He Didn’t Want Me, Until Divorce Made Him Regret

Ten years of marriage, and my perfect husband, Leandro Rousseau, had given me a seaside villa.

But then, with a young college girl at his side and a threeyearold boy in hand, he looked at me calmly and said, “Alina, let’s get a divorce. You really can’t have children.”

The cruelest part was that I had endured three rounds of IVF, just to give him a child. I had suffered countless injections, endless medications, and my body, tormented by hormones, had grown swollen and sore.

During the last attempt, I had bled so heavily that I almost lost my life.

I saw the impatience in his eyes, his eagerness to be rid of me, and recalled the doctor’s private words, that Leandro’s sperm motility was so low, the chance of conceiving naturally was almost nothing.

I looked at the child, who bore no trace of him, while the girl beside him lowered her head, guilt written all over her face.

I curved my lips in a faint smile and said softly, “Okay.”

The divorce papers were signed without delay.

Through the thirty days that followed, I packed quietly, my eyes cold as I watched the farce unfold. All I waited for was the end of it, so I could finally leave.

Leave behind this absurd marriage.

On a rainy day, I held the divorce papers and walked out of the Family Court with Leandro.

“Leandro, congratulations, you’re finally free!” Azalea Fontaine, dressed in an ivory knit dress and clutching a bouquet of red roses, had been waiting at the entrance. The moment she saw him, she rushed forward, pressing the flowers into his hands with a wide smile.

I saw the silver bracelet on her wrist, and it was mine. Leandro had said it was away for repair, but here it was with her.

I gave a short laugh. A college girl showing off someone else’s love, how fitting.

Leandro brushed a hand over Azalea’s hair and bent to kiss her forehead with tenderness.

That spot had once belonged to me, yet now his lips sealed it, crushing every vow we once shared.

He looked up at me and asked gently, as he always did, "Alina, do you need me to drive you back to the villa to pack your things?"

"No need." I shifted my gaze toward the sports car waiting across the street. "Someone’s here for me."

At that moment, Nikolai Castellanos’s sports car swerved to a stop in front of the steps with a sharp drift.

"Alina, I’m here to pick you up."

Tall and striking in his customtailored suit, Nikolai wore the sapphire cufflinks I had given him last year, arriving right on time.

But Leandro’s eyes lingered on those cufflinks far too long, his jaw tightening as Azalea tugged uneasily at his sleeve to break the silence.

"This is…?"

"Castellanos Group’s heir, Nikolai Castellanos, my childhood friend." I smiled, watching Leandro’s expression harden further. "And one more thing, he’s also the largest individual shareholder in your company."

"Let’s go. Goodbye." Without another glance, I slid into the sports car.

Through the rearview mirror, I saw Leandro still frozen in place, the bouquet crushed in his hand.

It brought me back to our wedding day, when his hands trembled so much he crushed the bouquet, and I had to peel open his fingers, laughing softly as I wiped the flower juice from his palm.

I thought of how he once stood outside my family’s villa for a whole day and night, pleading with them to let him marry me. "Alina, I may have nothing now, but my chip design will succeed. I’ll use everything I have to give you happiness."

Back then, his gaze burned with love and conviction. His persistence moved me, moved my family. But now, all of it belonged to Azalea.

Indeed, feelings could change in the blink of an eye.

"Alina, what are you planning to do? Whatever it is, I’ll stand by you." Nikolai’s voice was tender, yet heavy with sorrow he couldn’t conceal.

I pulled myself out of the memories. "I keep feeling there’s something off about that child. I’ve already given the DNA sample to the doctor, and we’ll have the results in seven days. And the Windsor family’s investment should be withdrawn in seven days as well."

"I want him to see how far he can go without the Windsor family’s daughter as his stepping stone."

Nikolai chuckled softly, his hand ruffling my hair in the same familiar way. "Alright, I’ll do whatever Alina says."

As the car turned the corner, I glanced one last time at the Family Court.

Leandro was there, carefully holding an umbrella for Azalea, shielding her as they slipped into the car together.

I turned away quickly, yet my eyes still burned red.

Ten years of marriage, nothing but a cruel joke.

I stood at the villa entrance, sighed softly, and pushed the door open by myself.

Madeline Rousseau’s shrill laughter rang from within.

"My precious golden grandson, eat another bite, grow up strong so you can inherit your daddy’s company."

But the instant her eyes fell on me, the smile faded, curling instead into disdain.

"Well, look who it is, the cause of all this mess. Holding up the divorce, how can a woman without kids still act so high and mighty?"

The little boy, Kieran, grew sulky the moment he spotted me. He flung his halfeaten apple, the sticky pulp splattering my skirt.

"Nice throw! Ten years of marriage and your stomach’s still flatter than a washboard. All you do is waste time on jewelry appraisals, broken rocks, what good are they?"

The rain outside poured harder. Staring at the scene before me, my mind drifted back to the day of my third failed IVF attempt. That day too had been stormy, and Madeline had screamed at me over the phone like a madwoman. “You really are the curse of our family. Can’t give birth, why don’t you die?”

Back then, I endured the physical torment, sobbing out apologies for the sake of love and marriage. Later, I hid in the hospital, weeping alone through the night. But what had all my humility and concessions brought me?

They only gave the entire family the courage to push me further and further. Now, I had truly had enough.

“Madeline.” I bent down to pick up the apple Kieran had thrown at me, my tone light, no longer calling her “Mom.”

“You may not know this, but my father bought this villa before my marriage. It is my personal property.”

“Now, take your precious grandson and get out of my house!”

Madeline’s cursing stopped cold. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“You said what? You want me to leave? This is my home, my son’s home.”

“Someone has trespassed into my villa. Send security immediately.” Without hesitation, I called for security.

Madeline’s face froze. She hadn’t expected I would truly dare summon people to throw her out. In the next instant, she snatched a teacup from the coffee table and hurled it at me.

I dodged immediately, letting the cup shatter into glittering shards across the floor.

“Alina Windsor! Are you insane?!”

Leandro’s voice thundered from the doorway. I lifted my gaze to see him rushing in, drenched, with a frantic Azalea trailing behind.

He strode forward, shielding his mother, and roared at me, “Alina, isn’t it just a divorce? But she’s my mom! Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

Trouble?

I stared at him, finding it laughably absurd.

He was the one who brought a mistress and a child into my home. His mother was the one smashing things and spitting curses inside my house. And yet, in the end, I was the one accused of causing trouble?

Who exactly had I spent ten years of my life with?

Just then, Azalea inched closer, her face pale, her tone deliberately fragile as she persuaded me.

“Alina, Mom is old, please don’t be like this. Kieran is still young, don’t blame the child.”

I let out a cold laugh. Not even married yet and already calling her Mom? Truly without shame.

Security soon arrived, their stance resolute as they carried Madeline away.

The air resounded with Madeline’s shrieks, the child’s sobs, and Azalea’s pitiful pleas.

Leandro’s teeth clenched as his furious eyes locked on me. “Alina, you are ruthless enough!”

A soft smile touched my lips. “Not as ruthless as you.”

The front door crashed shut, sealing away every trace of noise from beyond.

Surveying the wreckage before me, I let my body slide down to the floor. I held myself tightly, and at last, the sobs I could no longer control tore through me.

Ten years, was this all I had gained in the end?

The night breeze was cool. I stood on the balcony, staring blankly into the distance.

Behind me came Leandro’s familiar footsteps, and a jacket was gently draped over my shoulders.

“Alina, your health has never been good. Don’t catch a chill, I’ll feel distressed.”

I didn’t turn around, only sneered. “Mr. Rousseau, you really are busy. After sending your mistress home, you suddenly remembered to care for your exwife?”

Leandro sighed, his chest pressing against my back, the same posture as the countless embraces we had shared over the past ten years.

“My mom really went too far today. I apologize on her behalf.”

“Alina, but you have to understand me. Do you know how hard it is for me?”

“Every time I see others showing off their children, every time I hear my mom crying on the phone, Alina, I just couldn’t help it. If there were even the slightest chance, I would never have…”

“Never what? Never cheat? Never divorce?” I finally turned, meeting his reddened eyes.

“So all the fault for not having a child lies with me? Leandro, can’t you stop making excuses for yourself?”

A flicker of embarrassment crossed his eyes, yet he still struggled to make me believe him.

“Alina, I’m not making excuses. The one I truly love is you. I really can’t let you go.”

My gaze dropped to his left hand, and his wedding ring was already gone. And now he wanted me to believe that a man who cheated had his reasons? The thought was laughable.

“This house,” Leandro suddenly shifted the subject, “has a really good school district. Kieran is about to start elementary school.”

“I want to exchange this house for the seaside villa I bought for you before. I can pay you the difference.”

Of course. The mask had slipped at last; his latenight performance of tenderness was nothing but a ploy for the school district house.

I tore off the jacket and flung it back at him. "So this was your true purpose all along?"

His face stiffened. "I’m thinking of you! That seaside villa will rise in value."

"Leandro." My voice cut through his words, faint and fragile, like a whisper swept away by the night breeze.

"Do you still remember the day we went through the third round of IVF?"

His eyes darkened, pupils shrinking.

"The doctor warned that my body had already suffered too much, that another attempt might cause heavy bleeding."

I slowly lifted my shirt, revealing the scar etched across my stomach.

"Back then, I put my life on the line to try again. Do you remember what you said, kneeling at my hospital bed? You said that just having me in this life was enough."

"And now?"

The color drained from Leandro’s face.

"That’s enough, Leandro. Get out."

I pressed the speed dial on my phone. "Security will be here in three minutes."

"Alina." He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his voice desperate. "We’ve been married ten years. You have to think about my descendants too, I beg you."

"Seven years." I peeled his fingers away, one by one. "The rest of the time, you were in Azalea’s bed."

"Alina!" he gritted his teeth. "Don’t you regret this!"

I sneered and locked the balcony door right in front of him.

He stood outside, his face twisted with rage as he shouted at me, then finally kicked the door hard before storming away.

The next morning, I left for my studio as usual. But just as I reached the entrance, my vision went black.

"Alina?!" The last thing I saw was Nikolai’s anxious figure rushing toward me.

When I woke again, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled my nose, the same smell that had haunted me through countless rounds of IVF.

Nikolai stood at my bedside, his gaze heavy with concern. "Alina, you’re pregnant, about six weeks."

The words froze me in place. My hand instinctively went to my stomach.

Ten years of marriage. Three failed IVF attempts. And now, in the middle of the divorce coolingoff period, I was pregnant?

How ironic this world could be.

"However, your condition isn’t ideal." Dr. Landers stood beside him, flipping through the test results, his brows furrowed. "The endometrium is too thin, and your HCG and progesterone levels are low; this doesn’t look good."

"Abort it." I cut him off, pushing myself upright despite the sting of the IV needle tugging at my wrist.

"And destroy all the frozen embryos in the hospital, mine and Leandro’s."

When Nikolai heard my decision, he said nothing. He only tightened his grip around my hand in silence.

Just before I entered the operating room, my phone vibrated, a message from Leandro.

[Alina, for the sake of our ten years of marriage, let’s talk again.]

I stared at the screen, let out a cold sneer, and powered it off.

Ridiculous. What was there left to talk about?

The procedure ended quickly. My body, already drained of strength, leaned heavily against Nikolai’s arm as he supported my waist.

"Take it slow, no need to rush," he whispered.

A faint ache pulsed in my lower abdomen, a cruel reminder of what had been taken away.

And then, a voice I could never mistake cut through the air.

"Don’t be afraid, Daddy’s got you!"

My body stiffened. Slowly, I looked up and there was Leandro, bending to scoop Kieran into his arms. The child’s small face was flushed, his head weakly resting against his shoulder.

Azalea stood at his side, a registration slip in one hand, her other arm resting naturally in the crook of Leandro’s elbow, the picture of a devoted wife.

Leandro lifted his head, and his gaze collided with mine.

For an instant, his expression faltered. His eyes swept over my pale face, slid to Nikolai’s steady hand supporting me, and finally dropped to the discharge slip I held.

"Alina?" His voice carried hesitation, his brows knitting together. "Why are you here at the hospital? Are you unwell?"

Azalea’s wary eyes darted over me at once, her fingers tightening on Leandro’s sleeve.

My hand moved instinctively to my stomach, empty now. The life once inside me was gone. What meaning was there in his concern?

"It’s nothing, just a routine checkup. You two came to the hospital for…?"

“Keiran had a fever and wasn’t feeling well, so we brought him in.” Leandro’s eyes stayed fixed on my face, probing with quiet concern. “Alina, are you sure you’re alright? You look terribly pale.”

Nikolai’s voice came at the perfect time, firm and protective. “It’s just a little anemia, nothing to worry about.”

Leandro seemed ready to say more, but Azalea tugged at his sleeve. “Leandro, it’s our turn now.”

After a brief pause, he gave a reluctant nod. His gaze swept over me one last time before he turned away.

“Then… take care of yourself, and rest well.”

I stood still, watching their family of three fade into the distance.

What a cruel irony.

Leandro had given all his love to a child who was, in all likelihood, not his by blood. And he would never realize that he had just lost the only child who truly was his.

With a pained sigh, Nikolai wrapped his arm around me. “It’s over now, Alina. Let me take you home.”

Resting against his shoulder, I closed my eyes and allowed him to lead me slowly from the hospital.

Behind us, the mechanical voice of the broadcast called out patient numbers, and at last, my tears flowed soundlessly.

On the third day after the surgery, a faint scent of medicine still lingered in Nikolai’s apartment.

“How are you feeling today?” Nikolai came over with freshly cooked vegetable soup, his hand gently brushing the top of my head, his face filled with tender concern.

“Much better.” I took the bowl, my fingertips accidentally brushing against the back of his hand. The warmth of that touch slipped away too quickly.

Nikolai paused, his gaze fixed on me. For a moment, it seemed he wanted to say something soothing, yet he only let out a soft sigh.

“Tonight is my father’s sixtieth birthday banquet. He really wants to see you. Will you come with me?”

“Alright.” I met his hopeful eyes glowing beneath the sunlight and smiled as I gave my answer.

I really couldn’t bring myself to refuse this version of Nikolai.

By evening, he had changed into a black, custommade suit. At his cuffs gleamed the sapphire cufflinks I had once given him; he seemed especially fond of them, wearing them almost every time he dressed in a suit.

“Let’s go.” He reached out and steadied my wrist, the warmth of his fingertips seeping through the sleeve, steady and reassuring.

Just as we opened the door, a figure rushed out from the shadows of the hallway.

“Alina!”

Leandro stood at the doorway, his suit disheveled, eyes bloodshot, as though sleep had abandoned him for days.

His gaze locked onto Nikolai’s hand holding mine, his face dark with fury.

“So it’s true!” he spat. “We’re not even divorced yet, and you’re already in another man’s house?”

I didn’t bother with a reply and lifted my foot to walk past him, but his hand clamped hard around my wrist, the pain slicing sharply.

“Let go,” I said, my voice cold.

“Come home with me! Do you even know what people are saying outside?! You’ve completely disgraced the family!”

Nikolai stepped forward, his hand clamping down on Leandro’s wrist with such force it almost sounded like bones creaking under pressure.

“Leandro.” His voice was cold as ice. “If you touch Alina again, I won’t hesitate to cripple this hand of yours.”

Leandro’s face drained of color. He wrenched himself free, his voice breaking into a furious roar.

“Alina, don’t forget—the divorce certificate isn’t in your hands yet. You’re still my wife!”

I looked at his twisted expression and let out a weary sigh.

“Leandro, you look truly pathetic like this.”

With that, I turned toward the elevator. Nikolai followed close behind, his tall frame standing like a silent shield between me and Leandro.

As the elevator doors closed, I still felt the burning weight of Leandro’s eyes drilling into me.

But what did that matter to me? Why should he, the one who chose divorce, now act as though love consumed him?

By the time the banquet ended, night had already deepened.

As Nikolai went to get the car, a voice I knew all too well sounded behind me, freezing me in place.

“Alina, let me take you back to the villa.”

Leandro stood at the steps, his tone calm, tinged with a quiet plea. “Enough of this nonsense, alright?”

I noticed the curious glances of nearby guests. Since this was Uncle Winston’s birthday banquet, I had no desire to cause a scene.

“Let’s go,” I replied flatly.

Leandro’s eyes lit up at once. He rushed forward, reaching as though to steady me, but I avoided his hand and walked directly to his car.

He hurried to open the door, his voice ingratiating. “Alina, let’s talk properly.”

The nightscape outside the window blurred past. I leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes in fatigue.

“Leandro, what is it you want to say?”

Under the pale glow of the moon, Leandro’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, his lips pressed into a thin line, as though wrestling with where to begin.

“Alina, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

I gave no reply, my eyes still on the blur of trees sweeping by outside.

He inhaled deeply, as though steeling himself.

“I want to hold a recognition ceremony for Kieran.”

My body stiffened. Slowly, I turned to him, disbelief flooding my eyes.

His own gaze faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked it, his tone softening into something almost pleading.

“Kieran is, after all, of our blood. He can’t be left without a name, without a place.”

I looked at him, then let out a sudden laugh.

“A recognition ceremony for Kieran? And you’re bringing this up to me?”

“Yes.” Seeing that I didn’t immediately refuse, his eyes lit faintly, his tone growing more eager.

“It doesn’t need to be grand, just invite some close relatives and friends, make it a formality. After all…”

He paused, as though weighing his words. “After all, we’re not officially divorced yet, and in name, you’re still his mother.”

I almost laughed aloud. So this was his plan: using the Windsor family’s name to grant Kieran legitimacy, to create the illusion that the family had accepted him, paving the way forward.

Leandro truly was calculating. Even with divorce looming, he was still scheming how to use the Windsor family and me.

But then I recalled the paternity test results I had received earlier today: Kieran and Leandro shared no blood at all.

I slowly leaned back against the seat, my fingertips tapping lightly against the windowpane, my voice calm.

“Alright. The child is innocent.”

He turned suddenly, eyes alight with disbelief and joy. “You’re agreeing?”

“Hmm.” I allowed a faint smile. “But there’s one condition: if it’s to be done, it must be grand. This event cannot bring shame to either the Rousseau family or the Windsor family.”

“Excellent!” His voice cracked with excitement, his hands nearly slipping from the wheel. “Alina, I knew you were the sensible one.”

“The day after tomorrow, at the Windsor family’s old residence, banquet hall. Media, relatives, friends, invite them all, not a single one missing.”

His expression brimmed with elation, his fingers tapping the steering wheel in restless delight.

“Good, good, I’ll make the arrangements immediately!”

When the car rolled to a stop at the villa, he didn’t even give me time to step out thoroughly before yanking out his phone. Dialing hurriedly, he kept repeating in gratitude. “Alina, you’ve always understood me best. I’ll inform Azalea and Kieran right away!”

I stood in the night breeze, watching in silence as Leandro’s car faded into the distance. Only when it vanished completely did all my strength slip away, my legs weakening beneath me.

At that moment, a pair of steady hands caught me. Nikolai appeared silently behind me, lifting me into his arms and carrying me toward the villa.

In that instant, I felt a rush of gratitude. After everything I had endured, Nikolai was still, as always, by my side.

The doorbell rang just as I was finishing up some tidying.

On the monitor, Azalea appeared, dressed, with a thermos bucket in her hand. I hadn’t imagined she would dare show up here.

“Alina!” she called warmly the moment she entered. “I made soup especially for you, to thank you for agreeing to Alina’s recognition ceremony.”

Without hesitation, she strode into the kitchen as though she knew it by heart, placing the thermos on the dining table. Her movements carried such ease that it was as if she were the true mistress of the villa.

“Leandro mentioned your health hasn’t been the best.” Her eyes deliberately drifted to my abdomen. “IVF really wears the body down, especially for someone like you who has undergone it several times. Unlike me, natural pregnancy is still so effortless.”

Her hand brushed over her stomach, her lips curving into a proud smile. “Actually, I’m pregnant again. I haven’t even told Leandro yet. Alina, do you think he’ll be happy?”

Leaning against the doorframe, I watched her quietly, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Congratulations to you both.”

She looked taken aback by my calmness, stunned for a moment before lifting her chin. “Leandro has always wanted a daughter. Maybe this time his wish will come true, to have both a son and a daughter.”

“Having both a son and a daughter is indeed a blessing. But tell me, are you certain the child is Leandro’s?”

Her smile faltered in an instant. “What do you mean by that?”

I set my cup down, pulled a stack of photos from the drawer, and slid them toward her.

“Your college boyfriend, his name is Soren Vasquez, isn’t it?”

I tapped the photo where his arm was draped around her. “The two of you even met at a hotel last month.”

Her face turned pale, her fingers twisting tightly around the hem of her dress. “You…you’re lying!”

I let out a low chuckle. “Do you need me to pull up the hotel surveillance? Or should we just wait until the child is born and settle it with a paternity test?”

Azalea hadn’t expected those words. Panic clouded her eyes before she grabbed her bag in haste and bolted, even leaving behind the thermos.

“Oh, right,” I called after her lazily, “don’t forget to show up on time for the recognition ceremony.”

She stumbled, but didn’t dare look back, fleeing in a panic.

Such clumsy acting, only Leandro would believe it. He must have been desperate for a child.

Before the ceremony even began, a new post lit up in Leandro’s Instagram feed.

A picture of him and Azalea with Kieran in his arms, the banquet hall of the Windsor residence gleaming in the background.

The caption read, [Today is a big day for the family, thank you for everyone’s blessings.]

“A big day?” I murmured under my breath. “Very well then, I’ll give you a blessing worth remembering.”

I looked at the test report and the USB drive lying on the nightstand.

With a cold smile, I tapped a like on his post, then typed slowly, word by word, in the comments, [Congratulations, may the three of you get what you wish for.]

Send. Power off.

At the airport terminal, Nikolai leaned casually against the railing, waiting for me.

I glanced at the plane ticket in my hand and finally wore the most relaxed smile I had shown in a long time.

“Let’s go,” I said softly to Nikolai. “Their grand show is about to begin.”