Chapter 1

On our wedding anniversary, my wife rented out an entire club. She was busy throwing a massive party for her young male assistant to celebrate him landing a cushy federal job. She even had the nerve to post it on her Instagram story.

【Wishing the one I love endless success. We will always be together!】

I had barely tapped the heart icon when the story was suddenly deleted. A moment later, my wife initiated a furious video call.

“Are you ever going to stop being a creep? Do you just stalk my page all day?”

“I’m celebrating my employee’s success, and you’re just being a pathetic loser. You better apologize to him right now!”

I stared at the screen. Her assistant was pressed up against her, looking at the camera with a smug, mocking smirk. I simply hung up the phone.

In the past, I would have thrown a massive fit and caused a scene. I would have made sure everyone was embarrassed. But today, I just sent her a single text.

“The club rental cost a hundred grand. Don't forget to pay me back.”

1

Valerie didn't come home until dawn, her face flushed and rosy. I was sitting right there on the sofa, brainstorming my new screenplay.

When she walked toward me, the heavy stench of alcohol made me frown. Before I could even react, her hand cracked hard against my cheek.

She snatched my phone, hurled it to the floor, and grabbed me by the collar. “Carter Bennett, since when is it your place to tell me what to do?”

“A hundred grand, huh? Is one slap enough to pay it off, or should I give you a few more?”

“You’re just a stay-at-home leech who lives off my money. How dare you judge my people!”

She hit me with real force, leaving my cheek burning and stinging. The custom-made brooch on my chest was knocked loose by her violent movements. It hit the floor and shattered into pieces.

Just like our five-year marriage, it was completely broken beyond repair.

Yesterday was our fifth wedding anniversary. We had agreed to go to a romantic couple's restaurant.

Instead, Valerie spent the night at a club with her male assistant, Derek Hayes. She was celebrating his new bulletproof government job. She even told me to reflect on my controlling behavior and said I was an eyesore.

In the past, seeing her come home so late and drunk would have made me panic. I would have immediately dropped to my knees, apologized, and rushed to make her hangover soup. I would have coaxed her, pampered her, and made sure she was perfectly comfortable.

I used to think her temper was just a result of her stressful business life. After all, I loved Valerie deeply. Whenever we fought, I was always the first one to swallow my pride and bow my head.

I never imagined that my endless sacrifices would only make her greedier and more abusive. I suddenly felt utterly exhausted, completely drained of the energy to argue with her.

I picked up my shattered phone and the broken brooch from the floor. I turned around, just wanting to go back to my room and rest.

That was when Valerie finally noticed I was wearing a sharp, formal suit. She glanced at the empty dining table and frowned in displeasure.

“Where the hell did you go fooling around today? Why are you dressed up?”

“You didn’t even cook dinner for me. Is this how you treat your wife?”

Hearing her accusatory tone, I knew for a fact she had completely forgotten our anniversary.

I looked at her with a deadpan expression. “I didn't go anywhere. Besides, didn't you eat enough before coming home?”