Chapter 1

“Why has my husband grown so cold? Why doesn’t he even care about me anymore?”

Evelyn Stone stared blankly out the living room window as a light rain trickled down the glass. Her mind was in turmoil, her heart filled with questions. Julian used to come home with a smile and a warm hug. But now… even the familiar sound of his key turning in the door had vanished from her life.

Three years.

Three years of marriage she once believed was perfect—now reduced to a torturous riddle.

She sat at the edge of the sofa, a cup of untouched tea in her hands. Her fingers trembled as she reached for her phone. More than ten times she had tried to call her husband today. But as always—no answer.

“Is there another woman who’s made him forget about our marriage?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes began to well up.

Dark thoughts haunted her. She tried to shake them off, but reality stung like salt in an open wound. Unanswered messages. Silent nights. These weren’t just coincidences.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening shattered the silence.

Evelyn jumped to her feet, her heart pounding.

“Julian!” she cried.

A tall man in a rain-drenched black coat stood motionless in the doorway. His face was cold. No smile. No longing. Just a lifeless stare that pierced her soul.

Evelyn rushed forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I missed you so much, Julian.”

But his body didn’t respond to her embrace. Within seconds, Julian pushed her away. Harshly. Without hesitation.

“I want a divorce, Evelyn,” he said flatly.

Thud.

It felt as though the earth split open beneath her feet.

“W-what?” Evelyn stepped back. Her breath caught in her throat. “Divorce? Why so suddenly? Just yesterday, you told me you loved me. That I was the only one who could make your heart truly happy.”

Julian stared at her with eyes void of emotion. The warmth from before was gone.

“I was wrong. You’re not the woman I want. I made a mistake marrying you. You’re not the one I’ve been searching for.”

“What do you mean?” Evelyn’s voice shook. “Why are you saying this?”

Julian turned and began walking toward the stairs. But before he could go further, he called out.

“Selena, come in!”

Evelyn spun around—and in that moment, a woman in a tight red dress sauntered into the room with a smug smile. Without shame, she clung to Julian’s arm like she belonged there.

“Baby… I’m freezing,” Selena purred seductively.

Julian smiled at her. “You’ll be warm soon enough.”

Crash!

The teacup slipped from Evelyn’s hand and shattered on the floor. But the pain in her chest was far sharper than any piece of broken porcelain.

“You… you have another woman?” Her voice was barely more than a breath.

Julian nodded. “Yes. She’s the woman I’ve been looking for. Her father is a man who’s helped me more than anyone else. I’ve been searching for her for years… and unfortunately, I married the wrong woman in the process.”

Selena laughed haughtily. “Honey, why are you being so cruel to her? Look—she’s trembling.”

Evelyn stepped forward, eyes locked on the woman before her. “You knew he was married, and you still walked into our home?”

Selena sneered. “Our home? Oh, sweetheart, don’t flatter yourself. This place doesn’t belong to you anymore.”

Julian added coldly, “Evelyn, I’ve already prepared the divorce papers. Just sign them. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Evelyn clenched her fists. “After everything… after I stood by you, helped you rise, supported you through your worst days… this is how you repay me?”

Julian said nothing. His expression remained blank.

Tears began to fall down Evelyn’s cheeks. But she refused to break—not in front of the two people who had shattered her dignity.

“You know something?” Evelyn’s voice was soft but sharp. “You might think you’ve won because you’ve found your ‘perfect woman.’ But one day, when you realize that love isn’t about status or inheritance… that day will be the worst day of your life.”

Julian turned to her with a sneer. “You’re being too dramatic.”

“And you’re a coward,” Evelyn snapped back.

Selena tugged on Julian’s arm. “Let’s go, darling. I’m bored. Let her cry by herself.”

Julian nodded. Without another word, he took Selena’s hand and walked out of the house—the home he once shared with Evelyn.

She stood frozen. The sound of their footsteps growing distant made her heart feel even emptier.

Evelyn stared at the closed door, then turned to the mirror in the living room. Her hair was a mess, her eyes swollen. But beneath all that pain… a fire slowly lit within her.

“I’ll make you both regret this.”