Chapter 1

The third year of my secret marriage to Ethan Knight, I watched him passionately propose to another woman on our wedding anniversary. Live on TV.

In that moment, I finally understood. All his tenderness was for someone else. I was merely his "compliant" toy, hidden in the shadows.

He asked me, his secret wife, to personally help his "fiancée" pick out her wedding gown.

He even had all the blue roses I'd painstakingly planted for him pulled out. Right in front of me. Just because she said she "didn't like them."

My heart grew cold. I signed the Doctors Without Borders agreement and left for a distant land to pursue my dream.

Three years later, I became a top trauma surgeon.

When he knelt before me, pleading bitterly, I linked arms with my new love.

"Mr. Knight, I stopped loving you a long time ago."

Sera Hayes' POV

It was the third year of my secret marriage to Ethan Knight when he proposed to another woman, Lana Bellweather, at a televised gala live-streamed across all major platforms.

On the TV screen, the flashing lights were blinding.

Ethan wore a bespoke black suit, his posture tall and commanding, his eyes holding a tenderness I knew so well.

Only now, that tenderness was entirely for Lana, who stood before him.

"Lana, this ring is five years late. Today, I want to put it on you." Ethan's voice, deep and affectionate, resonated through the screen, eliciting gasps from the audience.

Lana covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face, her pale cheeks flushed with happiness. She had been in a vegetative state for five years after a car accident, only miraculously waking up last month.

I sat on the sofa, quietly watching the scene unfold. There was no hysteria, just a cramping, churning feeling in my stomach.

Today was our third wedding anniversary. I had specially cooked Ethan's favorite steak and seared foie gras.

Just three hours ago, as Ethan left, he'd kissed my forehead and smiled, saying, "Honey, when I get back from my business engagements, I'll give you a huge surprise.

After tonight, we won't have to hide anymore."

The surprise I'd imagined was that he would finally make our marriage public.

After all these three years, to avoid impacting Knight Enterprises' stock price and to not upset his grandfather, Arthur, who highly valued social standing and family reputation, I'd been hidden away like a mistress in this suburban villa.

He spoiled me, utterly. I'd casually mention craving macarons from that trendy bakery across town. He'd personally drive halfway across the city to buy them during a break from an international conference.

My hands and feet would get cold in winter, and he'd hold my feet in his arms all night to warm them.

Everyone said Ethan Knight was a cold-blooded corporate titan, but only I knew how much he loved me, how gentle he was in private.

But now, that tenderness had become the sharpest knife plunging into my heart.

The lock clicked softly.

Ethan walked in, carrying a faint scent of cologne. Seeing me on the sofa, he paused, then quickly came over, habitually reaching to pull me into his embrace.

"Why aren't you in bed yet? Didn't I tell you not to wait up for me?" His tone was still gentle, laced with a touch of fatigue.

I subtly shifted, dodging his touch.

Ethan's hand froze in mid-air. He followed my gaze to the television. The screen was replaying the scene of him putting the diamond ring on Lana.

The air instantly went silent.

"Sera, let me explain." Ethan sighed, crouching down, forcibly gripping my cold hand.

"I was just putting on a show. Lana just woke up. The doctor said she has severe depression and PTSD and can't handle any shock. She had that car accident trying to save me back then. I owe her my life."

"So, you're paying off your debt by proposing to her?" My voice was very soft, so light it seemed a breeze could scatter it.

"It's just an act!" Ethan's brows furrowed, his tone tinged with irritation and a sense of entitlement.

"My relationship with her is fake. You're the one I love. You're the one who sleeps next to me every night. Once her condition stabilizes, I'll find a way to break off the engagement with her. Sera, you're always so understanding, so accommodating. Just this once, for my sake, can you bear with it, please?"

Understanding. Accommodating. I forced a bitter smile, finding those words utterly ironic.

Because I was understanding, I was meant to be hidden in the shadows for three years.

Because I was accommodating, I was meant to watch my husband propose to another woman on our wedding anniversary.

"Ethan, did it ever occur to you that I might be sad?" I looked up, meeting his eyes directly.

Ethan gazed at me. Then, he abruptly pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "I know you're upset, but I promise, this is the last time. Tomorrow, I'll take you to pick out your favorite island. We'll go on vacation, okay?"

He was always like this, hurting me first, then trying to make amends. The old me would always soften, because I loved him, loved him until I lost myself.

But now, I suddenly felt it was pointless.

"Okay," I said, without struggling, letting him hold me, my voice flat, without a ripple of emotion.

Ethan sighed in relief and kissed the top of my head. "I knew it, my Sera is the best. Get some rest early, I'll be with you tomorrow."

Watching Ethan walk into the bathroom, listening to the sound of water, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Caleb." My voice was exceptionally clear in the silent night. "That Doctors Without Borders aid project you mentioned, to the impoverished region in Africa. Are there still spots available?"

Caleb paused, his tone turning serious. "Sera, are you sure? The conditions there are extremely harsh. It could be deadly at any moment. And once you sign, you can't return home for at least three years."

"I've thought it through." I looked at the cold steak on the table, feeling no emotion. "I'm signing up."

"Alright, I'll handle the paperwork. The medical team departs from the airport in half a month."

"Thank you."

I hung up and deleted the call record.

Half a month. Ethan, fifteen more days, and I'll cut you out of my life forever.