All Chapters of THE WIFE HE NEVER HAD, NOW HE REGRETS IT: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

76 Chapters

YOU'RE NOT YOUR HUSBAND'S LEGAL WIFE

Scarlett“You're not your husband's legal wife, Mrs. Scarlett,” the doctor informs me. “So we cannot authorize the use of Mr. Ethan’s medical insurance for your treatment.”My heart plummeted. What?“Doctor, there seems to be a mis–” I broke off, coughing into the blood-stained handkerchief clutched in my hands. My chest burned as I forced the words out. “That's not possible. Please... check again. I'm Ethan's wife.”With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone and showed him a photo from our wedding. Ethan and I smiling beneath a bouquet of white roses.“We've been married for three years,” I croaked, explaining further. “Today is also our wedding anniversary. Look–”“I'm sorry,” the doctor repeated, glancing briefly at the photo before returning his gaze to me. “But we cannot proceed under that insurance. The records are absolute.”I chuckled in disbelief. It felt like a sick joke. How could the man who held me this morning now be someone who wasn't even my husband?Only a few hour

I'LL INHERIT EVERYTHING ALONE

ScarlettThe name slapped me across the face.Aurelia Storm had been Durian's attending physician.Ethan had held my hand while introducing her, telling me her brilliance was why he hired her for his company.He wasn't praising a doctor... he was showing off his mistress in front of my face.“Now that you've seen the reason your insurance claim was rejected, Mrs. Scarlett,” Doctor Kelsey said, tossing a stack of papers toward me. “I suggest you prepare the medical fees as soon as possible so we can proceed with your treatment. In the absence of further questions, I have another patient waiting.”I grabbed the papers. My hands were shaking so hard the edges sliced into my skin. I checked my banking app.“$1,200,” I mumbled. Not even a fraction of the hospital fee.A bitter laugh escaped my throat. I was the heir of Alistair Gance, once the richest man in the city. When he passed, I was left with a fortune that made every dream feel reachable. I could have had anything, gone anywhere. B

I WASN'T INFERTILE

Scarlett“Mrs. Scarlett, I've reviewed the documents,” Lawyer Leonard said over the phone. “If you're certain you want to proceed with the inheritance agreement, we can finalize everything today.”“I’m certain,” I replied, staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror. I looked younger, healthier, but my eyes were cold. “What time?”“How does tomorrow at 10 a.m. sound?”“I’ll be there. Thank you, Leonard.”Just as the call ended, another one came in. It was from EH Pharmaceuticals. The corners of my lips curled up slightly because I already knew why they were calling.“Hello?” I answered calmly.“Miss Scarlett!” The department manager's voice trembled through the speaker. “There's a problem with the new drug research. We've been unable to validate the target gene; hence, the project has been temporarily put on hold. Since you're more knowledgeable in this area, we were hoping you could come to the company and assist us.”In my past life, I was the invisible engine of this company. I w

A BLIND DATE

ScarlettWe immediately headed out. Durian stood in the middle of the room, his board game overturned at his feet, pieces scattered everywhere. The TV remote lay broken on the floor nearby. Aurelia stood beside him.“What happened here?” I asked, my voice calm, which seemed to agitate them more.Aurelia’s face was pale, her eyes darting between Ethan and me with a flicker of hidden malice. “We… we heard your conversation in the bedroom by mistake.”Before she could finish, Durian snatched a porcelain figurine from the side table and hurled it. It shattered at my feet.“Durian! Stop it!” I snapped.“Why won't you adopt me!” he screamed, his face contorted with a bratty rage that no six-year-old should possess. “I’m Daddy’s real son! I belong here more than you do!”The air in the room curdled. “Durian—shut up!” Ethan roared.It was the first time I’d seen Ethan lose his cool. He wasn't angry at Durian’s behavior. He was terrified Durian had just outed their secret.Durian froze, his li

PRIDE OR TEN MILLION DOLLARS

ScarlettAfter finalizing the inheritance, I stepped out of the villa with Mr. Hale walking beside me.“We'll arrange the blind date as soon as possible,” he said. “Does tomorrow evening work for you?”“Perfectly.”“The location will be sent to you shortly.”As Mr. Hale’s car pulled away, I turned to Lawyer Leonard.“Leonard,” I asked, my voice measured and calm. “Regarding the assets of my late father, there’s one thing that wasn’t clearly defined in the initial audit. The patents for my previous pharmaceutical research—the ones currently being transferred to EH Pharmaceuticals—where do they stand in the inheritance process?”Leonard paused, adjusting his glasses. “Ah, yes. They are currently in the final stages of a corporate transfer agreement. Why? Is there an issue?”A cold pulse of memory hit me. In my past life, I had signed those patents over as a ‘gift’ to my husband. They became the bedrock of his empire, generating tens of millions while I was relegated to his uncredited as

WHO IS THAT FROM?

ScarlettEthan's jaw clenched so tightly I heard his teeth grind. His pride was bleeding out right in front of him, but greed had always been stronger than dignity where he was concerned.“Hold on a second,” Ethan cut in quickly, shaking himself out of his daze. “I'm the CEO of EH pharmaceuticals. Scarlett is just assisting with the research, so surely, Hartley Global should be working directly with me.”Mr. Alfred barely glanced at him. “That would have been possible if the patents belonged to you, Mr. Ethan. However, the ownership document clearly states that Mrs. Scarlett is the sole inventor and patent holder, which means any cooperation regarding the drug must go through her.”His gaze shifted toward me. “Unless, of course, you still intend to transfer the patents to your husband, Mrs. Scarlett.”My fingers tightened lightly around the folder, the smooth edges of the patent certificate pressing against my skin. The last time these papers had left my hands, I had willingly walked i

CONTRACT MARRIAGE

Scarlett“Nothing important. If that's all, I'll be leaving now.”Exiting his office, I didn’t head straight to the date. Instead, I walked into a luxury boutique and used a fraction of Ethan’s ten-million-dollar check to purchase a sharp, sophisticated ensemble: a silk draped top, high-waisted flared pants, and polished oxfords.Petty? Maybe. But something about using Ethan's money to prepare to meet another man was deeply satisfying, especially if that man was powerful enough to make him kneel.When I arrived at the restaurant, it was already dark outside.A waiter guided me towards a private table by the window. “Your reservation has been prepared, Mrs. Scarlett.”“Thank you.”I sat down, smoothing the fabric of my pants. My fingers trembled slightly—not out of nervousness, but out of a sudden, sharp realization. It had been years since I’d lived for myself, let alone dressed for a man who wasn't Ethan.But as the minutes ticked by, my initial intrigue soured into sharp irritation.

I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT

ScarlettThe room fell silent. For a second, I thought I had misheard him, but Adrian didn't laugh. It took me a while to realize that he was serious.“A...what?”“A contract marriage,” He repeated calmly, without hesitation.“We just met, Mr. Hartley. If this doesn't feel sudden to you, it certainly does to me.”“I'm not making this decision blindly.”My brow tilted slightly. “Then, what's the reason?”“I need to be married before I turn thirty next month. It's a condition to inherit Hartley Global.”So he needed to get married in name only. Still, that wasn't something I could bring myself to do. The word marriage still left a bitter taste in my mouth.The last time I had gotten married, it had killed me.My fingers curled. “Why me? There are countless women who would agree to your offer without hesitation.”Not once did Adrian take his eyes off me. “Because I believe I can trust you.”Trust? Wasn't that word a bit too strong to use on someone you'd only met minutes ago?Adrian reac

CONFRONTING THE STEPMOTHER

ScarlettMy eyes lowered as I held the phone. In my previous life, I had paid zero attention to Alistair Gance's second wife, Clarissa, or her son, Nathan. Back then, I had been desperate to focus on my marriage that had already been rotting from the inside.By the time I realized Clarissa had been siphoning my father's wealth for years, it had already become public scandal and too late. This time would be different.“Tell Clarissa, I'll be there,” I replied.“I thought you might say that. In that case, I believe it's only right I inform you of the current situation within the Gance household.”I listened quietly.“Most of your father's assets, shares, and estates are legally under your name. However, due to his prolonged illness, the LG group and family affairs have largely been controlled by Clarissa and her son, Nathan.”Irritation crept beneath my skin. Leeches. That's exactly what they were. Even after my father's death, they still clung to his wealth like beggars.Still, my voic

I WANT YOUR FULL BACKING

ScarlettMy gaze drifts off to Nathan, who finally decided to make his presence known. I honestly didn't even think he would be home.“Mother, what's going on here?“ He roughly demands from Clarissa who says nothing.“I was just leaving,“ I replied. “Right, Clarissa?“The intention behind my question was to put her on the spot. It was up to her to decide whether she was going to let me walk out of this house or not.Clarissa stood frozen, her lips pressed in a thin line. Even the guards hesitated as they waited for her next order.Without taking her eyes off me, she finally spoke. “Stand down.“Immediately, the guards stepped back. Without sparing any of them a single glance, I turned around on my heel and walked out of the Gance's family residence.Only after I slid into the backseat of the car and shut the door did my shoulders relax. “Drive.“The residence gate closed behind us as the car pulled away. Even though I had managed to put Clarissa in her spot today, I knew this was only

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