Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The day I was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer was the same day my husband's first love returned to the country.

He rushed home in a frenzy, only to throw a divorce agreement on the table.

"It's been three years, June. It's time for you to give up your seat as Mrs. Harrison."

I tried to show him my medical records.

He only sneered at me with pure disdain. "Such a pathetic trick. Do you really think I'm that gullible?"

……

It was our third wedding anniversary. I sat alone at the dining table, waiting for Cade Harrison to come home.

The crystal chandelier above me was blindingly bright.

The clock ticked on and on, past midnight.

Feeling petty and hurt, I picked up my fork and forced the cold food into my mouth.

But as soon as I swallowed, my stomach, which had been empty all day, revolted.

I covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom. I threw up until my world spun, ending with nothing but bitter bile.

A sharp, agonizing pain ripped through my abdomen.

I forced myself to reach for the flusher. The water washed away the blood-tinged vomit in the toilet.

Tears blurred my vision as I collapsed onto the floor, my mind going completely blank.

Cade still wasn't home.

I had lost count of how many nights I had stayed up waiting for him.

But I knew deep down that I wouldn't be waiting for him much longer.

Earlier that day, I had seen a post on social media. He had ditched our plans to pick up Lila Somerset from the airport with a massive bouquet of roses.

In that moment, I knew I had lost this game of three. I had lost everything.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard the front door open.

I wiped my face clean, took a deep breath, and walked out.

"Cade, you're back. Did you have dinner―"

The tall man's expression was grim. He brought the winter chill from outside with him as he stepped toward me.

He was holding a legal document.

A sense of impending doom washed over me.

He stopped right in front of me, looking down at me with cold, uncompromising eyes.

"June Avery, she's back. You've had three years as my wife. It's time to step down."

"This is the divorce settlement. Sign it now."

My body swayed, and I nearly lost my balance.

His words felt like a physical blow to my chest. It was hard to breathe.

I opened my mouth, my voice trembling as I pleaded. "Cade, haven't we been happy? Why do we have to do this?"

"I... I don't want to divorce you."

The mockery in Cade's eyes made my heart sink further into the abyss.

I knew I didn't mean much to him. I knew his heart had always belonged to Lila.

But I had always fantasized that one day he would see my worth. I hoped he would eventually love me.

Even if it was just a little bit.

Tonight, he shattered every single one of those illusions.

With shaking hands, I pulled the diagnosis from my pocket that the doctor had given me earlier.

"Cade, look. The doctor said I have cancer. I don't have long to live. Could you just―"

Before I could finish, Cade frowned impatiently. He swiped his hand, knocking the papers to the floor.

"Enough, June! Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe such a desperate lie?"

"I'm... I'm not lying to you..."

Tears finally spilled over. I didn't know what else to say to make him believe me.

"Not lying?"