Chapter 1

My billionaire husband, Finley Anderson, spent tens of millions on an art graduation exhibition for the college student he'd been sponsoring for two years, yet refused to pay twenty thousand dollars for our son's medical treatment.

After our son died of severe diarrhea and dehydration right before my eyes, I handed him divorce papers with a heart full of despair.

When he saw the death certificate attached to the papers, Finley couldn't help but let out a laugh:

"Sorry, I never thought diarrhea could actually kill someone."

"I know you're upset, but it's okay. Lily's due in three days."

"After sponsoring her all this time, she's very understanding and grateful. I've already discussed it with her—once the baby's born, we'll bring it over for you to raise. You can just focus on being Mrs. Anderson. But there's one condition: you have to let Lily visit the child regularly."

"No need," I said with a self-deprecating smile. "I only want a divorce."

After failing to get money from Finley, I sold the engagement ring he'd once paid a fortune to create for me—sold it for next to nothing.

Clutching the cash, I rushed back to the hospital. Through the long corridor, I could hear the sharp, piercing sound of medical equipment from the room at the far end.

Then, seconds later, the world went silent, as if someone had pressed pause.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Lane. Please accept our condolences..."

"Actually, if you'd been able to pay the medical fees a few days earlier so we could administer medication, this wouldn't have happened."

"Hospital policy states that without timely payment from the patient or their family, we cannot provide medication. I'm truly sorry, Ms. Lane. We did everything we could. Please accept our condolences..."

I opened my mouth, but my throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton-wrapped razor blades—choking and painful.

I dragged my heavy legs to the bedside. I didn't know how to face my son's death.

Just this morning, the child lying in this bed had managed to smile and call me "Mom."

The TV on the white wall flickered for a moment. When the signal returned, Finley's face appeared on the screen.

He was smiling. The man who was usually so cold to outsiders now stood behind his sponsored college student, warmly greeting every guest at the exhibition.

Some bold person didn't hesitate to gossip about their relationship right in front of the media bloggers' cameras:

"With my years of experience as a matchmaker, I'd say Mr. Anderson and our painter Ms. Dixon aren't just sponsor and sponsored, are they?"

"Come on, spill it! Are you two tying the knot soon?"

Lily Dixon blushed shyly under everyone's teasing, her eyes constantly falling on Finley with a gaze full of love and bashfulness.

He didn't refute these comments. From the smile at the corner of his mouth, you could tell he was happy.

"But isn't Mr. Anderson married? His kid's already five years old. Has Mr. Anderson divorced and just not announced it?"

Everyone present fell silent for a few seconds. The person who'd asked shrank back into the crowd, not daring to speak again.

Lily's eyes reddened with embarrassment in front of the camera. She turned to ask the man timidly:

"Finley, why didn't your wife come to the exhibition? Is she still angry about what happened at the auction?"

"Should I... go apologize to her again?"

Without any hesitation, Finley refused.

"No need."

"I've spoiled her so much she's become petty. It was just a set of rare jewelry, yet she actually attacked you over it. Since she's become so obsessed with money and material things, I won't give her a single penny to spend. Can't let that slap you took go unpunished."

"Seeing her take out her frustrations on you just irritates me."

This protective tone made everyone certain of the marital troubles between Finley and me, and also led most people to believe I was the one at fault for the relationship going bad.