Chapter 1

I had been married to Everett Sterling for seven years. In that time, he had kept twenty-nine mistresses like they were pets in a cage.

I watched the thirtieth young girl lounging on our king-sized bed. She was wrapped in nothing but a white bath towel.

I turned my gaze toward him.

"Is playing around outside not enough for you? Did you have to bring her into our bedroom?"

The girl intentionally pulled the towel lower.

"Honey, Everett told me you're like a cold corpse in bed! Why don't I teach you how to actually keep a man happy?"

That night, I was forced to witness a disgusting performance.

The next morning, Everett was furious at my lack of reaction.

He seemed to have forgotten that our marriage was nothing but a contract.

And that contract was set to expire in exactly one week.

1

"Mona, go get Celine a robe," Everett ordered.

He sat on the edge of the bed, half-naked, lighting a cigarette.

The floor was a mess of discarded clothes.

I stood still and just looked at him.

Celine, still wrapped in the duvet, gave me a smug smile.

"Everett, that's not right. She's still Mrs. Sterling, after all."

She said the title, but there wasn't a hint of guilt in her voice. It was pure provocation.

The duvet slipped as she moved, revealing skin covered in red marks.

"Besides, Mrs. Sterling probably doesn't have anything that would fit me."

Celine rubbed her shoulder against Everett's arm.

"She isn't exactly my type, is she? Haha!"

I remained expressionless and turned toward the door.

"Mona! I'm talking to you!"

His voice came from behind me, sharp with annoyance.

I paused but didn't look back. "Get her clothes yourself. I have things to do."

For seven years, I had rarely disobeyed him.

Whether it was a direct order or a subtle hint, I almost never said no.

Today was the first time I broke that pattern.

"What did you say?" Everett wasn't used to my coldness. His voice rose in anger.

"You have things to do? What could you possibly have to do? You sit at home all day living off my money!"

"Mona, don't forget. If I hadn't married you, you'd be nothing. You wouldn't have this life."

He was right. Without this marriage, I wouldn't be living in luxury.

But he forgot one thing. This wasn't the life I wanted.

I had just graduated from college back then.

The director of the orphanage where I grew up told me the place was being torn down.

If we didn't find a donor, the children would have nowhere to go.

That was when Everett Sterling appeared.

He offered me a deal―marry him, and he would fund the orphanage.

I hesitated. We lived in completely different worlds.

He saw my doubt and added a condition I couldn't refuse.

"We'll set a term. Seven years. After that, you're free to go."

After the wedding, I never asked for his love.

I soon realized he only chose me because I looked like his first love―his white moonlight.

Suddenly, Celine walked out of the dressing room. She was wearing a white dress with her long hair flowing.

I froze. In that moment, she looked exactly like her.

It seemed Celine had done her homework before coming here.

Everett's eyes locked onto her immediately.

His usual coldness vanished for a second. He looked stunned, then spoke with a rare softness.

"That looks good. Dress like that from now on."

Celine's smile brightened. "Really? Then you have to take me shopping for more dresses like this, Everett."

Everett nodded. "We'll go in a bit."

She laughed triumphantly and turned to me. "Why don't you come with us, sister?"

I knew she just wanted to humiliate me.

"No thanks. I'm busy."

Everett frowned, his voice turning icy again. "You're coming. I won't say it twice."

I knew it was better not to fight him right now.

I didn't argue. I just gave a quiet nod.

I only had to endure seven more days. Then it would all be over.