Chapter 1

After throwing Danielle Duke's lingerie photo right in Lance's face, I lost control.

Grabbing his tie in a frenzy, I spat out every vile word I could think of from my entire miserable life.

I screamed, "Get the hell out, Lance!

"Why didn't you and that bitch die in bed together?

"You shameless pair! May you die a horrible death and your bloodline end with you."

Only someone who once was the closest knew where to cut deepest.

I gripped Lance's tie so tight that he could barely breathe, his handsome face turning a livid shade. He shoved me away, the veins on his hand standing out.

He straightened his tailored suit, his gaze icy, as if he were looking at something worthless.

Then, he laughed. "Yeah, I'm shameless.

"But don't forget that you stripped naked at eighteen and crawled into my bed, sobbing and begging me to sleep with you.

"And then, you got pregnant and chased me to my dorm, making a huge scene for everyone to gossip about."

What used to be the most passionate devotion had become the sharpest knife.

The man I'd loved for ten years was using my most humiliating memories to shame me in front of all the guests.

He did that all for his delicate, innocent first love, Danielle, standing by his side.

*****

Lance shoved me away, and I staggered, slamming into the icy champagne tower.

Smash! The sound of shattering glasses resonated, as if my heart was splitting apart.

Golden champagne drenched my expensive gown, drenching me in humiliation.

It was Lance's thirtieth birthday, dazzling dresses and sharp suits everywhere, the crème de la crème of society all gathered.

And I, his wife of ten years, was standing there like a fool.

Everyone was staring, some with pity, some with contempt, others waiting for the next scandal.

Lance's mother, Jessie Mayer, rushed over, and instead of helping me, she gave me a slap right across the face.

"Have you lost your mind, Celine? Don't you have any shame?" she yelled.

It burned like hell.

I clutched my face, staring at her, then at the man behind her with that cold, emotionless look.

My self-respect was already torn off and crushed under his feet the moment he brought Danielle into our home.

Jessie jabbed her finger at my nose." Look at yourself, acting like a crazy woman. You've ruined the Mayer family's reputation!"

"Lance is so outstanding. Of course, women are going to flock to him. As his wife, can't you even be a little more tolerant?"

I laughed.

I laughed so hard that tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Tolerent? Is that what you call it?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

I pointed at Danielle, who was cowering behind Lance, wearing a dress like mine but in a different color, looking like some scared little wallflower.

"So what, you want me to let her share my bed now?" I snapped.

"You!" Jessie was so furious that she was shaking.

Lance finally frowned, pulling Danielle even closer behind him, like I was some wild beast ready to attack.

"Celine, don't make a scene here," Lance said, his tone icy.

There wasn't a hint of warmth in his voice, only raw impatience and outright disgust.

"Apologize to Danielle," he ordered.

I stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to apologize to her?"

"She just got back. She doesn't know anything. You scared her," Lance said, his tone icy and protective, like a poisoned dagger stabbing right into my heart.

She didn't know anything and was sprawled out in my bed in sexy lingerie. That was ridiculous.

Right then, Danielle peeked out from behind Lance, her eyes red and her voice trembling. "Lance, it's not Ms. Cooper's fault. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come back."

What a bitch she was!

Watching them put on their show of deep affection, the string in my heart that had been stretched tight for ten years finally snapped.

All the love, the unwillingness to let go, and the hate faded into nothing in that instant.

I slowly got to my feet, rising from the chaos scattered around me.

Tears still marked my face, but I left them there.

I looked at Lance, the man I'd loved for ten years, from eighteen to twenty-eight.

His face was still as handsome as ever, but I felt nothing for him anymore.

My gaze, once hysterical with despair, gradually cooled until it was nothing but lifeless emptiness.

It was like an icy lake, bottomless and frozen solid.

"Lance." My voice was eerily calm. "Let's get a divorce."

Everyone gasped.

Lance's eyes shot open in shock.

He probably thought I'd cry and throw a tantrum, never thought I'd say it out.

Panic flashed across his face, but pure rage took over almost instantly.

"What game are you playing now?" Lance barked.

I didn't bother answering him. I turned away, my drenched gown trailing behind me, crunching right through the broken glass as I made my way out of the banquet hall.

Blood oozed from my feet, leaving tiny, dirty stains across the polished marble floor.

It was like my love over the past decade, humble, crushed into the dust.

I didn't look back.

I knew that from this moment on, the Celine I used to be was gone for good.