Chapter 1

This was my first time showing up at my wife, Victoria Sterling's company's annual party.

She was the aloof ice queen CEO, and I was the househusband she'd kept under wraps for three years.

During dinner, her high-and-mighty assistant, Jason Shaw, stood nearby, holding a glass of wine and giving me a disdainful glance.

He said, "Ms. Sterling, your husband doesn't even know basic table manners. Honestly, he's making you look bad."

Everyone around started snickering.

I set down my fork and leisurely wiped my mouth.

Then I walked up to him.

As he stared at me in shock, I slammed my foot into his stomach.

Wine and filth exploded out of him.

My foot pressed against his face as I asked, "Now, tell me, who's the one with no manners?"

The whole room went dead silent.

I turned around and saw Victoria's face dark with shock, her fingers quivering around her wine glass.

*****

The annual party was held at the city's swankiest hotel, where the crystal chandeliers were blinding.

The air was thick with perfume and designer suits, and the sound of clinking glasses filled the room.

Everyone had that perfectly practiced, insincere smile plastered on their face.

I, Michael Carter, was parked in the corner, rocking a laid-back outfit that screamed I didn't belong, quietly munching on my cake.

This was my debut as Victoria's husband for the very first time.

For three years, nobody had a clue she was married. Well, except for the staff at city hall.

"Mr. Carter, so you've been hiding here," Jason said.

A slick, pretty boy strolled over with a glass of wine in hand, his smile never reaching his eyes.

He was Jason Shaw, Victoria's chief assistant, and the guy who'd love nothing more than to steal my wife away.

What a pest he was.

I nodded, kept quiet, and kept digging into my tiramisu.

He didn't back off. Instead, he stepped even closer, his voice pitched right so everyone nearby could hear every word. "Mr. Carter, what do you actually do at home?"

I swallowed my cake. "Cooking, laundry, and cleaning."

"Oh?" He stretched out the word, acting all surprised. "Wow, that sounds exhausting. Ms. Sterling is always swamped with work, so it's good she's got someone to keep the home in order. You're the perfect househusband."

He really leaned into the word "househusband", making sure it rang loud and clear for everyone.

The people around couldn't hold back their snickers.

I glanced up and saw Victoria not far away, surrounded by a bunch of directors. She was rocking a silver mermaid dress, cold but so radiant that I couldn't look straight at her.

She seemed to pick up on the drama over here and shot me a quick look.

Her eyes were a mix of reassurance, warning, and a barely noticeable hint of exhaustion.

She definitely didn't want me causing any trouble.

I knew what she was thinking.

So I picked up my fork, aiming for a piece of salmon.

Just then, Jason's voice cut through the air again, dripping with open contempt. "Ms. Sterling, your husband doesn't even know basic table manners. He's embarrassing you."

He was referring to the fact that I'd used my cake fork to pick up something from the communal platter.

It was a totally harmless move, but he made it sound like the worst thing ever.

The whole hall went dead silent for a split second, and every single pair of eyes locked onto me.

I saw smirks and sneers, and everyone was itching for a show.

I saw Victoria's brows knit together in an instant.

I set down my utensils and slowly wiped the corner of my mouth with my napkin, taking my sweet time.

Then I stood up.

Jason was half a head taller than me, towering over me with that victorious grin on his face.

Dumbass. He didn't even know what trouble he was in.

I walked right up to him.

Without warning, I raised my leg and drove my foot hard into his stomach.

A dull, heavy sound echoed through the room.

Jason curled up, his wine glass flying from his hand and shattering on the floor.

His cocky smirk froze, twisting into pain and shock.

Before he could even react, my second kick landed square on his chin.

He went flying backward, crashing into a table and sending plates and glasses shattering everywhere.

He puked up wine and whatever else was in his gut, making a total mess of himself.

The whole place went dead silent.