Chapter 1

My father entrusted me to my fiancé, Morgan Parry, on his deathbed. But on our wedding day, Morgan proposed to my best friend, Celia Barnett.

Feeling utterly defeated, I was surprised when Gerardo, Morgan's uncle, confessed his feelings and asked me to marry him.

Three years into our marriage, Morgan died in a tragic accident. Celia was crushed and decided to retreat to a church for solace.

One afternoon, while I was delivering lunch to Gerardo, I unexpectedly overheard his conversation with his secretary.

"Mr. Parry, this month you've donated 30 thousand dollars to the church and wired 300 thousand dollars to Miss Barnett. But all this money comes from Mrs. Parry's inheritance. If she finds out you've been giving it to Miss Barnett, aren't you afraid she'll leave you?" the secretary said.

"She'd just squander it anyway. I'd rather give everything to Celia. As long as Celia's happy, I'll do whatever it takes," Gerardo said flatly.

I stood outside the door, as if I'd fallen into an icy abyss.

My father's inheritance was being spent by my husband—to take care of another woman.

All this time, I believed our love was true, but it turned out I was the only one acting out this devotion.

If that were the case, what was the point of me holding on anymore? I was just fooling myself this whole time.

"But still, sir… this was Mrs. Parry's father's legacy," the secretary said, her voice full of anxiety.

I held my breath, my trembling hands gripping the lunchbox so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Gerardo let out a cold laugh, his voice dripping with contempt.

"Her dad gave me this money himself before he passed. As long as you don't say a word, she'll never know," he replied.

The secretary mumbled a reluctant "Yes, sir."

Gerardo pressed on, his voice full of urgency. "How's Celia doing? Has she said anything about coming back?"

"Morgan's death was an accident. Why does she keep blaming herself?" he added.

When he talked about Celia, there was a tenderness in his voice—a kind of gentle care I'd never heard from him before. It made me feel like I hardly knew this man at all.

The secretary's voice steadied.

"Miss Barnett said she'll be back next week for your birthday, Mr. Parry. But she's your nephew's wife. No matter how much you love her, you have to restrain yourself. If any scandal gets out, the company's stock price will take another big hit..."

Gerardo closed his eyes for a moment, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

"I know. As long as Celia's happy, that's all that matters. Just being able to watch her from a distance is enough for me," he said.

I stood outside the door, unable to hold back my tears—they streamed down my face uncontrollably.

As I tried to slip away, overwhelmed and embarrassed, I suddenly heard Gerardo bring me up again.

"I bought that pink diamond at the last auction, but Celia didn't care for it. Just give it to Lindsey," he said.

"I've given her everything except my love. It's not like I've really wronged her," he added.

He can give me everything except his love.

It was like a blade stabbing me right in the heart.

I rushed out of the office, wandering the streets with no destination, feeling utterly lost.

Back when I married Gerardo, I never could have guessed that the man who once pulled me from disaster was only doing it to fulfill another woman's happiness.

All this time, I'd been nothing more than a clown to Gerardo, played for a fool and kept in the dark.

Letting out a shaky breath, I clenched my fists, feeling every trace of hurt finally give way to cold determination.

It was clear now—there was nothing left in this relationship for me. Nothing I cared to hold onto anymore.

When I got home, Gerardo was in the kitchen, wearing an apron and making dinner.

He leaned out from the kitchen doorway, a gentle smile on his face.

"Did you go out shopping today? I picked up something for you—it's on the coffee table. Go ahead and open it," he said.

I glanced over at the coffee table.

A ring box sat there.

I pressed my palm hard, forcing myself to show a look of surprise.

I hurried over and opened the ring box.

A massive pink diamond was set into the ring.

Gerardo slipped his arm around my waist and kissed me softly.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"I told you, every anniversary, I'd give you a ring," he said.

I sneered inwardly.

Back then, everyone said Gerardo was head over heels for me—he'd do anything for me, even reach for the stars.

But who could've guessed he was such a jerk?

This man, who seemed so devoted to his wife, was secretly sending 300 thousand dollars every month from my father's inheritance to Celia.

Even the gifts he gave me were the ones Celia didn't want—things she cast aside, handed off to me as an afterthought.

All these years, this was how it had always been.

The disgust just kept churning inside me, making me feel sick to my stomach.

I shoved Gerardo out of the way and ran straight for the bathroom, doubling over the toilet, retching miserably.

Gerardo's face turned ghostly white in an instant. He rushed over and began to gently rub my back.

"Hey, are you okay? Did something upset your stomach?" he asked, his voice soft but anxious.

I was too wiped out from retching to utter a single word.

He hurriedly carried me over to the couch and called our family doctor to come do a checkup.

Gerardo rushed around to help the doctor with everything, and by the time they were done, it was already deep into the night.

After they got my IV in place, he tucked the blanket around me, and, worried the drip might be cold, he even took the tube in his hand, warming it up for me.

He acted so gentle and thoughtful.

But I knew—all of this was nothing but a mask he wore.

I turned my face to the side, my tears quietly streaming and soaking the pillow beneath me.