Chapter 1

I sponsored a female student from a low-income family through her MBA, never imagining she would become my husband Connor's assistant.

Under the spotlight, my husband and she danced intimately, kissing in front of everyone.

During our eight years of marriage, I had sold my design patents to help him launch his business and given up my career to become a full-time homemaker.

Our son was seriously ill in the hospital, yet he hung up on me without a second thought.

A few days later, I delivered the ring made from a soda can pull-tab to the birthday party he was throwing for his assistant.

“Let's get a divorce.”

————————

1

Under the spotlight, Connor and Lidia were dancing intimately, and as the music ended, they gazed deeply into each other's eyes.

"Our boss and Lidia are a perfect match!"

"The mood is so perfect, kiss her!"

The surrounding crowd cheered them on.

I stood at the doorway, my eyes welling up with tears, as I dialed Connor's number one last time.

He glanced at his phone and rejected the call without a second thought.

Lidia seized the opportunity, rising onto her tiptoes to press her lips against Connor's.

The entire room erupted in applause.

A hot tear rolled down my cheek... My son, Luke, was in the hospital with a high fever, crying for his dad. A few hours ago, I had called Connor, and he hung up, using the excuse that he was too busy with a client meeting.

So this was what Connor meant by "busy"—busy flirting with Lidia.

Suddenly, someone called my name.

Connor whipped his head around. When he saw me, his expression froze, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes before he hastily took a step back.

All eyes turned to me.

"No wonder our boss was so engrossed in his dance with Lidia. Turns out his wife looks like a country bumpkin."

"Yeah, with that short hair, she's dressed like a tomboy."

"Look at how plain she is. Our boss is merciful for not dumping her already, yet she has the nerve to come here and cause a scene."

Listening to their insults, I clenched my fists and silently turned to leave.

But to my surprise, Lidia quickly caught up to me.

"Stella, since you're already here, why not have a glass of champagne before you go?"

Rage burned in my chest as I looked at this poor student whose MBA I had funded.

What right did she have to speak to me with the tone of a hostess?

"Stella, you're not actually mad, are you? Everyone was just joking. It was a silly penalty for a game, don't take it seriously."

"Just now, everyone was treating me like Connor's wife. Who knows, if Luke were here, he might even call me Mommy..."

Lidia continued her provocation, the corners of her mouth curling into a distinct, mocking smirk.

How dare she drag Luke into this.

I backhanded her across the face, but before I could get a word out, a champagne glass smashed against my forehead.

"Stella! When did you become so unreasonable? How could you hit Lidia in public?"

Enraged, Connor rushed over, berating me while pulling Lidia into an embrace to comfort her.

Just moments ago, when others were humiliating and belittling me, Connor had remained indifferent.

But now, he was rushing to protect Lidia, completely ignoring how outrageous her words had been.

"I'm sorry, Connor. It's all my fault... If I hadn't come to the annual gala with you, Stella wouldn't have gotten so jealous and angry."

Lidia squeezed out a few tears, playing the pitiful victim.

And it only made Connor's heart ache for her more.

"Stella! Apologize to Lidia right now!"

He commanded, his voice sharp and his face stern.

The people around us also started pointing their fingers at me, whispering that I was asking for trouble and that I wasn't satisfied even after marrying a rich husband.

Champagne mixed with blood blurred my vision.

Without a word, I turned and left. I drove straight to the hospital, only to learn that my son had to be resuscitated again and was now lying unconscious.

Looking at his pale little face,

a heavy, stone-like pain settled in my chest, and I immediately contacted my lawyer to have the divorce papers sent over the next day.

Back when Connor and I got married, we had drafted a divorce agreement together.

We agreed that if we fell out of love, we would set each other free.