Chapter 1

Xander Shaw said Luna reminds him of the old me. Innocent. Stubborn. Full of wild spirit

He even twisted the knife with a smile.

"She's got more tricks in bed than you do. You're just a dead fish when it comes to sex."

All because that girl likes cats.

So he cut off my sister's medical funds to open a stray animal shelter for Luna.

I begged him to save my sister, but he pried my hands away.

"Stop making a scene. Your sister's just a living corpse."

The moment my sister's heart monitor flatlined, I dialed his sworn enemy's number.

"Paxton, help me make him wish he were dead."

A low laugh came from the other end. "I can help you, but on one condition. You have to marry me."

Sophia's POV

Today is my twenty-seventh birthday.

I'd been Xander Shaw's cherished wife for five years, and tonight's birthday party was as lavish as it got.

Nearly half of London's elite showed up, everyone praising Xander's devotion, complimenting me on having such a wonderful husband.

I held my champagne glass, smiling as I made small talk with the guests.

"Mrs. Shaw, why hasn't Mr. Shaw arrived yet?"

Someone asked with a smile.

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was eight-thirty in the evening.

The party had already been going for half an hour.

"He had a last-minute international video conference at the company. It's wrapping up now."

I answered with a smile.

But only I knew how pathetic the truth really was.

I'd sent Xander three messages and called him twice. Complete radio silence.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance to the ballroom.

My heart relaxed slightly as I lifted my dress and turned around, but when I saw clearly, I froze in my tracks.

Xander had arrived.

But he hadn't come alone.

The man wore a sharply tailored black custom suit, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, his features as cold and sharp as a blade.

And hanging on his arm was a girl in a cheap T-shirt and jeans, soaking wet from head to toe.

The girl looked no more than twenty years old, her hair in complete disarray, clutching a stray cat tightly in her arms, her doe-like eyes staring at the opulent hall in terror.

This wasn't just inappropriate. It was sabotage.

The entire room fell dead silent.

My fingers trembled slightly as I quickly walked forward.

Before I could speak, Xander frowned first, removing his six-figure suit jacket and wrapping it around the shivering girl.

"Why didn't you answer your phone?"

I asked softly.

"Ran into an emergency."

Xander's voice was flat, not even glancing at me once, his gaze fixed entirely on the girl.

"Her name is Luna. She got clipped by a car while rescuing a cat on the roadside. I took her to the hospital, and on the way stopped by to treat her wound."

On the way?

Xander was severely germophobic too.

In the past, if I so much as glanced at a stray dog on the street, he'd frown and tell me to go disinfect.

Now, he was letting a girl covered in mud and water dirty his expensive shirt?

"Today is my birthday party."

I reminded him.

"I know."

Xander finally looked up at me.

His expression was calm, calm to the point of cruelty.

"Sophia, have the maid take her to a guest room to change. Also, call the family doctor over."

His tone was completely commanding.

All around us were watching eyes. The envy in those society ladies' gazes had now turned entirely to mockery.

"Xander."

I didn't move, instead looking at this man I'd loved for ten years.

"Do you know what you're doing?"

The girl shrank into Xander's arms in fright, her voice tearful.

"Mr. Shaw... am I causing you trouble? I'll leave right now..."

That single "Mr. Shaw" instantly softened Xander's expression.

He reached out to steady the girl's shoulder, and in front of all the guests, in front of me, he said softly,

"Don't move. Your wound will open up. As long as I'm here, who dares make you leave?"

I felt a ringing sound in my ears.

"Mr. Shaw."

Ten years ago, when Xander was eighteen and still a poor nobody, I was seventeen. We'd eat canned soup together in his basement.

I used to playfully call him "Mr. Shaw" too, teasing him for being old-fashioned.

What did Xander say back then?

He'd tapped my nose, his eyes full of affection.

"Sophia, you're the only one allowed to call me that for the rest of my life."

Now, the exclusive nickname had a new owner.

After soothing Luna, Xander turned to look at me, his brow furrowed, radiating impatience.

"Sophia, you used to be magnanimous. Don't stoop to a young girl's level. It's beneath you."

Beneath me.

I felt my heart being squeezed by an invisible hand, crushed to pulp.

I straightened my spine.

"Fine. Since Mr. Shaw is here on a rescue mission, then this birthday party might as well end."

I took the microphone, turning to announce the party's conclusion.

My wrist was suddenly gripped.

Xander's hold was strong, pinching my bones painfully.

He leaned close to my ear, using a voice only the two of us could hear, cold and final as a death sentence.

"Sophia, stop making a scene. After tonight, we're getting divorced."