Chapter 1

Mother's Day of Remembrance.

My husband slammed my head against the tombstone, and agony swept through my entire body. With his beloved assistant in his arms, he mocked me.

"Do you think a ten-million-dollar sales order will make me forgive your mother? That's like giving charity to beggars."

He squinted and sneered, then kicked and shattered my mother's tombstone.

"Your snobbish mother died too comfortably, so I'll make you a living widow, ensuring she can't rest in peace."

Tears and blood blurred my vision. I got up to fight back against my husband, but the assistant tripped me.

My abdomen struck the broken tombstone, and the intense pain made me pass out.

He kissed the assistant as a reward and flew to the Island overnight to celebrate her birthday.

When I woke up, I had lost the ability to have children, and my mother's grave was reduced to ruins by a fire.

Declan, our marriage ends here.

Don't blame me for my ruthlessness!

Fueled by hatred, I went to the company to resign to Declan, only to find out he was on the Island celebrating Lydia's birthday.

So, I submitted my resignation online. Within seconds, the assistant approved it on Declan's behalf.

The legitimate wife was openly replaced by the mistress, and my colleagues mocked me behind my back.

"How embarrassing, President Declan has disliked her for a long time. She clung to the company and wouldn't leave."

"Exactly, she always opposed President Declan and bullied the assistant. It's karma that came too late."

"I bet our boss's wife will be replaced soon, and someone will leave with nothing."

I smirked inwardly, having seen them suck up to the powerful too often.

Declan targeted me in everything, but he only favored the assistant, Lydia.

When Lydia made mistakes, I reprimanded her officially, but Declan protected her and turned the tables, humiliating me for abusing power.

Those two-faced colleagues constantly humiliated me with words to curry favor with Declan and Lydia.

After I left, they wouldn't have a good time.

"I left the company of my own accord to become the vice president at a rival company. Without me, this company will soon go bankrupt. Your good days are coming to an end."

They didn't know I took all the sales orders under my name, which accounted for 80% of the company's business.

Everyone looked at me in confusion. I ignored their questions and left the company with my box.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, Declan called.

"What are you doing? Didn't you see the document I sent? The client needs it urgently. Send it to me in half an hour, or you'll regret it when I get back."

He didn't know I had resigned.

Still as overbearing as ever, treating me like a slave, even threatening me with violence.

But I wouldn't tolerate him anymore.

I casually opened the document. It was the ten-million-dollar order I secured with great effort.

I had tried to use it to negotiate with Declan, but he dismissed it and gave it to Lydia as a birthday present.

As always, I was the workhorse, taking on overtime and blame.

While Lydia only had to flatter and slack off to enjoy the benefits.

When Declan started treating me this way, I resisted. But he expertly manipulated me, intentionally neglecting me and threatening divorce.

I loved him and didn't want a divorce, so I agreed to his unreasonable demands.

I naively believed Declan would be moved by me and fall in love.

But what did I get in return?

It wasn't until I lost the ability to have children and my mother's grave was burned that I realized how wrong I was.

"I'm busy."

"Do you dare refuse my orders?"

Declan frowned displeased, his tone suddenly cold.

"Adeline, listen to me. No matter what you're doing, drop it and get it done now, or I'll fire you."

"I already..."

I was about to explain my resignation when Lydia spoke softly.

"Declan, I didn't expect Adeline to be so petty, still blaming me for tripping her. Maybe I should handle it myself."

"Adeline wouldn't dare hold a grudge against you. Today's your birthday, and you were exhausted last night. Let her handle these trivial tasks."

Declan's gentle tone towards her left me dazed. He doted on her so much.

Lydia, basking in her triumph, subtly sowed discord, making Declan even more disgusted with me.

Declan shouted at me, "Adeline, I'm the boss, and you're the employee. You have no right to say no. Get it done now."

Lydia played the good person, "Declan, maybe I should do it. Adeline just got out of the hospital and isn't well."

"She only went to the hospital, she's not dead. You were almost exhausted last night."

"As the boss's wife, Adeline should contribute more to the company."

With a few dismissive words, Declan belittled my pain and morally coerced me.

If someone doesn't love you, even if you die, they'd think you're pretending to sleep.

I trembled, touching my abdomen, my eyes bloodshot, wishing I could tear Lydia and Declan apart.

But I had to endure, to ensure they got what they deserved.

Seeing my silence, Declan assumed I was complying, and his tone softened.

"Adeline, this is a chance to atone for your mother's sins. What a great opportunity. As the hostess, you should have a broader perspective."

"Sometimes you're not even as good as Lydia. She's so dedicated to the company. She worked until she had a fever yesterday, while you just sit and enjoy. You should learn from her."

Lydia giggled, "Declan, you're so mean. Adeline has done a lot for you and the company."

On the surface, she defended me, but she was really mocking me, laughing at Declan for not touching me.

Declan didn't catch the sarcasm and mocked me with her.

"What Adeline has done is nothing to me. It can't be considered a contribution. The company's performance relies on you, our sales elite."

I was shaking with anger, my blood boiling, struggling to breathe.

Regretting blindly loving Declan.

Declan feigned ignorance. All of Lydia's sales orders were taken from me.

And the one who gave her the power was Declan himself.

He squandered my love, thinking I couldn't live without him, thinking I wouldn't divorce him.

"I have to deliver gifts to a major client. I'm hanging up. Send the document to my email immediately."

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed. Lydia sent a provocative photo.

In a five-star hotel restaurant, Declan cut steak to feed her, with cake, wine, and flowers beside them, stabbing my heart like a knife.

The limited edition Chanel bag by her side was the one I'd longed for but couldn't afford.

I couldn't help but look at Lydia's Facebook.

Last night, she took a selfie in a hotel robe, with Declan's reflection in the window glass.

Love and lack thereof are clear at a glance. Tears streamed down my face, and I clenched my fists in fury.

Turns out, Lydia's fever was from serving Declan too "diligently."

The so-called gift for a major client was actually Declan's birthday gift to the assistant.

"Adeline, you can't get your husband's love and lost your job. If I were you, I'd have jumped in the river out of shame."

I didn't reply to Lydia, saving the photo instead.

I opened my phone, adjusted the document Declan sent, and directly sent it to his email, waiting for the crisis to unfold.

Just as I got in a cab home, my phone chimed.

The bank deducted fifty thousand for five-star hotel dining and lodging, leaving a balance of one thousand.

Declan spent my money celebrating Lydia's birthday.