I Divorced the Male Lead

When my husband proposed bringing the dazzling socialite, Victoria, into our lives, I didn't utter a word of protest.

He transferred my rightful heirloom jewels to her, and still, I held my tongue.

Even when whispers turned to roarsthat he intended to publicly sideline me, perhaps even divorce meI remained silent.

Because, deep down, I knew he loved me.

Yet, I quietly packed my divorce agreement and slipped away, unseen.

However, the bullet comments exploded: [IT'S OVER! THE MALE LEAD WENT TOO FAR, HE'S ABOUT TO LOSE HIS WIFE!]

Alexander Blackwood, the scion of a prominent family, had become infatuated with Victoria, a captivating performer from the city's most exclusive club. He didn't just light up the city skyline with fireworks in her name; he also bought out her contract, freeing her from her obligations.

As I stood before the judge, formally filing for a dissolution of marriage, a flurry of comments erupted on my screen:

[No, my dear girl, don't do it! Alexander is only trying to get your attention!]

[Don't divorce him! Just show a hint of emotion, and he'd give his life for you!]

My face was devoid of expression as I bowed deeply, thrice, to the judge. I beg Your Honor to grant his true affections their freedom, and grant me this divorce.

Leaving the courthouse, the bullet comments was in a frenzy:

[My sweet girl, Alexander only has eyes for you! If you leave, how will he survive?!]

[Alexander is just playing hard to get, trying to make you love him more. Now he's overplayed his hand.]

[Don't worry, later he'll use his power to pressure your family, and you'll have to crawl back begging him.]

[Then you and Victoria will be locked in a petty rivalry every day, and Alexander will be secretly loving every minute of it!]

I simply gave a cold glance at the floating comments just as our car was suddenly cut off.

I pulled back the tinted window, meeting Alexander's gaze head-on.

He had the dazzling Victoria draped casually in his arms. Sensing my displeasure, a smirk played on his lips.

I had no desire to argue. I got out of the car, intending to walk the other way, but he grabbed my arm. Upset? he drawled.

I pulled my arm free. I didn' realize this was your car. My apologies for intruding.

Seeing Victoria's face tighten, I added, May you and your beautiful companion enjoy a long and loving life together.

The moment the words left my mouth, his expression soured, and his grip on my arm tightened.

Victoria rolled her eyes. Where did you come from? Interrupting people's shopping trip?

She raised a hand to brush her newly pierced diamond earrings, then simpered at Alexander.

Are you jealous because no one buys you things like these?

I asked calmly, Do you know he's a married man?

She paused, then scoffed. It's just a family alliance, nothing to do with love. Just a dowdy old wife he keeps around for show.

Alexander let out a cold chuckle, his eyelids drooping, his dark eyes fixed on me.

I nodded, my face blank, then glanced at his long, elegant fingers still clamped on my wrist. Let go.

Alexander didn't move. He peered at me. I won't be escorting you to the Spring Gala this weekend.

Victoria's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then she looked me up and down. After a beat, she giggled. Oh, so you're his dowdy old wife. So what? Alexander's going with me this weekend.

I lowered my gaze, considering. The divorce papers should be finalized tomorrow.

Alright, I said. Now, can you let go?

Alexander stiffened, his face darkening. You're still going? With whom?

My mind flickered through several eligible bachelors, all from good families, handsome and charismatic.

I replied earnestly, I haven't decided yet, but I'm sure I can pick someone out once I get home.

The air became suffocatingly silent, save for the subtle glances from passersby.

Then, the bullet comments erupted again:

[Oh my God, Alexander is going to be furious.]

[Alexander: Can't you just tear up and play nice? Why do you have to provoke me?]

[Amelia, just flirt with him! Cry a little! Don't waste your beauty and his love for you!]

[Seriously, Amelia, don't be stubborn. When Alexander really loses it, there's no telling what he'll do He might crush your family, then lock you up. Then you'll fall in line.]

Amelia, well done, Alexander ground out, his voice dropping to an icy whisper.

He finally released my arm. I turned to leave, glancing at the earrings dangling from Victoria's neck, then meeting Alexander's gaze one last time.

You once told me you designed this style yourself, and intended it only for me. I turned and walked away.

Alexander followed, an unreadable emotion in his voice. You still remember?

But I don't need it anymore.

She flirts with me, dotes on me constantly and calls me my darling', Alexander murmured, his voice low.

Is that why you gave her the earrings you promised me? My throat tightened, my stomach churning.

The bullet comments buzzed again:

[He's dropping hints!]

[Alexander finally can't take it anymore, hehe. Amelia, just call him 'my darling' once, and he'd give his life for you.]

[Alexander probably wakes up sweating from dreams of you calling him 'my darling'.]

I stopped, turning to face Alexander, enunciating each word.

Yes. From now on, I'll flirt with other men, call other men my darling.' And they will meet my every desire.

Say that again. Alexander's voice held a chilling coldness I'd never heard from him. His large hand clamped onto my shoulder, squeezing with a force that felt like it could shatter bone.

Just then, Victoria timidly approached. Alexander, what's wrong? Alexander didn't even glance at her, his eyes still fixed on me.

She pouted, glaring at me. Did you upset Alexander? He's never unhappy when he's with me.

My stomach churned with growing disgust. I turned away, not wanting to say another word.

After a long silence, Alexander's hand dropped. He closed his eyes in frustration, a dark cloud settling around him.

She knows not to upset me, Amelia, he said coldly, then turned and walked away. Victoria immediately followed, cooing sweetly. Their backs, retreating, looked like a perfectly matched couple.

The bullet comments piled up:

[Amelia just refuses to play nice, pushing away the man who loves her with her own hands.]

[Couldn't she just say a few sweet words to Alexander? Why let that manipulative bitch get her hooks in him?]

[I give up. Someone's already spreading their story everywhere.]

When I returned home, my closest friends were already waiting for me.

Are you alright? The whole town is buzzing about Alexander showering some 'femme fatale' with outrageous sums!

This Alexander is a real piece of work. He promised everything when he proposed, and look how little time has passed!

I've seen that woman. She parades around at parties, flaunting her powerful husband. Turns out, she's just his mistress.

Before, they said Alexander kept a clean house, no mistresses, no side affairs. Called him a model man. Guess I was blind!

After carefully choosing my words to calm my friends, who were even more outraged than I was, I sent Lily, my young assistant, to gather more information about the rumors. Lily returned, looking distressed. The rumors detailed the messy drama between Alexander and me with sickening clarity. The ignorant masses, unaware of the truth, spoke even harsher words.

What are they saying about me?

Lily lowered her head. Miss, outsiders don't know the truth. It's best not to listen.

Finally, under my persistent gaze, Lily spoke. They're saying you're the mistress, and Victoria is the one Alexander truly cherishes.

They even claim you're shameless, seducing a married man!

Though I'd braced myself for the worst, hearing it articulated brought an inexplicable stab of pain. I, who was legally married into this family, was now called a shameless hussy by strangers.

After dismissing Lily, I curled up on the couch, my eyes empty, my mind numb.

For this rumor to persist, to even escalate, it had to have Alexander's explicit approval.

Did he truly love me, as the bullet comments claimed? Did his 'love' condone people twisting the truth, endlessly slandering me? I closed my eyes in agony.

After a long while, I summoned a few aides, my voice raw, and instructed them, Go suppress these rumors. Immediately.

The bullet comments became active again:

[My heart aches for Amelia, I can't take it. If only she'd just softened a little, flirted a little, it wouldn't have come to this]

[What a bunch of mindless sheep, just following the crowd. Victoria is the mistress! It infuriates me.]

[Alexander is indeed a bit much, but Amelia is too independent. He still wants to see her relying on him, helpless without him.]

[I don't think these rumors will be easy to suppress. Amelia's real identity is probably exposed. Her family, the Hayes, will probably blame her.]

My gaze lingered on the last comment. Sure enough, the aides who'd just left rushed back to report,

Miss, someone is constantly spreading news outside. We suppress it here, and over there, they say even worse things. We can't stop it.

I said nothing. The aide hesitated, then said, Miss, Alexander's influence stretches across the city. If he were to step in

But it was he who was ruining my reputation C the man who should be my closest confidant. Though not for much longer.

When my father arrived later that evening, his voice crackled with fury. Amelia! What is going on?! If someone hadn't come asking me, I wouldn't even know!

I remained still. Alexander found another woman. Is that my fault?

Men having mistresses is common practice, but how could you let this become such a public spectacle?! And let that woman flaunt herself shamelessly right in front of you?!

My father's voice abruptly rose.

I patiently explained, Alexander himself spread these rumors. He's the one who took a mistress. Father, this has nothing to do with me.

My father scoffed. If you can't hold a man's heart, it's your fault. With that, he turned and left.

My father's words were so self-righteous.

Back then, my mother had defied our entire family to get him that minor position, and he'd been endlessly grateful to her.

But soon enough, it was all new love, and old tears forgotten. Was giving your all, wholeheartedly, truly a mistake?

That night.

I was forced to meet Alexander.

What's wrong? he asked, his tone languid.

Stop having your people spread these rumors, I said softly.

He paused, then his voice lifted. Why so down? Are you upset?

What do you want from me? I couldn't control myself; I was on the verge of breaking down.

He remained silent.

My voice was hoarse. Watching my identity exposed, being called a shameless hussy, my entire family blaming medoes that make you happy? Are you satisfied?

As I spoke, I trembled uncontrollably. How could someone be so inexplicably cruel, so utterly mad?

After a long moment, Alexander murmured, Beg me, and I'll help you. I can't bear to see you so upset.

I opened my mouth. But no sound emerged. I felt like a complete and utter joke.

Finally, only two strained, dry words escaped, I don't want to.

Alexander repeated, his emotions unreadable. Don't want to?

What do you mean, Amelia? his voice hardened.

Let's just end this, I said, steadying myself and walking back to my room. He seemed to want to reach for me, but then, as if enraged, ignored me entirely.

I stumbled back to bed, my mind a hazy mess, unable to sleep for a long time. The rumors grew even more outlandish.

Various distant relatives of the Hayes family came to me, their words laced with reproach.

My cousin, Hannah, spoke plainly to me: [Honestly, Amelia, if you can't keep hold of Alexander, then don't hog the spot. Do you even realize the impact this is having?]

Once she started, the other younger relatives chimed in.

My cousin Ethan, a smug look on his face: [It's so embarrassing, letting a mistress run rampant over you. If I were Amelia, I wouldn't even dare leave the house. I heard Alexander spent a fortune on her. Did he ever do anything like that for you, Amelia? Maybe you should just ask for a divorce and leave with some dignity as a discarded wife.]

At his words, everyone else's expressions varied, each harboring their own thoughts.

I forced a bitter smile. I ask for a divorce? My father still held sway over the Hayes family, and I was his only daughter.

He wouldn't let go of this chance to curry favor with a powerful family.

My head ached from listening. I politely declined all visitors, citing ill health.

Yet, some busybody staff members still lingered, recounting the latest gossip.

Alexander had brought Victoria to a family dinner. Alexander, openly and without decorum, wrapped his arm around Victoria's waist.

His inner circle, his brothers-in-arms, toasted merrily on either side.

Like what? A perfectly intimate newlywed couple.

The bullet comments poured out like a flood:

[Don't be sad, Amelia, Alexander's just putting on a show! We all know he loves you most.]

[That's right, he deliberately made sure you knew all this, he just wants to see you jealous.]

[He's been pining for you. You turned him away last night, he's practically dying of sadness.]

[Amelia, go find him! Tell him you're jealous, he'd give his life for you!]

I closed my eyes, numb. I forced all those comments from my mind. After an unknown amount of time, I rose, my body cold.

I sent someone to intercept the servant carrying the divorce papers. I would deliver them to Alexander myself. I needed one full day to gather my things, undetected and undisturbed.

After the gala, I'd ride out on a fast horse, leaving this heartbroken place behind. Leaving the divorce papers right here.

I had to leave this place, leave Alexander, and escape my father's control.