Chapter 1

On my birthday, my husband gave me a stray cat as a gift.

Meanwhile, his female assistant showed off her luxury car worth millions, saying, "Thank you for your special attention."

Her boss explained that he was simply grateful for her hard work and support along the way.

But he didn't know it was me who was secretly providing resources, helping him become a top actor.

The female assistant later messaged me, "Sorry, Angela, tonight Freddie is mine again."

Heartbroken, I made a phone call and said, "Withdraw all the company's projects invested in Freddie."

Finally, without hesitation, I threw the divorce agreement at Freddie.

On my birthday, I ordered a king crab, bought my favorite chocolate cake, and sat alone in the quiet living room, eating slowly.

After Freddie settled the flea-ridden stray cat, he walked out of the living room, frowning deeply.

"Why didn't you cook? I don't eat seafood or cake, so what do you expect me to eat?" Freddie Wright asked.

I didn't look up at him. "There's leftover lunch in the fridge; you can heat it up."

Freddie immediately grew angry, shooting me a sharp look.

"I rushed back from out of town to celebrate your birthday, and this is how you treat me?" he asked.

"So I was just a little late. I even brought you a gift. What exactly are you upset about?"

"Did you really rush back just for my birthday?" I bluntly exposed him, raising my eyes to meet his gaze.

I curled my lips. "I saw the photos. This afternoon, you and Joselyn were strolling by the bridge."

While I carefully prepared tonight's birthday dinner, he walked romantically by the bridge with his female assistant, basking in the sunshine like a perfect couple.

If I weren't the one he was marrying, I'd think they were a match made in heaven.

And the birthday gift he gave me was a stray cat he found by the roadside while walking with Joselyn Sampson this afternoon—covered in fleas.

Freddie's expression stiffened for a moment, then he frowned.

He said, "Yes, I came back this morning. Joselyn was feeling down this afternoon, so I kept her company by the bridge. As her supervisor, isn't it my responsibility to support her emotionally?"

He sat beside me with the same indifferent tone as always, showing no sign of remorse.

He said, "Angela, I know what you're upset about. Don't take your frustration over wanting children out on Joselyn. I've told you many times. My job is special. Not only can't I have children, but I can't even offer you a stable life.

"You're already thirty. Do you really think you're still young enough to have kids?"

I was thirty now, but I married him when I was twenty.

Throughout this long decade, I'd wanted a child countless times, but he insisted he wouldn't consider it until he'd made a name for himself.

I'd supported him and respected him, serving as a devoted wife behind the scenes.

He was proud, so I secretly used my family's resources to help his career, standing by him during his rise, giving everything I had.

Now, he had achieved success and fame, but he complained that I was too old and unfit to have his children.

Freddie noticed my mood shift, walked over to hug me and said with a gentle, appeasing tone.

"Having a child at your age is dangerous. I'm thinking of what's best for you.

"That cat may not be perfect, but every living creature has a soul. Let's treat it as our child, shall we?"

As I caught the faint scent of rose perfume on Freddie, nausea washed over me.

I broke free from his hand without expression and said, "If every creature has a soul, why not give this cat to Joselyn?

"What, is it not as valuable as the Ferrari I mentioned this afternoon?

"You gave her a car, but all I get is a stray cat?"

His expression changed instantly. "Was this reported in the news too? Angela, are you investigating me? There's no privacy or trust between us, so what's the point of being married?

"I gave her a sports car. She's been with me for years, supporting me as I rose to where I am now. Shouldn't I be grateful to her?"

I looked at him as an overwhelming bitterness flooded my heart, as if someone was choking me and slapping me hard across the face.

"Freddie, she was your assistant for four years, but I've been your wife for ten. You used our money to give her a luxury car as a thank-you gift," I said.

We had been married for ten years, yet he couldn't see that it was not about the cat or the car.

It was about how he treated me.