Chapter 1 Letâs Get a Divorce
On the day Peyton was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Nolan was with his beloved for his sonâs
vaccination./
On the hospital corridor, Alwyn Russell held the biopsy report with a serious expression and said,
âPeyton, the test results are out. Itâs a Stage 3A malignant tumor. If the surgery is successful, the five-
year survival rate can reach 15% to 30%.â
Peyton tightly gripped the shoulder strap of her bag with slender fingers, her pale face showing a
solemn expression. âAlwyn, how long can I live if I donât have the surgery?â
âAbout half a year to one year. It varies from person to person. In your case, itâs better to do two cycles
of chemotherapy before the surgery to prevent the risk of infiltration diffusion and metastasis.â
Peyton bit her lip and said with difficulty, âThank
âWhy are you thanking me? Iâll arrange for your admission right away.
â
âNo need. I donât plan to receive treatment. I canât endure it.â
Alwyn wanted to say more, but Peyton respectfully bowed to him. âAlwyn, this is between us. I donât
want my family to worry.â
With the bankruptcy of the Schmitt family, Peyton had been burdened with the high expenses of her
father. Informing her family about her illness would only make things worse.
Alwyn sighed helplessly. âDonât worry. Iâll keep it a secret. I heard you got married, and your
husbandâ¦â
âAlwyn, I will appreciate it if you can take care of my dad. I have something else to do, so I have to go.â
Peyton seemed reluctant to mention that topic.
Without waiting for a response, she quickly left.
Shaking his head, Alwyn recollected that Peyton dropped out of college and got married without
graduating. The former medical school genius seemed to have fallen like a shooting star, leaving only
ruins behind.
For the past two years, only Peyton had been busy taking care of her fatherâs treatment. Even when
she fell ill, it was a stranger who brought her to the hospital. Her husband never appeared.
As Peyton thought about the past, she recalled that in the first year of their marriage, Nolan was good
to her. But unfortunately, everything changed after his pregnant beloved returned to the country. Peyton
was also pregnant at the time, and both of them fell into the water.
As Peyton struggled, she saw Nolan desperately swimming towards Helena. Helena and Peyton were
both frightened and gave birth prematurely. Peyton was rescued later, so she missed the best
treatment time. When she arrived at the hospital, her child was dead in the womb.
On the seventh day after the childâs death, Nolan proposed a divorce, but Peyton never agreed.
Now that Peyton learned about her condition, she couldnât hold on any longer.
With trembling hands, Peyton dialed Nolanâs number. After three beeps, his attractive but indifferent
voice came. âI wonât see you unless itâs for a divorce.â
Peytonâs nose tingled, her eyes feeling warm. She wanted to tell him about her illness, but she
managed to hold her tongue. Helenaâs voice abruptly rang on the phone. âNolan, itâs time for our babyâs
check-up.â
Tears that Peyton had been holding back for a long time fell at this moment. Her child was gone, her
family was destroyed, but Nolan had started a new family with someone else. It was time for everything
to end.
Without the meek pleading as before, Peytonâs faint voice came out. âNolan, letâs divorce.â
There was a noticeable pause from Peyton, followed by a cold laugh. âPeyton, what are you up to?â
Closing her eyes, Peyton said seriously, âNolan, Iâll be waiting for you at home.â
Hanging up the phone drained all the strength from Peytonâs body. She slid down straight from the wall,
and the heavy rain outside the corridor flew in, wetting her body. She tightly held the phone and bit her
sleeve in tears.
Nolan stared at the suddenly disconnected call, lost in thought. He hadnât been on speaking terms with
Peyton for a year. But she stubbornly resisted getting a divorce. Why did she suddenly change her
mind today?
Peyton sounded like she was sobbing. Nolan took a look at the pouring rain outside the window and left
the diagnosis room.
âNolan, where are you going?â Helenad after him with her child in her arms. However, she only saw
Nolanâs retreating figure. Helenaâs gentle face
suddenly turned terrifying
Peyton just refused to give up.
Nolan hadnât come to their marital home for a long time. He thought that Peyton would prepare a table
of dishes he liked, but when he arrived, the empty villa was lifeless with no lights.
Winter nights always came early. It was already dark outside at just past six oâclock.
Nolan glanced at the withered flowers on the table.
Peyton would never allow the flowers to wither like this without throwing them away. There was only
one possibility. She hadnât been home these days and had probably been staying at the hospital.
Peyton pushed open the door and saw the tall Nolan in a suit standing by the table. His handsome face
was cold and indifferent, and his pitch-black pupils were filled with boundless hatred as he looked at
her.
Peytonâs whole body was soaked from running
through the heavy rain after getting off the car. When she was met with Nolanâs chilling gaze, her back
turned cold.
âWhere have you been?â Nolanâs icy voice echoed.
Peytonâs once bright eyes were now devoid of life. She looked at Nolan indifferently and said, âDo you
still care about me?â
Nolan sneered, âIâm afraid no one would sign the documents if you die.â
Those words pierced Peytonâs wounded heart like a sharp thorn. Peyton walked in with her drenched
body. Without crying or making a fuss, she took out the agreement from her bag surprisingly calmly.
âDonât worry. Iâve already signed the papers.
â
A clear and concise agreement was placed on the table. Nolan had never felt that the word âdivorceâ
could be so annoying.
Peyton only had one request. She wanted 1.6
million dollars in compensation.
âI knew you wouldnât be willing to divorce unless it was for money.â
Nolanâs mocking expression filled Peytonâs vision. If it were in the past, she would have argued, but
today she was exhausted.
So, Peyton stood quietly in place and gently replied, âMr. Dalton, I could have taken away half of your
fortune, but I only asked for 1.6 million dollars. I am too kind.â
Nolan took a step forward, and his tall figure enveloped Peyton. He held her chin with his slender
fingers, his voice cold and deep. âWhat did you call me?â
âMr. Dalton, if you donât like that address, I donât mind calling you ex-husband. Once you sign the
papers, you can leave.â
Peytonâs defiant look displeased Nolan. âThis is my house. Who do you think you are that you can
make me leave?â
Peyton smirked, âYouâre right. Iâm nobody. Mr. Dalton, donât worry. Once I get the divorce decree, I will
move out.â
After saying that, Peyton shook off Nolanâs hand Her dark eyes stared straight at him as she coldly
said, âMr. Dalton, bring the divorce agreement to the courthouse at 9 oâclock tomorrow morning. We will
meet there.â