Chapter 1

While participating in a reality show, my sister and I both fell into the water.

Without hesitation, my husband Holt jumped in and rescued my sister.

He held her with such concern and urgency, walking away without looking back.

I was left behind, nearly sinking to the bottom of the lake before the crew finally pulled me ashore.

The next day, when I handed Holt the divorce papers, he scowled at me. "Lily can't swim, that's why I saved her first. Are you really going to be jealous over this?"

I looked calmly into his eyes. "Yes. Sign it."

Holt and I quietly finalized our divorce.

Holt kept his brows furrowed, but at this point, he could no longer stir any emotion in me.

He stuffed the certificate into his pocket. "I'll drive you home."

I shook my head. "No need."

Holt seemed displeased with my attitude. "Genesis, there's no need to be like this. No matter what, we were together for three years. Divorce doesn't mean we have to be strangers forever."

I was momentarily shocked. I could hardly believe those words came from Holt's mouth. After all, now that Lily had returned, he should be thrilled that I was being so sensible and making room for them.

"Mr. Pierce, to me, divorce means divorce. We're not family, and we certainly can't be friends."

"You---"

"Besides, we don't have children. There's no need to stay in contact."

My words infuriated Holt. He turned and left.

I watched his retreating figure and sighed helplessly.

But when I thought about my bank account balance, those unhappy feelings vanished in an instant.

Although I was the second daughter of the Shaw family, I never received any money from them. Instead, the divorce had made me a small fortune.

There was no way I could get half of Pierce Holdings, so when I had the lawyer draft the divorce agreement, I only asked for twenty million dollars.

Holt agreed, and he also gave me two luxury homes---one in New York and one in Los Angeles---along with three other properties and six commercial apartments in prime locations.

This was enough to keep me comfortable for the rest of my life.

Looking at those cold numbers, I suddenly couldn't help but laugh.

How wonderful. I could finally start living for myself.

After the divorce, in just one day, I moved into a downtown penthouse.

Having it under my name gave me an unprecedented sense of security.

I thought leaving Holt would leave me in pain and despair. After all, during our three-year marriage, I had loved him.

But unexpectedly, that night I slept exceptionally well. The long-absent relaxation let me sleep until noon the next day.

Holt and I had a business marriage arranged by our grandfathers, who were war buddies.

But originally, this marriage was meant for Lily. The reason was simple---she was the rose the Shaw family had cultivated for eighteen years.

And I was the Shaw family's biological daughter who had been switched at birth.

Someone like me could never have met a privileged heir like Holt, let alone fallen in love with him.

Until I turned eighteen, when Mr. and Mrs. Shaw found me, tearfully explaining that I was their biological daughter, and that a nurse's mistake all those years ago had caused our separation.

At that time, I was living in an orphanage. When I saw them arrive in their luxury car, I thought my future would be easier---at least I wouldn't have to collect trash to earn money for school fees. The orphanage was poor, and not every child could afford to go to school.

But I didn't receive the guilt and compensation I expected from them. Only cold treatment. I thought, as long as I could go to school, that would be enough.

They said Lily's parents had both passed away, so they wouldn't send her away. But their daily treatment of us was vastly different.

I wasn't like a daughter of the family at all. I was more like the maid's daughter.