Chapter 1

After our divorce at the courthouse, I stopped holding back and canceled all my husband's credit cards.

He made a big show of marrying his first love, only to become the city's laughingstock. That jerk finally got what he deserved.

*****

The courthouse doors were wide open, letting in a freezing winter wind that cut right through me. My head felt as cold as my heart.

My name was Josie Lynch, and the man standing next to me was David Warren, my husband of five years.

David held the freshly stamped divorce papers in his hand, a relieved and satisfied smile on his lips. He looked like a huge weight had finally lifted off his shoulders, like he had broken free.

There wasn't any regret in his eyes. All I could see was an impatient longing to be free.

"Josie, thanks for letting me go," he said, his voice light and carrying a hint of smugness. "Em's waited for me for years, and now I can finally marry her openly."

Em, Emily White. That name had been a thorn in my side for five years.

From college through our marriage, I was never David's first choice.

He only picked me after Emily went abroad because I came from a good family, had an easygoing personality, and could take care of the house and help with his career. More importantly, I was obedient and never gave him any trouble.

For five years, I tried my best, hoping David would see me as better than Emily.

I handled everything at home, from the smallest chores to the biggest decisions.

When his company ran into financial trouble, I didn't hesitate to dip into my family's savings to help him out. No matter how late he came home from work, I always left a light on and kept some food for him.

Even on holidays, he'd always buy gifts for Emily, and I'd even help him pick them out, only because he said I had good taste.

Thinking back, I couldn't believe how foolish I was. I honestly thought that if I was good and patient enough, he'd finally notice everything I'd done and maybe give me a place in his heart.

But as soon as Emily came back, everything changed. David started coming home late. He kept his phone on silent, took it everywhere, even to the bathroom, and changed his password.

He smelled like someone else's perfume and grew colder and colder toward me. My gut told me what was coming.

In the end, David laid it all out. He wanted a divorce so he could marry his first love. No hesitation. No guilt.

I saw the impatience on his face and suddenly realized that five years of effort had been nothing but a cruel joke.

I didn't cry or make a scene. The moment my heart went cold, all my feelings went numb. All that remained was a chilling clarity.

"Alright," I answered quietly, my voice so steady it even caught me off guard. "David, I wish you and Emily all the best."

He obviously didn't expect me to take it so calmly. He froze for a second, then his grin widened, like he'd finally shaken off a burden.

"Don't worry, Josie. After the divorce, I'll split the assets with you," he said, putting on a show of generosity.

I forced a smile and stayed silent.

What he was offering me was nothing. Compared to the years of heart, money, and energy I had poured into him, it was less than a drop in the bucket.

David had no idea that every one of his secondary cards was issued under my main account. He didn't know that the villa he lived in, the car he drove, and even part of his company's working capital were all tied to the Lynch family.

He never once saw that his so-called glamorous life had been built on my silent support.

He thought it was all his own skill and talent, never knowing that every ounce of his confidence came from the backing I gave him.

Now, I was taking it all back.

Without a single glance at him, I turned and walked straight to the car parked by the curb. The driver opened the door, and I slid inside, my tone cool. "The bank."

As the car pulled away from the courthouse, I caught a glimpse of David in the rearview mirror, still standing there with his phone. He was probably calling Emily to brag about his fresh freedom, his smile so soft it was almost syrupy.

That kind of tenderness was something I'd never gotten from him in five years.

When I arrived at the bank, I went straight to the account manager, my tone cool and firm. "Please cancel all the secondary cards, close every account linked to David Warren, and freeze any credit lines I've authorized for him."

The manager was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected this from me. After all, I had always backed David's finances without question.

"Ms. Lynch, are you sure?" the manager said. "Mr. Warren has eight secondary cards. They cover luxury spending, travel, hotels, and pretty much every high-end expense. If you cancel them, he won't be able to use any of his cards."

I didn't hesitate. "Do it now. The faster, the better."

"Yes, Ms. Lynch," the manager replied.

Five minutes later, all the cancellations were processed.

I looked at the confirmation message on my phone and ran my finger lightly across the screen. I felt nothing at all.