Chapter 1

Lily Marshall read the message I'd sent and let out a short, scornful laugh.

"Clever of you this time. No more hysterics, no more smashing things. Playing hard to get instead?"

Her tone sharpened.

"My father spent years trying every trick to run you off and never managed it. Now that you've finally settled into being the son-in-law of a wealthy family, you're willing to give it up? I don't believe you."

My chest ached, a dull, sour pain.

Never managed to run me off? What did that even mean?

Back when Lily wanted to marry me, she'd knelt at the front gates of her family home for a full day and night, taking the beating the family elders demanded rather than give me up. Her back had been whipped raw, and still she wouldn't let go.

I'd begged her, eyes red, to forget it, to spare herself. But she'd clung to me, blood soaking through her clothes, trembling as she said, "Neil, I'll die without you."

Vows are always beautiful. Pity that the one who hears them takes them to heart, while the one who makes them forgets.

Lily stepped closer and pressed a light kiss to my lips. "Neil, even a joke has its limits. What exactly could you threaten me with? That broken-down body of yours? Without the Marshalls, you couldn't even afford your own painkillers."

My face went pale for a moment.

Years of Lily's affairs had worn my stomach to nothing. This was the third time I'd been rushed to the emergency room for internal bleeding. The doctor had told me plainly that another shock like this and my body wouldn't hold up.

He'd looked at my colorless face and sighed. "Where's your family? Why hasn't anyone come to sign the forms?"

I hadn't been able to answer.

What was I supposed to say? That my wife was busy ordering nine hundred and ninety-nine roses for another man?

I turned away, my expression carefully blank, distance settling behind my eyes. "I'll have the divorce papers ready. Just pick a time to sign them."

Lily's hand froze for a second, a flicker of displeasure at my coldness crossing her face. Then her phone rang.

It was his ringtone, bright and cheerful. Her expression softened instantly, and her voice turned indulgent the moment she picked up. "Sweetheart, I'm already on my way. I'll be there soon."

She hung up, and the warmth drained right back out of her. She shot me a warning look.

"I'm not agreeing to a divorce. I'll just assume you're playing games with me. Neil, if you keep being this difficult, I might have to rethink covering your father's medical bills next month."

The door slammed shut behind her.

I sank into the couch, and the tears came silently.

Not long after, her father, Raymond Marshall, called. For the first time, there was real surprise in his voice.

"Five years married, and you've finally come to your senses?"

My voice came out dry and cracked. "Yes. But I want money. After all these years working myself into the ground for your family, I've earned it."

With money, I could take my father and leave.

The line went quiet for a few seconds.

"Divorce is fine by me. Go see Josh first, and make him back off. The moment he's gone, I'll agree to your terms."

I felt a bitter smile tug at the corner of my mouth.

Raymond had never thought much of me and my humble background. He didn't think I deserved a place in his family. But he thought even less of Josh, a bartender.

"Fine."