Dear Ex-wife, Marry Me novel Chapter 1

The man was fast asleep, his narrow and sharp eyes half closed.

Maja Pennyfeather struggled to get up from the bed. Her back curved into a graceful arc, visible and hidden under her long hair. She was just about to pick up her clothes from the floor when a cold voice came from behind her.

"How much money do you want?"

There was no emotion in his voice. The passion and lust from last night's drunkenness had faded.

Maja's hand paused in the act of grabbing her clothes. The funny thing was, she had been married to this man for three years, and yet he had no idea who she was.

Three years ago, she saved Holden Raymond’s life. At that time, her father's company was facing the first round of financial difficulties. Holden offered to let her marry his grandson, Ian, and invested three hundred million into her family's business.

Ian was nowhere to be seen throughout the whole process. It wasn't until after they had registered their marriage that she found out he had gone abroad.

For three years, she had been Mrs. Raymond in name only, and the laughingstock of town. She never expected that their first meeting would be in bed.

"I don't need money."

She put on her clothes. Her head was a mess because of the hangover; it felt like it was about to explode.

"If you don't want money, are you planning to stick to me?"

Ian chuckled lightly. His eyes looked sharp and scrutinized her without reserve.

Her face was small and smooth, her figure well-proportioned, and her eyes clear. She was a beautiful woman, but that was it. Just another woman who had taken the initiative to throw herself at him, only this time she had succeeded.

The man withdrew his gaze, "I'll give you what you deserve, but if you're imagining anything else, I suggest you get it out of your head right now."

Although he was drunk last night, given his character, he wouldn't lose control over a woman. It must have been something in the drink she gave him.

By then, Maja was already dressed. Last night, many socialites and prominent people had attended the Raymond family’s banquet. Everyone wanted to meet the man who was about to take over the family business.

Maja arrived late, and although Holden was not in the country at the time, he had specifically instructed her to attend the banquet. She just wanted to make an appearance and leave, but her father stopped her and handed her two glasses of wine.

He suggested she have a face-to-face talk with Ian since he was back.

But then that happened...

Maja was well aware of Ian's resistance to their marriage. So, how could she make him believe that what happened last night was not her doing? A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. After a two-second silence, she opened her mouth to speak, "Actually, I..."

The cell phone on the bedside table started to vibrate.

Ian glanced at it. It was a call from his personal lawyer.

He put the call on speaker, and a respectful male voice came from the other end, "Mr. Raymond, I've arrived at Ms. Pennyfeather's apartment. She's not home. Should I send the divorce agreement to the Pennyfeather family's address?"

Ian got up and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, frowning at the river view in the distance. He had no impression of this so-called wife of three years.

He had heard from Holden that she was kind and gentle, with an outstanding education, but so what? Now the Pennyfeather family had weathered the crisis, and they had also repaid the favor she had done for Holden.

The man's voice was cold and ruthless, "First, try to contact her and get her to sign the divorce agreement. If she's not cooperative, then contact the Pennyfeather family...."

Maja picked up her own phone to check for missed work messages. She paused for a moment when she heard the words divorce agreement from him. Her phone screen showed a message from her father Neil.

["Maja, did you leave early last night? Cristina asked me to ask you, did Ian drink that glass of wine?"]

Maja lowered her head, ["Wasn't that the glass of wine you gave me, Dad?"]

["Cristina gave it to me. If you're not busy with work today, go to the hospital to see your sister. She said she misses you."]

Maja felt troubled. She understood that all of this was orchestrated by that woman.

Neil noticed that she didn't respond, ["What's wrong? Are you drunk?"]

He thought she was suffering from a hangover and quickly asked her if she needed any hangover medicine. His tone was full of concern.

Maja was in her thoughts. Her mother had passed away early and her father had run the company alone, which had taken a toll on him over the years. He remarried when Maja was a freshman and had never ill-treated her in any way.

She didn't want to bring this up and suppressed her unease and agitation, "I'm fine. I'll go see Tricia later. Tell Cristina that I appreciate her thoughtfulness."

On the other side, Ian's call was still in progress. The topic seemed to have switched to business.

She looked up, the light outside the window was shining on the man's shoulders. He was casually wearing a white robe. His figure was like a backlit photograph. His face was handsome, but the lines of his profile were exceptionally cold, giving a sense of unfriendliness and coldness.

Maja put away her phone, turned around to push open the door and walked out.

Since Ian was already preparing for the divorce process, it would be quite awkward if he found out he had slept with his contractual wife he didn't like for three years. It was better to just let it be and part ways amicably.

Ian hung up the phone and only then remembered the strange woman in the room he hadn't finished communicating with.

He turned around to see an eerily silent room. The woman was already gone. He couldn't help but frown.

The bedsheet was half pulled off in a mess. The crumpled dress shirt was thrown at the foot of the bed. Red wine and an enticing scent were mixed together.

He rubbed his forehead. If it weren't for the obvious dark red stain on the sheet, he would have thought the woman he saw when he woke up was just an illusion.

There was a knock at the door, and the voice of his secretary, Jeff, came from outside, "Mr. Raymond."

"Come in."

The door was pushed open and Jeff held a brand new suit. Seeing the scene in the room, he was full of confusion, but didn't ask further. He put down the clothes and respectfully left.

Ian went to the bathroom for a shower. After dressing up, he walked out.

Jeff respectfully hung back half a step, trailing behind. As they stepped outside, Ian suddenly halted, "Who was the lady sneaking out of my room this morning?"