Chapter 1

Seated with a digital tablet before him, Raymond Johnson was in the middle of picking out a birthday present for Tracy Lambert's 23rd birthday.

When he heard Melanie Strickland speak, he didn't even look up as he said, "The house I'm giving Trace isn't worth that much. Even after factoring in the real estate agent's commission, the total is under 700 thousand dollars.

"As for Northshore's Villa No. 1, which is under your name, it's in the best spot in Bell City, so it's not like you're losing out on anything. I still care about you the most, Melanie."

While he spoke nonchalantly, Melanie's eyes were on the verge of welling up with tears.

Raymond hadn't lied. Over the course of their seven-year marriage, Raymond had indeed treated her well.

When Tracy was given a monthly allowance of 100 thousand dollars, Melanie would have ten million dollars in her account without fail.

And after giving Tracy jewelry worth over a million dollars, Raymond had won bids on an antique emerald ring worth 100 million dollars for Melanie.

That said, the ten million dollars was just the standard monthly allocation from the Johnson family's trust fund. As for the antique emerald ring, Raymond didn't even bid for it at the auction himself. He'd simply told the butler to handle it.

When Tracy offhandedly said that she was hungry for seafood chowder, Raymond rolled up his sleeves to cook some himself, burning two pots in the process.

Melanie's friends tried to talk her into accepting her situation.

"Melanie, you have money and status now. Raymond's got another woman on the side, sure, but he hasn't mistreated you. Don't act like you don't know how good you've got it."

"She's right, Melanie. With your dad gone and your mom in a vegetative state, you should count yourself lucky that Raymond still wants you."

Melanie wanted to be content as well. It was just that she could never forget the night he had lit up half the city's skyline for her when they first got together.

And there was also the time he had stood in the pouring rain after she insisted on breaking up with him to keep him from being caught in her family's bankruptcy.

Completely drenched, he had stood there, his eyes red and swollen. "Melanie, you're the love of my life. I can't live without you."

Now, seven years later, Melanie was asking for a divorce.

In his usual unbothered tone, Raymond said, "Trace's birthday is just around the corner. Don't make trouble for no reason."

Melanie's nose stung with emotion as she pulled out the divorce agreement she'd long prepared. She forced a calm tone. "Sign this. Once you do, I promise I will no longer act out."

She thought Raymond would lose his temper, or at least snatch the papers from her hands, tear them apart, and snap, "Don't even think about it, Melanie. You're not allowed to leave me."

But to her surprise, Raymond only looked at her once before turning the papers to the very end and signing them. "Be sure to keep your word. Once I sign this, don't misbehave again."

Melanie nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will. I won't act up again."

Now, there were only 30 days left until their marriage was officially over.