Chapter 1

It was the day before our fifth wedding anniversary.

The manager of a luxury jewelry boutique called me out of the blue.

He claimed the high-end piece I had customized for my husband had been accidentally damaged by a staff member.

They were willing to pay the penalty fee, but before I could even process my anger, he hung up.

A second later, my phone pinged with a notification.

My husband had sent me a message along with a six-million-dollar transfer.

"So you're the pathetic little side piece who's been hounding my husband," a message from an unknown number followed.

"I'm warning you, take the money and get lost, or I'll make sure you regret ever being born!"

Then, she triumphantly sent a photo of them in an intimate embrace.

Looking at that familiar profile, I didn't hesitate.

I called my biological parents, who held positions of immense power.

"Dad, Mom, put the investment for the Thorne family on hold. I want to give him a special gift first!"

After hanging up, I immediately called my assistant.

I instructed him to begin the process of separating my assets from Caleb Thorne's.

I needed to minimize my losses before the storm hit.

I drove straight to the jewelry boutique, but just as I was about to get out, Caleb called.

"Honey, the company needs me for an emergency business trip for a week, so I can't spend our anniversary with you," he said smoothly.

"Also, we're having some cash flow issues. Can you wire me a hundred million?"

I let out a cold laugh while watching a familiar figure through the boutique's glass window.

"Of course, Caleb. But there's a transfer document you need to sign. I'll send the digital version to you now!"

He hung up immediately, likely eager to get the money.

I stepped out of the car and headed straight into the store, carrying the signed contract.

As soon as I entered the VIP lounge, I saw the biological daughter of the Miller family, Cassia Miller.

Her eyes flickered with instant disgust, and her group of followers immediately surrounded me.

"Oh, look, it's the Millers' little charity case, Elowen Miller," one of them sneered.

"What is a girl like you doing in a place this expensive? Are you selling yourself now?"

Cassia looked triumphant, but her gaze shifted to my wrist, and her expression twisted into rage.

"Elowen, you actually had the nerve to steal my bracelet!" she screamed.

She lunged forward and slapped me across the face with all her strength.

"You've already stolen my life, you parasite! Now you're stealing the jewelry my husband bought for me? Why don't you just die!"

The surrounding shoppers looked at me with pure disdain.

"Don't let her get to you, Cassia," someone piped up.

"Some people are just born rotten. There's no point in talking to her."

"Exactly. Just call the police and let them throw her in a cage where she belongs."

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at them coldly.

"The person going to prison today might not be me," I said firmly.

Before they could react, I pulled out my marriage certificate and the records of Caleb's massive transfers to Cassia.

"Every gift Caleb has given you and every cent he transferred was marital property. If I sue you, you'll never be able to pay it back. I wonder how many years you'll get for that?"

The crowd gasped when they saw the marriage certificate.

A few people started to look hesitant, realizing the situation wasn't what it seemed.

Cassia, however, didn't look scared at all; she looked amused.

"So you're that obsessed stalker Caleb told me about! He said some crazy woman kept messaging him, claiming she was his wife and that she was here to save his soul."

"I was going to let it slide since we're both women, but you actually showed up here? You're disgusting!"

I forced myself to stay calm, but my heart was racing.

She pulled out her phone and called Caleb, putting him on speakerphone for everyone to hear.

Caleb's voice came through a second later, sounding sickeningly sweet.

"Hey, baby. Are you still picking out your jewelry? I miss you already."

Cassia smirked at me. "Caleb, there's a woman here claiming to be your legal wife. She's threatening to sue me. I'm so scared."

The call ended, and Cassia walked up to me with a look of fake pity.

"Elowen, for the sake of the years we spent under the same roof, I'll give you a choice."

"Kneel down and give me ninety-nine kowtows right now, and I might let you go. Otherwise, when my husband gets here, he'll destroy you."

I was so stunned by her audacity that I actually laughed.

"You? Destroy me?" I shook my head.

Cassia's eyes flashed with hatred, but she quickly turned toward the door, looking like a damsel in distress.