Chapter 1

1.

Seven years into my marriage with Gavin Sterling, he finally climbed into another woman's bed.

I didn't call him to demand an explanation this time. I simply left the divorce papers on the nightstand, packed my bags, and walked out of the house.

He didn't seem to care. Instead, he sent me a photo of him kissing another woman as a threat.

"Don't you dare come crawling back for forgiveness this time," he texted.

I calmly hung up the phone and blocked his number.

A month later, Gavin couldn't stop himself from showing up at my new place.

But it was my new husband who opened the door.

He finally panicked. "Lana, I was wrong. Can you stop this act and come home?"

......

On our seventh anniversary, I sent Gavin a text. I asked him to meet me at a high-end restaurant right after work.

It was nearly impossible to get a table there, so I had booked it a week in advance. He had agreed quite readily.

Before six o'clock, Gavin told me he had a quick meeting but promised to be there by six-thirty. I even asked him to stop by the jeweler's to pick up the custom rings I'd designed.

We had been married for seven years. Our original wedding bands were just plain silver, bought when we had nothing.

Now that life was better and Gavin was a prominent figure in the business world, he needed a ring that matched his status.

I sat in that restaurant until past nine. Customers came and went, and I checked my watch over and over again.

By midnight, the server kindly informed me they were closing. I had been sitting there all evening, and my legs felt numb.

I tried calling Gavin multiple times, but every call went straight to voicemail.

My heart sank. I remembered how, in the early days, Gavin never missed a chance to celebrate with me.

But as his work grew more demanding, he became increasingly dismissive.

By our fourth year, the anniversary was the only thing we had left.

The phrase "seven-year itch" began to haunt my thoughts.

As I stepped out of the restaurant, I saw Gavin walking into the hotel next door, arm-in-arm with another woman. I stood in the wind, and even though winter hadn't arrived, the breeze felt bone-chilling.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I took out my phone and zoomed in as far as I could.

That profile was all too familiar. It was the face I had looked at every single night for seven years.

On an impulse, I snapped a photo.

I never imagined Gavin would betray me, especially not on a day like today.

Watching their silhouettes disappear into the lobby, my strength gave out. I sank onto the sidewalk, unable to get up for a long time.

I had married Gavin because of a debt of gratitude. My father had saved Gavin's grandfather's life.

He had literally died to save him.

Gavin's grandfather provided for my mother and me, ensuring I received a top-tier education. I worked hard and managed to get into the same university as Gavin.

After graduation, the old man insisted we marry. Gavin didn't object back then.

In fact, he was good to me. Just like in college, he looked after me and stood up to anyone who looked down on my background.

I genuinely thought he loved me.

The Sterling family had a strict rule against infidelity. Gavin had even promised me once that he would never cheat, even if it cost him his life.

Now, looking at the evidence, my mind went completely blank.

I don't even remember how I got home. I checked my phone only to see a message from an unknown number.

It was a photo of two hands linked together. The custom rings I had poured my heart into were shining on their fingers.

The caption read: "I'll be taking your rings. Thanks a lot."

I stared at the screen, feeling like a blade was slowly shredding my heart.

As a jewelry designer, I had spent an entire year on those sketches. They were a unique design, carrying all the years of my secret longing and affection for him.

No one knew how much I loved him back then. I thought I had hidden it well, until the day we were told we were getting married.

I had confessed everything to him then.

Thinking back, I didn't see any joy on Gavin's face. He just gave his usual faint smile, took my hand, and spoke.

"I'll take care of you for the rest of my life," he said.

Even then, his palms were cold and devoid of any warmth.

I slumped onto the sofa, feeling utterly drained. The same number sent another message.

"Do you know who I am? I'm Gavin's first love. Now that I'm back, you can step aside."