Chapter 1

During the equity transfer signing, my wife's guy best friend deliberately signed his own name on the deed.

The company I had built with blood, sweat, and tears as a gift for my wife now belonged to him.

When I confronted him in utter disbelief, he dramatically grabbed a bottle of weed killer, threatening to drink it and die to atone for his "honest mistake."

He bawled his eyes out, wailing that he was a struggling single dad, and that unless he was desperate to raise money for his leukemia-stricken daughter's bone marrow transplant, he never would've had the nerve to do it.

My wife, who had always favored him, kicked me violently in the stomach.

"It's just a damn startup! Is it that big of a deal? It's not like you don't have the money to launch another one! Why do you always have to be so petty?!"

"He only did it because his little girl is dying! He humbled himself to ask you, and you're making a scene? Get on your knees and apologize to Julian right now, or we're getting a divorce!"

What she didn't know was that I was already done with her.

My wife, Summer, glared at me with pure fury.

Her circle of friends immediately chimed in with sneers.

"Ethan, you're always counting pennies. Summer's right—it's not like you're hurting for cash or time to build another business. Why kick a man when he's down?"

"Look how pissed Summer is! Get on your knees and apologize to Julian already!"

Summer tilted her chin up arrogantly, her voice icy. "Everyone sees how wrong you are. Still haven't realized your mistake? Kneel down before Julian right now!"

Pale and clutching my aching stomach where her heel had struck, I slowly pushed myself up.

Whenever Julian was involved, our marriage turned into a war zone.

Over in the corner, Julian held an unopened bottle of weed killer, theatrically sobbing about paying with his life.

Anyone with half a brain could see it was a staged performance put on exclusively for Summer.

I let out a cold scoff. I was done humbling myself to soothe Summer's ego, and I sure as hell wasn't playing along with their circus anymore.

"Go ahead and drink it, then. Because I am never dropping to my knees for anyone. Not now. Not ever."

Without another word, I turned my back on the stunned room and walked away.

Years ago, back when Summer was just an exhausted entry-level worker, she had smiled and told me how much she dreamed of being her own boss with her own company.

An offhand comment from her, and I busted my ass for eight years to make it reality.

I poured everything into building a thriving enterprise just to hand it to her on a silver platter.

And she handed the signing authority straight to Julian.

If my executive assistant hadn't given me a discreet heads-up, I probably would've lived in the dark forever while my company was stolen right out from under me.

The next morning, the moment I stepped into my executive office, I found Julian draped across my leather sofa in a tailored suit.

I froze for a second.

He immediately sprang up with an oily grin. "Ethan! What brings you all the way up here? If you'd given me a heads-up, I would've had my assistant bring you up!"

His smug, entitled tone made it sound like he owned the place and I was just an unwanted guest.

"What the hell are you doing in my office?" I snapped. "Get out."

Summer marched in, scowling. "Ethan, you gave this company to me! What's wrong with me letting Julian sit here?"

"You're a grown man, Ethan. Don't you feel pathetic constantly picking on him?"

"Julian even brought you a peace offering to help you calm down! And look at you—showing up completely empty-handed!"

She shoved a cheap paper fan into my chest—the kind you could pick up at a dollar store for fifty cents.

Looking at the plastic junk in my hands, I let out a bitter laugh.

"I don't need his charity. Tell him to take his trash and get the hell out."

Summer blew up instantly. "Watch your mouth!"

Julian put on a kicked-puppy face. "Ethan, I know you're rich and my gift seems worthless to you. I get it. Once my daughter's treatment is taken care of and I start turning a profit with the firm, I'll make it up to you however you want."

Hearing that, Summer grabbed my arm and dragged me straight into the private lounge.

I braced myself for another screaming match, but instead, she took my hands, softly caressing my fingers.

"Ethan, let's just turn the page, okay? Don't put Julian in such an awkward position."

I said nothing, quietly watching her act.

Then, without an ounce of shame, she whispered, "Just let him keep the company. You already took his fan, so technically it wasn't for free. Think of it as doing a good deed!"

"If you dare say no, I'm done with you. We're getting a divorce!"

I looked at her and smiled coldly. "Fine. Let's get divorced."