Chapter 1

I had been married to Julian for eight years and met every one of his soulmates.

Whenever he grew bored and wanted a change, I became his favorite excuse.

He would tell those women, "Once you enter this household, you'll end up just like her, looking after my daily needs and handling my other women."

On the night of my birthday, he took his newest favorite to admire the river lanterns, leaving me to comfort the heiress from the Summers family, whom he had already cast aside.

Looking at the girl with red-rimmed eyes, I suddenly felt that perhaps I would never see the rake turn back.

*****

The girl sitting across from me was Rose Summers. She'd been crying nonstop for 6 hours since she walked in. She and Julian had only been together for two weeks. He wasn't worth all these tears.

I let out a silent sigh, just about to say something to comfort her, when she suddenly looked up at me. "He always said I was kind of like you. Seeing you in person today, turns out he was right," she said.

I froze for a second. It was the first time I'd ever heard anyone say something like that.

Rose sniffled, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. Her eyes flashed with sarcasm. "You're the least qualified to comfort me. If anything, you're the most pitiful one," she said.

I gave a bitter smile. She was right. Everyone in Riverside City knew just how little I mattered as Julian's wife. It was always me picking up the pieces whenever Julian moved on to someone new.

My dignity had been crushed underfoot long ago, just another joke for everyone to mock. I glanced out the window at the bustling lanterns by the river, picturing Julian out there with his latest fling, taking in the lights together.

Rose's sarcasm didn't bother me. To me, we were no different. "Ms. Summers, I can help you with anything you want, except Julian," I said. My voice was cold and flat, completely devoid of emotion.

She shot me a sideways glance, then suddenly grabbed her coffee cup and flung the contents at me. "I don't want anything!" she snapped.

Her answer didn't surprise me. Every girl before her had said the same thing. But her eyes locked onto mine, burning with open challenge and ambition.

"I'm carrying his child," she said. "I'm going to be his official wife," she declared.

I was stunned, lost for words. I thought my heart had already gone numb, but now that old ache came rushing back. Julian, not a single promise you made to me ever came true.

Chilled to the bone, I climbed into the carriage that had been waiting outside the door.

Julian was there, joking around and flirting with the girl leaning against him. He didn't even try to hide it or look the slightest bit guilty when I showed up.

The girl at his side glanced at me, her eyes glinting with gloating amusement. "Why do you look so pathetic, Mrs. Carter? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were just a maid from the Carter residence," she sneered.

Julian finally bothered to look at me after hearing that. He frowned, his expression turning grim. "Did she throw it at you?"

I didn't answer. Silently, I wiped the tea from my face with a clean handkerchief.

Julian looked annoyed as he snatched the handkerchief from my hand. "Let me do it," he said.

I instinctively tried to pull away, but he just pulled me closer, forcing me to face him. He wiped my face meticulously, though his expression was far from gentle.

"Are you stupid? Why did you just stand there and let her do that?" he snapped. "Lily, where's that attitude you used to throw at me?"

But that spark had long been worn down by his repeated betrayals and impatience. That sense of emptiness that had lingered since I saw Rose finally came crashing down on me.

I pulled away from him, my face cold and my voice icy. "She's carrying your child now. I can't exactly lose my temper with her, can I?" I said.

A flicker of guilt flashed across Julian's face, but he insisted on wiping my face anyway.

The girl next to him glared at me, clearly pissed off. When Julian finally stopped, she snuggled up to him, looking all pitiful and scared.

"Julian, will you ever treat me the way you treat her?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Julian reached out and stroked her cheek, his voice overflowing with affection. "How could I ever bear to treat you like that?" But his expression stayed icy, not a trace of warmth in his eyes.

She totally fell for it, shooting me a proud little smirk and tilting her chin.

I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. Everyone in Riverside City knew Julian always had a new girl on his arm. But there was always someone convinced they'd be the exception. Trying to make a player settle down was almost impossible.