Refusing To Divorce Novel – How long would it take until Harry realized he had fallen in love with his wife? “Mrs. Wright, Mr. Wright, has brought a woman home.” Julia’s smile faltered slightly. ‘Could it be… that woman has come back?’ She pulled a stack of documents from her bag and tossed them at Harry. “Sign these,” she said firmly. “We’re getting a divorce.” “What’s gotten into you? Is it Arya’s comments, or…” His probing gaze intensified as he asked, “Are you jealous?” Julia laughed dismissively as if the idea was ridiculous. “Jealous? Please, Mr. Wright. Our marriage is nothing but a lie; I’ve never truly been your wife in anything but name.”
A grand party was taking place in the opulent hall. Julia sat there, twirling a glass of red drunks in her fingers as she half-listened to the gossip about her from the affluent ladies nearby. “See? She looks just like a hooker. I heard Mr. Wright never sleeps with her. So what’s the point of her pathetic marriage? Her husband doesn’t even want to see her!” one woman commented. “Mr. Wright is always out partying, caught up in one scandal after another. It’s obvious he has no affection for her,” another added with a sneer. Julia took a calm sip of her drunks, aware that her loveless marriage to Harry was common knowledge in Kleade City. “Hey, Mrs. Wright.” A poised woman, visibly pregnant, made her way through the crowd, holding her belly gently. “I’m carrying Mr. Wright’s child. I’d suggest you be wise—divorce Mr. Wright soon and leave him,” she announced boldly.
The room buzzed with whispers as everyone’s attention shifted to this dramatic declaration. This woman was Rose Clark, a celebrity. She was taking a gamble with her public image, but if her move forced Harry Wright into a marriage, she believed the risk would pay off. Julia looked over at Rose with a barely-there smile and asked in a gentle yet cold voice, “How far along, may I ask?” Taken aback by Julia’s calm demeanor, Rose answered, “Three months.” Rose had been seen with Harry and his friends at a bar three months ago, confirming the timeline of her pregnancy. The crowd went quiet, anticipating Julia’s next move. Unexpectedly, Julia reached into her bag, pulled out a bank card, and handed it to Rose with a faint smile. “Please, get an abortion.” Hearing this, Rose slapped the card away and stepped closer to Julia, bellowing, “Mrs. Wright, do you understand what I’m telling you? I’m carrying Mr. Wright’s child! Once this baby is born, it will be the Wright family’s eldest grandchild!
You’ve been his wife for years without any intimacy. Isn’t it time you stepped aside?” Julia couldn’t help but feel amused by people’s persistent belief that she clung to the title “Mrs. Wright.” Despite the provocation, she remained calm, her eyes narrowing slightly as she offered a smile. “You know, you’re the 18th person who’s said something like that to me.” Rose’s arrogance faltered, a hint of surprise crossing her face. Julia calmly picked up the bank card, slipped it into Rose’s bag, and stifled a yawn. “Miss Clark, take this money while I’m still offering. Find a decent hospital and abort the child. If Harry finds out, you might end up with nothing. What do you think?” Julia’s words, though spoken lightly, were like a heavy blow. Rose knew all too well that Harry had no interest in fatherhood, which was precisely why she had approached Julia, hoping to take Julia’s place. However, she hadn’t anticipated such a dismissal from Julia. Rose clenched her fists, her gaze darkening as she retorted, “I’m not like those stupid women, Julia. Just wait for Mr. Wright to discuss the divorce with you himself.”
Julia twirled her glass, her smile unwavering. “We’ll see if you can get him to do that.” With that, she picked up her bag and left the venue with poised steps. However, a call from her housekeeper stopped Julia in her tracks. “Mrs. Wright, Mr. Wright… has brought a woman home.” Julia’s smile faltered slightly. Despite Harry’s frequent escapades, he never brought any woman home. ‘Could it be… that woman has come back?’ With that in mind, Julia dialed her lawyer’s number. “I need those documents you prepared.” When Julia arrived back at the villa, she noticed a car parked out front, brimming with luggage. Raising an eyebrow, she realized that the woman had indeed returned, perhaps even making this her permanent home. Blarc Villa had been Julia and Harry’s home since they got married. They had skipped the wedding ceremony, opting for a simple morning at the registry office followed by Julia moving into the villa, her luggage in tow, under the watchful eyes of the press.
Over the years, Harry’s visits had been rare, leaving her to inhabit the spacious villa alone. As Julia entered, she immediately recognized a familiar figure in the living room Arya, Harry’s first love, the one he always held dear. Arya had been battling a congenital heart condition that prevented her from having children, which had taken her abroad for treatment. Her return suggested a significant improvement in her health. Arya remained seated on the sofa, greeting Julia sweetly, “Hello, Mrs. Wright.” Then, turning to the housekeeper, she instructed, “Mrs. Wright must be thirsty after her outing. Could you make her a cup of coffee? I remember she prefers her coffee iced and freshly ground.” Her demeanor suggested she felt quite at home. Julia stood at the doorway, watching quietly. Realizing her overstep, Arya adopted a tentative tone. “Mrs. Wright, I’ve just returned from my treatment abroad and I’m not in the best of health. Harry was concerned I couldn’t manage on my own, so he asked if I could stay here with you. You don’t mind, do you?” Julia’s smile was slight as she managed, “Not at all.”
She knew that when Arya put on this innocent act, Harry couldn’t be far behind. While she wasn’t fond of Arya, Julia saw no benefit in causing a scene. Scanning the room, Julia didn’t see Harry. But as she looked toward the stairs, she saw him descending slowly, his presence as silent as ever. Harry was undeniably handsome, the epitome of charm in Orepoli City with his impressive height, striking features, and the demeanor of a distinguished gentleman. His good looks alone were enough to captivate countless women, independent of his wealth or the Wright family name. Harry said in a deep voice, “Arya will be staying with us for a while.” Julia arched an eyebrow nonchalantly. “Should I find another place to stay, then?” “There’s no need for that,” Harry responded coolly. “I’m swamped with work. Just help me look after her for a few days.” Internally, Julia scoffed at the thought of caring for his former girlfriend. Despite her irritation, however, she couldn’t deny Harry’s request and simply nodded in agreement. Thinking of the encounter with Rose, Julia flashed a smirk. “Harry, can we have a word in private?” She was used to the other women in Harry’s life, but she suspected that Arya, being Harry’s cherished ex, might not handle the situation well. Any trouble with Arya could lead Harry straight to Julia’s doorstep, demanding answers.
Arya looked nervously toward Harry, then asked hesitantly, “Mrs. Wright, what are you discussing with Harry?” ‘Is she trying to play the role of Harry’s devoted wife? Seriously?’ Julia suppressed a sneer and tilted her head thoughtfully. “At the Venus Party today, I ran into someone interesting.” Harry’s face darkened. He glanced at Arya and suggested, “Let’s talk in the study.” Arya’s face fell. She stood there, clutching her dress, looking as fragile as a wind-tossed flower. As they headed upstairs, Julia pulled a stack of documents from her bag and tossed them at Harry. “Sign these,” she said firmly. “We’re getting a divorce.” Harry glanced at the divorce papers with a nonchalant air. He strolled over to the sofa, sat down, and looked up at Julia. “So, what do you want to talk about?” Julia frowned, wondering if he was deliberately ignoring the divorce papers. Harry had always spoken to her as if he were somehow above her, making every conversation feel like a report from a subordinate. Their relationship had never shown even the slightest trace of marital warmth. Steeling herself, Julia began expressionlessly, “Rose Clark, the woman you met at the bar three months ago, claimed she was pregnant.” She paused briefly before continuing, “I gave her money to get an abortion. You’ll need to pay me back for that.”
Harry’s usually impassive face showed a flicker of annoyance. “Is that all?” he asked. Julia’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “Well, it would have been your 18th child, another heir to the Wright legacy, right?” Harry responded coolly, “I never slept with her.” Julia was momentarily taken aback. ‘Did he just clarify things for himself?’ she asked inwardly. But she quickly dismissed the thought—he was likely just irritated by the false accusation. When the scandal about Harry and Rose had broken out, Julia had seen the reports. The photos had shown Harry simply enjoying drinks at the bar with her, flanked by friends. With a raised eyebrow, Julia countered, “Yet she’s been telling everyone that the baby was yours and has even called for me to divorce you.” Harry crossed his legs, the dark shirt he wore highlighting his refined elegance. “Time for you to handle such matters again, Mrs. Wright,” he teased. After a brief silence, he added, “You know as well as I do that I want no one but Arya to carry my child.”
Julia’s fingers tightened involuntarily, a mix of amusement and resignation crossing her face. After years of marriage to Harry, she almost forgot that, aside from Arya, no one else really mattered to him. As his wife in name only, Julia had long learned to overlook his numerous indiscretions. People often whispered about Harry, the ultimate playboy of Orepoli City, who flirted with many but committed to none. Yet, behind his charming facade, there was one woman he truly cared for, someone he would even defy his family to protect. Tragically, Arya, the only woman he deemed suitable to carry on his lineage, was unable to have children. If not for this, Julia wouldn’t be stuck in a loveless marriage, merely playing the role of his wife. Julia let out a sigh, her smile tinged with determination. “Alright, let’s talk about us getting a divorce.” She locked eyes with Harry, whose gaze was cold and detached. “We agreed that our marriage would end when Arya came back. Now that she’s here, it’s time to honor our agreement.” Harry remained silent, studying Julia intently for the first time since they had wed. Everyone admired her for her beauty and grace; even his critical mother had approved of her. Over the years, it had been Julia who adeptly handled any threat to their union. After a pause, Harry finally spoke, his voice low and steady. “The marriage stands. Tell me what you want, and it’s yours.” Julia looked confused. “Why? Arya’s back and healthy.
Aren’t you eager to marry her?” “My mother still hasn’t warmed up to Arya,” Harry explained with a smooth smile. “So, Mrs. Wright, I value your continued help.” Julia’s frown deepened, her tone serious as she asked, “And what if I refuse?” Harry stood up and pulled a stack of papers from a shelf behind him, placing them on the desk. “Just a few days ago, your father secured a 100-million-dollar investment from me under your name. Mrs. Wright, you might want to consider whether you can afford to walk away from that.” Julia loosened her fists and forced a smile as she faced Harry. “Of course, I can’t afford it. Thanks for looking out for my father, dear.” “Not a problem,” Harry replied, his smile unreadable. Despite her efforts, Julia’s attempt to divorce Harry fell through, and she found herself playing the role of a caretaker to Harry and Arya, a role that left her deeply unhappy.
That evening, she drank some drunks to drown her sorrow. The next morning, Julia woke up with a throbbing headache. She had forgotten to close the window the previous night, and the cool breeze had given her a cold and made her restless. After getting ready, she walked downstairs and noticed Arya instructing the maids to rearrange the furniture and change the curtains in the living room. Upon seeing Julia, Arya wore an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Wright. I’m not really fond of the furniture and curtains you chose. Could we switch them to the blue ones I prefer?” Arya asked. Julia responded with an easy smile, “Miss Hill, Harry personally chose the furniture and curtains. I didn’t have a say. But if you’d like something different, please, feel free to pick whatever color you like.” Arya seemed embarrassed, biting her lip. As the maid brought in breakfast, she quickly changed the subject. “Mrs. Wright, Harry works so hard every day. I made him some soup this morning.” She looked down shyly and added softly, “I hope I’m not overstepping the mark. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Julia, stifling a yawn, replied casually, “I’m glad someone is looking after my husband. Why would that make me uncomfortable?” She descended the stairs gracefully, sat at the dining table, and sampled the soup. After tasting it, she looked at Arya and said, “Miss Hill, you have a real talent for cooking. This soup is delicious. Would you mind making an extra portion for me each morning?” Arya’s fingers tightened involuntarily, surprised by Julia’s resilience. Despite everything, Julia continued to hold her ground. Harry descended from the study, his suit fitting perfectly, embodying the quintessential gentleman. Arya hurried over to greet him, her demeanor reminiscent of a meticulous hostess in a high-end restaurant. “Harry, breakfast is ready. Make sure you eat before you head to the office.” In Julia’s presence, Arya reached out to adjust Harry’s tie, their interactions mirroring those of newlyweds. Harry paused, his gaze flicking to Julia as he cleared his throat. “Let’s eat,” he suggested.
Julia, seemingly detached from their interaction, continued with her breakfast. Mid-meal, she sneezed and rubbed her nose, her face flushing slightly. Harry looked over with a slight frown. “Did you catch a cold?” Julia managed a smile. “I forgot to close the window last night and the draft got me.” Arya shot a glance at Harry and said in a tone tinged with sarcasm, “Mrs. Wright, that was rather careless of you.” Her voice then softened, silky and persuasive. “Before I went abroad, I could only sleep with Harry beside me. He was always so considerate, checking every door and window before we went to sleep. You should take care, Mrs. Wright, and look after yourself better!” Julia inwardly rolled her eyes at Arya’s provocation but maintained her composure in front of Harry. With a polite smile, she replied, “Thank you for the advice, Miss Hill.” Arya seemed to push for a reaction, her dissatisfaction evident. She looked at Harry again and added, “Even if I were to fall ill, it wouldn’t be a problem. Harry is excellent at taking care of me. Once, when I had a fever, he stayed up all night to ensure I was alright, not getting a wink of sleep himself.” Julia was known for her calm demeanor. To those who didn’t know her well, she appeared to have a good temper, always handling betrayal and provocations with an unruffled ease.
However, those close to her understood that her tolerance wasn’t due to her passive nature; rather, she chose not to sweat the small stuff. But once someone crossed the line too many times, nobody could shield them from her wrath. With a smirk, Julia blinked at Arya and said, “Miss Hill, you’ve been singing praises of how attentive my husband is. If he’s really that considerate, how did you end up getting sick? It seems the more you lack something, the more you boast about it, doesn’t it?” Arya was taken aback by the directness of Julia, who didn’t spare even Harry a glance before confronting her. Tears welled up in Arya’s eyes as she turned to Harry and apologized softly, “Harry, I’m sorry. I just got carried away by old memories. I didn’t mean to bring it up in front of Mrs. Wright. It’s my fault…” “Miss Hill, I’m not upset.” Julia maintained a faint smile. “I’m just speaking up for you. You’ve been abroad for so long. Harry’s married, and here you are, still living in the past. Look, he’s not even speaking up for you.” Arya lowered her head, biting her lip as tears streamed down her face. “I know, given my position, I shouldn’t stay here. Mrs. Wright, if you prefer, I’ll leave. There’s no need for you to push me out.”
Julia nodded, her tone matter-of-fact as she said, “If you truly wish to leave, you’re free to do so. I won’t hold you back.” “Julia,” Harry interjected sharply, giving her a stern look. “That’s enough.” Arya, now visibly frightened, didn’t expect Julia to refrain from asking her to stay. She stammered, “I… I’m here just for my health, not to cause trouble for you, Mrs. Wright.” Julia raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re not leaving after all?” Seeing Arya’s flustered look, she couldn’t help but smirk. “Let’s drop the subject then!” Julia ignored Harry’s stern expression and picked up her bag from the table, ready to head out. To her surprise, Harry followed her and caught her arm. She turned to him with a sarcastic edge to her voice. “Mr. Wright, what’s this about? Aren’t you worried your old flame might get upset?” Harry narrowed his eyes, his presence imposing as he confronted her.
“What’s gotten into you? Is it Arya’s comments, or…” His probing gaze intensified as he asked, “Are you jealous?” Julia laughed dismissively as if the idea was ridiculous. “Jealous? Please, Mr. Wright, I know the score. Our marriage is nothing but a lie; I’ve never truly been your wife in anything but name.” She tried to pull away, irritation clear on her face. “Let go of me!” Instead of releasing her, Harry guided her toward the car and told the driver, “To the hospital.” Julia stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious, Harry? Why on earth are we going to the hospital? Let me tell you something better to do—why not just sign the divorce papers early? The debt is Donald’s, not mine. If it’s money you’re after, go talk to him. Whether it’s about beating him up or taking his life, that’s your business. Just keep me out of it.” Harry sat there, glancing at the driver as he commanded, “What are you waiting for? Drive!”