Part 1Divorce First, Rich Forever

The day I found out I was having quadruplets, I was still worrying about how I'd support four kids in the future.

Then my husband Lucas sent me a message: "I'll give you a hundred million dollars. Divorce me."

My hands were shaking with excitement as I trembled typing my reply:

"OMG! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner!"

I signed the papers, got the money, and vanished in a flash.

Later, the whole city was buzzing about how that ruthless Mr. Ashford had lost his mind, searching everywhere for his ex-wife who'd taken a hundred million and disappeared.

The ultrasound probe slid coldly across my lower abdomen as I stared intensely at the screen, my heart pounding with nervousness.

The doctor adjusted her glasses, her expression shifting from calm to surprised, then to disbelief.

She confirmed it several times before turning to me, her voice carrying a hint of uncertain trembling.

"Mrs. Ashford, you... this is..."

"Doctor, is there a problem?"

My heart leapt to my throat, and my palms instantly broke out in cold sweat.

"No, not a problem." The doctor took a deep breath, as if announcing some major discovery. "From what I can see, you're having quadruplets. Four gestational sacs, all with heartbeats."

My mind went completely blank.

Quad... quadruplets?

Was I dreaming?

I pinched my thigh hard, and the sharp pain told me this was all real.

I felt pretty impressed with myself—I'd gotten pregnant with four at once!

But walking out of the hospital, clutching that ultrasound printout, it felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

The sun was shining on my face, but I couldn't feel any warmth. All I felt was complete confusion about the road ahead.

I'm Emma, and I'd married into the wealthy Ashford family a year ago.

My husband Lucas was the richest man in this city.

Our marriage was a complete business arrangement—no love, just mutual benefit.

In our year of marriage, I could count on one hand how many times we'd actually seen each other.

He was always on business trips, always in meetings, always... not home.

In the Ashford household, I was invisible—just a "thing" his mother looked down on.

They didn't even treat me like a person.

Now I had four babies in my belly.

How was I supposed to raise them?

Would the Ashfords even let me have these children?

Countless questions swirled in my head, giving me a splitting headache.

I was walking down the street in a daze when my phone dinged.

It was a message from Lucas.

My heart jumped as I swiped open the screen.

A few short words, like a cold knife, stabbed straight into my heart.

"I'll give you a hundred million dollars. Divorce me."

I stood frozen, reading it over and over, making sure I wasn't seeing things.

A hundred million dollars.

Divorce.

The air went dead silent for a few seconds.

Then an indescribable joy erupted like a volcano, instantly flooding through my entire body.

My hands were shaking so much I had to tap the screen several times before hitting the right spot.

Trembling, I typed out my reply, one word at a time.

"OMG! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner!"

The reply came almost instantly.

Classic Lucas style—short and to the point.

"Tomorrow at ten AM, my lawyer will bring the agreement to you."

I stared at my phone screen, grinning like crazy.

A hundred million dollars!

Forget raising four kids—I could raise forty!

I carefully folded that ultrasound printout and tucked it safely into my purse, my steps so light I practically floated.

The four little babies in my belly seemed to sense my happiness and gave a little flutter.

"Easy there, babies."

I gently rubbed my stomach. "I'm about to take you to live in a big mansion and have the good life!"

As for Lucas...

Screw Lucas!

Screw the wealthy elite!

From now on, Emma was a rich woman!

Walking back into that place called "home"—the Ashford mansion that never felt warm—for the first time, the air actually seemed fresh to me.

Humming a tune, I started packing my things.

I didn't have much—one suitcase held everything.

As for all those designer bags and jewelry Lucas had given me, I didn't touch a single piece.

I'd already gotten a hundred million from him—why would I care about these little things?