Chapter 1
After three years of marriage to Andrew Palmer, I finally found out who he really loved.
The night his brother died, he took a slap meant for the girl he loved, stepping in without hesitation. He didn't care that I was right there.
I knew he only married me because I was obedient and well-behaved. Turns out, I really was.
I was so considerate that even when I divorced him, he didn't notice.
He never knew I already had my divorce papers.
He never knew I was about to marry someone else.
*****
William Palmer's wake was held at the Palmer Estate.
White candles were set everywhere, and the entire courtyard was blanketed in white flowers. The sound of crying drifted from the front hall all the way to the backyard.
I stood in a corner of the mourning hall. The cold stone floor had numbed my feet.
William's mother, Hester Palmer, was bent over the coffin, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. Even with two maids holding her up, her shoulders wouldn't stop shaking.
I got up to help her, but just as I stood, a commotion broke out at the back gate.
Her heels clicked as she entered, dressed in a black dress, long hair draped over her shoulders, eyes rimmed red, clutching a white rose.
It was Julia Grant.
I recognized her.
Three months ago, I caught a glimpse of her message on Andrew's phone when I walked by: [Drew, I'm back in the country.]
He locked his phone quicker than anything I'd ever seen from him in my life.
Now, she stood at the entrance of the mourning hall, tears falling in big drops down her face.
Hester lifted her head. The whole hall went silent for a moment.
The next second, Hester lunged at her like she'd lost her mind.
"How dare you show up here?" Her voice was hoarse, like it had been scraped raw. "Were you with William the day he died? How dare you step into the Palmer Estate?"
Julia took a step back, her face ghostly pale. "Mrs. Palmer, I just wanted to say goodbye to William."
Hester's hand was already raised.
I was standing three steps away, seeing everything crystal clear.
But that hand never touched Julia's face.
Because Andrew was already there, rushing over before anyone realized what was happening.
He stepped in front of Julia, shielding her with his body. The slap landed hard across his face, its echo ringing through the hall louder than all the sobs.
Hester froze, her hand still hanging in the air.
Five red streaks bloomed on Andrew's left cheek, but he didn't even blink.
His back was to me, his arm shielding Julia.
He spoke, voice rough and low. "Mom, Julia wasn't involved with what happened to William. If you need to take it out on someone, take it out on me."
Hester swayed, nearly losing her balance.
I stayed where I was.
Dozens of Palmer relatives filled the hall, all eyes flicking between Julia and me.
They looked at me with pity, awkwardness, and that unspoken truth everyone pretended not to see.
I looked down at my hands. My fingertips were cold and steady, without a tremor.
Weird. I thought I'd be crying, but there was nothing—no tears, no flicker of emotion.
Right where my heart should be, it felt like something had shattered. Or maybe it was hollow from the start.
Andrew guided Julia out of the hall. When he passed by me, he didn't pause.
He didn't even look my way.
It was as if I were another pillar in the mourning hall—a pillar, always considerate, never in anyone's way.
I watched his back until he disappeared through the door.
Then I turned and went over to Hester, steadying her as she nearly collapsed.
"Hester, you need to take care of yourself." My voice stayed calm and steady. I was still the same considerate.