The Curvy Ex-Wife's Revenge: The Divorce He Gave, The Regret He Earned

Could anyone have been happier? Nicole radiated joy wherever she went, all because her father had just shared news that, for her, felt like a dream come true.

The Matthew and Gibson families had struck an agreement to merge their companies and form a powerful corporation, arranging a marriage between their firstborn children, Nicole and Walter.

Most people might dread the idea of an arranged marriage, but for Nicole, it meant her greatest wish had finally come true.

Walter Gibson, her future husband, was not only her best friend—the only man who had shown her consistent kindness since childhood—but also the one Nicole had secretly loved for as long as she could remember.

No sooner had she heard the news than Nicole, anxious yet brimming with excitement, hurried over to the Gibson mansion to speak with her future husband. Surely, he wouldn't be expecting this either, but as such close friends, maybe Walter would be pleased with their parents' decision.

Wasn't it worse to be forced to marry a stranger?

The Gibson family maid opened the door and greeted Nicole with warm courtesy. Nicole's visits were common—she was close not only to Walter, but to his younger sister Amanda Gibson as well.

"Good day, are they..." Nicole began, but the maid answered before she could finish, bowing slightly.

"Both siblings are in the study. Please, go in..."

"Thank you," Nicole said as she took a steadying breath, heart pounding. How would Walter react when he saw her?

"And Miss Matthew... Congratulations on your engagement," the maid added with a friendly smile.

"Th... Thank you very much." Nicole lowered her gaze, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Her hands trembled, her palms cold and clammy, and her heart beat so wildly she thought it might burst right out of her chest. She made her way toward the study, struggling to steady her breathing, when she heard Amanda's voice inside.

"Congratulations, brother... Dad just told me..."

"And you're congratulating me?" Walter's voice carried a sharp edge, the anger unmistakable.

Nicole froze at the threshold of the study. She knew him too well—noticing the tension in his tone, she immediately sensed that Walter was upset.

"Well... Yes... I'm congratulating you... I don't understand, I just thought you'd be happy, or at least okay with it." Amanda faltered, clearly confused.

"Happy? About an arranged marriage?" Walter shot back. "Why should I be happy? Why should I be satisfied? Just because I know Nicole, just because we're close? That only makes it worse, Amanda. It means I'll never be able to feel anything more for her..."

"But... but you get along with her. You're always kind and..."

"But I don't love her. I'm not in love with her, and I never will be..." Walter's words were unwavering.

Nicole felt something tear inside, a raw ache burning deep within her. In an instant, all her joy vanished—every ounce of hope crushed beneath his words.

"Walter..." Amanda let out a gasp, shock and disbelief in her voice. "Nicole is