Chapter 1

In the seventh year of our relationship, my wife suddenly hooked up with a male model.

For a cheap thrill, she replaced our engagement party slideshow with bedroom photos of her and the model.

The guests whispered and pointed at the giant screen.

Yet, she just grabbed my sleeve, acting as if she were the victim.

"I don't know who pulled this prank, Ethan. But the ceremony schedule is tight, and the media is waiting. Why don’t we let Julian stand on stage for you first?"

My friends nudged me, whispering that she wasn't worth it and telling me to dump her on the spot.

Instead, I squeezed her hand and nodded.

"You're right. Let's do that."

Seeing me agree, Chloe smiled with relief. She promised me that when the actual wedding came, she would definitely let me stand on stage.

But what she didn't know was...

We didn't have a future anymore.

I shoved the engagement ring into Chloe’s hand, ignored the whispers around us, and walked out of the banquet hall.

Chloe called my name and chased me for a few steps, but Julian quickly grabbed her arm.

"The guests are still waiting, Chloe. We can talk about this after the party."

Sitting in my car, I watched their retreating backs through the window as they walked back inside.

Right after, the colorful fireworks we ordered for the ceremony shot into the sky.

The fireworks formed the initials of their names. I laughed bitterly.

A prank? A mistake? This was clearly a "surprise" they had planned all along.

If this were the old me, I would have confronted Chloe in a rage, demanding an explanation.

But now, I was just exhausted.

My love for her had already died in all her previous "accidents."

Back at our apartment, I looked at the cozy home I had personally designed, and a bitter taste filled my mouth.

I had chased Chloe for five long years. When she finally accepted my proposal, I couldn't sleep for days. I even rented the giant billboard downtown to declare my love for her.

But last month, she suddenly suggested delaying the wedding and registering our marriage at City Hall first.

Though disappointed, I figured it didn't matter as long as we ended up together.

Looking back, she didn't fear marriage. She just didn't want to be tied to me.

I quietly finished the anniversary cake I bought for her, then crawled into bed and fell asleep.

Sometime later, I felt cold hands sliding over my chest.

Startled, I snapped my eyes open and saw Chloe sitting on the edge of the bed.

She smelled of the damp night air. Instantly awake, I pushed her away with all my strength.

She didn't expect that. She stared at me, shocked.

"Ethan, are you still mad about the party? I can explain."

"No need."

There was nothing to be mad about. I had been pathetic in this relationship for too long. Now, I just wanted to let go.

Seeing my blank face, Chloe tried to hug me again.

"I know it was an important night, and it was ruined by some irrelevant people. You must feel bad. But don't worry, I've already fired the staff responsible. Besides, many of our business partners were there today."

"You know how hard we worked to get our startup to this point. If we made a scene, all our years of effort would have gone down the drain."

Just as she finished speaking, the bedroom door pushed open.

Julian walked in casually, holding a glass of warm water.

"Chloe, it was windy on the way back. Drink some warm water so you don't catch a cold."

Chloe took the glass. She didn't seem to think it was weird at all to bring another man into our home in the middle of the night.

"You ran off without saying a word, Ethan. Julian had to help me apologize to everyone, and he even drove me home this late. Why haven't you said thank you to him?"

And whose fault was all of this? Now she wanted me to thank him?

Seeing my cold expression, Julian waved his hands politely. "Don't say that, Chloe. As your assistant, it’s my job to keep you safe and get you home. It’s the least I could do."

Chloe smiled warmly. "I knew I made the right choice hiring you. I wish the other employees in the company were half as caring as you."

I looked away, not wanting to watch their little drama anymore.

It was no secret that Chloe favored Julian.

Julian was a college dropout who used to work as a bartender. Relying solely on his pretty face and sweet talk, Chloe had brought him into the company and made him her personal assistant.

Since he joined, he had become untouchable.

When Julian made mistakes, the team took the fall. Even when his negligence leaked a major bid and cost us millions in orders, Chloe only docked the marketing department's pay.

And I was the director of marketing.

When I tried to get justice for my team, Chloe just said coldly, "I've made my decision, Ethan. Changing it now would make me look weak to the board."

But now, I was done.

Since Julian was so sweet and perfect, they deserved to be locked together forever.

Seeing my silence, Chloe nudged my shoulder.

"I'm talking to you. What's with the attitude?"

I nodded and looked up at her blankly.

Only a dim lamp was lit in the room, casting a warm yellow glow over us, yet I felt freezing cold.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault."

My fault for sleeping in my own bed. My fault for leaving after my marriage was turned into a joke.

Chloe didn't catch the sarcasm. She smiled, satisfied.

"Since you're apologizing, I won't hold a grudge. But it's really late, and I don't feel safe having Julian drive back alone. You should drive him home."

I let out a cold laugh, got out of bed, grabbed my jacket, and walked toward the door.

When Julian tried to follow, I blocked him.

"No need. I'm leaving. The place is yours. Do whatever you want."

Chloe froze, then marched over to me, her voice rising in anger.

"What did you just say? Where do you think you're going?"

Looking at her arrogant face, I smiled faintly.

"Chloe, let's get a divorce."