Chapter 1

When the metal crunched and I was lying on the pavement, unable to move, Stella Vance didn't even look back.

She led Silas Reed away as if I were invisible.

"I already called the ambulance for him," she said, her voice cold. "Come on, let's go celebrate your birthday."

The hospital needed a family signature for my surgery. I called her dozen of times, but my phone just rang into the void.

After I got out of the OR, I saw Silas's post on social media.

"Stella is the best person in the world. My birthday gift is a trip to Fashion Week in Paris..."

The photo showed Stella flashing a peace sign at the camera, her eyes full of affection for him.

I didn't call to confront her. I just turned off my phone and focused on getting better.

By the time she realized what she'd lost, it was too late.

1.

The day I was discharged, I finally got a call from Stella.

She sounded like she was still my boss. "Jace Sterling, grab the car and pick me and Silas up at the airport right now."

I looked down at my leg, encased in heavy white plaster. "I can't," I said calmly.

Stella's voice turned into a sharp reprimand. "Jace, don't start with the excuses. When we got married, you promised―"

I didn't want to hear it. "I'm at the hospital. I don't have time for you."

She didn't even skip a beat. "At the hospital? Could you pick a more pathetic lie? Jace, you―"

She stopped mid-sentence, probably remembering the car crash.

I didn't ask her anything. I just asked if there was anything else she needed.

"Were you really in the hospital that long?" she asked, sounding a bit hesitant. "I thought it was just a scratch."

I was busy trying to pack my things with one hand. "Yeah, whatever. It's fine."

"If that's all, I'm hanging up. I have packing to do."

I ended the call before she could react.

I struggled to get my things downstairs and waited thirty minutes for an Uber to get home.

When I pushed the door open, the first thing I saw was Stella holding Silas's leg.

She was blowing on a tiny scrape like it was a life-threatening wound.

Even with my perfect 20/20 vision, I couldn't even see the damn injury.

Silas saw me and scrambled to his feet, looking like a kicked puppy.

"Jace, I... I just fell. I'll leave soon, please don't be mad."

Stella glared at me for making him move, then cooed at Silas.

"Your leg is bleeding! I'm not letting you stay somewhere else where I can't keep an eye on you."

"You promised me you'd stay. Don't be a little brat and change your mind now."

Silas blushed but looked at me with fake anxiety.

"But Jace is hurt too. You can't take care of everyone, Stella."

Stella didn't even glance at my cast.

"He's not like you. He's tough. You're delicate, Silas. Even a small wound could be dangerous."

Silas pretended to consider this.

Stella turned to me, her voice full of blame.

"Jace, don't be petty. Silas is just staying here for a couple of days because he's hurt."

I hadn't said a single word, yet Silas had already managed to make me the villain.

But I wasn't the jealous husband anymore. I didn't care enough to be a psycho.

"He can stay as long as he wants," I said. "I don't care."

Silas looked shocked. He was probably disappointed he couldn't start a fight between us.

He didn't realize that since I stopped caring about Stella, I stopped caring about who she slept with.

This house used to be our sanctuary. Now, it was just a place to sleep until my leg healed.

I walked into the bedroom and shut the door before Silas could start his next act.