Reclaiming the CEO's Heart

Chapter 1 Divorce

Chapter 1 Divorce

On the day Avery Adams was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Jacob Hill was accompanying his first

love to have a check-up for their son at the hospital.

In the hospital corridor, Nicholas Lewis held the biopsy report with a serious expression. "Avy, the test

results are out. It's a stage 3A malignant tumor. If the surgery is successful, the five-year survival rate is

between fifteen to thirty percent."

Avery tightly held onto the shoulder strap of her bag with her delicate fingers, her pale face showing a

solemn expression. "Nic, how long can I live if I don't have the surgery?"

"Half a year to a year, it varies from person to person. In your case, it's better to undergo two rounds of

chemotherapy before the surgery to prevent the risk of the infiltration, spread, and metastasis of the

cancer cells."

Avery bit her lip and said with difficulty, "Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me? I'll arrange for your admission right away."

"No need, I don't plan to get treatment. I can't endure it."

Nicholas had wanted to say more when Avery respectfully bowed to him. "Nic, please keep this a

secret for me. I don't want to worry my family."

With the Adams family's bankruptcy, Avery was already struggling to bear the high medical expenses

for her father, Martin Adams. Informing her family about her illness would only add insult to injury.

Nicholas sighed helplessly. "Don't worry. I'll keep it to myself. I heard you got married, and your

husband..."

"Nic, please take care of my father. I have something to take care of, so I have to go."

Avery seemed reluctant to mention this topic and left quickly before he could respond.

Nicholas shook his head. It was rumored that she had dropped out of college to get married. The

former genius of their medical school gave up her talent and chose to start a family.

For the past two years during her father treatment, he had only seen Avery here to take care of her

father. Even when she fell ill, she was brought to the hospital by a passerby and Nicholas had never

seen her husband.

Avery recalled the past. In the first year of their marriage, Jacob had truly treated her nicely, but

everything changed when his first love returned to the country with a pregnant belly. At that time, she

was also pregnant and fell into the water together with his first love.

While struggling, she saw him desperately swim towards Layla White. Both Layla and her were

frightened and gave birth prematurely. She was rescued too late, which delayed the best time for

treatment. By the time she arrived at the hospital, the baby had already died in her womb.

On the seventh day after the child's death, Jacob proposed a divorce, but she never agreed.

Now that she knew she had cancer, Avery could no longer hold on.

With trembling hands, she dialed his number. After three rings, his magnetic and cold voice came

through, "I won't see you unless it's about the divorce."

Avery felt a lump down her throat and tears welled up in her eyes. She forcefully swallowed the words

she had prepared to tell him about her illness when Layla's voice suddenly interrupted the call. "Jacob,

the baby is about to undergo a check-up." All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The tears that Avery had been holding back finally ran down her cheeks. Her child was gone, her family

was ruined, and he had started a new family with someone else. It was time for everything to end.

No longer speaking to him in a pleading and humble manner, Avery said in a low voice, "Jacob, let's

get a divorce."

Hearing that, Jacob was obviously stunned for a moment. Then he sneered. "Avery, what game are

you playing now?"

Avery closed her eyes and said word by word, "Jacob, I'll be waiting for you at home."

Hanging up the phone had exhausted all of Avery's strength. Her body slid down the wall, and the

heavy rain outside the corridor drenched her. She tightly held the phone, biting her own sleeve as she

silently cried.

Jacob stared at the abruptly ended call, lost in thought. They hadn't talked to each other for a year, and

she had always insisted on not getting a divorce. Why did she suddenly change her mind today?

Judging from her voice just now, she seemed to have cried. Looking at the pouring rain outside the

window, Jacob left the diagnosis room.

"Jacob, where are you going?" Layla chased after Jacob while holding their child, only to see him leave

in a hurry. Her gentle face suddenly became gloomy and terrifying.

That b*tch just wouldn't give up.

Jacob hadn't set foot in their marital home for a long time. He thought Avery had prepared a table full of

his favorite dishes, but when he arrived, the empty villa was devoid of any light, lifeless.

Winter nights always came too early. It was already dark outside at just past six.

Jacob glanced at the withered flowers on the dining table.

With Avery's personality, she would never allow flowers to wither like this without throwing them away.

There was only one possibility, which was that she hadn't been home these days. Perhaps she had

been staying at the hospital.

Avery pushed the door open and came in. She saw the tall man in a suit standing by the dining table.

His handsome face was as cold as ice, and when he looked at her, his pitch-black pupils were filled

with intense hatred.

Avery, who had run from the heavy rain after getting out of the car, was completely soaked. When she

met his chilling gaze, her back felt cold.

"Where have you been?" Jacob's voice was apathetic.

Avery's once bright eyes were now devoid of light. She looked at him indifferently. "Do you still care

about my life and death?"

Jacob sneered. "I'm afraid no one will sign the papers if you die."

His words pierced her already wounded heart like a knife. Avery walked in, drenched. Without crying or

making a scene, she was surprisingly calm as she took out the agreement from her file bag.

"Don't worry. I've signed the papers."

The agreement was placed on the dining table, and Jacob had never felt that the word "divorce" could

be so glaring.

She had only one request, a compensation fee of one million and five hundred thousand dollars.

"I knew you wouldn't be willing to divorce unless it was for money."

His mocking expression stung her eyes. In the past, she would have argued a few words, but today she

was truly exhausted.

So Avery simply stood still and gently replied, "Originally, I could have taken half of your wealth, Mr.

Hill, but I only asked for one million and five hundred thousand dollars. In the final analysis, I am still

too kind."

Jacob took a step forward, his tall figure looming over Avery. His slender fingers pinched her chin, and

his voice was cold and deep. "What did you call me?"

"Mr. Hill, if you don't like that title, I don't mind calling you ex-husband. Once you sign the papers, you

can leave."

Her defiant manner made Jacob dissatisfied. "This is my house. What right do you have to make me

leave?"

Avery sneered and said, "You're right. Mr. Hill, just rest assured. After the divorce procedures are down,

I will move out."

After saying that, she shook off Jacob's hand, her dark eyes staring straight at him. She said

indifferently, "Mr. Hill, bring the divorce agreement and your ID card tomorrow. Let's meet at the City

Hall at nine in the morning."