Chapter 1

"Mrs. Sterling, have you reviewed the terms of the settlement? Once you sign, this marriage of twenty years will be officially over. Are you sure you're ready to walk away from everything, including custody arrangements?"

I scrubbed at a stubborn grease stain on the granite island, holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder.

My voice was calm. "Yes. File it. I’m done."

The lawyer hesitated, her tone softening slightly before returning to professional detachment. "Very well, Evelyn. Once we get Alexander's signature, we just have to wait for the court's mandatory waiting period to pass before the decree is final."

I hung up, staring at the soapy sponge in my hand. It was ridiculous to end my two-decade-long marriage during my counter cleaning.

Meanwhile, on the massive 85-inch flat-screen in the living room, a prime-time business channel was airing an interview with the "Entrepreneur of the Year."

On screen, Alexander looked impeccable in his bespoke suit, radiating power and charisma. Sitting right next to him was his adopted sister and personal secretary, Chloe. She looked flawless, her makeup subtle but alluring, gazing at him with a look of pure, unadulterated adoration.

The host smiled. "Mr. Sterling, to whom do you owe your incredible success?"

Alexander didn't hesitate. He turned to Chloe, his eyes softening. "Chloe—my executive assistant and my sister. For the last decade, I wouldn't be where I am today without her support."

He thanked his partners. He thanked his employees.

But the wife who had managed his home, raised his children, and supported him from the shadows for eighteen years? I was a ghost to him. An invisible non-entity.

Just then, the front door swung open. The kids were home from school.

My son, Leo, wrinkled his nose the moment he stepped inside, making a dramatic show of covering his face. "Mom, what did you make? The whole house reeks of grease. It’s disgusting!"

My daughter, Mia, didn't even bother taking off her designer sneakers. She rushed straight to the TV, pointing at the screen and screaming in excitement. "OMG! Look! Dad and Auntie Chloe are on TV! Chloe looks so hot today. Way better than Mom in that frumpy outfit."

"Totally," Leo agreed, his eyes full of disdain. "Auntie Chloe is a total boss babe. Mom just knows how to hover around the stove."

I walked out of the kitchen carrying a dish, my heart turning to ash as I listened to my husband and children.

Alexander’s parents died young, so he had always kept Chloe, his adopted sister, close by.

He always said, "Chloe had a hard life. I’m her big brother; if I don't spoil her, who will?"

But I knew better. They had a passionate fling back in high school. Now, Chloe had transformed into his inseparable Executive Assistant.

Whenever I voiced my discomfort about Chloe’s lack of boundaries, Alexander would use the same old gaslighting line: "Why is your mind so dirty? She’s just my sister! Stop being so paranoid. It’s pathetic."

In this house, it seemed Alexander and the kids loved me, but every action they took proved their loyalty belonged to Chloe.

I silently placed the casserole on the dining table, glancing at the "perfect couple" on the TV screen. A self-deprecating smirk touched my lips.

If you four are the real family, then I’ll gladly step aside.

I turned and went upstairs to the master bedroom, pulling the divorce papers I’d printed out days ago from my drawer.

I signed my name under "Petitioner" with a steady hand.

Eighteen years of being an unpaid housekeeper. I was finished.

I folded the document carefully and slipped it inside a thick packet of life insurance renewal forms, leaving it right in the center of the coffee table.

It was past midnight when Alexander came home, bringing the cold night air in with him.

He didn't bother changing out of his shoes. He stumbled to the leather sectional, loosening his silk tie.

I walked over and could smell the expensive scotch on his breath, mixed with the unmistakable scent of Chloe's Santal 33 perfume. Furthermore there was a smear of red lipstick on his collar.

"Why did you drink so much?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Alexander waved his hand impatiently, his eyes avoiding mine. "Chloe had a networking event and overdid it with the cocktails. I was just helping her out. "

As he spoke, he carelessly nudged a cardboard box on the floor toward me.

"I picked this up for you."

I glanced down. It was the latest model of a high-end robot vacuum.

Alexander unbuttoned his shirt, speaking casually. "I picked it up while I was helping Chloe move into her new penthouse. I figured since you spend all day sweeping and mopping, this would suit you."

Suit me?

So, in his eyes, I was only worthy of cleaning floors, while Chloe was worthy of him personally moving her into a luxury apartment.

I didn't get angry. I just let out a cold, short laugh and handed him the folder from the coffee table.

"Here. For you."

Alexander frowned. "What is this? Paperwork? At this hour?"

"Life insurance policy renewal," I lied without blinking. "The agent said it has to be signed today to keep the kids' coverage active."

Hearing it was for the children, the annoyance in his eyes faded slightly He flipped straight to the back page without reading a single word.

"Fine, fine. I'll sign it."

He scrawled his signature across the page, tossed the pen aside, and immediately stood up, heading for the kitchen.

"Chloe’s stomach is acting up from the alcohol. I need to make her some hot broth and run it over to her place."

I watched his back as he busied himself in the kitchen—this man who wouldn't lift a finger if a bottle of olive oil fell over, was now rolling up his sleeves to cook for another woman.

I looked down at the "insurance policy" in my hand—now a fully executed divorce settlement—and flicked the edge of the paper.

Alexander, I hope you’re this thoughtful when the court serves you the divorce decree in two weeks.