Chapter 1

Five years into her contract marriage, Michael's first love came back to the country.

Julia was on her way to pick up her son from school when she heard the news.

She thought about all the days and nights they'd spent together, and she held onto a sliver of hope as she tried to calm herself down.

But in the next second, she watched her son Ethan throw himself into another woman's arms and happily call her mom.

Her husband frowned and pulled the woman close to him. "Ethan, Izzy's still recovering. She can't handle you crashing into her like that."

Ethan stuck his tongue out playfully. "I know, Dad. I just missed Ms. Stone so much—it's been two whole months since I last saw her."

Isabelle smiled and bent down to ruffle his hair. "I missed you too, sweetie. That's why I'm not leaving this time."

"Really?!" Ethan shrieked with excitement. "Ms. Stone is really going to be my mom? Dad, does this mean we don't have to hide from that woman anymore?"

Michael smiled and exchanged a look with Isabelle, and his eyes were filled with affection.

"That's right," he said. "We won't need excuses to go overseas anymore. Izzy's staying here for good."

The words hit Julia like a physical blow. The blood in her veins turned to ice in an instant, and a ringing filled her ears.

Her heart felt like someone had ripped it wide open and left it raw and bleeding.

All those years when Michael had told her he was taking Ethan overseas for training programs—he'd actually been taking their son to see Isabelle.

She couldn't believe it. Her husband and her son had both betrayed her.

Julia's nose stung with tears, and she bit down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing out loud. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone and called her lawyer.

"If a contract marriage has expired, can we file for divorce immediately?"

*****

The lawyer paused for a second. "Well, technically yes, but your agreement with Mr. Foster only has a week left. I thought you wanted me to prepare an extension."

"No need." Julia cut him off. "Start the divorce proceedings. I'll figure out how to get the agreement."

"But..." The lawyer hesitated but finally agreed. "Alright, I'll get started on it right away."

Julia heard the doubt in his voice and let out a bitter laugh. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He didn't believe she would actually go through with the divorce.

She and Michael had been friends since childhood for over ten years, and she had spent every single one of those years chasing after him. Everyone knew about it.

She had written him heartfelt love letters, and he had thrown them straight into the trash. She had learned to cook all his favorite dishes, and he had given them away to his buddies. She had even gifted him prime real estate, and he had turned around and sold it to a business partner.

Everything changed the day she walked in on Michael holding Isabelle with such tenderness. That was when she finally understood that he was capable of loving someone. He just didn't love her.

That moment broke something inside her for good.

Julia had thought they would never cross paths again, but then one drunken night happened and Michael pulled her into bed.

The next morning, Michael showed up at her door with a contract. "Julia, let's give this a try. Even if it's just as a business marriage."

There was no confession and no wedding. Just one sentence, and Julia gave up her plans to study abroad and signed a five-year marriage contract with him.

After the marriage, his attitude toward her didn't change at all. Every clumsy attempt she made to please him went completely unnoticed.

Then the car accident happened. Julia's body moved on pure instinct and she threw herself in front of him to protect him. She spent a month in a coma, and when she finally woke up, his expression was complicated.

Things gradually got better between them after that. Michael started acting like a normal husband and would tell her his schedule and bring her gifts when he came home. He made sure to remember every single anniversary.

Michael would hold her during thunderstorms until she fell asleep, and he would drive across town in the middle of the night just because she mentioned wanting a specific pastry.

During her pregnancy, Michael put all his attention on taking care of her. Her morning sickness made him anxious and he would stay up all night rubbing her swollen legs.

Julia had been so sure they could finally live like a normal married couple for the rest of their lives. She never expected to walk in on the scene she saw today.

Some people's hearts just couldn't be warmed no matter how hard she tried.

Isabelle's voice drifted over from across the room with fake concern. "Michael, maybe you should just go home. You really don't need to throw a welcome party for me. I'm happy enough just seeing Ethan. Don't keep Julia waiting at home."

"No! I want to stay with Ms. Stone. You're my real mom."

Ethan acted spoiled and shook Isabelle's hand, then his face scrunched up. "Plus, Julia's so bossy. She won't let me eat this and she won't let me eat that. I'm not going back."

Michael pulled Isabelle into his arms and his tone softened. "We don't need to worry about that between us, and your homecoming deserves a celebration."

"Exactly! Come eat with us, Ms. Stone. Dad made reservations at your favorite restaurant."

Isabelle covered her mouth looking touched and let Ethan pull her along with some token resistance. She hesitated for a moment. "Maybe we should invite Julia too. It's hard to cook for just one person."

"No need. She can grab something simple at home. Today is all about you."

The second the three of them left hand in hand, Julia's phone buzzed with a text from Michael.

Michael: [Have a work event tonight. Picked up Ethan. You're on your own for dinner.]

A sharp pain shot through Julia's chest and it felt like a thousand needles were stabbing into her.

So this was how they had been lying to her all along and playing her for a fool.

All those nights she thought were happy had been built on lies from the very beginning.

Since their hearts clearly belonged to someone else, she would leave for good the moment their contract expired.