Chapter 1

Isabel Shore and Samuel Klein had just registered their marriage earlier in the day. That same night, she moved into their marital home.

The candlelight dinner she'd painstakingly prepared was spread out on the dining table. But instead of enjoying it, she sat on the couch as she dialed Samuel's number. At the same time, her bloodshot eyes were fixed on a laptop screen.

The screen showed Samuel's handsome face, which was twisted with desire. Nauseating noises came from the speakers.

Isabel's mind was blank when she heard his phone ring on the other side of the laptop. She'd yet to figure out how she should sound when speaking to him if he answered.

Unexpectedly, he only paused for a few seconds after glancing at the caller ID. Then, he chose to ignore the call as desire took over his brain.

In that instant, the last of Isabel's determination was shattered. Her hands were stiff as she slammed the laptop shut.

Winona Shore had won. She'd successfully seduced the man who'd been Isabel's childhood sweetheart for 22 years and lawfully wedded husband for less than a day.

…

Isabel moved her things out of the marital home the same way she'd moved them in during the day. She even cleaned up dinner, leaving no traces behind. It was as if she'd never been there.

When she got back to her apartment, she felt like she'd been zapped of strength. She curled up under the sheets, remaining like that until her phone rang.

She thought it was Samuel calling her back, but it was actually Winona. The latter wanted to brag about her victory. She sounded beyond smug on the other end of the line as she said, "I got Samuel before you did, Isabel."

Isabel clutched her phone so tightly that her fingertips turned white. She suppressed her emotions and said calmly, "Congratulations."

That brought Winona great satisfaction. She continued, "He wouldn't have slept with me if he didn't feel anything for me, right?"

To Isabel, it didn't matter whether feelings were involved. This was already a betrayal. After forcing herself to accept that, she sneered and said, "Uh-huh. Since you're so confident in your charm, try a little harder and see whether he's willing to divorce me for you."

With that, she hung up.

In truth, she knew very well that Winona didn't actually have feelings for Samuel. She just wanted to snatch the few things that Isabel still cared about.

But what right did Winona have to get back at her like this? The Shore family's enemies were the ones who'd switched them at birth, and it was Winona's adoptive parents who'd caused her to fall into depression.

Eight years ago, when Isabel learned that she wasn't related to the Shores, she'd offered to leave the family. However, the Shores had objected.

And when Winona had been found six years ago, Isabel had once again offered to leave. Yet the Shores had insisted on keeping her, using the fact that they'd raised her as an excuse and also promising her that they would help her find her birth parents.

Over the years, Isabel had tried her best to make herself invisible in the Shore family. Her identity, her brother, and her parents—none of these things were hers to begin with, so she'd returned them to Winona without ever overstepping her place.

But the Shores hadn't kept their promise. They'd even allowed Winona to use her as her personal punching bag.

Just as she thought she could marry Samuel and escape from the Shore family, Winona had to go and destroy that. She'd ruined Isabel's last lifeline, and the one person Isabel thought she could trust had betrayed her.

Isabel curled up under the covers, sobbing so hard that she couldn't breathe. After some time, she was about to drift off into an exhausted slumber when an arm wrapped around her waist. She stiffened when a kiss was pressed to the back of her neck. It was Samuel.

He asked tenderly, "Didn't we agree that you'd move into our marital home today, babe? Why didn't you?"

"My period came. I'm cramping." Her weak voice made the lie seem more believable, and it prevented him from wanting to do anything to her.

"Your period's always on schedule, though. Why has it come two weeks earlier?"

"Maybe the hormones triggered it."

Samuel prodded the tip of her nose helplessly. "That'll teach you to follow a strict schedule. Wait here while I make you a hot cup of ginger tea."

Isabel didn't respond. She watched as he hurried off and threw an arm over her forehead, feeling like her heart had been ripped to shreds.

In her eyes, Samuel had always been this gentle and considerate. He remembered her preferences, habits, and even when her period was supposed to start. Then, he would make her ginger tea and get her a hot water bottle beforehand.

From their school days to adulthood, he would always have her allergy medication and lozenges on hand, whether in his pocket or car.

Everyone envied her for having a partner who only had eyes for her. And it was true that Samuel's presence in her life had helped heal the pain and suffering the Shore family had caused her. He was half the reason she'd given in and agreed to stay with them.

He soon returned with the ginger tea, holding a hot water bottle in his other hand. "Drink this, babe. I'll help massage your belly after this."

Isabel looked exhausted after everything that had happened. She couldn't muster her spirits. She took the tea and sipped it half-heartedly.

When Samuel saw that, he patiently coaxed, "Be good and finish it."

She didn't want to, so she switched the subject. "Why didn't you answer when I called you earlier?"

His gaze flickered for a split second at her words. It was gone in an instant, but Isabel still caught it. She waited to see what he would say.

He reached up to rub her head as he calmly explained, "You know my dad's just given me some power. I have to take this opportunity to deliver satisfactory results so that he'll acknowledge my abilities. I'm sorry, babe. I was in a meeting at the time, so my phone was in silent mode. I didn't notice your call."

Isabel grimaced as she listened to him lie through his teeth. Once upon a time, he'd sworn that he would always treat her with honesty. He'd vowed never to betray her or lie to her.

She asked, "Why didn't you at least text me after the meeting, then?"

Samuel looked apologetic. "I wanted to, but I forgot when things got busy. Anyway, I came back to look for you immediately after finishing work, didn't I? This is my first time making a mistake, babe. Can't you forgive me?"

His first time making a mistake… Could things like this be forgiven so easily? Not only had he done something wrong, but he'd even lied to cover up for it. Once a person cheated, they would always be a cheater.

Isabel frowned as Samuel leaned close to her, and her nausea surged. She turned away and said weakly, "Get me some painkillers. My cramps are really bad this time."

He quickly put down the hot water bottle and went to get the painkillers.

The apartment wasn't large, and it was quiet so late at night. So, Isabel could hear Samuel rummaging through drawers. Just then, his phone rang. He answered it almost immediately before hurrying to the balcony to have the conversation.

Isabel could imagine how nervous and guilty the phone call made him just by listening to the noise he made. He seemed deathly afraid of her finding out.

She shut her eyes. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the call was from Winona.

Samuel hung up after a short while and soon returned to the bedroom with the painkillers.

"Here you go, babe. If you're still in pain after taking these, I'm taking you to the hospital. I don't want a repeat of last time—you scared the hell out of me then." His concern and tenderness felt like a cruel joke to Isabel now.

She took a painkiller and asked casually, "Who called you so late at night?"

He froze for a second before saying, "It was my assistant. He called to confirm my schedule for tomorrow."

Isabel lowered her eyes to hide the anguish in them. He'd lied to her twice in less than ten minutes. Suddenly, it hit her that perhaps she'd never truly understood him despite him being by her side for 22 years.

Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from her brother, Cameron Shore.

"Cameron."

He sounded grim on the other end of the line. "Winnie slashed her wrists."