Chapter 1

Seven years of marriage. Ethan saw me as dirty, as old. He turned around and got involved with a younger college student.

His reason? "You threw yourself at me when you were sixteen, like some cheap escort. Who knows how many men a manipulative woman like you has slept with since?"

He held Lily Sterling close, his eyes tender.

"Lily is pure and untouched. She was twenty when she lost her virginity to me. I'm her only man."

He forgot.

When he was sixteen, he was the one begging me to get into his bed.

Someone had drugged him with an aphrodisiac, and I gave myself to him to save his life.

He'd pulled a blanket over my kiss-marked body back then and soothed, "My darling, I'll be good to you my whole life."

Seven years together. I took blades for him, my hands stained with blood and dirtied by schemes.

All I got in return was him turning to embrace his "pure" new love.

This time, I didn't make a scene. I took off my wedding ring and walked away.

Ethan's friends all bet on when I'd come back.

But day after day, I remained silent. No word from me.

Ethan couldn't sit still anymore. He called me.

"Amelia, you've caused enough trouble. Come back."

But a low chuckle came. A man's voice. "Mr. Hayes, you take too long chasing your girl. Someone else might beat you to it."