Chapter 1

For the company's retreat, I had a custom suit made. It was designed to perfectly complement the dress my wife, Autumn Rivers, was wearing.

But on the day of the retreat, Autumn showed up in a matching couple's outfit with her old flame.

A friend joked nearby. "Your wife must be in love again."

I lowered my eyes and gave a faint smile. Inside, however, I felt completely cold.

Autumn noticed my gaze on the two of them. Instead of feeling guilty, she snapped at me to be more open-minded.

I nodded in agreement. Then, I turned around and drafted the divorce papers.

To me, the ultimate form of being open-minded was setting her free.

1.

Autumn didn't scream when I handed her the divorce settlement.

She kept a faint smile on her lips. She flipped through the clauses like she was reading a casual magazine.

"Xander, are you done with this tantrum? If you are, let's go home."

Her dismissive tone almost made my heart stop. I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my chest.

I forced myself to keep a calm voice. "What home? You're wearing a couple's outfit with him. Is there even a place for me in that house?"

Autumn's brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Xander Sterling, can you stop making a scene in public? Do you want the entire staff to know about this nonsense?"

She stepped closer, her eyes cold. "You promised to be more understanding. Who are you trying to impress with this attitude?"

I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but indifference. I let out a cold laugh.

She had changed. I should have seen it a long time ago.

Autumn and I had been together for seven years. We weren't just lovers; we were partners who built this empire together.

Yet, after seven years in the same company, very few employees even knew we were married.

But her old flame, Caleb Montgomery, had only been here for seven months.

On his very first day, Autumn publicly announced they were childhood sweethearts. She was terrified he might feel unwelcome.

Tonight, she wore matching clothes with him in front of everyone. She knew exactly what people would say. She knew how much it would hurt me.

But she did it anyway. Her favoritism was loud and clear.

I decided I wouldn't stand in her way anymore.

"I won't embarrass the CEO any longer. I'm leaving."

I turned to walk away. But Caleb's sudden movement caught the attention of the employees playing games nearby.

"Mr. Sterling, wait! Is there a misunderstanding?"

I looked back. Caleb stood next to Autumn, looking frantic.

"CEO Rivers, does Mr. Sterling misunderstand our relationship? Could you please explain it to him?"

He looked like he was on the verge of tears. "My mother is in the hospital. I can't afford to lose this job..."

Everyone in the company knew Autumn had put a million dollars into his medical account. Yet, his act triggered the crowd's protective instincts.

The office gossip queens huddled together. They started whispering loud enough for me to hear.

"Who cares if he's a partner? He's just a lapdog who follows our CEO around."

"Exactly. He thinks he can bully people just because he's been here since the start."

The insults got nastier. I clenched my jaw, wanting to put them in their place.

I took a step forward. Autumn saw my movement and immediately waved the gossipers away.

"That's enough. Stop the chatter. They're drawing prizes on stage. Go get your bonuses."

The women gave me one last smug look before heading inside.

I froze. I didn't yell like I used to. I just squeezed my fists until they trembled.