Chapter 1

On the day of my birthday, my husband was at a winery, opening a million-dollar bottle of vintage wine to celebrate his beautiful assistant's promotion.

He even posted about it, with the caption: "After this toast, you're my person now."

I commented "congrats," and the post was immediately deleted.

My husband, Kael, called me, furious. "Can you stop being so dramatic?"

"I was just rewarding an employee! You're such a buzzkill!"

A moment later, the assistant's profile picture changed to a photo of the two of them, sweetly feeding each other wine.

The old me would have thrown a fit, demanded an explanation.

But this time, I just texted him: "A million dollars for a bottle of wine. Remember to transfer it to my bank account."

When Kael came home in the early hours of the morning, he was holding an open bottle of wine.

The smell of it hit me as he got closer.

Before I could react, he poured the entire bottle over my head.

"You want to be dramatic, Elara? Then have a drink!"

"Is a million dollars enough for you? If not, I can pour a few more!"

"Who are you to tell me how to run my company, you freeloader?"

The expensive designer dress he had given me was instantly ruined.

Just like my relationship with him.

Yesterday was my birthday. He had promised to celebrate with me.

Instead, he was popping million-dollar bottles for another woman.

And then he had the nerve to tell me to mind my own business.

Before, seeing him this angry, I would have immediately apologized. In his world, he was always more important than the truth. I was terrified of making him angry.

But all that got me was him pushing me further and further.

Thinking about it now, I was just… tired. I had no desire to fight back.

I silently walked to the laundry room and took off my soaked dress.

"You're all dressed up. Where were you messing around tonight?"

Kael was at the dining table, pouring himself a glass of water. He glanced at the empty table, then at my formal attire, and scowled.

He had clearly forgotten he was supposed to take me out for my birthday.

"Where else would I be? I was here all day."

My sarcastic tone made him pause. Then, his anger flared.

He stormed over to me. "What's that supposed to mean, Elara?" He jabbed a finger at my chest. "You eat my food, you live in my house, and you give me this attitude?"

"Just because I celebrated with Lyra yesterday? She got a promotion!"

"Unlike you, who just sits at home all day, doing nothing…"

He was getting more and more worked up. I cut him off. "Did you forget what day yesterday was?"

He froze, then asked, "What day was it?"

"If you don't remember, then it doesn't matter."

I wasn't surprised. The only person on his mind was his beautiful new assistant. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been out drinking until this hour.

My cold indifference seemed to annoy him. He pulled out his phone and swiped a few times.

A transfer notification popped up on my screen. "So it was your birthday," he said, trying to make up for it. "We can celebrate today, okay?"

"You're almost thirty. Why are you still making a big deal out of birthdays?"

With that, he slammed the bedroom door and went into the bathroom.

The old me would have been thrilled. But now, I didn't care about him. And I certainly didn't care about a belated birthday celebration.

As I lay in bed that night, for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of peace. I no longer had to sleep with the constant fear of him getting angry.