Ex-Lover as My Divorce Lawyer? This Train Wreck Just Got Scorching! - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Is there anything worse than catching your husband cheating?
Yes, there is—hiring a divorce lawyer who turns out to be your ex-boyfriend.
Amazing!
At Manhattan's Stellar Law Firm, Sophia Reed sat in the conference room with her Hermès Himalaya Birkin beside her, exhaustion written across her delicate features.
She never imagined that after just one year of marriage, she'd be filing for divorce.
While she was lost in thought, the conference room door swung open, and a tall figure entered.
"Sorry I'm late," the man said, his voice cool and detached.
"Ms. Reed, I'm Ethan James, your divorce attorney for this case."
Sophia looked up at the distinguished man in his impeccable suit standing before her, feeling as if lightning had struck her.
How was this happening? Her highly-paid divorce lawyer was her ex-boyfriend? This soap opera twist had actually become her reality?
Sophia tightened her grip, struggling to maintain her composure. "Hello."
Ethan reviewed the file in front of him. "Two months ago, you caught your husband, Nathan Wade, cheating and recorded video evidence."
"You now suspect he's transferring assets and want him to leave the marriage with nothing. Is there anything else you'd like to add, Ms. Reed?"
His clinical tone felt like ice water being thrown over Sophia's head.
A bitter feeling rose in her chest, though her expression remained unchanged. She shook her head. "No."
Ethan placed the materials on the table and looked at Sophia with a purely professional demeanor.
"The secretly recorded video won't stand as evidence, but it supports grounds for divorce. However, obtaining the financial settlement you're seeking will be difficult."
Sophia frowned. "I researched this. The party at serious fault can leave a marriage with nothing."
Nathan wasn't just cheating—he was now trying to hide assets and leave her with nothing. She wasn't about to let that happen.
Ethan raised an eyebrow and gave her a cold look.
"You were also at fault once. Why didn't you leave with nothing then?"
All words died in Sophia's throat.
She and Ethan had once been everyone's dream couple. They were even planning to get married the day before they broke up.
But the night before their breakup, Ethan hadn't come home, sending only a photo of her holding hands with another man while visiting a coastal town, along with the message:
[We're done. I despise people who can't be faithful.]
Sophia wasn't one to beg. After calling Ethan 18 times with no answer, she had packed all her belongings and disappeared from his life without a trace.
Sophia looked straight at Ethan and spoke directly.
"Mr. James, we're discussing my divorce petition right now. Please keep your personal feelings out of this."
Ethan's expression instantly turned cold. His lips tightened as he returned his attention to the file.
"Think about whether you have anything else that might work in your favor. As things stand, taking this to court would be pointless."
Sophia hesitated for two seconds before asking, "Would my pregnancy count?"
Ethan's gaze sharpened as he frowned at her.
"Spousal infidelity during pregnancy gives you absolute advantage in court. You wouldn't even need a lawyer."
His expression was frigid, as if questioning why she was wasting everyone's time.
Sophia felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny and closed her eyes briefly in embarrassment.
"But I don't know if it's Nathan's."
The conference room became as silent as a tomb.
One second... two seconds...
Ethan suddenly laughed coldly: "You really haven't changed at all, have you?"
Sophia lowered her gaze, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.
Ethan had always been sharp-tongued, and becoming a lawyer had only made it worse. He'd practically said "once a cheater, always a cheater" without mincing words.
His mocking gaze made Sophia's scalp tingle with discomfort.
Fortunately, Ethan didn't continue his verbal assault and instead asked, "Does your husband know about the pregnancy?"
Sophia shook her head again. "I haven't told him yet."
A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside, making Sophia flinch involuntarily, her face instantly paling.
Ethan waited for her to regain her composure before speaking slowly.
"Given that this fact could significantly impact the final outcome, I advise you to maintain complete silence about it."
His gaze lingered on her abdomen for a few seconds before he stood up.
"If you don't have any other evidence, we'll conclude for today. Feel free to provide any additional details later."
Sophia exhaled deeply and followed him out.
As they exited the conference room, Sophia heard staff members addressing Ethan as "Partner James," which made her pause.
She looked around the firm. The decor was modern yet sophisticated, perfectly matching Ethan's personality.
When Ethan turned to look at her, Sophia offered sincere congratulations.
"Congratulations on becoming a partner so quickly."
Ethan pushed open the main door, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I have you to thank for that motivation."
His thinly veiled barb stung Sophia's heart.
If she hadn't been so cruel back then, perhaps he wouldn't have thrown himself so completely into his career.
Was that what he meant?
At the firm's entrance, rain blown in by the wind fell in fine droplets on Sophia's face.
She casually brushed aside a strand of hair and said flatly, "If that's how you want to see it, Mr. James, I'll take the credit."
With that, she stepped forward to leave.
"Do you regret it?" Ethan suddenly asked.