Chapter 1

It was our seventh year together when I realized Oliver had fallen for the girl my family was sponsoring.

That day, he watched me go berserk, tearing apart our wedding suite. He just stood in the living room all night, not saying a word.

The next morning, with red, puffy eyes, he sent the girl away.

After that, he said he wanted a fresh start with me.

On the day I tried on my wedding dress, a little boy burst in, bawling his eyes out.

"Dad, help me! I don't want to get shipped off to the countryside. I don't want some creepy old guy to be my dad!" he wailed.

I stared at my stained wedding dress, expressionless.

"If you walk out that door today, we're over. Forever," I said.

He left behind a quick apology, never looked back as he walked away.

Oliver walked off with the kid in his arms, going farther and farther away, while I just collapsed on the floor, unable to move.

This exact scene had happened before, four years ago.

That day, I caught him making out with Eloise Byrne at the office. When I got home, I trashed the wedding suite I'd decorated myself.

I didn't care about the shards scattered all over the floor. Barefoot, I chased after him, blood trailing from the living room to the front door, but he never once looked back.

His voice was still thick with emotion as he said, "I'm sending her away from this city. Isn't that what you wanted?"

I used to foolishly believe that he'd love me again, that it was just a matter of time.

After Eloise left, he really did become the responsible, dependable man the elders always praised. He came home every single night, spoiled me with gifts until I lost count.

But every time I broke down, screaming at him, demanding to know why he kept acting like he loved me, Oliver just looked at me with tired, helpless eyes, a sadness I couldn't even describe. "Isn't this what you wanted?" he'd say.

"Noelle, what else do you want from me?" he'd ask.

Four years, and he drove me out of my mind.

That day, I set our photos on fire, packed up everything, and went back to my family. I ended this farce on my own.

Oliver spent the whole night outside my villa, chain-smoking. The next morning, he showed up with a shiny new ring and dropped to one knee right in front of me.

"Noelle, let's really try this time. Let's just... start fresh," he said.

I said yes.

I gave him another shot and gave myself one, too.

But now, here I was, sitting on the floor in the wedding dress I'd dreamed of for four years, covered in the messy handprints of Oliver's secret child. My flawless makeup was smeared beyond recognition.

Suddenly, I was almost grateful. At least I found out now, not on our wedding day, or after wasting years trapped in a marriage built on lies.

Oliver vanished with that kid, and the Carter family elders kept promising they'd drag him to the wedding, even if they had to haul him there kicking and screaming.

I just smiled. "Cancel the wedding. All I want is an explanation."

Everyone seemed to think I was the one clinging on, refusing to let go. But he had a million chances to cut things off for good these past four years. So why did he stick around?

The next time I saw Oliver was on the eve of the wedding. He was kneeling outside the Carter family, his bare torso covered in angry red welts.

His grandpa, Joseph Carter, was panting heavily, whip raised for another strike. "You wretch! How did the Carter family end up with someone so shameless and unfaithful?"

The whip lashed down, but Eloise stepped in and blocked it.

"Eloise!" Oliver cried out.

She fell into his arms, her face pale, but she still managed a weak smile. "Oliver, does it hurt?"

The little boy was bawling his eyes out, throwing his arms wide to shield them. "Joseph, if you have to hit someone, hit me! Please, don't hurt Mom and Dad!"

With that, he dropped to his knees, begging again and again.

Oliver's eyes were so bloodshot it looked like he might cry blood. Only then, after ignoring me all this time, did he finally look my way.

With that desperate look, he was begging me, hoping I'd say something to defend him.

My aunt suddenly tightened her grip on my hand, like she was warning me not to make a scene.

I lowered my eyes, then looked up to meet his gaze, saying nothing.

Oliver probably never realized it, but he always had this unshakable confidence whenever he faced me, like he just knew I'd never call him out or make him look bad.

But why should I?

Once he was sure I wouldn't help him, Oliver let go of Eloise, grabbed Tyson by the arm, and slammed his forehead hard against the floor.

"Joseph, you can hit me all you want, but please, don't hurt Tyson. He's Carter family blood. I just can't..." Oliver pleaded.

Joseph waved him off, cutting him short. "So, after everything, you're really choosing Eloise and Tyson over Noelle?"

Oliver kept his head down, his voice trembling but unwavering. "Yes."

Joseph turned to me. "Noelle, what do you want to do?

"If you still want him, Noelle, even if Oliver dies, I'll make sure his ashes are brought home to you."

This time, Eloise couldn't hold back anymore.

I gave a light chuckle. "Miss Byrne, do you have something you want to say to me?"