In a marriage of convenience, Nathan, after a night of drinking, has an affair with Ava, leading to her ectopic pregnancy. Before the surgery, Ava calls Nathan, who is preoccupied with his mistress and neglects Ava, even going as far as to accuse her of having an affair and carrying another man's child after the surgery... As their one-year contractual marriage comes to an end, Nathan realizes his feelings for Ava. But Ava is not willing to play along anymore! Excerpt: "I am Nathan Ford's girlfriend, loved by him, as everyone knows. And you... you're just a title holder, soon to be thrown out. By then, you'll lose all your dignity... no, you've already lost it. I bet your deceased mother would turn in her grave if she knew what you've become." Hearing Iris Hart's sharp and biting words, Ava Sterling initially didn't want to stoop to her level. However, the mention of her late mother crossed a line. A crisp slap echoed before Iris Hart could even react, leaving five bright red marks on her face. "Ah—Ava Sterling—you lowlife, how dare you hit me..." Iris Hart realized she had been slapped and reached out to retaliate, but Ava Sterling was prepared and caught her hand easily. "Listen, Iris Hart, if I'm the joke, what does that make you? You're also a joke. At least I'm Nathan Ford's wife by law! You! Iris Hart, are nothing but a mistress scorned by everyone. Every wealthy man may stray, but a hotel is just a hotel, and home is home. There can be many dishes, but there's only one bowl of rice."
Nathan Ford rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. In just a short while, Ava Sterling had managed to infuriate him considerably.
"Are you playing me?" Nathan's voice dropped slightly as he asked.
His emotions seemed somewhat out of control. Never before had he been so thoroughly manipulated by a woman; Ava Sterling was the first.
"Unreasonable." Ava Sterling had been standing for so long that her legs had begun to ache.
She must have been out of her mind to have wasted so much time talking nonsense with Nathan Ford.
Ava sat back down in her office chair, her actions clearly indicating she had no desire to continue their pointless conversation and wished for him to leave.
However, Nathan Ford seemed not to catch her drift and showed no signs of departing.
This man really was like a combative rooster.
"Mr. Ford, is there anything else? If not, I'm going to get back to work. Time is money for both of us, and there's no point in us arguing here. If you have any issue, we can settle it directly," Ava Sterling said with a professional, albeit insincere, smile.
"Ava Sterling, why won't you just listen?" Nathan Ford was furious!
"Listen to what exactly?" Ava Sterling was perplexed.
"I am your husband, do you not listen to anything I say?" Nathan was genuinely angry now.
Ava wanted him gone, and Nathan Ford couldn't believe it. Had he really lived all these years to be dismissed by a woman for the first time? Which woman didn't seek to please him before?
Hearing the word "husband," Ava couldn't help but find it laughable, but she didn't care to argue. She figured Nathan Ford must have been driven mad by her to spout such nonsense.
Husband? Their relationship existed only in legal terms, and it was well known to everyone that it was a marriage in name only.
"Mr. Ford, let's not even discuss whether we have some sort of relationship. Listen to you? Do you think we live in ancient times where women are expected to be obedient ? Besides, our prenuptial agreement explicitly states that we are not to interfere with each other's work post-marriage. All of this is clearly written in black and white."
Ava Sterling had lost all patience for speaking kindly with Nathan Ford.
He was aware of his role as her husband, yet which husband would let his wife become the laughingstock of the entire city, brazenly flaunting an affair?
But these concerns were trivial to Ava Sterling; what mattered to her was only...
"Does our agreement allow you to terminate a pregnancy without consulting me?" Nathan Ford leaned over Ava Sterling's desk, each word heavy with accusation.
The thought infuriated him even more. Ava Sterling had proceeded to end their child's life without notifying him, without seeking his consent—their first child, no less.
"You...you're truly insane." Ava Sterling looked at Nathan Ford in disbelief, shaking her head repeatedly in frustration.
"Am I, though?" Nathan Ford pressed, unwilling to let it go.
"Nathan Ford, it was an ectopic pregnancy, ectopic. Do you understand?" Ava Sterling was so furious she was nearly beyond words, incredulous at the existence of such an unreasonable man.
Nathan Ford watched Ava Sterling's frantic expression, his face a mask of confusion. Had he made a mistake? Ava had terminated the pregnancy without his consent, yet he hadn't even gotten angry. Why was she so upset?
"Do you even realize how dangerous an ectopic pregnancy is?" Ava Sterling was so angry she didn't know what else to say.
You have your affection for Iris Hart, and that's fine by me. Want a child? Have Iris Hart bear one for you. Why should I risk my life?
"Ava Sterling, you underwent surgery without informing me. Even if we agreed not to meddle in each other's affairs, shouldn't I have been informed about this?"