Chapter 1

After my fiancé James Thompson ran off with his childhood sweetheart Mia Carter at our wedding, I got blackout drunk.

The next morning, I woke up next to his older brother, Edward Thompson.

I scrambled to get dressed, my face on fire.

"Don't worry about it. It was just a mistake—no strings attached," I said.

But Edward froze momentarily, his eyes rimmed with red.

"Rachel, am I really that much worse than James? Can't you just look at me for once?"

Something in me cracked, and that same day, we got our marriage license.

For the next five years, Edward treated me like a queen.

Everyone said he'd been crazy about me forever, and I always believed it.

Then at a party, I overheard Edward talking to his friend.

"Edward, you gave everything to James so Mia could have a good life, and you even married his ex-girlfriend. If you care about Mia so much, why didn't you just marry her yourself?"

Edward laughed bitterly. "Mia's always loved James, not me. I just want her to be happy—with the man she truly loves. As long as she's happy, I'd do anything."

At that moment, my blood turned to ice. So everything I believed was a lie.

*****

I stumbled out of the hotel, devastated.

At home, I sat staring at the notebook in front of me—every page filled with household expenses, down to the last cent.

From day one, Edward treated me like I was everything—always gentle, always attentive.

So when he told me he'd gone bankrupt that first year, I didn't mind at all. I threw myself into work, determined to stand by him and help him rebuild.

But now I finally saw it—it was all an elaborate con from the start.

Just then, I felt arms slide around my waist from behind, and Edward's familiar, gentle voice whispered, "Rachel, what are you doing?"

I took a breath, closed the notebook, and kept my voice light. "Just balancing the books."

Edward frowned, then gave me that same helpless smile. "You're running yourself into the ground. I've told you—don't push so hard. What good is having a husband if I can't take care of you?"

As he spoke, his hand cupped my cheek, eyes full of concern.

"You should get out more and see the world. Live a little, like Mia does."

Back then, I was genuinely moved. I thought he really cared.

Before we married, I was all about traveling and freedom.

Now it just felt like a sick joke.

This wasn't concern—he was telling me I'd never measure up to Mia.

He forgot that every meal, every bite he took, was made with my care.

He forgot that I handled every single chore in this house.

He'd never dragged himself to the chaotic market at 5 a.m., never fought the crowds for supermarket discounts. Of course, he didn't understand—this endless cycle of groceries and housework had killed any desire I had to see the world.

I clenched my fists and tried to sound casual as I looked at him. "Did you forget what today is?"

Edward frowned, thinking hard, until it finally clicked.

I thought he'd remembered our anniversary.

Instead, he didn't even look at me. He just grabbed his phone and headed out. "Mia and James said they'd be free to call today. Can't believe I almost forgot..."

My heart sank with every word.

The truth was, Edward's feelings for Mia were never a secret.

Whenever he talked about her, his whole tone changed.

My eyes subconsciously drifted to the faded watch on his wrist.

He'd told me it was from Mia.

Back then, I was naive—I thought he just saw her as a little sister. I busted my ass saving up to buy him a nicer watch, something I thought would suit him better.

But now I finally understood what that watch really meant.