The Ninth Time I Divorced Him

Ben and I were notorious in our social circle as the Eight-Time Divorcees.

After our ninth remarriage, I reined in my temper, and he settled down.

For a time, we became the model couple of our set.

At my birthday dinner, he received a call, his face etched with urgency.

Hannah, something urgent needs my attention. I have to go deal with it.

I didn't mind, continuing to enjoy myself with friends.

That is, until my arch-rival, James Forrester, sent me a photo of Ben embracing a woman at the airport.

I stared intently at the couple on the screen.

I dialed Bens number: Darling, will you be home tonight?

He was silent for a moment before replying, The situation is a bit complicated. Dont wait up for me.

After hanging up, I immediately had someone investigate the womans identity.

At three in the morning, I stood by the window, looking at Penelope Hayes file.

All the women hed kept as mistresses before looked just like her.

I smoked one cigarette after another.

Our first divorce was because hed given a deal to a competitor, and I slapped him.

The second was when he called out the wrong name while drunk, and I burned down our marital home.

The ninth remarriage, at the doors of the registry office.

He said, Hannah Lieberstein, are we insane?

I laughed, tears choking me.

Just before dawn, Ben returned, carrying the scent of jasmine.

He frowned, snatching the cigarette from my hand: Smoking again? Who said they were trying to conceive six months ago?

I looked up at him.

A year ago, after my parents plane crash, he found me, holding me and saying, Im here, dont be afraid.

So I curbed my temper, and he settled down.

Now, for his long-lost love, his heart had wandered again.

But the word divorce caught in my throat.

Ben Morgan, will you cheat again?

He paused, then embraced me from behind: Talking nonsense again. Whos been filling your head with stories?

His failure to answer was the best answer.

I pulled away from his embrace: Im going to the office.

After my parents passing, Lieberstein Industries was left in my hands.

All morning, I kept a stern face, scolding two ineffective directors.

By five in the afternoon, I had finished processing documents.

I called Ben: Dinner at the family estate tonight. Dont forget.

Alright.

I arrived at the Morgan family estate on time.

But Ben was late.

As Mr. Morgans face darkened, I calmly dialed Bens number.

A womans voice answered: Hello, Mr. Morgan is busy. Im his assistant. If theres anything, you can tell me.

I paused, stunned. He actually let Penelope answer his phone.

He never allowed me to touch his phone, claiming it contained company secrets.

Apparently, it wasnt that no one could touch it; it was just that I wasnt the exception.

I pretended to accidentally press the speakerphone button.

Bens voice came through the speaker, with the sound of running water in the background.

Penelope, the showerheads been replaced, throw the old one away.

Penelopes tone was so natural.

The living room was deathly silent.

Mr. Morgan violently smashed his teacup.

I lowered my head, my shoulders trembling slightly. When I looked up again, my eyes were appropriately red-rimmed.

Dad, Mom, since Bens true love has returned, Im willing to step aside. Ill have my lawyer prepare the divorce agreement.

Nonsense!

Mrs. Morgan interrupted me, coming over to grasp my hand.

The only daughter-in-law of the Morgan family will always be you. As for that person, and that scoundrel son, the Morgan family will give you an explanation.

That evening, Ben was mercilessly given ten lashes by Mr. Morgan and forced to kneel all night.

The next day, Mrs. Morgan personally came to my office, placing two hundred-million-dollar contracts on my desk.

She sighed: Hannah, youve been wronged. This is the Morgan familys compensation.

I took the contracts, smiling meekly: Mom, lets not talk business among family.

Mrs. Morgan left, satisfied.

But I gripped the contracts tightly.

All day, Ben didnt send a single message. I pushed down the disappointment in my heart.

I resumed processing documents.

Assistant Miller stood beside me, holding a stack of files, hesitant to speak.

Go on, whats the bad news now?

Ms. Lieberstein, Morgan Group has refused to pay the two hundred million dollars for the cooperation, citing a breach of protocol.

I slowly looked up: Give me the documents.

I drove to the Morgan Group building.

I walked to Bens private elevator, swiped my card, no response.

Tried again, still nothing.

Just then, the receptionist, Daisy, hurried over.

Her face was flushed with embarrassment and tension: M-Maam, Ms. Hayes said that for the CEOs security and efficiency, the access permissions were reset last week. Now, only Mr. Morgan and her cards can use this elevator.

Ms. Hayes? I raised an eyebrow, my voice calm, Penelope Hayes?

Daisy lowered her head, not daring to look at me: Y-yes.

I smiled, gently placing the elevator card back into my bag: Alright, got it.

I walked to the employee elevator. Upon reaching the top floor, I headed straight for Bens office.

Ms. Lieberstein, please stop. Penelope stood up, blocking my path.

Do you have an appointment? Mr. Morgan is currently

I directly slapped her across the face.

What are you, get out of my way.

Before she could react, I reached out and pushed open the door.

Ben was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, on the phone. Hearing the commotion, he turned around.

Seeing it was me, he frowned, hurriedly giving a few instructions into the phone before hanging up.

Hannah, why are you here?

I threw the documents in my hand onto his desk.

Explain.

He picked up the documents and flipped through them.

At this moment, Penelope looked at him, her face full of grievance.

He frowned slightly, looking at her swollen red cheek.

I thought he was going to scold me, but he just gently took my hand.

Hannah, your hand isnt hurt, is it?

Ben Morgan, you know me. Im someone who holds grudges and cant tolerate any slight.

Especially on my territory. I dont want to see her at Morgan Group again.

He was silent for a few seconds, eventually sighing, his tone indulgent: Alright, I understand. Ill arrange for her to leave.

As his words fell, Penelope ran out, crying.

Bens body unconsciously took two steps towards her, then stopped.

Watching her retreating figure, he suddenly remembered that rainy night years ago.

Penelope had unhesitatingly shielded him from an opponents bottle.

But later, Mrs. Morgan forcibly sent her away.

From then on, she became the untouchable love of his heart.

So now, whatever she wanted, he gave.

Come on, lets go home together.

All the way home, he was distracted.

He answered several questions incorrectly.

His heart really had wandered again.

During dinner, his phone rang repeatedly.

Eventually, he answered it.

Alright, Ill be right there.

He hung up, grabbed his jacket, and left.

Hannah, Im going back to the office.

After he left, I followed him to the restaurant indicated by his phones GPS.

My eyes immediately fell upon the intimately entwined pair.

Watching their intimate scene, I fiercely dug my nails into my palms.

This was the first time I had seen him so passionately, so desirous of another person.

Penelope shot me a defiant smile.

I took pictures of the two of them wrapped in each others arms.

Then, I sent the video to Mrs. Morgan and to Ben.

[Ben Morgan, lets get a divorce.]

After sending the message, I returned home.

I looked at the wedding photos hanging on the wall.

I took them down, cut them into pieces, and scattered them on the floor.

He returned as I was clearing things away.

I handed him the divorce agreement.

Ben Morgan, sign it.

Having said that, I no longer looked at him.

I rose to leave, but my vision suddenly went black, and I collapsed to the floor.

When I next woke, I was in a hospital.

The entire Morgan family was in the room.

Mrs. Morgan grabbed my hand: Hannah, such a big thing as pregnancy, why didnt you tell us?

My mind instantly went blankpregnant.

The careful counting of days for the past few months, filled with anticipation, now only left a bitter irony.

Because of the pregnancy, Ben and I couldnt finalize the divorce.

I heard Penelope had been sent away.

He seemed to have returned to the time when we were deeply in love.

The night before leaving for Port City, I felt an inexplicable unease and pushed open the door to Bens study.

He was staring blankly out the window, a long ash accumulating on his cigarette, a habit he adopted when he was troubled.

Neither of us spoke.

The next day, my arch-rival James Forrester invited me to Port City for a collaboration discussion.

I didnt want to go, but then I remembered Ben was also in Port City.

So I agreed.

This collaboration with James went unusually smoothly.

After signing, he leaned back lazily on the sofa, his phone screen lighting up.

He glanced at it, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

Ms. Lieberstein, would you be interested in seeing something interesting? Its right next door.

I guarantee you wont be disappointed.

In the adjoining private room, Ben and Penelope sat in the center.

Compliments abounded: Mr. Morgan and his wife are truly devoted; even in Port City, he doesnt forget to bring his wife.

I composed myself, then pushed open the door.

The laughter and conversation abruptly ceased.

Everyone looked at me.

My gaze fell on Ben.

What a coincidence. I just finished talking with Mr. Forrester next door. Hearing Mr. Morgan was here, I came to say hello.

I raised my wine glass towards him: Mr. Morgan, long time no see.

Then I smiled at the others: Hello everyone, Im Hannah Lieberstein of Lieberstein Industries. Nice to meet you. Welcome to collaborate with Lieberstein Industries in the future.

I took a small sip of wine, put down my glass: I wont disturb you all. Ill take my leave now.

Penelope stared at my retreating back, fiercely digging her nails into her palms.

A slight smirk, however, played on her lips.

James laughed softly: Hannah Lieberstein, you truly havent changed. You never concede an inch.

I turned my head and smiled faintly: Mr. Forrester, you flatter me. It was a pleasure working with you.

After getting into the car, I directly instructed the driver to take me home.

On the way, I called my lawyer, Mr. Wright.

Mr. Wright, please draft a divorce agreement for me.

After hanging up, I rubbed my temples.

Suddenly, an intense light shone directly at us.

The car began to swerve erratically.

I gripped the handle tightly.

Bang!

My vision blurred in waves.

I struggled to open the car door and crawled out.

I dialed Bens number.

Ben Morgan, Ive been in

Before I could finish, Penelopes voice came through the receiver.

Then the call was disconnected.

I refused to give up and dialed his number again.

It was hung up repeatedly.

Rain fell on my face, and I suddenly remembered him saying on our wedding day, Ill never hang up on you in this lifetime.

Apparently, vows can expire.

Just then, my phone lit up.

It was a text message from Penelope.

A photo of them passionately kissing.

Below it was a single sentence.

[Hannah Lieberstein, you lost. He chose to abandon you again.]

I gasped for air.

The pain in my chest made me ignore the physical pain.

I curled up on the ground, my vision beginning to blur, able to see only a figure rushing towards me against the light.

Hannah!