"I cannot give you love, only my loyalty as your sole woman." Raymond's words on our wedding day were both promise and confession. I foolishly wagered that genuine devotion could soften his frozen heart. But reality shattered my hopes when Lizzena returned—his cherished first love, now accompanied by a child. "She means to claim her son is the First Prince," he revealed without emotion. Suddenly, the weight of my unreciprocated feelings became unbearable. Divorce was the only answer. *** "What?" Raymond's eyes widened in disbelief as my request hung in the air between us. For the first time, genuine shock rippled across his composed features—and inexplicably, it brought me solace. With newfound serenity, I spoke again: "I cannot stay with you, Raymond. Let us end this. Grant me a divorce." My years of silent, hopeless love would finally reach their conclusion. Liberation awaited.