Chapter 1

1 I spent five years in a marriage with Cooper Sinclair that was built on resentment.

He was forced to marry me because of our families.

So, he got his revenge the only way he knew how: fast cars, endless partying, and a permanent place on every gossip blog in the country. He made me a joke.

Tonight, at the Sinclair family dinner, he brought another pretty, innocent-looking starlet.

Just like always.

Waiting for me to crack, to fall apart.

But not this time.

This time, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

I even complimented him on his "taste."

...

I walked into the Sinclair mansion.

Cooper was standing rigid, his back to me.

Grandpa Sinclair was in front of him, his cane hammering against the marble floor.

"You disrespectful idiot! Bringing your floozy to a family dinner? Did you even consider Penelope?"

The starlet, who I now knew as Janie, was already tearing up.

"Cooper, maybe I should just go…"

Cooper pulled her close, a cold smirk on his face.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're practically family already."

Grandpa Sinclair was furious. He raised his cane, ready to strike.

I forced a smile and stepped forward, grabbing his arm. "Grandpa, calm down."

Cooper's expression flickered, his eyes studying me.

He was probably thrown by how composed I seemed.

Normally, I would've been screaming, clawing, doing everything to get Janie out of there.

His gaze lingered on my smile for a beat.

His jaw tightened. "Mrs. Sinclair, how generous of you."

The sarcasm dripped from his words.

But I refused to analyze it.

I acted like I didn't hear it.

I helped Grandpa Sinclair into the dining room.

At the table, Cooper and Janie were all over each other.

Ignoring Grandpa Sinclair's dark looks.

Whatever dish I reached for, he'd snatch it and give it to Janie.

I slammed my chopsticks down on the table.

Cooper didn't even flinch. He just kept going.

Before Grandpa Sinclair could explode, I jumped up.

"Grandpa, Grandma's probably awake. She's waiting for you in the garden."

Once the old man was gone, I returned to my seat.

The other guests were still there.

As the eldest grandson's wife, I had to maintain appearances.

Cooper glanced at me, his eyes narrowed.

He toyed with his lighter, saying nothing.

But the air around him was heavy, tense.

I kept quiet too.

Janie batted her eyelashes and whined, "Do you mind that I'm here, Penelope?"

"Ignore her," Cooper said, not even looking at me.

My hands clenched. I looked at Janie.

"She's prettier than the others you've brought."

Cooper's eyes swept over my face, his voice flat.

"She's definitely prettier than Mrs. Sinclair."

Janie giggled, trying to hide the triumph in her eyes. "Penelope is known as a great beauty in Hong Kong. I can't compare."

Cooper didn't say anything. He just lit a cigarette.

The smoke burned my nostrils.

I took a bite of my food, trying to soothe the ache in my throat.

Just then, Janie said something sweet and innocent. "Oh no! I think I left my lingerie back at the hotel last night!"

Cooper chuckled, "You little scatterbrain."

I swallowed the food, a sudden wave of nausea washing over me.

I stood up, ignoring their shocked faces, and ran to the bathroom.