Chapter 1

I made Andrew Grant's first love cry again.

This time, he didn't even bother to call me or plead on her behalf.

He sent a text: [On Sophia's birthday last month, I promised her I'd give her a home. No more letting her feel wronged.

[I've done more than enough to make it up to you over the years.]

I knew what he meant. He wanted me to step aside and get a divorce.

I looked up at our wedding photo on the wall and let out a cold laugh. "In your dreams."

What a hypocrite he was.

*****

In this world, how could there be such an easy thing?

I didn't bother replying to his text. Instead, I trashed the brand-new car Andrew had bought for Sophia Summers.

I stood at the front door, staring at the mangled red sports car, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction.

Andrew had brought it home a few days ago, saying it was a surprise for Sophia. He made a big deal about telling me not to lay a finger on it.

I said sure, but the moment his back was turned, I rounded up a few burly workers, handed them hammers and steel pipes, and let them go to town on that car.

The windows exploded in seconds, and the body was smashed so badly it barely looked like a car anymore.

That flashy, brand-new sports car was reduced to a pile of scrap metal in no time.

The neighbors heard the commotion and peeked out to see what was going on, whispering and shooting curious glances as they gossiped nonstop.

I couldn't care less. Standing off to the side with my hands on my hips, I stared at the wrecked sports car. Only then did my rage finally start to simmer down.

Andrew and I had been married for seven years, but Sophia was always the one he kept in his heart. She was the one he truly loved.

Our marriage was a business deal right from the start.

Back then, my family's company was in crisis and desperately needed cash flow. The Grant Group stepped in to bail us out, but there was a catch. I had to marry Andrew.

It wasn't really about helping the Evans Group; the Grant Group wanted to use the marriage to boost their own status.

At the time, all I cared about was easing my dad's burden, so I agreed without a second thought. I was naive enough to believe that if I put my heart into it, maybe one day I could warm Andrew's heart.

After seven years, all my efforts got me Andrew constantly doting on Sophia, and then he was pushing me to divorce him.

Sophia was two years younger than Andrew, and they'd grown up side by side. Everyone saw them as the perfect couple.

If Sophia's family hadn't gone bankrupt and shipped her overseas, I wouldn't have had a shot at marrying Andrew.

Three years ago, when Sophia came back, Andrew totally lost his head.

He started seeing Sophia constantly and barely looked at me anymore.

I wasn't going to sit back and take it. I made a scene, but every time, Andrew would sweet-talk me, saying he only felt guilty toward Sophia and that he'd try to distance himself from her soon.

I kept choosing to believe him, kept compromising, but he kept crossing the line.

And this time, he asked for a divorce, saying he's done more than enough to make it up to me.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I kicked the already mangled car door, swearing to myself that if it meant burning everything down, I'd never let them have their way.

When Andrew came home and saw the wrecked sports car downstairs, his expression darkened instantly.

He stormed into the house and gripped my wrist so tightly I thought he might break it.

"Vivian, have you lost your mind? Who told you to smash Sophia's car?" His voice was cold, his eyes full of fury and disappointment.

I yanked my hand free, rubbing my wrist where he'd left angry red marks, and let out a cold laugh. "Andrew, that's your car. Give it to whoever you want.

"But as long as I'm still Mrs. Grant, there's no way I'm letting you chase after another woman right under my nose."

"Vivian, stop being so stubborn." Andrew snapped, his brows furrowed with impatience. "I've already told you. I promised Sophia a home. It's time we end this. Let's get divorced."

"Divorce? Fine," I shot back, my eyes full of mockery. "But you owe me for everything I've given up for you, all the years, all the love, and the sacrifices my family made for this marriage. How do you plan to pay me back?"

Andrew looked genuinely shocked, like he had never seen that coming. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll give you a pile of cash and this villa. That should set you up for life."

"A pile of cash? A villa?" I burst out laughing, almost to tears. "Andrew, what do you take me for? Am I a beggar you can throw some money at and expect me to disappear?

"If it weren't for my family saving yours, you think you'd have what you do now?"

Andrew's face got darker, and he snapped, raising his voice. "Vivian, don't go overboard. My family didn't shortchange yours back then. All I want is to be with Sophia. What do you want from me?"

"I don't want anything," I said, my smile fading, my eyes hardening. "I don't want a divorce. I want everyone to know you're an ungrateful, cheating bastard who betrayed me.

"And I want Sophia to be never able to show her face again."

With that, I turned to head upstairs. Andrew grabbed my arm, his voice almost pleading. "Vivian, I'm begging you. Can't you let us be together? If you keep making a scene, it won't end well for anyone."

"Let you two be together?" I shot him a cold look. "Did you ever think about letting me be happy? Andrew, don't dream about it. As long as I say no, you two will never get to be together in the open."

I yanked my arm free, rushed upstairs, and locked myself in the bedroom.

Andrew was banging on the door and calling my name, but I pressed myself against the door, refusing to listen. Only then did the tears I'd been holding back finally spill over.

I knew I was being unreasonable, but I couldn't accept it.

In seven years of marriage, I'd given everything. How could I let go and let them enjoy their happiness together?

After a while, the noise outside the door faded away.

I figured Andrew must have gone to see Sophia.

I walked over to the window and watched him drive away, the hate inside me only getting stronger.

I pulled out my phone and called my best friend, Lily Brooks.

Lily was my best friend; she'd witnessed all the hurt I'd been through these years.

"Lily, Andrew wants a divorce. He's going to marry Sophia," I choked out.

Lily instantly fired back, furious. "What? That jerk. Vivian, don't worry. I'm here for you. Does he think he can dump you and marry that girl? No way. We're not letting them get away with it that easily."

With Lily standing by me, I felt a bit of relief. I knew things were about to get messy, but I wasn't about to let them win.