Chapter 1

Leon was known as the perfect husband in Brookfield's social circles—always polite, always reliable, and the kind of man every woman dreamed of.

Ever since he met his wife, Olivia, he stopped attending parties, dinners, or private clubs. He never let anyone introduce him to other women.

Every single employee at Foster Holdings was male.

But today, Olivia had just stepped outside to toss a bag of trash, only to turn the corner and catch her husband, Leon, locked in a passionate embrace with another woman.

'So it turns out, even those who claim to love you most can betray you without a second thought,' Olivia thought bitterly.

*****

"Olivia, I'm sorry I've fallen for someone else," Leon said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia's heart dropped, and she turned to face him, her face went pale.

"Who is she?" Olivia's voice shook as she asked.

"Her name is Rachel. She's the youngest daughter at the grocery store on the first street to the right of our neighborhood," Leon said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've only known her for a month and a day. Remember that day you said you were craving ice cream, and I rushed out to get it for you? That's when I met her," he added.

Olivia stood there in silence for a long moment, taking several deep breaths to steady herself.

This year marked the seventh year since she and Leon first met, and the third year of their marriage.

They met during their senior year of high school—the same year Olivia's father passed away. Her mom was working overtime at a breakfast stall to pay off debts, and Olivia was up all night, every night, battling insomnia.

Leon just happened to spot her one morning while grabbing breakfast.

He found a reason to introduce himself. When Olivia decided to retake her exams, he'd catch a flight back every week to help her prep for tests and pick out colleges.

When Leon went abroad for his sophomore year, Olivia's mom lost her battle with cancer. Olivia cried herself to sleep every night, and when she finally couldn't take it anymore, she called him. She couldn't even get a word out—just sobbed into the phone.

Leon didn't hesitate—he booked a flight and was by her side the very next day.

Leon paid for her parents' funerals and helped her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Then, in the darkness of her room, he confessed his feelings for her for the very first time—and kissed her.

Back then, Leon kissed her and asked if she'd stay by his side. "With me, you'll finally have a place to call home," he said.

Olivia's eyes brimmed with tears as she collapsed into Leon's arms, sobbing uncontrollably until she could barely breathe, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping her together.

Still gasping for air, Olivia whispered, "I want to be with you," her voice trembling with hope and desperation.

After Leon graduated, he wasted no time marrying her—he just couldn't wait.

Olivia believed she'd finally have a place to belong, that she could spend her whole life with him.

*****

"So this is it? You're really telling me you want a divorce?" Olivia whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Leon saw her reaction and seemed to relax a little, a faint smile returning to his face. He reached out to take her hand, trying to ease the tension, not even noticing how cold her hand was.

"Don't worry, Olivia. I'm not divorcing you. I'll get her her own place—I'd never make you share a roof with her," he said, his voice softening.

"Can you forgive me, Olivia?" Leon pleaded, his eyes searching hers for forgiveness.

Olivia stared at Leon, standing right in front of her, his right arm still wrapped tightly around Rachel.

She took several steps back until her back slammed into a stone pillar in the villa complex, causing her to fall hard to the ground—only then did she finally come to her senses.

"Are you okay, Olivia?" Leon called out, worry flooding his voice.

Leon was startled and hurried over, trying to help her up, carefully checking her for any signs of injury.

Olivia had no idea how she made it back home—her mind was a total blur. But Leon was still with Rachel.

Her mouth was parched, but her hands were shaking so badly she couldn't even hold a glass. It slipped from her grasp and crashed to the floor with a loud bang, snapping her back to reality.

Olivia let out a shaky laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks. She glanced up at their wedding photo on the wall.

The man who once promised to love her forever, who used to pamper her so much he wouldn't even let her pour her own water, had managed to fall for someone else in just a few short weeks.

She used to believe she was his one and only, but now it was painfully clear—she was just another Olivia, easily replaced, just another fleeting crush in his life.

In the end, she was nothing but a temporary stop in Leon's story, outshined by time and the excitement of something new.

Olivia wiped away her tears, pulled out her phone, and called her lawyer.

Olivia said, "Can you draw up a divorce agreement for me? No need to split anything.

"Just send it over before you clock out."

She hung up, her heart throbbing with pain.

"Since you've already moved on, I'll leave you for good," Olivia said to Leon, her voice trembling but resolute.

*****

After thinking it over, Olivia decided to go to the law firm herself to pick up the divorce agreement.

But as soon as she walked in, she heard Leon's voice.

"I want to hire a legal team to help my girlfriend, Ms. Rachel Wynn, have her assets—now and in the future—legally protected," Leon said, his voice steady but firm.

"So Olivia can't come after any of it down the line," he added, his voice icy and businesslike.

Olivia rushed straight into the VIP consultation room she always used. As soon as she stepped inside, she was greeted by a huge slide on the wall, the words "Certificate of Property Transfer During Marriage" blazing in bold letters.

Leon was totally blindsided, never expecting to run into Olivia right then and there.

After a brief silence, Leon stood up and reached for her wrist.

"Olivia, please, let me explain," Leon pleaded, his voice desperate.

"It's really not what you think. I'm just afraid something unexpected might happen down the line," he said, trying to justify himself.

"Rachel comes from a poor family, and her mom is battling cancer. I just can't stand seeing her go through all this," Leon added, his voice softening.

With every word Leon spoke, Olivia's heart grew colder and more numb.

All she wanted was to pull away from Leon, but almost on instinct, her hand flew up and landed a slap right across his face.

The room went dead silent. Rachel let out a sharp gasp, instantly pulling Leon back and anxiously checking his cheek, looking genuinely concerned.

"You crazy bitch! You don't deserve to be Leon's wife!" Rachel snapped, her voice sharp and full of spite.

Rachel glared at Olivia, her eyes burning with hatred.

Olivia stared at her trembling hand, the harsh fluorescent lights in the law firm making her head spin.

Leon looked helpless, a trace of irritation flickering across his face.

"Rachel's only twenty. Do you have to make such a fuss?" Leon said, his voice tight with frustration.

"We already agreed on this. Why are you still making things difficult for Rachel?" he added, his tone sharp.

Olivia slowly crouched down, covering her ears with her hands, the ringing in her head so loud it felt like her skull was about to split open.

She looked up at the two of them—Leon was gently running his fingers through Rachel's hair and caressing her cheek, softly reassuring her, "I'm okay, don't worry."

"Ms. Hart, here's your divorce agreement," the lawyer said, stepping into the room and handing her the papers.

Another lawyer walked in and handed her the divorce agreement.

Leon reached out, offering his hand to help her to her feet.

Olivia finally steadied her breath, leaning on the lawyer's hand for support as she stood up, her back to Leon.

"What's this?" Leon asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.

Leon was the one who asked.

But Olivia didn't answer. She turned around and looked up at him.

Olivia said, "Leon, from today on, I won't interfere in your life anymore.

"Love whoever you want, it has nothing to do with me.

"Spend your money on whoever you want, I don't care.

"I'm divorcing you. That's final."