Chapter 1
My aunt, Mavis Sinclair, had seen it all. Before the wedding, she took my hand and said, "Get a prenup for those five apartments of yours. You'll thank me later."
I didn't ask why. I just did it.
The moment we walked out of city hall with our marriage certificate, his fingers were laced with mine. The sun was so bright it made my eyes sting.
He turned to me. "That furnished apartment of yours," he said, as casually as if he were asking for the time.
"Let's transfer it to my sister, Vivian Drake. She needs it for her wedding."
I looked down at the certificate still warm in my hand, then back up at him.
And in that moment, I understood why Mavis had made me get that prenup.
*****
Mavis had been around the block more times than I could count. She knew how the world worked.
Before my wedding, she rushed back, took my hand, and looked more serious than ever.
She said, "Rowan, listen to me. Go get your five properties notarized before the wedding.
"You'll feel safer once married."
I saw the fine lines by her eyes—signs of hardships I couldn't imagine.
I didn't ask why. I just knew she would never steer me wrong.
"Okay," I nodded.
The next day, I took half a day off to visit all five districts' property offices and notaries, ensuring everything was handled.
Five red property deeds and five notarized papers.
I locked them in a safe deposit box.
Once settled, I called Caelan Draketo say we could marry tomorrow.
On the other end, his voice was full of barely hid joy.
"Rowan, you're amazing! I've waited for this day forever!" he exclaimed.
I smiled as I held the phone in my hand.
I really thought I'd finally found my Mr. Right.
Caelan and I were college classmates, and he courted me for three years.
After graduation, he got a good job and grew more devoted to me.
He kept my car sparkling clean, day in and day out.
I had stomach issues, so he cooked healthy soups daily and brought them to my office.
Before my period even started, he'd have a hot water bottle ready and a cup of chamomile tea waiting, without ever missing a beat.
Everyone said I'd found a truly trustworthy guy.
Even my most demanding friend, Tessa, said, "Rowan, Caelan's the kind of boyfriend you'd have to search the world for—guys like him are one in a million. You better not let him slip away."Tessa Koh
I thought so too, but that was how things were—until we got our marriage certificate.
The bright sun nearly dazzled me against the red walls of the marriage bureau.
Caelan held my hand tightly, his palm slightly sweaty from nerves.
"Rowan, I'm yours now," he promised, his eyes catching the sunlight like they held their own stars. "I'm going to take care of you, for the rest of my life."
I really believed him.
We vowed, signed, and fingerprinted.
Two shiny new marriage certificates were handed to us.
As we walked out of the marriage bureau, it almost felt like a dream.
I was really married now.
With the man I'd loved for three years.
The bright sunlight made my eyes sting.
Caelan's hand gripped mine tightly, as if marking his territory.
He turned to me, smiling gently and affectionately.
Then, in a casual tone, he said, "Rowan, isn't your furnished apartment on Moonwater Lane?"
I nodded.
That apartment had the best location and decor but was usually empty, and I stayed there rarely.
He pressed on, his voice dripping with entitlement. "My sister, Vivian's marrying next year. Let's gift her that apartment for her wedding."
I stopped dead in my tracks.
The city noise and horns went silent.
Slowly, so slowly, I lowered my gaze to the brand-new marriage certificate in my hand—still warm, barely held. The fresh ink seemed to burn my eyes.
I lifted my gaze back to Caelan.
His smile stayed the same, but his eyes expected me to agree.
As if he'd asked for something trivial.
It felt like everything I owned before the wedding was already his to use as he wished.
And in that moment, I finally understood why Mavis had made me get that prenup.
Every act of care and promise of forever hid his greed.
As I looked at him, my heart grew cold.
Quietly, I slipped my hand from his grasp.
He was caught off guard, stunned for a second.
I looked at him and smiled. The expression didn't quite reach my eyes.
"Caelan," I looked at him again.
My voice was eerily calm, as if I were talking about someone else's life. "Caelan, what did you just say? I didn't catch that. Say it again."