Chapter 2

Memories of my childhood came flooding back.

Julian had been my neighbor. Whenever I got into trouble, I would pin it on him.

If he tried to defend himself, I would bite his arm.

Julian never cried out or tattled. He just quietly followed me around, awkwardly pulling out a handkerchief to wipe my sweat, and later taking the blame for me.

When he was 16, he was sent abroad to study. Before leaving, he seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he just ruffled my hair hard. "Grace, take care of yourself," he had said.

After that, I married Charles and completely forgot my childhood companion.

Julian began, "Grace, Charles was never good to you. Actually, I..."

"Julian, we're here." I felt I shouldn't let him go on and interrupted him. A flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes, but it was soon replaced by gentleness.

"Just say the word if you ever need help. You know you don't have to stand on ceremony with me," he said softly.

That made me feel a little better, so I nodded.

After saying goodbye to Julian, I walked into the villa Charles had bought in my name for the sake of appearances before our marriage.

No sooner had I stepped inside than my best friend called. "Grace, you have to see the trending news."

[Rivers Group CEO Charles Rivers was caught in a steamy late-night kiss with an innocent young woman at the hotel entrance!]

[Charles Rivers' new flame exposed—spotted sneaking out of a hotel, acting all lovey-dovey for the cameras!]

Every shot of Charles and Vivian, all cozy and scandalous, made my stomach twist in disgust. Three years of marriage, and he had always been cold as ice toward me.

My friend's voice trembled with anger. "Grace, can you believe what Charles has become? How can you just take it?

"And that Vivian—she's got no shame. She already broke up with Charles, but she just has to come out and disgust everyone. Are there seriously no other men left in the world? You and Charles are married, for crying out loud—"

"Molly," I interrupted her softly. "Don't be mad. Charles and I are getting a divorce."

There was a stunned silence on the other end. "Grace, for real? You... you're actually going to divorce him?"

Even my closest friend thought I would never really leave Charles.

Once upon a time, I had believed that marrying Charles meant my life was complete.

For that sense of "having it all," I put up with his coldness and did everything he needed me to do, just to become the wife he approved of.

But now, I no longer needed to live up to anyone's expectations. I only wanted to live for myself.

*****

I first met Charles in my freshman year of college. He had returned to campus as an outstanding alumnus to give a speech.

Dressed in a black suit, standing under the spotlight, he had been impossible to ignore. His handsome face and polished manner caught my eye instantly.

The year I graduated, my father told me that, for the sake of the Wynn Group, I needed to marry Charles of the Rivers family. To me, I felt more joy than panic.

I married Charles with a full heart. I even thought it was a stroke of luck—a cold, calculated business marriage paired with a man I had once admired in my youth.

I took care of every detail of his daily life. Watching him start from the bottom at the Rivers Group, working his way up just to earn the family's approval and secure his place as heir, I supported him from the sidelines quietly.

Anything I could sign off on at the Wynn Group, if Charles wanted it, I gave it to him without holding back.

My friends said I was hopelessly lovesick.

But every time Charles earned recognition from the Rivers family, he would look at me and say gently, "Grace, thank you."

To someone long used to his indifference, those few words felt like a rare kindness. But now...

My phone rang again. It was Charles. His voice on the line was edged with anger. "Grace, I can overlook whatever is going on between you and Julian—"

Before he could finish, Vivian's sweet, playful voice came through the phone. "Charles, everyone's waiting for you to cut the cake. Come over."

Charles paused, then spoke again, his tone carrying a thinly veiled warning. "Be smart about this. The Grandwell Group project is at a critical stage. Get it done for me, and I'll make it worth your while."

The call ended abruptly, leaving nothing but a dead tone in my ear.

I lowered my head and smiled, not even realizing when my face had become soaked with tears.

I couldn't lie to myself. Even after living this life a second time, facing Charles' blunt, shameless manipulation still hurt like a thorn driven straight into my chest.

The difference was that this pain came with clarity.

As Charles gradually earned the Rivers family's approval, his appetite only grew. He no longer allowed me to be involved in the company's affairs, yet he expected me to move effortlessly through Lakeview City's socialite circles, weaving a vast and unbreakable web of connections for him.

For two years, I sat through endless, mind-numbing concerts with Mrs. King, just so she would whisper a good word about a Rivers Group project into her husband's ear.

I endured Mrs. Lewis' sharp temper and impossible standards, and in return, Mr. Lewis threw his full support behind Charles at a crucial board meeting.

I even memorized the birthdays and preferences of every socialite and heiress, sending thoughtful gifts at just the right time, quietly smoothing over conflicts before they ever surfaced.

In Lakeview City's elite ladies' circle, I thrived. Everyone praised me for being gracious, polished, and impeccable.

Every time I saw financial headlines announcing another major deal Charles had secured, his net worth soaring higher, I told myself my sacrifices had been worth it.

I loved him, so I was willing to stay in the shadows and let him shine. Until six months ago, when Vivian returned.

I deliberately ignored her presence, though I had long known she was Charles' first love from college—the one he never forgot.

I kept telling myself it didn't matter, that everyone knew I was Charles' wife.

But I had underestimated the power of a first love. Vivian's return was like a stone dropped into water that had been still for far too long. From that moment on, ripples never stopped spreading.