"Ethan Cadwell, sign this divorce agreement."
Olivia Reed's mother, Margaret Reed, slid the divorce agreement across the table toward Ethan.
At 24 years old, Ethan was a technician at the Agricultural Technology Station of Silver Creek, Maplewood County. His wife, Olivia, was the deputy mayor of Silver Creek, overseeing industry and commerce.
Ethan’s brow furrowed in confusion. He didn't glance at the document. Instead, his gaze landed on the calendar on the table.
June 1st.
That was right.
He had returned—decades into the past—to this very moment, the darkest turning point of his life.
Margaret had come to the Agricultural Technology Station on this very day, presenting the same divorce papers on Olivia’s behalf.
Once the shock wore off, Ethan had erupted in anger, clashing with Margaret before racing to the town government office on his bicycle. Desperate for answers, he had kicked open Olivia’s office door—only to find her sitting on the couch beside a young man, clearly smitten.
That man was Jason Porter, the son of Maplewood County Mayor Richard Porter.
The sight of them together had sent Ethan into a blind rage. Without thinking, he had grabbed a watermelon knife from the desk and driven it straight into Jason’s chest.
His mind had gone blank.
By the time he came to, he was sitting in a holding cell at the county Public Security Bureau.
If not for his powerful Caldwell family ties, his fate would have been sealed over such a trivial betrayal.
Though his family had pulled him from the wreckage of his mistakes, they had sent him into exile in the Badlands, where he had wasted decades drowning in alcohol and regret.
“Ethan, what’s on your mind?”
Margaret’s sharp voice snapped him from his daze.
His dull eyes flickered back to life. He turned to Margaret and asked, "Why does Olivia want to divorce me?"
Margaret scoffed. "You have the audacity to ask why?"
She leaned forward, her voice dripping with disdain. "Sure, you two were college classmates. And, yes, you moved from the city to Silver Creek with her two years ago. But look at where she is now—deputy mayor, working tirelessly to climb even higher. And you?"
Ethan remained silent.
Margaret sneered. "You're still just a lowly technician at the agricultural station.
"You don't deserve Olivia. If she stays tied to you, she'll never rise above being a deputy mayor."
Ethan merely nodded, his expression unreadable.
Margaret hesitated, caught off guard. She had expected resistance—a fight, maybe even begging.
Well, this was better.
She pressed on. "The old mayor is retiring soon. If Olivia wants to secure his position, she needs more than hard work—she needs the right connections.
"And as it happens, Jason —Mr Porter's only son—has been interested in her since the day they met. He doesn’t care that she's married."
Ethan cut her off. "Jason is in Olivia’s office right now, isn't he? Taking advantage of his lunch break? I assume you arranged that too?"
Margaret's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
Ethan let out a quiet chuckle, grabbed the pen, and signed the divorce agreement with a swift stroke.
With a snap, he tossed the pen aside, ignoring Margaret entirely as he strode out of the conference room.
"Rebirth—how wonderful."
Tilting his head toward the azure sky, Ethan murmured to himself before mounting his bicycle and pedaling out of the Agricultural Technology Station.
The ride to the town government building took only ten minutes.
Since it was lunchtime, the building was nearly empty.
Olivia's office was on the third floor, at the far west end of the hallway.
In his past life, he had wasted ten minutes arguing with Margaret before arriving, which had given Jason plenty of time to settle in.
This time, Ethan had arrived early.
Olivia was likely already flustered. And in mere moments,
she would be his ex-wife.
Without hesitation, Ethan climbed the stairs, reached Olivia’s office door, and pushed it open.
Jason sat on the sofa, his expression overflowing with affection as he whispered sweet nothings to Olivia.
She looked uncomfortable, nervously lifting a glass of water to her lips.
At the sudden bang of the door opening, both of them flinched. Their heads snapped up.
The color drained from Olivia's face.
Jason, stunned for only a moment, quickly masked his surprise with anger. "Who let you in? Get out!"
Of course, he recognized Ethan.
And he knew exactly who Olivia was—Ethan's wife.
But so what?
Even caught red-handed, Jason had the gall to order him to leave.
Ethan didn’t acknowledge him.
His eyes landed on the melon sitting on Olivia’s desk.
Beside it lay a fruit knife.
The very weapon Ethan had used to kill Jason in his past life.
But this time?
He wouldn’t waste his life over a woman who only wanted to climb higher.
This time, he wouldn’t touch that blade.
He turned his gaze to Olivia. She refused to meet his eyes.
Whether it was her beauty, her figure, or her skills in bed, Olivia had been unmatched.
And yet, none of it mattered anymore.
"Ethan… how come you're here?"
Her voice carried a hint of guilt, though she tried to sound indifferent.
Heh.
Ethan let out a quiet chuckle. "Did my arrival ruin your good time?"
Huh?
A deep crimson flush spread across Olivia’s face.
"Damn it, get out!" Jason snapped, lunging toward Ethan with a clenched fist.
Granted, Jason was tall and broad, but years of indulgence in wine and women had weakened him.
As he tried to pounce, he stumbled clumsily forward.
Ethan effortlessly dodged him and delivered a solid punch to his chin.
Jason let out a pained grunt as he crashed to the floor.
Before he could recover, Ethan stepped on his neck.
"Bast—"
Jason tried to curse, but Ethan pressed down harder, cutting off his words.
"Let him go right now! He's the son of Mr Porter!" Olivia hissed in a low voice. "We'll talk about this at home."
Ethan didn't spare her a glance. "No need. I already signed the divorce agreement. Meet me at the Courthouse at 8 AM tomorrow."
With that, he kicked Jason’s face once more, ignoring his pitiful yelp before striding out of the room.
Descending to the first floor, Ethan entered an empty reception room and picked up the landline phone.
A moment later, a deep, authoritative voice came through the receiver.
"This is Samuel Buchanan. Who’s speaking?"
Ethan's voice was calm. "Uncle, it's Ethan.
Samuel’s tone immediately softened. "Ethan. If you're calling about the Future Group’s investment, don’t worry—it will be finalized soon. Once Olivia secures the funding, her position as mayor of Silver Creek is guaranteed."
"Uncle."
Ethan’s voice was steady. "I need to talk about three things."
Samuel paused. "Go on."
"First, put the Future Group’s investment on hold. Second, I’ve divorced Olivia.
"And third—tell the Caldwell family… I want to be the mayor of Silver Creek."
