Chapter 1

1

I scalded my husband's secretary's hand with hot water.

He locked me in the sauna for eight hours.

Just before I lost consciousness, my husband had someone let me out.

He warned me, "This is just a small lesson. If I ever see you hurt Nancy again, it won't be so easy."

I lay on the stretcher and calmly replied, "Okay."

......

The day I was discharged, I heard a party going on inside as I stood at the front door.

"Ashley, why don't you divorce Josh if you hate him so much?" Ashley's friend, Jessica, asked.

Ashley clicked her tongue.

"My mom said only she can file for divorce. If I do, she'll give the company away. I don't know what kind of spell she's under."

His tone was full of impatience.

Nancy said, "Mr. Montgomery, I think she's just after your family's money."

Her words were met with agreement from everyone present.

Instead of standing there feeling sorry for myself like I used to, I pushed the door open and walked in.

The chattering living room fell silent.

Josh looked at me and said, "What a buzzkill."

"It's Nancy's birthday today. Don't ruin our fun."

Everyone stared at me.

Waiting to see how I would lose it.

Every time Josh provoked me, my outbursts were their entertainment.

But I think I disappointed them this time.

After hearing Josh's words, I calmly said, "Okay."

Then I went straight to the bedroom and closed the door.

As I lay on the bed, I received a text from Josh's mother.

"Ashley, are you really going to separate from Josh?"

I turned to look at the photo on Josh's nightstand.

In the photo, he was smiling brightly, his arm around another woman's shoulder.

That photo had been there since the day I moved in.

I accidentally knocked the frame over while cleaning once, and Josh yelled at me.

"Mrs. Montgomery, you know I only got together with Josh to thank you. Now that he's over that incident, there's no need to continue."

Josh's mother sighed regretfully.

"What a pity. I'll transfer the money I promised you after the separation to your account."

I stared blankly at the photo.

After a moment, I said, "Okay, thank you."

After six years of staying put for Josh, it was time for me to live my own life.

After the call ended, I couldn't snap out of it for a long time.

The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open, and Josh walked in with his arm around Nancy.

"Change the sheets. Nancy's staying here tonight."

Nancy looked at me and suddenly said pitifully, "Mr. Montgomery, it's okay. I'll just go home so Ashley won't be upset."

Josh glared at me.

"Hurry up and change them. Don't dawdle."

I looked at the face in front of me, which resembled the woman in the photo, and chuckled.

Since someone could make him happy, my mission was complete.

We'd each live our own lives from now on.

Nancy whispered something in Josh's ear.

A glint flashed in Josh's eyes.

"Ashley, you don't have to move out. I'm not used to suddenly changing after you've taken care of me for so many years. Just stay here."

I didn't react much to these humiliating words.

Under their gazes, I walked to a nearby cabinet.

I opened it, took out a box of condoms, and handed it to them.

"We're not divorced yet. It wouldn't be good for the company if you got pregnant."

Josh looked at the condoms in my hand, momentarily stunned.

I stuffed them into his hand and turned to leave.