Chapter 1

I served three years in prison for my wife Juliet, and when I got out, all I received was a one-dollar bonus.

Just as I thought there must be some mistake, I noticed my male colleague Collins had received a check.

That evening, I scrolled through Collins's Instagram and saw him showing off a check:

【My girlfriend is the most generous boss in all of America! She gave me a hundred million dollar bonus!】

Many people left comments expressing envy and congratulating him on finding such an outstanding girlfriend.

Not only did Juliet fail to explain, she was eager to distance herself from me:

"You just got out of prison. It's not appropriate to make our relationship public. Call me 'boss' in front of others."

Then she turned around and liked Collins's Instagram post.

I took a deep breath and called her archrival. "From now on, I'm working for you."

"You were willing to spend three years in prison for Juliet's career, so why do you suddenly want to work for me?"

"I remember she promised you over and over that when you got out, she'd give you the department manager position. Are you sure you don't want it anymore?"

I rubbed the one-dollar bill over and over, unable to hold back a bitter laugh.

"Yeah, I don't want it anymore."

The moment I said it, Juliet suddenly appeared in front of me, asking suspiciously:

"Don't want what?"

I hung up the phone calmly and told her the truth:

"The department manager position."

At my words, a flash of light appeared in her complicated expression, as if she was relieved.

"Perfect. I was planning to give it to Collins anyway. You can start as a clerk."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but frown.

I had endured three years behind bars for Juliet's company.

She had promised me over and over that when I got out, this position would be mine and mine alone.

But who could have imagined that in the end, I'd become just a lowly errand boy.

At this very moment, Juliet broke the promise she'd made three years ago with her own mouth.

But I couldn't see even a trace of guilt in her eyes.

My eyes burned hot, and an unstoppable stabbing pain flooded my heart.

Seeing that I remained silent, Juliet pulled an agreement from her briefcase and tossed it on the table.

She said casually, "This is a secret marriage agreement. Consider it for the company's sake."

The four words "Secret Marriage Agreement" stabbed painfully at my eyes.

Three years ago, the day before I went to prison, Juliet and I got our marriage license.

The only belief that sustained me through it all was the thought of a happy married life after my release.

But now I had become something she was ashamed to speak of, something she even wanted to erase from existence.

I mocked myself silently, and without thinking, I grabbed the pen at hand.

Juliet suddenly turned her head, watching my hand about to sign, her brow furrowing.

How could he, who used to be desperate to announce this marriage to the world, suddenly be so decisive?

She instinctively pressed down on my wrist, saying something incomprehensible:

"You're not even going to think about it?"

I didn't lift my eyes and immediately signed.

Having gotten the secret marriage agreement as she wished, she fell inexplicably silent for a moment.

After a while, she cleared her throat, her voice becoming gentle:

"Taylor, don't worry. Once the company stabilizes, I'll definitely compensate you properly."

I gave a perfunctory "mm-hmm," and just then the company group chat lit up.

Collins had become the company's first department manager, and all the employees were congratulating him.

【You've been by Miss Juliet's side these past three years, we've all seen it. You truly deserve this position!】

【I think Collins is department manager today, but tomorrow he'll probably be Juliet's husband, right? We better start sucking up to you now.】

Right after, Collins sent a dog emoji, tacitly accepting everything.

【I still think Taylor is the lucky one. Three years in prison and he still gets to be a clerk at the company. Juliet really values him!】

Knowing the truth, he was obviously mocking me.

I couldn't bear to keep looking at the screen, but inadvertently saw Juliet staring at her phone.

The smile at the corner of her mouth was a tenderness I'd never seen before.

It made me wonder whether she was hiding our marriage for the company's sake, or for Collins's sake.