Chapter 1

Selena Brodie laughed exasperatedly.

She turned and hurled the bottle straight at her husband’s childhood sweetheart, Melinda Sommer.

No one had expected her to grow that violent. The smile froze on Melinda’s face as she stood there, paralyzed with shock.

Luckily, Geoffrey reacted fast. He pulled Melinda out of the way in one swift motion.

The bottle grazed past her face and shattered on impact.

The room instantly reeked of liquor.

“Are you out of your mind? You could’ve killed her with a bottle that size!” he said in a harsh voice with a darkened expression.

“An alcohol allergy can kill someone too,” Selena retorted.

“Nobody said you had to drink.” His tone softened a little.

He led Melinda, who was still in shock, to sit down beside him and gently patted her back to comfort her.

Then, he spoke to Selena dismissively. “It’s just a signature. Divorce is such a hassle these days. It’s just a game. There’s no need to take it seriously.”

No need to take it seriously?

Selena stayed composed and acted tough on the surface, but inside, her heart was already shattered.

Every word Geoffrey said made it worse.

Her hand clenched at her side until her knuckles turned white.

Four years ago, Geoffrey had said that he had fallen in love with her at first sight at a party. He had told her that he did not want a cold, business-like marriage between two powerful families.

He had confessed his feelings in a grand, public way and had gone all in to win her over.

Back then, his attentiveness was unmistakable. It showed in everything from bringing her to the flower fields she loved to cooking her a warm, nutritious risotto when she was swamped with work.

It was as if he could read her mind, understanding everything she wanted without her having to say a word.

However, in just three short years, their marriage had become a joke to him, something he let his friends mock and toy with as they pleased.

How could this be just a harmless little game meant to liven up the mood?

This was a full-on calculated move to put her in her place.

No matter which choice she made, signing the divorce papers or drinking the liquor, people would talk.

They would label her as weak and easy to bully.

After this, his friends would gang up on her even more often.

When Melinda finally snapped back to her senses, she burst into tears. “Selena, why are you deliberately picking on me?

“It’s just a game of Spin the Bottle. If you can’t handle it, why’d you even play?”

Everyone looked at her accusingly.

They were all blaming her for being a poor sport and ruining the fun.

When Selena noticed the hint of smugness in Melinda’s gaze, she finally understood what was going on.

It was a setup to humiliate her in front of Geoffrey’s friends, no matter what she chose.

It was also Melinda’s first move to stake her claim after returning from overseas.

Selena looked at Geoffrey.

He did not seem like he was going to speak up for her.

Instead, he pushed the divorce papers forward again, saying, “Honey, don’t ruin the game.”

She laughed exasperatedly as she looked at everyone in the room.

A full minute passed, and no one offered her a way out. Everyone was waiting for the drama to unfold.

She took a deep breath and suppressed the last shred of hope she had been holding onto for Geoffrey.

“These divorce papers aren’t drawn up correctly. If we’re really going through with this, I’ll have my lawyer send over a new set.”

She called her lawyer directly and calmly laid out all her requirements.

Everyone was stunned.

So was Geoffrey, who, just moments ago, had been casually urging her to sign.

He abandoned Melinda, who was crying her eyes out, and rushed over to snatch the phone from Selena’s hand.

He scolded her with a dark expression, “Are you out of your mind? You’re actually going to divorce me over a stupid game?”

“Weren’t you the one who signed first? Geoffrey, the moment you treated our marriage like a joke, this divorce was inevitable,” Selena said, meeting his gaze with a look of absolute resolve.

With a firm tone, she added, “You want me to walk away with nothing? Not a chance.

“How many of your family’s partnership projects only happened because of my family? My share is not going to you and your mistress.”

She deliberately enunciated “mistress” very clearly and pointedly.

He retorted, “Mel is not a mistress. I only see her as a little sister. There’s nothing romantic going on between us.”

“Oh really?” Selena scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So you’re throwing her a welcome-home party on my dime?”

Her blunt, unfiltered remark made everyone in the room fall totally silent.

Everyone was shocked that she would call out what this gathering really was about. She had done it without caring about protecting their marriage or anyone’s reputation.

“Geoffrey, I warned you on our wedding day. If you ever make me feel even a little bit wronged, I will walk away without a second thought.”