Chapter 1

...

Kimberly Miles stood resolutely before Margaret Carter. She declared, "Mrs. Carter, I want to end the contract. You promised that if Daniel didn't fall for me in five years, it would be void."

Margaret looked up from her desk. "I did say that."

Her tone was measured as she continued, "But you've got Henry now. You love him so much. Can you bear to hear him call someone else Mom?"

"I can," Kimberly replied firmly. "My marriage to Daniel was based on a contract, and Henry was part of it. Now that Siena is back, they don't need me anymore."

In the past five years, she had developed genuine feelings for Daniel Carter, only to be let down over and over again.

Margaret sighed, reflecting on Daniel's behavior. Then she said, "The contract is almost due. Sign here, and in seven days, you're free to leave."

Kimberly signed the document without hesitation, then strode out of the Carter Mansion.

Once she got into her car, her phone pinged with a notification.

It was a photo from kindergarten. In it, Daniel laughed heartily, leaning toward Siena. Henry clung to her hand, his face lit up with joy.

They wore the family matching outfits Kimberly had bought for Henry's sports day. Siena had taken her place at the event and wore her clothes. The sight of it all twisted a knife in Kimberly's heart.

...

Daniel and Siena's love story had once been a sensation.

One was a billionaire heir, and the other was a rising star who dropped out of school to pursue fame in the entertainment business.

Despite their vast differences, love had brought them together. But as Siena's career skyrocketed, she ended things with Daniel to focus on her dreams.

Daniel spiraled into despair, drinking heavily and even contemplating suicide.

The news of the Carter family heir's attempt to take his life for love exploded online that night. Meanwhile, Kimberly's father lay in the operating room, the high surgery costs crushing her.

That was when Margaret approached her, promising to pay the fees if she agreed to marry into the Carter family and help Daniel recover. The duration? Five years.

Soon after, Margaret introduced her to Daniel and proposed their marriage.

"Would you marry Kimberly?" Margaret probed.

Equally anxious, Kimberly waited for Daniel's answer. If he refused, the contract would collapse, and her father's surgery would remain unpaid.

But surprisingly, he sighed and nodded. "Whatever. If it's not Siena, anyone would do it."

They met through this deal, intended as pure business, but Kimberly grew to love him through her daily care.

Daniel, on the other hand, remained distant, never truly paying attention to her. Even their marriage license was postponed. He claimed work kept him too busy.

One night, Daniel stumbled home drunk. His unfocused gaze landed on her.

"Let's have a kid," he mumbled.

That night, they shared a passionate moment, and Kimberly hoped it marked the start of love.

Later, she found out the truth. Siena had announced a new boyfriend earlier that day.

After Henry was born, Daniel's attitude to her changed. He was no longer that cold and stopped ignoring her efforts.

She thought it would endure until Siena announced her breakup.

On the same night, the paparazzi caught Daniel and Siena holding hands by the river, with headlines buzzing about a reunion.

Their contact grew frequent, and he even brought her home. Her appearance changed the cold temperament of Kimberly's son, Henry Carter.

He became clingy, always wanting to play with Siena. Photos of the three multiplied.

In five years, Kimberly and Daniel had barely a single picture together because he disliked taking pictures. But with Siena as a regular, he bought a new camera and saved every tabloid shot of them.

For Siena, he always bent the rules.

From that, Kimberly understood one thing. No amount of time would make him love her. His heart always belonged to Siena.

Thankfully, their marriage was just a contract.

In seven days, she would escape this humiliating home and pursue her dream of writing abroad. With the plan set, she contacted a foreign publisher and booked a flight for herself.

Back home, she pulled into her usual parking spot, only for Siena's car to slide in first. The ones with her were none other than Daniel and Henry.