The Divorce Papers : Literally Writing Him Off Webfic 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 . " Chapter 1 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 attention to Avery . gave his full In their moments of passion , he would kiss her gently and whisper , " Just be yourself . " Everyone believed Elijah had finally moved on from the past . They were sure his marriage was now destined for a brighter future . Chapter 1 But one day , Lara showed up out of nowhere . From that moment on , Elijah often took Avery to social events . People couldn't help but comment on how loving and inseparable they appeared as a couple . However , only Avery knew the truth - he was using her to make Lara jealous . Elijah had left her stranded at the club , only to be caught passionately kissing Lara in the restroom . He purchased an entire clothing collection for Avery, but somehow ended up entangled with Lara in the fitting room . Even her birthday party became nothing more than a convenient excuse for him to meet with Lara . It didn't take long for Avery to become the object of ridicule , but she couldn't care less . She had never truly loved Elijah , after all . Ten years ago , her mother , Michelle Wright , remarried into the McPherson family . Unfortunately , she passed away shortly after , succumbing to her illness . To the McPhersons , Avery was nothing more than an unwanted burden . The only person who had ever shown her care was Walter . For ten years , he had been both a father and a mother to her . When she got her first period , it was he who patiently walked her through it . Even though it embarrassed him , he still took care to wash her soiled clothes . Despite their sibling bond , Avery couldn't help but fall in love with him . For Walter's sake , she would have given up everything . Through 970 long , grueling days , it was his kindness that had kept her going . But one day , everything changed . Outside the McPherson residence , Avery stood silently , holding a container of ravioli she'd poured her heart into . It was Walter's favorite dish . " Most people assume Avery's crazy about Elijah . They have no clue it's you she really cares about , " someone said . Walter suddenly spoke , his tone stripped of the tenderness it once held . " All I did was throw her a little kindness . Who would've thought she'd cling on so tightly ? " " In any case , the 1000 - day agreement is coming to an end . If she insists on ending the Chapter 1 4/4 marriage , are you prepared to take her in ? She wouldn't be going through this pain if it wasn't because of you . " " How could I ? She's no longer a virgin . If you want her , she's all yours . " The steaming container of ravioli slipped from Avery's hands and hit the ground . Her face went pale as the shock hit her . Everything she believed had been a lie . " Then why haven't you had a single woman by your side all these years ? " The room fell into a suffocating silence . Avery held her breath , anxiety tightening around her chest . After a long , heavy pause , Walter finally said , " There just hasn't been anyone suitable . " Avery's breaths came in harsh , uneven gasps . She felt as though she were waiting for a death sentence . Suddenly , her phone rang , pulling her back to reality .. " Hello , is this Ms. Avery McPherson ? I'm afraid Mr. Rowan Quinn - your biological father - is gravely ill . As he has no other heirs , a 20 - billion inheritance is waiting for you . " However , there is one condition . You must change your name and registered address back to what they were previously . "