Chapter 1

After I sent the message, the conversation in the room kept going.

"I'm betting the newest Chanel items that Samuel will agree to the divorce."

"I don't think he will. He loves Penny way too much. There's no way he'd go through with it."

"Oh, please. He's just a simp for her. He always listens to her."

"For anyone who loses, it'll be a pair of Chanel items each." Penelope Rivera's voice came through, cool and crisp.

The room erupted into laughter. I hurried out of there as fast as I could.

Just then, a message showed up on my phone.

"Seriously?" it said.

"Yeah."

…

Six months ago, Penelope set her sights on Theodore Schneider, some Z-list actor.

She went all in by pouring resources into him and buying him cars and mansions in Acetropolis. His downtown villa was packed with sports cars he had always dreamed of.

Yet he still kept her at arm's length. She stayed patient as she pursued him day after day. Still, he firmly insisted that he wouldn't be her secret lover.

Donning that season's hottest limited release, Theodore flushed red with anger as he shouted, "Penny, I know you've been treating me like a king. I'm into you too, but I'm not gonna be 'the other man'!"

Having been in the business world for years, Penelope had seen countless men. Most of them practically threw themselves at her, knowing how rich she was.

Theodore, on the other hand, was different. He had his principles. No matter how much money she threw his way, he still stood his ground, which amused her.

She was so intrigued that she tossed me aside, again and again. I could still remember the first time she did it.

It was my birthday, and Penelope had actually come home for once. Dressed to the nines, she was holding my favorite kind of cake. Right when I was making a wish, her phone rang all of a sudden. She got up to take the call and promised she'd be right back to celebrate with me.

Yet, after she got off the call, she turned to leave, claiming it was urgent. I believed her.

After ten minutes, a friend request popped up on my phone. The person didn't send a message, even after I accepted the request.

Curious, I tapped into the person's profile. His entire feed was filled with photos of him and Penelope. That was when I realized she was cheating on me.

I went to her, phone in hand, demanding an answer. Yet, she claimed that they were just friends and nothing more.

I didn't believe her, but she said that I was being a nuisance. "Does it matter? You'll always be my husband. Isn't that enough?"

I was stunned. Was it that nothing else mattered as long as I was her husband in name? Hadn't she said she loved me the most?

My heart ached as if something was stuck in there. Yet, I barely had the strength to even argue.

…

This persisted until she handed me the divorce papers in a room full of people. "Just sign them for show. It's to keep Teddy happy."

I signed them without saying a word and walked out.

...

She came home later, reeking of alcohol as always. "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

I looked up at her. That was the first time I spoke to her that day. "I'm not tired."

"Even so, you still need to sleep. The doctor said you need more rest."

I didn't spare her a glance. I just turned and headed for the bedroom.

"Wait." She stopped me. "I need to talk to you… tomorrow."