Chapter 1

After arranging everything for my departure, I hung up the phone and slipped the confidential file back where it belonged.

Outside the door, a familiar hint of tobacco drifted in.

I looked up and realized it was Ethan Fuller, my husband.

He walked in, the cold from the night still clinging to his suit.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind, and his warm breath brushed against my neck. His voice was low and gentle, just like always.

"Why aren't you asleep?" he asked.

"I was just thinking about my new jewelry auction." I smiled, forcing my tone to sound light and normal.

He rested his head on my shoulder, his fingers gliding through my hair. "Honey, you've stayed up too many nights for this auction. I hired a world-class nutrition consultant for you. She'll be here tomorrow."

In the five years we had been married, Ethan had spoiled me in every way imaginable.

I hated the cold, so he kept warmers in his pockets at all times. I was afraid of the dark, so he never turned off the lights until after I fell asleep.

Everyone envied me. They said the cold, untouchable heir of the Fuller family never lowered his pride for anyone, except me. They said it so many times that even I believed it.

It was only tonight that I finally understood that his so-called love was nothing more than a cover for the person he truly wanted to protect.

"By the way," he murmured casually, placing a trail of soft kisses along the back of my neck. "Your parents invited me to a dinner party to celebrate Vivian's pregnancy."

He paused, then added lightly, "I put her in charge of your auction. You don't need to go. I'll bring a gift on your behalf and come home early to keep you company."

It hit me with a cold shock, as if the world had suddenly gone numb.

That charity jewelry auction was something I had built from the ground up over three years as a designer. I handled every design, every plan, and every guest invitation myself.

On the surface, it was a glamorous charity event. In reality, it was an irreplaceable network I had painstakingly built for Fuller Group.

I had poured my heart and soul into it. And now… he was giving it away.

I steadied my voice, trying to keep it from shaking. "Why? This is my showcase event. Everything is ready. The board already approved it—"

He cut me off gently, "I talked to the board. Vivian will handle the rest. She's been struggling with morning sickness and is in a bad mood. Letting her run the auction will be a nice distraction. You can use the time to rest and take care of yourself."

I lowered my gaze, hiding how shattered I felt inside. He had turned my years of work into her pastime.

But he didn't even notice my pain. He continued, "Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. I've already planned a surprise for you. And since you've been spending so many days alone at home, I brought you a new companion. It's downstairs in the living room."

His tone brightened like he expected praise. "It's a very sweet cat. I know how much you love animals."

A cat? I loved animals, all except cats.

I was severely allergic to cat fur. There was no way Ethan didn't know that.

Once, during a business meeting after we married, a client brought her pet cat. The cat brushed against my hand, and within minutes, red welts spread across my skin, and my chest tightened.

Ethan, who was always composed and controlled, completely panicked.

He called my name in a shaking voice and scooped me up without a second thought. He even forgot about the client entirely.

In the waiting room, he kept pressing the doctor. "Is she in danger? Can you treat her right now? If she needs blood, take mine!"

The doctor was so startled that he kept reassuring Ethan that I would be fine.

Even after my allergic reaction had settled, Ethan stayed by my side the entire night without sleeping.

But now, he was giving me a cat?

I thought of the confidential report I had found earlier. Vivian's favorite thing in the world was cats. This gift wasn't meant for me at all.

I forced a small smile. "Thank you, but it's okay. I'm not sure I can take good care of it. Can you clear your schedule on my birthday? I planned something, and I'd really like you to spend the day with me."

He nodded and whispered against my ear, warm and gentle, "Of course. Whatever you want, honey."

That night, I couldn't sleep.

Ethan held me tightly, and I carefully slipped out of his arms to get some air on the balcony.

At that moment, something slid out of the pocket of his pajama top.

I bent down and picked it up. It was a small perfume bottle.

I opened the cap, and a familiar scent drifted out. I had smelled it on Vivian before.

People constantly asked her what perfume she used. She would only smile mysteriously and say it was a "sweet little secret".

So this was it. Ethan had a custom fragrance made just for her.

Right then, I felt my heart go completely cold.

On my birthday, I would give Ethan the only gift he truly wanted. I would disappear from his life forever.