Chapter 1

I was hospitalized for appendicitis, but my husband, Jackson, never showed up.

I thought he was just busy with work until I found out he'd been spending every day with my son's tutor, Winnie Thomas.

And when I got home, I heard my boy ask with excitement, "Dad, when can Ms. Thomas be my mom?"

That was when I stopped begging for love and started living for myself.

*****

Jackson's face was cold as he tore up the divorce papers I handed him.

He said, "Lydia, you should know a divorce isn't legally valid until it's finalized by the court."

I just shrugged and smiled. "Then let's go to the courthouse. I don't care."

Jackson looked at me with nothing but contempt and indifference, like I was a kid making a fuss.

"Don't make a scene at my office. You've got ten seconds to throw out these worthless papers and go home," he said.

I just stood there, not moving.

That place couldn't be called home anymore.

When I had insisted on firing Winnie Thomas, Jackson had flown into a rage and simply moved into another villa with our child and her.

I grabbed the divorce papers, turned to open the door, and bumped right into Jackson's secretary, Leo.

Leo's smile froze when he saw me.

I gave him a polite smile. "Leo, why are you so cheerful today?"

He instinctively hid it behind his back, but I still caught sight of the lunchbox—with Winnie's handwriting on it. It read: [Jackson, don't skip meals on workdays.]

Jackson's voice was gentle as he spoke from behind me. "Did Winnie make me lunch again?"

My chest tightened, and every heartbeat hurt like hell.

It looked like this kind of thing happened almost every day. And yet, as Jackson's rightful wife, I still had to pass through layers of scrutiny just to enter his office.

Leo quickly set the lunchbox on Jackson's desk and started unpacking it.

The smell of food filled the office in an instant.

Jackson stopped looking over his contracts, looked at the meal with interest, and pulled out his phone to record a video for Winnie. "It looks amazing. Really appreciate it."

I just stood there, frozen, unable to move.

After he finished the video, Jackson shot me a cold look, his voice dripping with contempt. "See? Ms. Thomas is good with kids, and she can actually cook. What about you? All you do is mess around."

Whenever I was upset or hurt, Jackson would just call it "messing around".

He seemed to think I did everything just to get his attention.

He forgot that before I married him, I had my own career and accomplishments. I only gave it all up for him, choosing to be a housewife.

I turned to look at Jackson, who was busy eating, a sarcastic smile tugging at my lips. "Isn't that just perfect? Once we're divorced, you can finally have your perfect life with Winnie—the woman who does it all."

The words hit, and for a split second, Jackson froze in stunned disbelief.

Then his face twisted with anger.

He said, "You're always stirring up drama and making trouble. Just look at yourself. Do you even act like a proper wife at all?"

"Maybe I don't, but Winnie sure does," I replied.

Jackson threw his fork down, his chest heaving with rage as he sank into his chair.

Seeing him like this, I couldn't help but remember how sweet he used to be to me, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I had once followed him in every little thing. He valued my contribution, always saying I should enjoy myself, travel if I wanted, meet friends for dinner if I wished—basically, just be happy.

However, now, he wanted a wife who would just go along with everything again.

I didn't look back at him. I just walked out of the office.

Just as I reached the door, I heard the sound of things being smashed around inside, but I didn't even pause. I went straight home.