Chapter 1

Everyone in the capital's elite circles knew that Andrew Lawson—crown prince of the capital and deputy director of the Investment and Construction Department—was a devoted husband.

Four years of dating, three years of marriage, and not a single scandal to his name. While others in their social circle stirred up endless drama, Andrew came straight home after work.

We cooked together, ate together, went shopping, and watched movies. Three years in, we were still sickeningly sweet, envied by many.

Then I found out he'd been keeping a college girl in a private apartment.

That day, I stormed in, eyes blazing red, and grabbed him by the shirt. "You swore it would only ever be us—was that all just bullshit? Three years, and that's all your promise was worth?"

Andrew held my gaze for a long moment, then gently wrapped his hand around mine. "Emily, don't get upset over something so trivial. I'll send her away."

So he did. He came back.

Life settled. Everything felt normal again, like nothing had ever happened.

Then, at a class reunion, I caught a conversation in the restroom—the girl who was supposed to be gone had nearly taken her own life over Andrew.

He hadn't ended it. He'd just moved her to a different apartment, more carefully hidden than before.

That was when it clicked. His return came with the expectation that I'd be understanding about it.

*****

"Who would've thought Emily would end up like this? She acted like she owned the place back in college!"

It was Sophie Carter talking. She'd chased after Andrew in college but failed, and she never liked me.

"Just because she landed Andrew, she thought she was above us. And the non-stop flaunting after marriage? Please."

I leaned against the stall door, my fingers digging into my palm.

"See? That's what you get for being all lovey-dovey. Three years in, and Andrew's already got himself a college girl on the side. And get this—she's the sweet, innocent type. Just like Emily back in college."

Another woman chimed in, "Didn't Andrew kick that college girl out after Emily blew up at the apartment? I thought he was back with Emily."

"Back? Yeah, right!" Sophie sneered, clearly enjoying my misfortune.

"Andrew's buddy Jason said after Andrew kicked her out, the girl tried to kill herself. Andrew found her, blood everywhere, and completely lost it. Rushed her to the hospital, saved her, and now he's set her up in a new apartment. Looks like she's not going anywhere."

"God. So what happens to Emily?"

"What can she do? Deal with it! In this circle, men have side pieces—that's just how it is. We all put up with it. What makes Emily so special? No connections, no family money. Valedictorian, big deal—she's still nobody. Who does she think she is?"

"Yeah, marrying Andrew was like winning the lottery for her."

I took a deep breath and pushed open the stall door.

As the door clicked open, the laughter and chatter outside died instantly.

Sophie and Rachel Evans stood frozen at the sink, their smug expressions turning to panic in an instant.

I walked toward them.

My heels struck the marble floor with a crisp, piercing sound that sliced through the silence.

Sophie went pale. "E-Emily... when did you get here—"

I didn't answer.

I stepped right up to them and raised my hand.

"Emily, stop."

A man's voice from the doorway.

Andrew was standing there in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, wearing the birthday tie I'd given him last year. His face was calm, maybe even a little cold.

"We'll talk about it at home," he added, then gave me a pointed look.

I knew that look all too well—it was a warning, telling me not to stir things up here.

For seven years, whenever anyone disrespected me, Andrew had always shut it down—usually harder than they deserved.

I remembered a party where some rich kid said, "Emily's only good for her looks." Andrew slammed his glass down, his face cold. "Who gave you the right to comment on my wife?"

Back then, I thought he was the one I'd spend the rest of her life with.

Yet here we are.

Now, instead of defending me, he just told me, "Stop."

Watched as others tore me down, worried only that I would make a scene and embarrass him.

I let my hand fall and looked at him.

There was still a stupid, stubborn flicker of hope in me—that he'd walk over, put his arm around me, and say, "What are you talking about? I've only ever loved my wife."

But he didn't.

He just stood there, cold as a statue.

"Let's go," he said, his voice already tinged with impatience.

Sophie and Rachel took their chance and slipped past. As Sophie went by, she let out a quiet scoff.

That sound cut through the last layer of denial I'd been holding onto.