Chapter 1

On my way home, I picked up my last rideshare order.

A man with a six-year-old child was on the phone with his wife. "Honey, I'm in the car now. I'll drop off our son and come right back to spend our anniversary with you."

His wife's voice came through. "Don't we have a car at home? Stop taking rideshares. Those cars are filthy."

My grip on the steering wheel suddenly tightened.

Not because of the insult in her words, but because the woman's voice sounded exactly like my wife, Serena Moore.

After the man hung up, he said apologetically, "Sorry about that. My wife is a bit of a germaphobe."

I nodded and probed cautiously, "What does your wife do for work?"

The child answered proudly, "My mom's a professor at Harvard! Her name is Serena Moore! She's amazing!"

The man stroked the boy's hair affectionately. "My family would only let me marry a professor. She used to be a designer, but she became a professor for me."

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over me. My whole body went cold.

It really was her!

Seven years of marriage, and her illegitimate child from her affair was already six years old!

I suppressed my heartache and went home, only to overhear Serena on the phone.

"Mom, find a way to make Holden have a car accident. Once he loses his memory, I'll bring Preston and the kid home."

"I'll arrange the best medical care for him, but he's occupied Preston's place for so long. It's time he gave it back."

I stood frozen in place, my heart finally turning cold. Then I pressed send.

[Dad, I agree to the arranged marriage, but the company has to go to me too.]