"Nathan Rivers, let’s not make this more awkward than it already is. Just sign the divorce papers."
"Sophia, today's my mom’s 60th birthday. You know her heart’s not in great shape—can’t this wait till tonight?"
"Please, I’m begging you."
Nathan looked at the woman he once loved deeply, his voice heavy with emotion.
The table was loaded with dishes. Around it sat his well-dressed in-laws, Sophia’s brother and sister, his plainly dressed mother Emily, and his five-year-old daughter Ella drooling at the sight of the cake. Oh, and let’s not forget—Oliver Armstrong, the 'old flame' Sophia picked up from the airport, was here too.
Sophia hesitated for a moment, then still shook her head. “No, it has to be now.”
“Nathan, Sophia, what are you two muttering about? Come eat!”
“Dad, Mom, I’m super hungry!” Ella chimed in.
Nathan glanced at his mom and daughter, then let out a low sigh. “If you’re set on this, fine—I’ll sign. But let’s at least finish the meal.”
Sophia frowned. Seeing him like this—so humble, so quiet—it made her uneasy and oddly disappointed.
Ten years ago, Nathan was pulling all the strings in Jiang City’s underground world at just twenty.
She was only eighteen then, a freshman working nights in his bar just to pay her tuition.
Fast forward a decade—she’s now the proud owner of salons, clubs, and spas, and the glamorous CEO of Wushuang Group. Life’s good.
And Nathan?
Once the city’s kingpin, now a stay-at-home dad after the wave of crackdowns swept through. Completely off the radar. Out of touch and seemingly washed-up.
They weren’t even in the same league anymore.
And most importantly—Oliver was back!
Her one and only white moonlight. The man she’d dreamed of for years—finally back in her life.
She once made him a promise: the second he returned, she’d cut things off with Nathan clean. End this marriage that never should've happened.
She didn’t want Oliver to think she was going back on her word.
What she didn’t know was—everything she had now? It all came from Nathan.
That’s right—he gave it to her.
His network and influence were what launched her in Tancheng. His connections helped her get special breaks. His behind-the-scenes efforts kept her out of legal and financial nightmares more times than she knew.
But she saw all that as her own brilliance, thinking she was born for success—and it was Nathan who kept dragging her back.
Worse, she had no clue that just recently, Nathan's strength had reached a level most people only dream of.
A level she’d never even be able to touch in her lifetime.
“Quit stalling, Nathan. My decision’s final.”
“Why now? Why on my mom’s birthday? Can’t you hold off even for one day?”
“Nope.”
Nathan’s tightly clenched fists slowly loosened. “Alright. I’ll divorce. But I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Ella stays with me.”
“Absolutely not!”
Nathan’s tone turned cold. “You want to be with your old flame, fine. But I won’t let my daughter grow up with a man she barely knows.”
Sophia’s face paled. "Oliver and I just reconnected—it's not what you think! Even if we end up together, I’ll still be a good mom to Ella.”
“Not what I think? Then tell me why you brought him here—today—of all days? What position did that put me in?”
“You’ve got it wrong! He had nowhere to go after landing and just wanted to stop by, that’s all…”
“Wow, ‘nowhere to go’—that’s the excuse you’re going with?”
“Anyway, I’ll divorce. But if Ella doesn’t stay with me, I’m not signing anything.”"Nathan Rivers! You're so selfish! You've got nothing now. If Ella stays with you, she'll just suffer! But if she comes with me, I can give her the best of everything!"
Nathan raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
“Daddy, Mommy, why are you whispering over there? Hurry up! I want cake! I wanna blow out the candles with Grandma!”
“I’m coming, Ella.”
“Hang on, sweetie. Your parents are just talking about… getting divorced. Once they’re done, you can eat all the cake you want.”
Oliver Armstrong’s voice cut through the air, weirdly out of place.
That line hit like a bolt out of the blue.
“D–divorce?”
Emily Wood shot up from her seat, pale as a sheet. “Nathan, what... what’s he talking about? Stop scaring me!”
“Mom, calm down. Sophia and I just had a little argument. Nothing serious,” Nathan said, quickly stepping up to steady her.
His mother had a heart condition. Any intense shock could seriously endanger her.
“Really?” Emily’s breathing grew ragged. “Sophia, tell me what’s going on. Is it true?”
Sophia shot Oliver a sharp glare.
“Sorry, Sophia. Thought everyone already knew... I wasn't thinking.”
“Well, someone had to say it. Better to be honest than tiptoe around the elephant in the room.”
“Shut up,” Nathan snapped, his glare like a blade.
Oliver stiffened instantly, turning his head awkwardly away—he couldn’t even meet Nathan’s eyes.
Nathan looked like he could tear him apart right there.
Sophia bit her lip, clearly torn.
“Mom, don’t worry. We’re not getting divorced. It’s your birthday today. Let’s just sit down and eat, okay?”
Nathan offered a smile, trying to smooth it over.
“Nathan! What’s the point of dragging this out?” Charlotte Hunter stood up suddenly. “Wouldn’t it be better to just end this now? Everyone's here—it makes a perfect witness!”
“My dear…”
“Emily, this marriage is done. They’ve been on thin ice for a long time. It’s better to make a clean break today!”
“Mom, does it have to be right now…” Sophia hesitated, glancing at Emily's pale face, guilt flickering across her own.
“My girl, I know you always feel bad for others, but some people use that against you. This meal, sure, we’ll have it. The celebration too. But the divorce? We’re settling that NOW. Stop letting Nathan drag you down! You deserve more, and time waits for no one!”
“Exactly, sis! Nathan's a joke now! Look at him. Even if you divorce him, with your looks and smarts, men will line up for you! Honestly, I think Oliver here is a way better fit!”
Liam Lane gave Nathan a mocking look, smirking. “Some people have nothing going on yet still dream of freeloading their whole life. Get real.”
“Sis, you’re amazing. You deserve a better life! Sign the papers today, file for divorce tomorrow. Once that cooling-off month is over, boom—you’re free and clear from this loser.”
Sophia was clearly uncomfortable, a flash of regret softening her face.
She never wanted things to get this ugly.
But Nathan just kept refusing to sign those damn divorce papers!
If he’d agreed earlier, today wouldn’t have turned into this mess.
“Nathan, what really happened between you and Sophia? Don’t do this to me... Couples fight, sure. But it passes... What disagreement can’t be worked out?” Emily’s voice shook, her lips bloodless, tears starting to well up.
“Mom, sit down.”
“Sophia, tell me the truth. You and Nathan aren’t really getting divorced, right?”
“I… Nathan and I…”
