Chapter 1

It was my first day after giving birth, and I was burning up with a 102-degree fever. My consciousness was fading into a blur of heat and pain.

Meanwhile, my husband, Hudson Sterling, was in his late wife's memorial room. He spent the entire night 'grieving' with her twin sister.

I used the last of my strength to push open the heavy oak door. I caught them wrapped in each other's arms, their clothes in complete disarray.

The sister, Sylvia, looked horrified as she fell to her knees, weeping. "Don't misunderstand, Stella. Hudson just misses my sister so much."

Hudson shielded Sylvia behind his back, his eyes cold. "She's already dead. Why are you acting like a jealous brat over a ghost?"

He dragged me into the room and slammed the door, locking it behind him. "Kneel! You owe Sylvia an apology for your disrespect!"

In that moment, the last spark of love in my heart died.

I pulled out the divorce papers I had already signed and slapped them against his chest.

My parents-in-law were shocked, pointing fingers at me. "Stella, Hudson is just a man who loves his late wife deeply. How can you be jealous of a dead woman?"

I burst out laughing, the light in my eyes turning into shards of ice.

"Since he loves her so much, I don't mind sending him down to hell to join her. Then the whole family can finally be together."

1

"Stella Sterling! Have you lost your mind?" my mother-in-law shrieked, her finger nearly touching my nose.

My father-in-law stood up with a dark expression. "How has Hudson failed you? Have you gone completely insane after the labor?"

I didn't say a word. I just stared at Hudson.

His eyes were red, and he wore a mask of agonizing heartbreak.

"Stella, I just miss Seraphina so much. Can't you show a little bit of compassion?"

Sylvia Vance peeked out timidly from behind him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have brought up my sister…"

"Stella, Hudson took such good care of you while you were pregnant. He made sure you had the best food and stayed up late to massage your legs."

"How could you do this now?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was loud and clear.

I watched this pathetic drama with a cold gaze.

Hudson took the bait. "Exactly, Stella. Have I not been good enough to you?"

His mother joined in the scolding. "During those nine months, Hudson was more nervous than you were! If you keep making a scene, what will happen to the Sterling family reputation?"

My father-in-law let out a heavy sigh. "Women always start hallucinating after they have a baby."

I listened quietly as they painted me as a woman suffering from a mental breakdown.

They packaged Hudson as a devoted, grieving husband.

I listened to every word Sylvia said to exonerate him.

Suddenly, I smiled.

"Sign it." I pushed the divorce agreement toward Hudson.

He froze for a second, and then his face twisted with rage.

"You're bringing up divorce in front of my parents and Sylvia? Are you trying to destroy me?"

Destroy him?

I spoke slowly. "Does a man who fools around with his sister-in-law in his dead wife's memorial room while his actual wife is dying of a fever even need me to destroy him?"

The air in the room froze.

Hudson's face turned a ghostly shade of grey.