Chapter 1

I married Lucas Ashford during his poorest year, giving up everything without hesitation—even cutting ties with my parents.

For six years of marriage, I stood by him as he rose from nothing to become a billionaire.

When I discovered he'd spent $880,000 buying a dog for his assistant Miranda Lane, I demanded furiously:

"Lucas, how could you do this to me!"

Lucas looked at me with contempt: "You were the one who crawled into my bed when you were eighteen."

Miranda nestled in his arms, laughing triumphantly:

"I'm spending Lucas's money. What's it to you? You're just a useless housewife."

I swallowed my tears and turned to leave.

Then I called my mother: "Mom, this time I'll listen to you. I'm coming home for the arranged marriage."

The woman standing before me, Miranda Lane, was dressed head to toe in haute couture, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Around her neck hung this month's new Chanel piece—something I'd mentioned to Lucas I really liked at the beginning of the month.

Back then, Lucas's eyes had been full of impatience: "The company needs money everywhere right now. Can't you be more understanding?"

I'd felt so guilty then, thinking about how hard he worked building his business, that I shouldn't add to his burden.

But now that necklace sat securely around Miranda's neck.

So there was no budget crisis after all. He just didn't think I was worth it.

When I was young, I asked for nothing, marrying him with nothing but sincere devotion.

Back then, my parents were furious that I'd left home for a man, cutting off all my financial support.

At first, Lucas and I could only afford the cheapest basement apartment—dark and damp.

In those terrible conditions, I stayed up late with him revising proposals until my eyes were bloodshot, never daring to complain about being tired.

After surviving on bread for a week straight, he cried while writing me a guarantee, swearing he'd make something of himself in this life and never let me suffer again.

But promises change so easily. The hardships I endured have now become evidence that I threw myself at him.

Noticing my gaze, Lucas instinctively stepped in front of Miranda, as if I were some kind of threat.

He cleared his throat lightly: "It's the end of the year. She's worked hard too—consider it her year-end bonus."

I laughed bitterly, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted.

Seeing my pale face, Lucas softened his expression and came over to steady me: "Alright, honey, if you like it, next year..."

I shook my head, cutting him off: "Forget it, Lucas. Let's get divorced."

At those words, Lucas's expression instantly changed: "Over a dog?"

"Natalie, can you be more mature? I built this from nothing. It wasn't easy getting where I am today. Miranda's been by my side helping me tremendously. What's wrong with buying her something?"

The same old excuses.

Last Valentine's Day, I waited for him at home until midnight, only to see a post on Miranda's social media.

The caption read: [Spending Valentine's Day with the one I love most. Perfect.]

In the photo, she smiled with eyes like crescent moons, and on the hand of the man beside her was the diamond ring I'd personally chosen.

I cried and asked Lucas why. He placated me: "We've been working overtime for a month straight. Just relaxing with the staff for one day."

And there was that other time—I accidentally found a trendy bubble tea bag in the car. It was from a shop I'd been wanting to try forever but never had time to visit because of company matters.

I confronted him about it, but he dismissed it lightly: "Miranda said she wanted some. I was passing by anyway and picked it up. Just looking after my employee."

Only later did I learn that he'd waited in line for three hours that day.

On my birthday, he said there was an emergency meeting at the company, but a friend spotted him spending the entire day with Miranda at an amusement park. On our wedding anniversary, he claimed he had to travel for a business deal, yet I saw matching hotel scenery photos on Miranda's Twitter.

Time after time, my heart completely froze over.

I pushed Lucas's hand away and headed for the door: "I'll send you the divorce papers later."

"Natalie!" Lucas roared behind me, but I didn't look back.

I hadn't gone two steps when Miranda's dog charged straight at me.

I lost my balance and my abdomen slammed into the corner of a table.

"Honey!" Lucas finally panicked, rushing over to pull me into his arms, his voice full of concern. "Are you okay? Where did you hit? Does it hurt?"

I instinctively grabbed his arm, about to ask for help, but the next second, Miranda's delicate cry came from the distance: "Lucas, I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much. Come check on me."

Lucas's arms around me froze. His eyes struggled for a moment before he gently pushed me away.

"Honey, just hang on a bit longer," his voice carried a trace of apology but no intention of staying. "I'll take Miranda to the hospital first. I'll come right back for you."

I was already losing consciousness from the pain, and couldn't help clutching at his sleeve: "Don't go."

But he didn't hesitate to pry my hand away and turned to stride quickly toward Miranda.

Everything went black, and I lost consciousness completely.