ruan Ningyuan's mind. She wanted to struggle, but her body started to go limp. All she could do was feel her clothes being slowly removed, exposing her fine and fair skin to the air.
Ruan Ningyuan wasn’t an unattractive woman. Her delicate brows and eyes held a sharp brilliance. In that moment, her pale face was tinged with a soft blush that extended to her ears, and even her eyes held a faint misty depth.
She was left hanging on the edge, her senses heightened. Yet, in this crucial moment, the man stopped his movements.
Ruan Ningyuan snapped back to reality. Suddenly, she saw the man’s face clearly, a face filled with mockery and indifference.
“Ruan Ningyuan, did you really think I would touch you?" Zuo Jinnan's words stabbed like a needle, "You are clearly too full of yourself."
Ruan Ningyuan glared at him, her bright and shining eyes ablaze with anger.
“Zuo Jinnan, what am I to you?” Ruan Ningyuan clenched her fists so hard that her nails almost dug into her flesh. “I’m not a stand-in for anyone!"
Zuo Jinnan's eyes narrowed slightly as a flicker of unidentifiable emotion flashed in his gaze. He abruptly let go of the woman. Ruan Ningyuan gritted her teeth as she looked up at his frosty handsome face.
"Remember this, Ruan Ningyuan," Zuo Jinnan said, "You will always be nothing more than her substitute."
