Chapter 1

I gave up my status as a Manhattan billionaire heiress, choosing instead to live in a cramped basement with my husband for seven years.

On our wedding day, he abandoned me at the altar.

He left to celebrate the one-month milestone of his childhood sweetheart's newborn son.

While everyone mocked me, he posted on social media:

"Loving you is the greatest blessing for Mommy and Daddy."

The post featured a picture-perfect family portrait of the three of them.

I left a single comment:

"May you two stay locked together in hell."

Then, armed with a paternity test report, I filed for divorce.

Later, he knelt before me with bloodshot, swollen eyes, desperately begging me to stay.

1

After vanishing for three whole days, Hayden finally bothered to call.

Before I could even speak, a woman's voice drifted through the receiver:

"Rowena, sweetie, I am so sorry. The past few days were the anniversary of my late husband's death, and I was in such a dark place."

"Hayden was just worried sick about me. He never meant to skip your wedding."

"I already scolded him on your behalf."

"And that social media post was just something he posted to cheer me up. He already deleted it, so please don't take it to heart."

Her voice shifted, speaking directly to Hayden in the background:

"Hayden, you were completely out of line. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, how could you just walk away?"

"You are a grown man now. Why are you still throwing childish tantrums like when we were kids?"

"I might indulge you forever, but can Rowena?"

"Be good. Pick another date to make up for the wedding. I feel much better now, and I will be fine on my own."

Her words sounded like a reprimand, yet her tone dripped with sickening sweetness.

A wave of nausea hit me. Before I could say a word, Hayden snapped:

"Clara, if you try to push me away again, I swear I will never come back!"

"You just started recovering. How could I possibly leave you alone right now?"

His voice held a tenderness I had never once received in seven years.

In front of me, he was always an arrogant king, barking orders like a tyrant.

I swallowed the bitter ache in my chest and cut him off:

"Hayden, since your precious Clara needs you so badly, don't bother coming back. I will have the divorce papers delivered to you."

I had zero interest in listening to their nauseating flirtation any longer.

"Rowena! How long are you going to keep making a scene out of nothing? Are you really threatening me with a divorce?"

"Didn't you hear what Clara just said? The past few days were her late husband's memorial!"

"What is wrong with me being there for her? Can you show a little bit of maturity?"

"You are way too controlling!"

The moment I mentioned divorce, Hayden's voice exploded through the phone.

I pressed my lips together in silence. I was already used to it.

"You are way too controlling!"

That was Hayden's favorite weapon against me.

My care was an attack on his freedom. My gentle suggestions were shackles around his wrists.

In the past, whenever he hurled those words at me, I would immediately blame myself.

I would wonder if I was truly suffocating him.

Then, I would apologize like a beggar, promising to give him all the space he demanded.

Yet we were husband and wife, having shared seven years under the same roof.

How did basic love and concern turn into an infringement on his freedom?

"Hayden, this time, I really mean it."

I was truly exhausted.

My groom had fled the wedding I spent months preparing.

While he cradled another woman's baby and held another woman in his arms, my heart had completely died.