Chapter 1

Everyone knew that on the surface, I was Dominic Sterling's wife. In reality, I was more like his toy. He had no shame, leaving my mother's funeral to embrace his "sister" who showed up in a fiery red dress. I became the ultimate joke, the pity of the town.

Eventually, I filed for divorce. Dominic didn't refuse. He told me that within three days, I'd be back on my knees begging for mercy. He said he might be generous enough to let me stay in the doghouse out back.

But three days became three weeks, and months passed without me crawling back. He started to panic. He tried every dirty trick to make me submit. In the end, I never broke, but he was the one who lost his mind.

1

At my mother's funeral, Dominic and I stood before the altar, receiving condolences from friends and family. Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside the hall. Melody Chase burst through the security line, cutting through the rows of wreaths to reach the center of the room.

Her bright red dress was like a dagger to my eyes. I snapped at her, "Melody, didn't your mother teach you to respect the dead? This is a funeral, not your personal runway!" I pointed to the exit, "You aren't welcome here. Get out!"

Melody ignored me. Instead, she grabbed Dominic's arm and pouted. "Dom, you promised yesterday that you'd take me shopping today. Why are you breaking your word?" She looked at me with fake terror, "Sera is being so mean. I'm scared."

Dominic reached out and playfully pinched Melody's nose. "Alright, alright. I'll take you shopping right now." I watched the guests whispering and grabbed Dominic's sleeve. "Can you please stay for this? Don't humiliate me like this."

Dominic grabbed my jaw, his grip tight. "Seraphina, don't forget your place. I've been here for hours already. That's enough respect for one day." My stepfather, Richard Vance, rushed over with a fawning smile. "Mr. Sterling, if you have business, please go. Sera and I can handle things here."

My hand slipped from his sleeve. Every drop of color drained from my face. Dominic patted my cheek, looking satisfied. "That's my girl. A submissive woman is a likable woman." He wrapped his arm around Melody's waist, and they walked out laughing.

I remembered when we first got married. Dominic told me, "I know why you married me. As long as you play your part and stay in your lane, I'll give you the status you want." It turned out this was the "status" he meant.

The crowd whispered, their eyes filled with either pity or mockery. Some reporters even sneaked photos. Meanwhile, Richard was already walking around with a glass of wine, networking. It was as if this wasn't his wife's funeral, but a business gala for his own profit.

I watched it all with a numb heart. I did my best to keep the ceremony dignified. My mother had always been a woman of class; she deserved a proper goodbye.