Chapter 1

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my mother fell critically ill.

In desperation, I had no choice but to sell the gold jewelry Alexander Thorne had given me when we got engaged.

At current market prices, it was worth about $90,000, just enough for my mother’s surgery.

But before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, the sales associate looked at me with disdain.

“Ma’am, these pieces are fake. They’re worth less than two thousand dollars, at best.”

“Fake?”

I froze, stunned.

Before I could process it, a familiar female voice suddenly drifted over—

“When will the golden throne Alexander ordered for me be delivered? He said I’m his delicate little princess, unlike some cheap women who are easily satisfied with knock-offs!”

I turned, meeting a pair of mocking eyes.

It was Serena, Alexander Thorne’s secretary, the one he was always talking about.

The young woman was decked out in designer clothes, looking perfectly polished.

Unlike her usual humble and polite demeanor when she faced me, now, the challenge in her eyes was completely unconcealed.

I instantly realized: Alexander Thorne was cheating on me.

“Oh, Ms. Serena, what perfect timing! Mr. Thorne’s Hermès order from last Wednesday just arrived!”

The sales associate at the next counter enthusiastically chatted with Serena.

I flinched.

Last Wednesday was Lily’s birthday.

But Lily and I waited until 2 AM, and Alexander never came home.

He said he was busy with work, but it turned out he was busy with another woman.

My chest ached, my eyes burned, but I dug my nails into my palms, trying to hold it together.

I forced myself to remain calm.

“Some people act like they’re living the high life, a trophy wife with everything, but they can’t even keep their husband’s attention.”

“And what’s worse, at an age when she’s already being cast aside, she finds out even her wedding jewelry was fake! How pathetic!”

Serena scoffed, raising an eyebrow at me.

I forced a strained smile, my voice flat.

“But no matter what, it’s better than being a rat crawling out of the gutter, wouldn’t you agree?”

Serena’s face changed.

I ignored her, my steps stiff as I walked away.

Back home, I pulled out all the designer bags and jewelry Alexander had given me, intending to sell them.

But the results were, without exception, all fakes.

The revelation hit me like a plunge into icy waters.

Three years of dating, five years of marriage… what did I even mean to Alexander Thorne?

Thinking of my mother’s surgery costs, I swallowed my heartbreak and rushed to Alexander Thorne’s company.

I brushed past the startled secretary who was about to announce my arrival, standing emotionless outside Alexander Thorne’s office door.

Just as I was about to enter, I heard a familiar voice, filled with utter disdain—

“I never loved Elara Lin. Back then, she went to great lengths to win over my mother, which is why I was forced to be with her.”

“Later, when she was humiliated by all those people, I just watched.”

“A woman so tainted, so utterly cheap. Giving her the title of ‘Mrs. Thorne’ was already more than enough; what more could she possibly want?”

I froze in disbelief, staring blankly at Alexander.

The disgust in his eyes when he spoke of me pierced me like a blade.

Alexander Thorne was the older student I had a crush on back in college.

It was me who saved his mother, who needed a blood transfusion after a car accident.

And it was me who pulled all-nighters writing business proposals, supporting him as he started his company.

Eight years ago, in the dead of winter, Alexander’s startup failed, leaving him with massive debts.

Debt collectors came to our door, and when they couldn't get their money, they humiliated me right in front of him.

At that moment, Alexander’s eyes were shockingly red, like a trapped beast with its throat choked.

He proposed to me then and there.

He swore he’d never let me down, not ever.

After we married, I quickly gave birth to our daughter.

As Alexander Thorne’s business grew, I willingly stepped back, managing everything at home.

But I never imagined that in Alexander Thorne’s heart, I was so cheap!

Eight years, and all I got in return was his disdain!

“Alexander.”

I suddenly burst into his office.

He flinched, instinctively pushing Serena off his lap.

“Elara, how long have you been here?”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I went straight to asking for money.

Alexander Thorne frowned.

“How much?”

“Ninety thousand dollars.”

“Mrs. Thorne!”

Serena gasped suddenly.

She looked at me with a condemning gaze.

“How can you be so demanding? Asking for ninety thousand dollars just like that? Don’t you ever think about Mr. Thorne?”

I sneered.

“What does my private business with Alexander have to do with you?”

Serena’s eyes reddened.

“Mrs. Thorne, you always use your status as Mrs. Thorne to humiliate me. I can take it, but I just feel for Mr. Thorne…”

A flicker of emotion crossed Alexander’s eyes.

When he looked back at me, there was displeasure in his gaze.

“Elara, the company’s cash flow isn’t great right now; I can’t spare that much.”

His tone shifted.

“Besides, you never cared for these things before, did you?”

I stared at him deeply.

“Alexander, my mother is critically ill. That’s her life savings!”