He Chose another Woman, so I'm Divorcing Him

“Twelve million Altorian crowns. Divorce my son within a week.”

Margaret sat across from Callista, pushing a check across the table with thinly veiled disdain.

Had this happened a week earlier, Callista might’ve sat upright and told Margaret: 'No.'

Now she simply took the check with both hands and said, “Thank you, Madam Throne.”

Even after being the Throne Family’s precious daughter-in-law for three years, Margaret never allowed her to call her “mother.” She could only call her with “Madam Throne.”

Callista soon walked out after getting the check.

The rain outside poured down in sheets, just like it had a week ago.

That was the night Vanessa Delacroix, Alexander’s trophy mistress, had gone missing. By midnight, Alexander had taken Callista’s only family left in the world; her brother, Dimitri Katsaros, and tied him up like an animal.

In Alexander's twisted mind, Vanessa' disappearance happened because of Callista’s fault. He conveniently forgot that it was Vanessa who had killed Callista’s parents.

Dimitri had been strung up from the ceiling like a slaughterhouse carcass. Every thirty seconds, a silent, stone-faced guard would slam a steel rod into his knees. The warehouse echoed with his bloodcurling screams.

Blood pooled beneath him, a gruesome puddle of sacrifice. Callista had dropped to her knees as she begged them to stop. Sadly, the guards ignored her.

Alexander sat to the side like a judge, coldly giving orders. “Keep going.”

He glanced at Callista, his expression unreadable.

“Calli, I don’t want to hurt you, but I need to know where Vee is. Tell me where you sent her and I’ll let your brother go.” He continued, “If not, he’s not walking out of here alive.”

Callista had lost count of how many times he’d asked her that question. She shook her head as tears continued to poured down her cheeks.

“I swear! I don’t know! Vanessa’s disappearance has nothing to do with me! Alexander, he’s my brother! He’s all I have left in this world. Are you really going to kill him over her?”

Something dark flickered in Alexander’s eyes. “Vee’s not just anyone. I love her. I told you that a long time ago.”

Callista let out a bitter laugh, eyes locked on him. “And what about me? What am I to you?”

He reached up, wiped a tear from her cheek, his voice painfully sincere. “I love your gentleness, the way you calm me. But I love Vee’s fire, her passion. The two… aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“I told you from the start, you are Mrs. Throne. Vanessa's just a bit of fun. Just give me ten years. Let me get it out of my system.”

And in that moment, Callista realized just how laughable it all was. He called it “fun,” but he was using her brother as a bargaining chip.

His kind of love was too cruel. She couldn’t stand it anymore.

Another thirty seconds passed. Alexander raised his hand slightly. The sound of metal striking bone rang through the air again.

Then he gripped her shoulders, forcing her to watch. “Calli, your brother’s a doctor. If he loses his legs, that’s the end of his career. His life.”

“Are you sure you want to keep pushing me?” His patience was thinning.

Callista broke, shaking her head wildly. “I’m telling the truth! Why won’t you believe me, just this once?”

He had promised her, before the wedding, that she was the only woman he would ever love. That they’d grow old together, without doubts, without betrayal.

Callista was just an ordinary girl. Meanwhile, him, Alexander Throne, was an influential figure among the Capital’s elite. To let the world know she was his, Alexander threw the wedding of the century.

Nearly a thousand helicopters filled the skies, dropping tens of thousands of roses over the city. All for her.

When she once complained of a stomach ache, he chartered a private helicopter to fly in a team of medical specialists.

Callista had truly believed they would be happy forever. Until, Vanessa’s arrival shattered everything.

Now, Callista finally felt regret. She should’ve listened to her parents. She should never have married him. Then maybe she wouldn’t be here, watching her life fall apart.

A bodyguard approached quietly and reported, “Mr. Throne, Dimitri won’t last much longer.”

Alexander’s expression remained cold at that. “As long as my wife refuses to tell me where Vanessa is, no need to stop. Even if Dimitri dies, don’t stop.”

Her blood ran cold. “Alexander,” she choked out, red-eyed and shaking. “If my brother dies, I swear I won’t go on living either!”

Even then, he didn’t hesitate. He gave the signal to continue.

As she saw Dimitri slipping closer to death, Callista couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed forward, ready to snatch the iron rod from the guard’s hands. That's when Alexander’s phone rang.

It was Vanessa herself.

Alexander’s entire air changed. His voice tightened with urgency, “Vee! Where have you been?”

Her voice echoed clearly in the warehouse. “I was upset, needed to clear my head. Just got back to the office and heard you were looking for me.”

In that instant, Alexander let out a long breath. His tone softened in a way Callista hadn’t heard in months. “Good girl. Stay there. I’m coming to get you.”

Without sparing a glance behind, he turned and walked out.

Callista stood there, numb. Alexander didn't even apologize. He showed no concern for Dimitri.

She limped over to her brother, untying him with trembling hands. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

As soon as Dimitri collapsed to the ground, barely conscious, he raised a shaking arm and slapped her face hard.

Her ears rang, yet his words hit even harder. “This is your fault! If you hadn’t been so jealous, Vanessa wouldn’t have left in the first place.”

“I like her, Callista. I’m going to pursue her. She could be your sister-in-law one day—so stop treating her like an enemy!”

Callista stared at him in disbelief. “Dim… She killed our parents. Vanessa killed them! She was racing down the highway like a maniac! Sure, don't hold a grudge! But you must NOT fall in love with her!”

Back then, Vanessa's reckless driving on the highway ended up hitting their parents' car so hard they went off the cliff. Not even their remains were left behind.

Dimitri just looked away. “So what? That was years ago. She was young. People make mistakes.”

“Whatever happens, she has me now. And if you so much as touch her, I’ll cut you off myself.” He refused her help. Limping, he grabbed the same metal rod he'd been beaten with and used it as a crutch to drag himself out.

In that moment, the world around Callista went dark. Her husband… her brother… both chose Vanessa. Both hurt her, for the sake of the woman who had taken everything from her.

Silent tears slipped down her cheeks. She stood there in the empty warehouse for a long time, alone.

Then, finally, she made a decision. She pulled out her phone and dialed the Altorian Institute of Advanced Science.

“Professor, you mentioned helping me disappear into the Institute and begin research. I’ve decided to accept. Please move forward with the process. Erase my records. And send someone to collect me.”

The professor was thrilled. He promised it would all be finalized within two weeks.

***

Now, half that time had already passed. Soon, she’d be gone.

Since her husband had cheated on her and her brother was beyond desperate in love. She had nothing left to lose.

Now, she was on her way to the law firm to collect the divorce papers.