Love’s Harsh Reality Novel
Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Love’s Bitter Reckoning

Chapteri

The June sun blazed, scorching everything under its flerygaze.

Scarlett Miller stumbled out of the HY Group building, her clothes stained with blood. As she looked at the contract in her hands, her delicate face twisted into a bittersweet smile,

Getting this contract bad cost her a bullet. It was the last thing she did for Derick Jones.

Derick had pursued her for three years, and they had been married for one, only for him to suddenly declare that he was tired of her.

At first, she had fought and cried, but all she got in return was his cold derision. “You disgust me, Scarlett. Let’s get a divorce.”

It wasn’t until later that she discovered that he wasn’t tired of her, but he had actually found his true love.

Since he had mentioned divorce, he hadn’t been home for two months. Prolonging it any further was pointless.

Scarlett changed her clothes and hailed a cab to Jones Tower. Arriving at the office, she took the elevator to the top floor, heading straight for the CEO’s office.

At the door, she overheard a woman’s sultry voice saying “You’re so naughty, Derick, My lips are swollen.”

Scarlett’s heartached painfully. But to fully move on, she decided to push open the slightly ajar door and enter.

In the luxurious office, Eliza Miller was sitting on Derick’s lap with a flushed tace. It seemed they had just been through a passionate encounter, with traces of it still visible on Eliza’s lips.

When Eliza saw Scarlett, she panicked. She scrambled off Denck’s lap, saying, “Scarlett, I-”

aw Scarlett,

After all, Scarlett and Derick weren’t divorced yet. Being the other woman was truly embarrassing Scarlett was switched at birth with Eliza, so the latter felt that this marriage originally belonged to her. Ignoring Fliza’s words, Scarlett walked over and placed a contract and a divorce agreement on the desk. She then turned to the man on the

opposite side–Derick, the wealthiest man in Jotco City.

Dressed in a black shirt and trousers, Derick exuded an air of distinguished elegance and sophistication.

His devilishly handsome face, with sharp brows and piercing eyes, looked at her with a scomful expression that made her heart ache.

“I’ve secured the deal with HY Group. And here’s the divorce agreement. I’ve already signed it. It’s 2:00 pm now. Let’s go get the divorce certificate

Her tone was calm, as if she didn’t care about the end of her marriage. However, her face was pale, and her slender body seemed on the verge of collapsing.

Derick’s eyes widened in surprise before quickly returning to their usual coldness. “Impressive, Ms. Miller. Many companies couldn’t secure the contract, but you did. I’m curious about how you did it.”

His voice remained indifferent, suggesting he thought she had used underhanded methods.

Clenching her fists, Scarlett lowered her gaze to hide her tears. She forced a smile. “Does it matter how I did it, Mr. Jones? Are you going to divorce me or not?”

Eliza Purned to Derick, clearly anxious. “You promised you’d marry me, Derick Scarlett took my place in marrying you. Now that I’m back, you need to keep your promise”

Derick gently caressed Eliza’s face before glancing at Scarlett with a dark expression. “Of course, I’ll marry you. I’ll go get a divorce with this woman right now.”

ane

His gaze at Eliza was particularly tender. It was an eyesore for Scarlett.

It was then that she realized Derick had never looked at her with such gentle eyes.

“I knew you’d be the best to me.” Eliza snuggled into his embrace and gave Scarlett a provocative smile.

Scarlett looked down, unable to bear the sight of the scene that shattered her heart. Her wounds were hurting, but the emotional pain was almost unbearable. Derick picked up the divorce agreement and noticed a clause Scarlett had altered. His eyes widened, and his voice grew heavy. “You“re leaving with nothing?” Scarlett used all her strength to speak. Her voice was hoarse as she said, “If we’re divorcing, let’s do it with a clean slate. I want to leave with nothing.”

She was determined to cut all ties completely. Once she made a decision, she never changed her mind.

It had been four years. Her four–year promise had come to an end, and it was indeed time for her to leave.

Derick’s deep–set eyes were turbulent with visible mockery. “As expected of you, Scarlett. Always so ruthless. Let’s go to the courthouse.”