Chapter 1

My best friend was pregnant with my husband's baby.

My mother-in-law, Andrea, slid a 2-million-dollar check across the table and looked down on me. "That's enough to last you the rest of your life. Don't make this ugly."

My husband held my best friend close, guilt written all over his face. "I'm sorry. But I truly love her."

My best friend rested a hand on her belly, tears in her eyes. "I know I hurt you, but the baby is innocent..."

I didn't cry. I didn't fight. I simply signed the papers, took the money, and booked the earliest flight out.

They got exactly what they wanted. Three months later, they held a lavish wedding.

That day, from across the ocean, I sent them a wedding gift.

In front of all their guests, my husband opened the package. His face turned deathly pale.

Inside was a paternity test.

*****

Andrea Bennett slid a 2-million-dollar check across the table toward me. "Evelyn Hart is pregnant."

Her tone was so cold, it felt like she was talking to a stranger. "Here's 2 million dollars.

"Sign the divorce papers, and it's yours. This should be more than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Don't make a scene."

I stared at the check, then looked up at my husband, Charles, who was sitting beside Andrea.

Beside him was my best friend, Evelyn.

Evelyn's belly was starting to show, and she instinctively placed her hand over it.

She kept her head down, her shoulders trembling as tears fell to the floor.

Charles reached out, wrapped his arm around Evelyn's shoulders, and pulled her close to him.

Then he looked at me, his eyes full of guilt. "Julia, I'm sorry.

"I truly love Evelyn.

"We really do love each other."

Evelyn pulled herself away from his embrace, her eyes swimming with tears as she looked at me. "Julia, don't blame Charles, okay?

"It's all my fault.

"I know I've hurt you, but the baby is innocent."

I didn't say a word.

The living room was dead silent, except for Evelyn's muffled sobs.

I picked up the check and glanced at the number on it: 2 million dollars.

I asked Andrea, "Where's the agreement?"

Andrea froze for a second.

She probably expected me to cry, make a scene, or even go crazy and attack her.

She had a whole speech ready to humiliate me.

But all I said was, "Where's the agreement?"

She pulled out the stack of papers she'd stashed under the coffee table, along with a pen. "Sign here, and both the money and the house are yours. Charles gets nothing.

"Charles leaves with absolutely nothing."

As she said this, Andrea shot Charles a sharp, warning look.

Charles's face went stiff for a moment.

I ignored the silent drama between Andrea and Charles.

I flipped through the divorce agreement.

The property division was spelled out in black and white.

The house and the 2 million dollars were all mine.

I reached for the pen.

Charles interrupted, his voice shaky. "Julia, wait."

He seemed like he was struggling to find the words.

Was he going to bring up our three years together?

Or how he used to treat me?

I didn't let him get a word in.

I lowered my head and signed my name on the last page: Julia Sterling.

My handwriting was steady, not a single tremor.

I slid the signed agreement back across the table. "Done."

Then I stood up.

Charles, Evelyn, and Andrea all stared at me, each with a different expression.

Shock, confusion, and even a flicker of panic flashed across their faces.

They clearly hadn't expected me to react this way; it was nothing like what they'd planned.

"Julia, you—" Charles stammered.

I interrupted him, "I wish you both happiness."

I turned and headed for the door.

I didn't look back.

I left everything I owned behind, except for the check.

I walked out the front door.

Behind me, I heard Andrea let out a sigh of relief.

Evelyn's gentle, soothing words drifted behind me. "Charles, don't be sad. Maybe Julia finally figured things out."

Figured it out?

No.

I thought it was a waste of time to get tangled up with a bunch of losers.

I stood downstairs and pulled out my phone.

I opened an encrypted memo.

There was one thing written there.

Six months ago, Charles said he was going to Westhaven for a business trip.

A week later, Evelyn posted a photo on her social media, lounging at the infinity pool of the Sands Royal Hotel in Westhaven.

The caption was [Caught a beautiful sunset.]

But here was the real twist.

I found a receipt from an OB-GYN clinic in the pocket of Charles's suit.

It wasn't my name on it.

Evelyn's name was right there.

The payment date matched the same days he claimed to be away in Westhaven for work.

Staring at the memo on my phone, I shut it off.

Then I called the airline. "Hi, can you book me the fastest flight to Evermont?"

I didn't go home.

I went straight to the bank.

The teller kept looking at the 2 million dollar check, checking it again and again like he couldn't believe it was real.

Even the manager came out to see what was going on.

He invited me to the VIP lounge, all smiles and courtesy. "Ms. Sterling, with such a large deposit, how can I assist you today?"

"Transfer it all to my account," I asked.

"Alright."

While I waited, I was surprisingly calm.

This money wasn't compensation.

It was hush money to keep me quiet.

And it was the seed money for my plan.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Charles. [Julia, I know you're hurting. If you need anything, just let me know.]

I read his message and just found it ridiculous.

I deleted and blocked him.

All done in one seamless swipe.

My phone buzzed with a notification; the money had hit my account.

I stood up, nodded at the manager, and walked out of the bank.

Time to pack up and leave.

The so-called "home" I'd lived in for three years.

I opened the door, and the place was empty.

They were probably out celebrating with Evelyn.

Good riddance.

I walked into the bedroom and opened the closet.

It was filled with clothes, bags, and shoes.

The closet was stuffed with three years' worth of things, gifts from Charles, and things I'd bought for myself.

I left everything behind.

I only took a small suitcase.

I just tossed in a few sets of underwear.

And then, I reached into the deepest corner of my nightstand and pulled out a folder.

Inside were my passport, ID, household registration, and diploma.

All the papers that defined me as Julia Sterling were proof that I was my own person.

It was not just some accessory to Charles Bennett.

Finally, I picked up the photo frame on the table.

It was our wedding photo.

In the picture, he was grinning from ear to ear, and I looked genuinely happy.

Now, seeing it, the whole thing just felt painfully ironic.

I pulled the photo out, tore it to pieces, and tossed it into the toilet.

I flushed it.

I watched the pieces spin away in the swirling water.

It felt like a part of me died right then and there.

The Julia who once naively believed love could fix everything was gone, dead and buried.

In her place, a new Julia had been born.

My phone buzzed again.

My phone lit up with an unknown number.

I picked up.

"Hello? Julia? It's Evelyn." Evelyn's voice came through the line, sounding hesitant. "Julia, are you okay? Where are you right now?"

"What do you want?" I replied, my voice icy.

She paused. "I'm just worried about you. Don't do anything stupid."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Lose it? Go crazy?

If anyone was about to lose it, it sure wasn't me.

"I'm fine," I said. "Congrats on the wedding. Hope you pop out a kid soon."

I hung up without another word and blocked her number, too.

I grabbed my suitcase and took one last look at the place.

There was nothing here worth holding onto anymore.

I closed the door, like I was shutting the door on my old life.

I grabbed a cab and headed straight for the airport.

On the way, my phone buzzed again.