Chapter 1

Seven years of marriage, and my wife and I still didn't have any children.

At first, she said she wanted us to enjoy being a couple for a while.

Then, she told me she wasn't ready to be a mother yet.

Finally, she claimed she wanted to focus on her career while she was young so she could give our child a better life.

I believed every word until our seventh anniversary, when I found a prenatal check-up report and a paternity test.

None of her plans for the future included me.

The moment I saw the truth, my heart turned to stone.

I let out a bitter laugh and called my lawyer to draft the divorce papers.

1

I had just received the final draft of the divorce settlement when Xena Pierce walked through the door.

She had a faint smile on her face, looking genuinely happy for once.

But the moment she saw me, her expression froze.

"Why are you home? Didn't you go to the office today?" she asked, her voice dropping.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early," I replied.

Xena stepped closer, eyeing me from head to toe before letting out a scoff.

"Since when did you learn to play sick just to slack off? Look at you. Your face is clear, and you look perfectly healthy. You don't look sick at all."

"Mason, my father went against everyone to make you the Vice President of the Pierce Group. He did that so you could actually manage the company for me, not so you could hide at home and be lazy."

She glanced around the living room, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

"You didn't even make dinner, and the house is a mess. What exactly do you think you're doing?"

I looked up, meeting her eyes with a cold stare. "And what about you?"

"Where have you been for the last two days?"

A flash of panic crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with her usual stubbornness.

"Do I need to give you a full report every time I step out of the house?"

I gave a hollow laugh and nodded. "No, you don't. But I already know. You were with Caden, weren't you?"

Xena didn't even try to hide it anymore.

"Fine. Yes, I was with Caden. He's sick and doesn't have any other friends. What's wrong with me spending time with him? I only kept it from you because I knew you'd overthink it."

I nodded slowly. "So, should I thank you? My wife sneaks off to be with another man, and I'm supposed to appreciate that she spared my feelings?"

Xena realized I was being sarcastic, and her face darkened.

"Mason, can you stop with this attitude? He's a patient. Is it really worth it to keep picking a fight over him?"

"A grown man acting jealous and petty all day is just low. Grow up and have a little more heart, okay?"