Chapter 1

I was the city's top relationship expert, yet I had somehow ended up married to Levi Bennet, a business mogul who valued profit margins far above human emotion.

The ballroom was packed with the elite, but the groom was a no-show. Levi called me minutes before the ceremony. "An emergency came up at the office," he said. "Handle the guests. I'll make it up to you."

I knew that tone. His tone sounded too calm, almost forced. A knot tightened in my stomach. I quickly opened the location app on my phone.

The red dot was flashing on the hotel's penthouse floor. Without thinking, I pushed open the half-closed door.

And there he was—kneeling, holding Madison's ankle, violently ripping the black stockings off her leg.

Madison Cooper giggled, "Babe, your wife's a therapist, you really think she won't figure out what you're doing here?"

Levi sneered. "She's too busy playing the perfect wife downstairs to even care about me."

A wave of disgust washed over me. I yanked off my veil, threw it aside, and coldly snapped, "Refund the wedding gifts. This marriage is over."

A voice message from Levi popped up on my phone. "Honey, Madison twisted her ankle, I'm just helping her out. Don't overthink it. I'll give you a fancy wedding next time."

I blocked him on the spot.

A man who was nothing but lies, with no empathy to spare? Not even worth my time or expertise.

*****

I returned to the house I had meticulously designed for our life together. Pulling out a suitcase, I started packing.

There wasn't much to take—just a few outfits I wore often, some professional books, and the stethoscope I couldn't bring myself to throw away.

Downstairs, I heard the roar of an engine and the door opening.

Levi walked in, still wearing his wedding suit.

His shirt collar was unbuttoned, and a heavy scent of cheap perfume hanging in the air.

Madison was clinging to him.

When she saw me packing, Levi frowned, his patience clearly running thin. "Ivy, how much longer are you going to keep this up?"

He yanked off his tie, stormed over, and kicked my suitcase aside. "Madison saw your message about calling off the wedding and had a breakdown. She's shaking all over."

He pointed at her, as if I should feel bad. "You're a therapist, right? Do your job. Help her calm down."

I stopped packing and looked at Madison.

She stayed half-hidden behind him, peeking out.

There was no fear in her eyes. No panic. Just satisfaction, and a hint of challenge.

I let out a quiet laugh and reached into my bag, pulling out my stethoscope. "Depression, right? Severe physical symptoms?"

I stepped closer, letting the metal catch the light as it swung in my hand. "Acute cases need immediate intervention. I'm certified for ECT, but since we don't have the setup here, I can improvise.

"A few well-placed needles can calm the system fast."

Madison froze for a split second, then shrieked and clutched at Levi. "I'm scared! Look at her. She's terrifying. Is she trying to hurt me?"

Levi's expression hardened. He shoved me back without thinking. "Ivy, what's wrong with you? She's a patient."

He didn't hold back.

I stumbled into the edge of the table, pain shooting through my lower back. My vision blurred for a second.

He noticed.

He seemed to realize he had gone a little too far, but an apology never left his lips.

His towering ego and narcissism would never actually allow him to admit he was wrong.

"Enough," he said, his tone easing, like he was humoring me. "I know today didn't go the way you wanted."

He pulled a gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and dropped it on the table. "There's a charity gala tomorrow night.

"I've been trying to get in with the host for a while. Come with me, and we'll forget today ever happened."

I looked down at it.

Three years ago, I had asked him to go to that same event with me. I wanted him to meet my mentor.

I wanted him to step into my world.

He'd brushed it off. "Those events are a waste of time."

I picked up the invitation.

Levi smiled, certain he had this under control. "That's more like it. I'll have someone take care of Madison—"

The paper tore clean down the middle.

He stopped talking. I ripped it again, then again, until it was nothing but scraps.

I flicked them into the air. They landed across his face and shoulders.

"You need help, Levi." I brushed my hands off, grabbed my suitcase, and walked past him. "But I'm not the one who's going to fix you."