Chapter 1

"How long has it been since we last made love?" I asked my husband.

"What is this about, a baby?" He glanced up briefly before returning his eyes to the steak he was cutting. "You were the one who said you didn't want one."

"So the only reason I'd want you in my bed is to get pregnant?"

I'm Anna Newton, three years older than Charles Rivers.

The year he was desperate enough to sell himself to save his mother, I stepped in and paid his way out.

He left his girlfriend and married me, becoming what some called a "trophy husband" of the Newton family.

But after five years of marriage, the nights we'd actually shared a bed didn't even fill one hand.

Then I found out his never-quite-forgotten ex was now his new secretary.

And I finally understood: Some things were never meant to be mine. Some people never were, either.

I sat up straighter and asked, "What about tonight?"

Charles finally met my gaze. "What's this really about?"

Noticing the constant stream of notifications lighting up his phone on the table, I simply smiled and looked down.

"Maybe we should get a divorce," I said.

Charles's expression shifted briefly, surprise flashed across his face, but disappeared just as quickly.

Then he gave me a mocking smile. "So you want a divorce because I won't sleep with you? Is this some new game of yours, Ms. Newton?"

I wiped my mouth and poured us both a drink.

The rich scent of the wine swirled in the glass, enough to stir anyone's hidden desires.

"I think the last time was... Christmas last year?" I murmured.

After taking a small sip, I went on, almost to myself, "It was snowing that night. We'd both been drinking.

"I bought new pajamas, and you said I looked nice in them..."

"Anna," Charles cut in. "Are you finished? If so, I'll clear the table."

As soon as he spoke, he stood and began gathering the plates in front of me.

He always looked after me in his own quiet way.

Ever since we got married, even after becoming Mr. Rivers, the workaholic CEO, he'd still roll up his sleeves and cook for me whenever he could.

Not to mention handling the dishes and all the little chores around the house.

Whenever he was home, he insisted on doing everything himself, never letting anyone else, not even the dishwasher, take over.

I gestured toward his still-lit phone. "Something urgent?"

He shook his head. "Just the work group chat."

With just a few words, he brushed aside my mention of divorce as if I'd only commented on the meal.

Normally, I wouldn't let his indifference get to me.

But today was different.

"So, I heard you have a new secretary?" I took another sip of wine, unable to hold back any longer.

Charles didn't even pause. "Did Sam tell you?"

Sam was the driver the Newton family assigned to us.

I didn't answer, just pressed on. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Tell you what? You already know everything," he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

He added, "I'd never met Megan Fisher until her resume landed on my desk. Warren handled the final interview. I trust his judgment.

"Besides, I can't just ruin someone's career because she used to be my girlfriend, can I?"

He always had a way of making everything sound reasonable.

It was always like this. I could never win an argument when he took that superior tone.

All these years, except for those rare moments of abandon in bed, Charles was always composed, always polite.

Sometimes I still wonder why he agreed to marry me back then. Was it really just out of gratitude?

I never dared to ask, afraid to hear the truth.

I watched him as he bent over the sink, washing dishes. He was so close, yet felt completely out of reach.

Even though he was supposed to be the one closest to me, it was as if I'd never truly had him.

I slipped my arms around him from behind. "So why not tonight?"

"You know what they say. If a man lost his interest in you, he's probably doing it somewhere else," I said.

I wasn't ready to give up. I just wanted to get a reaction out of him. "Or do you think I'm getting too old for you?"

Charles frowned slightly and gently pried my hands away. "Enough. I have a video call soon."

Rejected again. I guess this was just how things were.

"What if I told you, if you won't sleep with me, I'll divorce you?" I challenged, refusing to back down.

As I spoke, I tugged his shirt out of his waistband, my hand about to wander further, but he caught my wrist, stopping me cold.

He pulled me around to face him, holding me firmly. Staring down at me, Charles said, "Anna, don't push me."

His voice was so steady it sent a chill straight through my heart.

"I know my place. You don't have to test me, but don't force me either. Some things just aren't meant to happen," he said.

I never dared to ask, but he went ahead and said it anyway.

Some things just weren't meant to happen...

I'd said something similar to my father once, when he tried to set me up with someone.

"If I don't feel anything, I don't feel anything. What's the point in trying to force it?" I'd told him.

Who said we weren't a match? We thought exactly alike.

I gave him a soft smile, though my eyes were already growing blurry with tears.

"Alright, I understand," I said, trying to sound casual.

Before the tears could fall, I pushed him away and walked back to the bedroom, not wanting him to see me break down.