Chapter 1

On my birthday, I was holding my positive pregnancy test, wanting to give Landry Hayes a surprise.

Instead, I walked right into his passionate confession to his female assistant.

Inside the private lounge, he was gently kissing Cynthia Rivers on the forehead. He was sliding a ring onto her finger―the same ring I thought was supposed to be my birthday gift.

"Cynthia, just wait for me to squeeze one last fortune out of her. Then I'll come back and give you the most lavish wedding imaginable."

"I don't believe you. I bet you can't bear to leave her."

"The only one I've ever loved is you. As for her, she's nothing more than a brainless cash cow."

I fought back the tears that were threatening to spill over. I turned and fled as if my life depended on it.

When I got home, I found a set of divorce papers tucked away under the desk.

My world crumbled. I dialed my father's number with trembling fingers. "Dad, don't send the investment. I'm shutting down the company."

"Sweetheart, what happened? That company is your life's work. Why are you closing it?"

My father's anxious voice came through the cold receiver. I didn't want him to worry.

I sniffled and forced my voice to stay steady. "Dad, I'm fine. Just do as I say."

After hanging up, I saw a text from my best friend.

"Let me guess. Is Landry putting that wedding ring he owed you on your finger right now? Is he whispering sweet nothings in your ear?"

"Honestly, he's so clumsy. He didn't hide the gift well enough, and you found out early. But after all these years, you two still act like newlyweds. I'm so jealous!"

I looked at my bare fingers, not knowing how to reply.

In everyone's eyes, Landry Hayes was head over heels for me.

But his so-called love was a marriage without a ring, without a dress, and without a ceremony.

It was him telling me he'd announce our love to the world, yet only letting me tell my one closest friend.

It was him promising to help me build my company, while shamelessly draining my funds under the guise of love.

It was him swearing he loved me while kissing another woman and calling her his only true soulmate.

I closed my eyes, trying to hide the bitter self-mockery.

Fine. If that's how it is, I'm done with the company. And I'm done being his wife.

I stood up and walked toward his desk. Just as I reached for the divorce papers, the front door opened. Landry was home.

"Babe, why are you home? I thought you were working late tonight."

He kicked off his shoes and hurried over, pulling me into a tight embrace.

His chest was still warm, but I no longer felt any heat from it.

"Your hands are like ice. You're sitting here in the dark without the heater on again. You really worry me, you know that?"

He was still playing the part of the doting husband. The better he acted, the more terrified I felt.

How deep must a man's malice be to fake love this convincingly?

I didn't return his hug. I gently pulled my hands away from his grasp.

"Weren't you supposed to meet a client today? Why are you back so early?"

"The meeting didn't go well. We barely spoke before he left. My wife is the real star―you can handle even the toughest clients. I'll have to rely on you even more in the future."

But we didn't have a future.

I grit my teeth, wanting to throw everything in his face. But before I could speak, his phone buzzed.

"Your reservation for the 'True Love Ferris Wheel' starts at 10 PM tonight. Please bring your soulmate for the ride of a lifetime."

Landry's expression froze instantly. I remembered that night three years ago.

He had a fear of heights, but he had held me tight in front of that Ferris wheel. He told me, "On your birthday in three years, I'll take you on the most romantic ride in this city."

Three years had passed in the blink of an eye. But his true love was no longer me. Or perhaps, it never was.

"Babe, look! I planned this surprise for your birthday. Let's go!"

We had booked it together, but now he was claiming it was a surprise. I didn't call him out. I just nodded quietly.

Ending things on a Ferris wheel sounded poetic enough.

After the attendant verified my ID, I turned to look at Landry.

He was staring at his phone with a radiant, genuine smile. In all my memories, I had never seen him look that happy.

"Sir, may I see your ID?"

Landry snapped his phone shut, his smile vanishing as he looked at me with faux regret.

"Honey, an emergency just came up on a project. I have to go check on it. You go ahead and ride. I'll pick you up when I'm done."

He turned and left before I could even respond.

I watched his retreating back. My heart felt like it was being shredded by the winter wind.

The attendant asked cautiously, "Ma'am? Do you still want to go up?"