However, Ariana's heart still ached. Before her eyes became misty, she talked herself out of it.

“Get a grip, Ariana. It's for the best. Theodore would have hated you more if you had gotten pregnant," she murmured to herself.

After washing up and putting on fresh clothes, she went downstairs and sat at the table. She whispered, "I just got my period, so I'm not pregnant."

The entire dining room became silent as soon as she finished speaking. Only the clinking of cutlery could be heard.

Ariana lowered her head, not wanting to see how Theodore's expression would change. Despite the pep talk she gave herself in the bathroom, she still had inexplicable mixed feelings.

Deep down, she had looked forward to conceiving a child, but the harsh reality told her that it was for the best that the insemination failed.

Many seconds passed before Theodore piped up, "Well, it saves us the trouble."

A lump went up Ariana's throat as soon as she heard those words.

Her eyes felt itchy all of a sudden. She wanted to burst into tears. It was no news that Theodore didn't want to have this baby. After all, he had threatened to force her to have an abortion if she fell pregnant.

Nonetheless, it still hurt now that he expressed pleasure concerning the news.

His recent caring attitude had blinded her for a moment. It turned out that he was still the cold man he was when they first met.

A leopard never changes its spots. Ariana felt that it was stupid of her to have forgotten who he was. She should have been mentally prepared for such a thing to happen.

She lowered her head and blinked several times to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall. When she did that successfully, she looked up at Theodore and asked, “When will you file for divorce?"

Theodore's right hand which was holding a fork paused midway to his mouth. He set down the fork and asked with a frown, “What do you mean?"

“Didn't you say you wanted a divorce the first day we met? It was delayed because of the possibility of having a baby. Now that we are sure the insemination failed, you don't have to continue living with me. We should divorce now, shouldn't we?"

It was crystal clear that Ariana was upset. The tone of her voice gave her away, but she didn't care. She just wanted to be away from this man—out of sight, out of mind!

Theodore took a sip of water and wiped his mouth before saying, “Need I remind you that we made a bet? Your mother's belongings are still in my possession. Until the game comes to an end in three months, you can't walk away from this marriage. So, chill and get your head in the game."

"I was just..." Ariana's words trailed off as Theodore wheeled himself away from the dining room.

She could only stare at his back with her eyes darkening. The atmosphere in the room was warm, but her heart was as cold as ice.

For the umpteenth time in their short marriage, she realized that she was just a tool for Theodore because he wanted to get back at his half-brother.