Please Let Me Go, My Contracted Ex-Husband.-Chapter 31 - - I won't marry her

Vincent spoke each word slowly, as if forcing himself to remember and fulfill this promise. Memories of the simple and beautiful joys he shared with her flooded his mind. No amount of wealth or power could compare to the warmth and reality of being with the one he loved.

Cynthia's thoughts drifted with his earnest words. How many times had she cursed their marriage in the dead of night, wishing it wouldn't last, praying for a divorce, praying for him to return to her, to softly say: "Cynthia, I'll take you away! Let's cast aside all the ties of power and interest, and soar freely!"

But two years later, this dream finally came true. Was it too late? Her heart had been worn down by the harshness of reality to the point of losing all hope. No matter how much tenderness and promises he offered, they would no longer stir her heart.

Any promise from any man would touch her, but she would no longer believe. The less she relied on someone, the less she feared losing them. The stronger she became, the less she feared being hurt.

The rough sensation on her fingertips gradually pulled her scattered thoughts back. The dragon-shaped design on her ring constantly reminded her of her current identity. She sighed softly and coldly said, "Vince, since you've married her, you should love her well, cherish her, and protect her for life!"

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She was about to hang up when Vincent suddenly called out to her. "Then what about you, Cynthia? Since you've married him, will you love him well, cherish him, and protect him for life?"

His tone was filled with anxiety and uncertainty, with a slight tremor. Cynthia's heart skipped a beat. She bit her lip, and a flash of determination crossed her dark pupils. Her red lips parted slightly as she said seriously, "Yes! I will love him with all my strength, cherish him, and protect him for life... and never abandon him!"

She enunciated each word carefully, and Vincent's heart sank into an abyss of despair. After severing his hopes, she etched those words deeply into her own mind.

Once she finished speaking, she hung up. On the other end, Vincent slumped in his chair. Hearing her vow to another man was a cruel and painful ordeal. Their ten years together were dismissed with a mere smile from her.

He wasn't blaming her; after all, he had been the one to give her up first. He felt sorrow for himself. He had protected her with all his might, from the delicate little girl to the graceful young woman, only to realize he had merely made a wedding gown for another man—a gown more beautiful than any other.

She had been so carefully nurtured by him, without a single flaw or blemish. She was pure and beautiful, like a bud waiting to bloom, proudly standing in this bustling world.

He had never dared to pluck her. Their most intimate moment had only been a kiss. Whenever their feelings intensified, he would always brake just in time and push her away. At that moment, she would question him, feeling wronged: did he not like her, and that was why he didn't want her?

But how could someone as naive as he understand a man's tenderness towards the woman he loved?

At that time, he had thought of having her. If that had happened, perhaps their parents wouldn't have been so resolute in tearing them apart. Was it his reluctance and care back then that had led to the fragmented situation they found themselves in today?

A dense pain gradually spread along the left atrium, flowing with each heartbeat mixed with blood into his limbs, followed by a series of piercing aches.

He slumped against the back of the chair, tightly closing his eyes and letting the warm sunlight hit his face. However, no matter how warm and beautiful the sunlight was, it couldn't melt the chill in his heart, and his eyes brimmed with moisture.

The phone he had thrown onto the table buzzed incessantly. Only then did he slowly get up from the chair, pick up the phone, glance at it, and then hang up in disgust. Yet the ringing continued, relentless.

Irritated, he answered the call, his tone cold and devoid of emotion. "What's up?"

"Vince, I wanted to ask what time you're finishing work tonight so I can prepare dinner for you!"

It was Grace Lancaster's voice—his diligent wife's voice.

"I'll be working late tonight; you don't need to wait for me!"

He coldly replied and hung up before Grace could respond.

For two years, he had used the excuse of working late almost every day to avoid her. Sometimes it was a genuine late shift; only through continuous work could he numb himself and keep from thinking about his girl. On the nights he didn't work late, he preferred to get drunk at a bar rather than face her.

He knew Grace Lancaster had loved him since her teenage years, but back then, his heart only had room for his little princess, leaving no space for anyone else. Additionally, he had never had any fondness for such an excellent and perfect woman.

He always believed that a woman should be innocent and adorable, delicate and pure, so that a man would cherish and love her—just like his beloved little princess.

Two years ago, while he was joyfully imagining a future with Cynthia, his father, Karl, who was then the deputy director of the procuratorate, was suddenly reported for misconduct and suspected of corruption. In an instant, he was placed under investigation.

The entire Danny family was thrown into chaos. Everyone said that Karl had been too ostentatious and had been ordered to be removed by high-ranking officials from the province. No one dared to extend a helping hand. His mother wept day after day, and the once-bustling Danny family quickly fell into gloom and silence.

In fact, he had an older brother, James, but after graduating from college, James had taken a job as an ordinary employee in a small company—lacking both power and influence, the Lancaster family had no expectations of him.

On the contrary, he had successfully passed the civil service exam for the procuratorate and, with his talent, had made a name for himself in the competitive environment of the procuratorate, with everyone placing their hopes on him.

Later, he came to realize that his brother was actually the most astute and wise one among them. He had seen through the intricate family dynamics long ago, which was why he was content to remain ordinary, appearing foolish while possessing great wisdom—a perfect embodiment of the saying "great wisdom appears foolish."

He had secretly investigated James and discovered that he had already risen to the position of financial director at that company while still telling the family he was just a minor clerk. He had smoothly married the girl he loved, started a family, and lived happily.

At that time, the Lancaster family was at the height of its power, commanding influence in the city, even earning a measure of fear from higher-ups regarding William S. Lancaster. On that snowy night, William S. Lancaster entered his home with a cigarette in his mouth, followed by the cold-faced Grace Lancaster in a black coat. William S. Lancaster told his mother that he was willing to help Karl, but the only condition was that he had to marry Grace Lancaster.

His mother, without a moment's hesitation, agreed, almost eager for them to hold the wedding immediately. At that time, he was planning to leave the city with his girl, and he naturally refused vehemently.

His usually gentle and dignified mother slapped him hard, causing him to see stars and filling his mouth with the metallic taste of blood. He covered his face and glared at the crowd, declaring, "I won't marry her! Even if the Danny family is ruined, I will not marry her! I would rather die than marry a woman I do not love!"

Then he watched as Grace Lancaster calmly approached his trembling mother to comfort her, before raising her hand to signal to a group of burly men in black who rushed in and quickly locked him inside the room.

He screamed and cursed like a madman. That night, he shouted until his voice was hoarse, his fingers battered and bloodied from pounding on the door, but no one came to his aid.

He cursed Grace Lancaster, calling her shameless, to which she coldly replied, "Vincent, say whatever you like about me. All I know is that what I want, I will obtain at any cost!"

In that moment, he felt a deep fear of the woman named Grace Lancaster; she had successfully made him hate her. His brother rushed back upon hearing the news, wanting to plead for him, but the bodyguards kicked him to the snowy ground. In that moment, he felt complete despair.