Chapter 1

I'd been a full-time housewife for Theodore Green for seven years when his childhood sweetheart, Emily Adams, came back from abroad.

He showed up with her and put the divorce papers in front of me. "Abigail, I'm sorry. Emily has cancer, and her only wish is to marry me."

I signed my name without a word, took off my apron, packed my things, and walked out.

I stepped back into the world of fame and fortune.

When his friend asked why he didn't try to get me back, Theodore dismissed the idea. "She's been stuck at home for so many years, she's completely out of touch with society.

"No one else would want her except me. Sooner or later, she'll beg me to take her back."

Then, a photo from a glamorous dinner party suddenly surfaced in the business world.

Under the spotlight, I stood by the side of the powerful head of the Nelson family, his head bowed protectively toward me, our fingers tightly entwined, intimate and inseparable.

All eyes were on us, and the affection between us was impossible to hide.

Theodore finally panicked and called me. "Abigail, who the hell is he?"

Then, a deep, indulgent voice came through the phone, laced with unmistakable possessiveness. "Hey, Mr. Green, let me introduce myself. I'm her husband."

*****

While Theodore Green was off picking up Emily Adams, I was at the Green residence, forcing a smile as I played hostess and made conversation with the guests for him.

As I was pretending everything was fine, the news that Theodore had gone to pick up the top celebrity, Emily, from the airport started trending all over the internet.

Suddenly, all eyes were on me.

I was totally clueless, but the person chatting with me suddenly whipped out their phone and shoved it in my face, their tone full of mockery. "Mrs. Green? Oh, wait, guess we should start calling you Abigail now. Haven't seen the news yet, huh?"

They flashed a smug grin, waving the phone screen right in front of my eyes, making sure I couldn't miss that glaring headline.

"Mr. Green went to pick up the superstar. Everyone knows Ms. Adams is his one true love. Yet here you are, still acting like the dutiful wife," they snickered.

I glanced down at the screen, and my heart gave a sudden jolt.

The wives nearby covered their mouths, snickering as they exchanged gossipy glances.

"Honestly, can you really blame Theodore? After seven years cooped up at home, she's a frumpy housewife now. How could she ever compare to a superstar who dazzles on stage?"

"Well, sure, she put in the effort, but let's face it. Men never appreciate that kind of sacrifice."

"Right? Wasn't she a top university grad or something? What a total waste. Seven years waiting on her husband, and now she's so out of touch with the real world.

"Now that she's out of the Green family, I bet she can't get a halfway decent job."

"Exactly. She reeks of kitchen grease. There's not a shred of elegance left. If I were a man, I'd pick the superstar, too."

As those words were hanging in the air, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the ballroom.

I glanced over at the noise and instantly locked eyes with Theodore.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his arm wrapped around a slender figure, Emily.

The guests automatically parted to make way for them, their eyes darting back and forth between the two of them and me, watching a live drama unfold.

I took a deep breath, set my wine glass aside, and headed their way.

Emily spoke up first, her voice barely above a whisper, her face very pale. "Long time no see, Abigail."

Theodore instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her with the kind of tenderness you'd use for something that might break at the slightest touch.

Then he handed me the divorce papers.

"Abigail, I'm sorry." His tone was calm. "Emily has cancer. The only thing she wants is to marry me. It's what I owe her."

I didn't take the papers. Instead, I met Theodore's gaze, unflinching. "So?"

"These are the divorce papers. If you have any demands, now's the time," Theodore said.

Suddenly, the whole place fell silent.

I could feel all those eyes on me, like daggers. A few people audibly sucked in their breath, and some whispered, "Wow, they're actually going through with it."

Most people looked on, relishing my misfortune.

Emily tugged lightly at Theodore's sleeve and whispered, "Theodore, why don't we leave? This is too harsh on Abigail."

"Don't worry about it." Theodore patted her hand to comfort her, then looked at me, a hint of impatience in his eyes. "Abigail, I'm done dragging this out."

I glanced down at the envelope, and a bitter smile tugged at my lips, thinking it was so absurd. 'Seven years, and this was what it all came down to.

I reached out and took the envelope from him.

Theodore looked relieved, about to say something, but I was already pulling out the divorce papers.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for me to lose it, make a scene, or maybe rip the papers to shreds.

I smiled, "Got a pen?"

I fished a pen out of my bag.

Theodore suddenly pressed down on my hand, his voice barely above a whisper. "Abigail, you know you're the one I truly love."

I looked up and met his gaze, those eyes filled with that same familiar tenderness.

For seven years, he'd given me that same look more times than I could count.

The first time was on our wedding day, when he promised, "I'll love you for the rest of my life."

After every argument, he'd look at me like that and say, "I was wrong. You're the only one I care about."

And later, when he stopped coming home at night, he'd show up the next morning with that same gaze and say, "I was out late for business, didn't want to disturb you."

I used to buy into that look every time.

He sighed, his grip on my hand tightening a bit more, "Emily doesn't have much time left. I want to stay by her side until the end, make her my wife, give her that title. Then, when she's gone, we can..."

He didn't finish, but I knew exactly what he meant. After she was gone, he expected us to get back together.

He was such a saint, so compassionate to a dying woman, and so deeply devoted to his wife.

He leaned in a little, lowering his voice with a touch of tenderness. "You know better than anyone how I've treated you these past seven years. I've never wronged you. See it as doing her a huge favor, alright?"

A soft cough came from the side.

Emily stood there, pale-faced and lips pressed tight, her eyes cautious and a little hurt as she watched us.

Theodore quickly let go of my hand, hurried over to her, pulled her close, and leaned down to ask softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

He was like a totally different man from a second ago, as if the slightest thing could hurt her.

Emily shook her head. "I'm fine, a little cold."

Theodore immediately took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her, then glanced up at me.

He shot me a look that said it all. "Look, she's sick. let it go, okay?"

I lowered my gaze, staring at the back of my hand.