Chapter 1

I stood in the shadows backstage at the press conference.

My husband Ethan was in the spotlight, crediting my AI system to Sadie White.

I had spent five years on it, coding day and night even while pregnant.

In that moment, I finally understood: the Sinclair empire I'd built with my own hands was nothing more than a birthday gift for his mistress.

He used my achievements to promote her, used my son to threaten me, forcing me to apologize publicly and kneel in submission.

But he didn't know that when he granted me "authorization" with his fingerprint and iris in the lab, I had already quietly initiated the self-destruct program for the core code.

In the banquet hall, I threw the divorce papers at his chest and calmly watched his face turn ashen.

"Ethan Sinclair, from this day forward, June Mitchell no longer exists in this world."

And I would vanish completely with my son and my technology.

June Mitchell POV

The spotlight hit the massive curved screen as thunderous applause filled the space below.

I stood in the dark corner backstage, watching that man in his tailored suit walk to center stage.

Ethan Sinclair, my husband and CEO of the renowned Sinclair Tech Group.

"Today, I will unveil the first-generation artificial intelligence core system that Sinclair Group has spent five years developing." Ethan's voice was deep, carrying the ease of a successful man.

My palms were slightly sweaty. That was my achievement.

Over five thousand days and nights, I'd typed line after line of code in the underground lab, never stopping even during my pregnancy. I'd named this system "Haven," wanting to give it as a gift to my husband and son.

The giant screen lit up, and the AI's virtual image appeared. It wasn't the tech-inspired geometric form I'd designed, but a young girl in a white dress.

"Its name is 'Cherry Blossom.'" Ethan's voice carried through the microphone to every corner. "To thank my muse and genius digital artist, Miss Sadie White."

A roaring sound erupted in my head, as if something had exploded inside me.

Cherry blossoms were Sadie's favorite flower.

The spotlight instantly illuminated the front row.

A girl in haute couture stood up, covering her mouth, tears of joy sparkling in her eyes. She flew onto the stage like a butterfly and threw herself into Ethan's arms without hesitation.

Ethan, who had always been known for his cold demeanor, didn't push her away. Instead, he reached out and steadied her waist, his eyes showing a tenderness I hadn't seen in three full years.

"Thank you, Ethan! This is the best twentieth birthday gift I've ever received!" Sadie said into the microphone.

The crowd below erupted in cheers as media cameras flashed wildly, capturing this "beautiful" moment. No one knew that the true Mrs. Sinclair, the chief algorithm engineer who had given the AI its soul, stood in the shadows, her entire body ice cold.

After the press conference, in the VIP lounge.

When I pushed open the door, Sadie was sitting on Ethan's lap, playing with his shirt buttons. Seeing me enter, Sadie jumped up like a startled rabbit and hid behind Ethan, calling out softly. "Miss Mitchell..."

The warmth on Ethan's face instantly vanished, his eyes piercing me like shards of ice. "Who let you in? Get out."

I stared at him hard, my voice trembling from extreme suppression. "Why did you change the system's name? It was 'Haven.' I named it! Why did you rename my work?"

"Your work?" Ethan laughed coldly, standing up and looking down at me without a trace of affection in his eyes, "June Mitchell, have you been in the lab so long that your brain stopped working? The entire Sinclair Group belongs to me. You used my money for research and development. I decide what the system is called!"

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. The pain made it impossible to breathe.

"You know very well that-"

"Shut up." Ethan cut me off. "I have a question, and you need to explain yourself. Yesterday at Sadie's digital art exhibition, why did the main server's data suddenly crash? All the original files were completely destroyed. June Mitchell, besides you, who has that capability?"

I froze, my eyes filled with disbelief. "You suspect me? I spent all day yesterday at the hospital with Atlas getting his IV!"

"Enough!" Ethan grabbed my chin, his grip so hard it felt like he might crush my bones. "I understand that you're jealous of Sadie. But you shouldn't have destroyed what she cares about most! She prepared for that exhibition for an entire year!"

Sadie gently tugged at Ethan's sleeve from behind, her eyes red. "Ethan, forget it. Maybe Miss Mitchell really didn't mean it. After all, she's so busy, she wouldn't have time to target me."

These words made Ethan even angrier.

Ethan released me and threw a document in my face. The sharp paper edge cut my cheek, drawing a trace of blood.

"You have twenty-four hours." Ethan's voice held no warmth.

"Publicly apologize to Sadie and admit you maliciously destroyed her work using your position. Otherwise, I'll immediately file for divorce. With Sinclair's legal team, I guarantee you won't get a single penny, and you'll completely lose custody of Atlas. You'll never see your son again for the rest of your life!"

Watching my pale face, a flash of reluctance crossed Ethan's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

I stood frozen, the stinging pain on my cheek not even one ten-thousandth of the pain in my chest.

He was actually threatening me with my own son? Just to defend his mistress?