Chapter 1

My dad Richard Bennett's first love Celia Shaw was back.

For the sake of true love, he was willing to divorce my mom and marry his first love, even if it meant leaving with nothing.

My mom, Olivia Summers, agreed.

Let me see if his precious first love will still marry him now that he's got nothing left.

*****

When I got home, the atmosphere was weird.

Richard, who was always obsessed with work, was actually home before me for the first time ever.

And Olivia, who was always smiling, was sitting on the couch looking stone-faced.

"Emily, your dad and I are getting divorced," Olivia said.

Her words were like a bomb going off in my head. I was totally blindsided.

After hearing Olivia out, I finally got the whole picture.

Back then, Richard had a crush he could never win over. When she left for abroad, he lost all hope.

Then Olivia set her sights on Richard and chased after him like crazy.

So They married.

Now, his first love is back, and they bumped into each other. Richard thinks it's destiny, and he's hell-bent on getting a divorce, no matter what.

I shot back. "Let's not even talk about how long it's been since you last saw her. Back then, when you were just a broke nobody, she didn't want you.

"Now that you're the CEO of a public company, she suddenly wants you. So, is it your money or you she's after?"

"Don't you dare insult Celia." He cut me off, looking like I'd blasphemed his first love.

I'd always been his little princess. When had he ever been this harsh with me?

Olivia and I exchanged a look, both of us seeing the deep disappointment in each other's eyes.

"Since you've already decided to get divorced, as your child, it's not my place to interfere. No matter what happens, you'll always be my parents," I said.

Dad looked genuinely touched. "Emily, I always knew you were a good kid. You always worry about me."

"But I just want to remind you, Dad. If you get divorced, you'll be walking away with nothing to your name. You've put so much blood, sweat, and tears into Summers Corp all these years. Are you really okay with that?"

Richard was a live-in son-in-law. Back then, he was a broke guy with talent but nowhere to show it.

Olivia was so lovestruck, she was desperate to marry him, crying and pleading until she got her way.

Grandpa had no choice but to agree, but he made Richard sign a prenup. If they ever got divorced, Dad would have to leave empty-handed, no matter the reason.

Olivia only cared about enjoying life, while Richard was the one who actually ran the company.

Even so, all the shares were always in Mom's and my names. Not a single share was in Dad's name.

If they got divorced, Dad wouldn't get a dime.

When it came to the big stuff, Olivia always knew what she was doing.

Richard declared, "Celia and I are true love. True love isn't measured by money. I won't take a single dollar from The Summers Family. I'll build everything from the ground up and make sure Celia is happy."

What a motivational speech.

But if he couldn't make it on his own when he was young, what makes him think he can pull it off now, in his forties?

All these years running Summers Corp had given him a lot of confidence and a lot of pride.

Did he really think he'd still be the respected "Mr. Summers" without Summers Corp behind him?

"I respect your decision, Dad. So, let's convene a board meeting in a couple of days and have me succeed as Chairman," I said.

Dad was stunned. "What do you mean? The board decides who the Chairman is. Since when do you get to make that call?"

I let out a soft laugh. "Dad, you're confused. The board made you Chairman because Mom and I hold the majority of shares in Summers Corp. We voted you in.

"Now that you're divorcing Mom, do you really think we'll still support you? A Chairman with no shares doesn't even qualify to be on the board, right?"

Ricahrd was left speechless by my words, unable to argue back. He could only turn to Olivia and ask, "Olivia, is that what you think too?"

Olivia was even sharper than me. "Do you even get what 'walking away with nothing' means?

"Once you divorce me, you're out of the Summers Family. What makes you think you can still run our company or collect a paycheck from Summers Corp? You've got some nerve."

Richard's face turned bright red. "I'm still Emily's real dad."

I nodded. "Sure, sure. When you hit retirement age, I'll make sure you get your support payments on time. Relax, Dad, I'll totally take care of you in your golden years. No way I'll let you end up lonely and miserable."

Richard was all about saving face, and after hearing us say that, he didn't push it anymore.

He shot back, "I don't need it. The Summers Family's money means nothing to me. I'll make something of myself from scratch, just watch me."

He stormed out, and Olivia and I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Seeing Olivia wasn't really upset, I couldn't help but ask, "Mom, you used to be so crazy about Dad. You even went on a hunger strike to marry him, going against Grandpa. How come you're letting go so easily now?"

Olivia replied, "I was totally blinded by your dad's looks when I was young. Now his belly's bigger than his head. The crush is long gone.

"I only kept the marriage going out of responsibility. Now that he's the one asking for a divorce, why wouldn't I be happy?"

The best cure for being lovesick? Just wait until your crush loses their charm.