Chapter 1

I sat there quietly, not raging or shouting like I usually did.

Sandra Lane took it as me finally realizing I was in the wrong. She didn't even bother to look at me before walking out to the living room to video call William Jones, her childhood sweetheart.

"Let me see how you're recovering."

"Hey, looks like it's healing pretty well. But be careful with that cut."

"I'm not a doctor, but I've saved plenty of people. I know how this works. Just listen to me!"

"Alright, alright, quit teasing. I'll come by tomorrow and cook you something nourishing."

I listened to my wife laugh as she responded to his flirtatious remarks. Without a word, I stepped onto the bedroom balcony and called my lawyer.

Even though it was late at night, his voice was sharp and alert.

"Prepare a divorce agreement for me by tomorrow morning," I instructed.

"Yes, Mr. Green. Are you and Mrs. Green—"

"Don't ask about anything else. Just get it done," I said and hung up.

After that, I stared at a phone number I knew by heart, hesitating for a long time before dialing.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm going overseas to take over the family business. I won't be staying here anymore."

It seemed to be daytime where my father was. He had always been a man of few words, but upon hearing my words, he kept repeating how glad he was.

"Steven, as long as you're willing, I'll always be your safety net. You can come anytime. Remember, I'll always love you."

I held back the tears burning at the corners of my eyes and nodded. "Okay."

Right after I hung up, my overseas account received a transfer of 50 million dollars. A message from my father followed. It read, "Steven, take care of everything back home first. If anything comes up, just call me."

I knew exactly what he meant when he told me to take care of things back home. My gaze drifted to Sandra, still in the living room, laughing sweetly into her phone.

Her voice softened as she said something intimate to the screen. More than once, I heard a man's voice say, "Let me see."

Each burst of laughter felt like an invisible hand tearing my heart apart.

For six years, I gave everything I had to this marriage—my time, my energy, my youth, and my money.

I gave Sandra all of me, just hoping for a little love in return. And every time, she took it, then turned around and hurt me all over again.

She had hurt me more times than I could count. I didn't have it in me to take any more.

I sat on the balcony in a daze, smoking as I stared up at the distant moon.

The sound of slippers approached behind me. I looked over instinctively and met Sandra's gaze, full of contempt and disgust. She probably thought I was about to throw another fit.

Before I could speak, she struck first. "Let me tell you something, Steven. Don't sit there acting all brooding and upset. It's useless. Either you apologize to Will, or we get a divorce! I'm not letting this go until you apologize!"

Her cold eyes swept over me. It was as if the woman who had been laughing so sweetly just moments ago was someone else entirely. There was not a trace of love or pity on her face.

Sandra had given everything to that so-called childhood sweetheart of hers.

And me, her actual husband?

All I got was humiliation and ridicule.

She kept using the love I had for her against me, over and over.

After saying her piece, Sandra went straight back to the bedroom. I had no desire to stay in the same room as her, so I went into the guest room instead.

Early the next morning, just after my lawyer sent over the divorce papers, my in-laws called.

"Steven, we heard you argued with Sandie last night over Will?"

I muttered a sleepy acknowledgment, and then both of them started lecturing me.

"Steven, honestly, what's wrong with you? You're a grown man with zero tolerance. She can't even make a call at night without you interfering, huh? You ought to learn to mind your own business!"

"You sit around at home all day, doing nothing, and you still have the nerve to criticize Sandie? You're worthless! If it weren't for her generosity, you'd still be single!"

"Let me tell you something. Will was so upset because of what you did yesterday that he's practically depressed. Get over her and apologize to him right now!"

"And don't come empty-handed! Bring some supplements or superfoods. When you get here, cook Will a decent meal. He just got injured and needs to get his strength back."

They hung up before I could even respond.

That was just how it was. In their eyes, I was never family. They never saw me as their son-in-law. I was nothing more than a target for insults, a servant to their whims, and someone to take money from.

I let out a self-mocking laugh. I had only myself to blame for loving her so blindly, for letting them control me completely.

I was about to get out of bed when my best friend called me on video. Thinking it was urgent, I picked up right away. I had just opened my mouth to ask what happened when he shushed me.

On the screen, Sandra was holding William's arm as they stood outside Shavroula Hotel. They leaned into each other like a real couple, completely absorbed in their own world.

Sandra's face was flushed. William, wearing a lewd grin, guided her inside.

The call ended, and a moment later, my friend sent me two photos.

In one, Sandra was at a supermarket with William, picking out snacks, drinks, and contraceptive pills.

In the other, they were entering an adult store together, clearly comfortable and intimate with each other.

The bags from those photos were the same ones she was holding in the video call.

Even an idiot could tell what they were planning to do.

That was all my friend sent.

"Thanks," I replied.

After that, I texted my in-laws, "Don't worry. I'll be there tomorrow."

I turned off my phone. The black screen reflected my face—expressionless, utterly cold.