Chapter 1

After blowing my college admissions chance, I chose to enter the professional esports industry.

Nobody supported me except Yvette. She stayed by my side, cheering me on through every sleepless night.

She looked at me with sparkling eyes and said, “Heath, you’ll always be the best in my heart!”

Yet after we got married, my career hit an all-time low.

To celebrate her birthday, I took special leave from my team to surprise her.

Instead, I found a man’s shirt and a woman’s dress strewn carelessly across the entryway.

From the bedroom came Yvette’s coquettish giggles.

“Heath is just a broke loser. If it weren’t for me, nobody would even want him.”

I offered a bitter smile, turned around, and walked away.

When we met again, I stood on the championship stage hoisting the MVP trophy, watching her ruined and drowned in regret.

1.

Holding the homemade birthday cake in my hands, the mess scattered across the floor stabbed at my eyes.

I stepped over the pile of discarded clothes, freezing right outside the bedroom door as Yvette’s complaints drifted out.

“You mean Heath? That lifeless block of wood who only plays video games all day doesn’t deserve to be my husband.”

My head buzzed violently.

All the memories of her holding my hand and telling me I was the best began to crumble into dust.

I stood frozen in the dark, listening to the heavy panting from inside the room. The pain coiled around my heart like a venomous snake, sinking its fangs into my flesh.

I couldn't understand how Yvette had turned into a completely different person in just three short years.

On the brink of losing my sanity, I clenched my fists until the veins popped, then kicked the door wide open with a deafening crash.

The scandalous scene inside tore my vision apart.

Yvette shrieked, and the birthday cake slipped from my trembling hands.

It splattered across the floor in a sticky mess as I lunged forward to pull her out of bed.

“Yvette! How could you do this to me?!”

Before the words fully left my mouth, a man grabbed my shoulder and shoved me aside.

I stumbled backward, watching him pull Yvette securely into his arms.

He shot me a condescending glare, treating me like a piece of trash.

I pointed a shaking finger at him, my throat tightening as a raspy shout tore from my chest.

“Who the hell is he?”

Seeing that her secret was exposed, Yvette didn't even bother pretending anymore.

She wrapped the duvet around her body, her eyes full of irritation.

“Since you already know, there’s nothing left to say. Sure, I’m in the wrong here, but shouldn’t you take a look in the mirror, Heath? You go off to boot camp for months at a time. Did you forget you have a wife?”

She scoffed and looked away.

“If you brought home decent money, I wouldn't complain. But what do you offer? No money, no presence. I’m only twenty-eight, so why should I waste my youth waiting on you?”

Her words hit me like a slap, making me dazed for a second.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

She wasn't wrong about my financial struggle, but that was never an excuse for betrayal.

Watching them hold each other tightly made my vision burn with anger.

I stepped forward to pull her away, but she shoved me back with cold disgust.

The man smirked at my pathetic state, his mocking gaze piercing right through me.

He twirled a lock of Yvette’s hair between his fingers and sneered.

“What are you, a charity case? Yvette’s with me now.”

Yvette smoothed her hair and stepped out of his arms, looking at me without a trace of emotion.

“Heath, just go back to your team house. We’re adults here, so let’s not make a scene. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

Her tone made it sound like I was the unreasonable one.

She told me the man was Zachary Hayes, her high-profile business partner with whom she had a massive venture deal. She even warned me not to ruin her career.

I let out a harsh laugh. What kind of business deal had to be negotiated in bed?

She ordered me to leave, then turned right back around to cuddle against Zachary.

This was my home, so why the hell was I the one being kicked out?

Watching them kiss right in front of me made my breath turn shallow and ragged.

Fury took over my common sense, and I lunged at Zachary without thinking.

Rage blinded me, driving me to attack a man who clearly outweighed me.