The Divorce Papers: Literally Writing Him Off novel Chapter 1

It started with a single photo Avery McPherson had posted on social media—one that inadvertently showed Lara Womack's dog in heat.

From that moment on, Avery found herself the target of vicious slander. Using AI, someone created fake explicit content of her and circulated it online to ruin her reputation.

Determined to fight back, Avery reported the defamatory attack to the authorities. However, all she got in return were empty promises and indifferent responses.

Growing more desperate, Avery finally called her husband of three years, Elijah Tarver.

"It's just some AI nonsense. Why are you blowing this out of proportion?" he said, his voice cold and dismissive.

But almost right away, he took the initiative to arrange a press conference to address the controversy surrounding Lara's dog.

At that very moment, Avery's phone buzzed with a message from her stepbrother, Walter McPherson.

"Our agreement will expire in one month. After that, it's your choice whether to stay or go."

"I'm leaving." This time, Avery didn't hesitate for a second.

"After three years of marriage, do you truly have no feelings for him?" Walter asked, his expression a mix of disbelief and relief.

Everyone had always believed Avery's love for Elijah was limitless.

"That's right. I don't love him," Avery replied.

"And I don't love you either," she thought, holding the words tightly within.

A flock of geese moved south across the sky. Avery lifted her head, a relieved smile softening her lips.

She was finally free to leave behind both Elijah and Walter.

Three years ago, the McPherson family stood at the edge of bankruptcy. Their sole chance for survival was to secure a marriage alliance with the influential Tarver family of Hartington.

Back then, Walter knelt before Avery, one knee to the ground. "I'm begging you, Ave. Please help our family this one time. If you won't do it for them, then do it for me."

With a heavy heart, Avery looked at him and whispered, "But Walter, you're the one I love. Why would you ask me to marry another man?"

Walter avoided her gaze. "Ave, we're brother and sister. It's not possible for us to be together. Elijah is rich and influential. Marrying him would give you the best chance at a good life."

Avery let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks.

As the Tarver family's heir, Elijah certainly possessed wealth, power, and undeniable charm. Nonetheless, everyone in Hartington knew he could never move on from his first love.

He and Lara had been childhood sweethearts, growing up side by side. Everyone assumed they would marry one day.

But overnight, the Womack family went bankrupt. Refusing to stay confined in a gilded cage, Lara left only a farewell letter before disappearing without a trace.

Following her departure, Elijah turned to alcohol, drowning himself in it day after day. Feeling sorry for him, the Tarvers arranged his marriage to Avery, hoping it would pull him from the darkness.

But even after the wedding, Elijah acted like a man possessed, prowling the city for anyone who could fill Lara's place. He never gave Avery so much as a glance. On their wedding night, he went so far as to bring a substitute into their bed.

With Elijah's open disdain for Avery, the McPhersons knew their hopes of turning things around were all but lost.

Time and again, Walter pleaded with Avery. She had no choice but to cast aside her pride, humiliating herself like a desperate fool. To gain Elijah's favor, she forced herself to mimic Lara's style and interests.

Since Lara loved extreme sports, Avery pushed herself to conquer her fear of heights. Despite the cold sweat soaking her skin, she leapt from ten thousand meters into the sky below.

While Lara enjoyed her drinks, Avery was allergic to alcohol. She had to endure countless allergy injections just to be able to drink with Elijah.

Lara's love for cooking was no different. To hone her abilities, Avery journeyed all the way to Frankland.

Fortunately, her efforts paid off. In the end, Elijah sent all the stand-ins away and gave his full attention to Avery.

In their moments of passion, he would kiss her gently and whisper, "Just be yourself."

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