Chapter 1

"Amelia, sign this." Daniel Foster shoved the divorce papers in Amelia Harrison's face without a shred of mercy.

The sharp edge of the paper grazed her soft cheek, leaving a faint red line behind.

Daniel looked down at her, his eyes icy, like she was some annoying piece of trash.

"Three years as husband and wife, and you're already so eager to end it?" Amelia's voice was barely above a whisper, trembling ever so slightly.

It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her heart, the pain so sharp that she could hardly breathe.

For three years, she devoted herself to Daniel, cooking his meals, giving up everything she once had, and hiding her true self to be his gentle, caring wife.

'But what do I get for all that? He is kicking me out for another woman,' Amelia thought.

Standing next to Daniel was a woman in a white dress, Harper Irving.

She leaned weakly against Daniel, gazing timidly at Amelia with red-rimmed eyes, as if she had been wronged terribly.

"Daniel, please don't. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come back and disturbed you two." Harper's voice was soft and syrupy.

Daniel held Harper tighter, his gaze toward Amelia growing more contemptuous. "Harper, this has nothing to do with you. I'm sick of it."

He pulled a black card from his wallet and tossed it onto the coffee table in front of Amelia. "This card's getting cut off now. Amelia, you're nothing but a gold-digger. Let's see how you manage without the Foster family's cash."

His words hit Amelia like a poisoned knife, stabbing right through her heart.

'A gold-digger? Seriously? He thinks I need the Foster family's money? That's hilarious,' Amelia scoffed inwardly.

Amelia stared at that shameless couple, and whatever warmth she had left inside was shattered for good.

She suddenly laughed, a bitter edge mixed with relief. "Daniel, you really think I can't make it without you?"

Daniel scoffed, making it clear he agreed.

To him, Amelia was a pretty face with nothing to offer, living in luxury only because of his money.

Amelia slowly stood up and picked up the divorce papers. Without bothering with the terms, she flipped straight to the last page. Daniel's signature was already there, written with a decisive, almost impatient flourish, like he was eager to cut ties for good.

"Give me a pen," she said coolly.

Daniel paused, not expecting her to be so decisive.

Harper, playing the caring act, pulled a fancy pen from her bag and handed it over.

Amelia took the pen without glancing at her and pressed hard as she signed her name, each letter etched with force, as if she was channeling every ounce of love and hate from the past three years into the ink.

"All done." She flung the signed divorce papers back at Daniel. "From this moment on, we're finished."

With that, she turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation.

The servants in the living room kept their heads lowered, barely daring to breathe.

They all expected Amelia to break down, sob, and beg Daniel not to divorce her. But instead, she walked out with her head held high, leaving everyone stunned by how unfazed she was.

Daniel watched Amelia's determined figure as she walked away, and a sudden, inexplicable anger flared up inside him.

'Is she really that indifferent? Or is she playing hard to get?' he thought.

"Such a fake," he muttered under his breath. Then, pulling Harper closer, his voice softened. "Harper, don't be afraid. You've got me now. I won't let anyone bully you ever again."

Harper nestled into his embrace, a glint of smug satisfaction flickering in her eyes. 'Amelia, you want to compete with me? You're not close. Starting today, I'm the new Mrs. Foster,' she thought.

*****

Amelia stepped out of the villa, the sunlight blinding her for a moment. She tilted her head back and took a deep breath, finally feeling the suffocating weight in her chest ease a little.

'Three years of my youth are wasted, but it's okay,' she thought.

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn't reached out to in forever.

The call was picked up almost instantly.

"Well, well, my dear sister, you finally remember me, huh?" came a teasing male voice, laced with unmistakable affection.

Amelia's throat tightened, and tears threatened to fall. She fought back the sob in her throat, forcing herself to sound calm. "Christopher, I've had enough. Come pick me up."

There was a brief silence on the other end, then Christopher exploded with a thunderous roar. "That bastard Daniel messed with you? Wait. I'm grabbing my guys, and we're going to storm his place."

Amelia closed her eyes, feeling drained. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a chilling edge. "No need, Christopher. I want to settle these things on my own."

'Daniel, you think divorce is the end? Not a chance. This is the beginning. I'll make you pay every single thing you owe me tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold,' she swore to herself.