On our third wedding anniversary, my husband of convenience sent me our divorce papers, disguised as a home purchase contract for his little mistress. His friend teased him. “Aren’t you afraid she’ll actually sign it?” “You’ve been in love with her for seven years. Are you really willing to throw it all away over a joke?” Adam Gibbs exhaled a slow stream of smoke, a smug arrogance dancing in his eyes. “You don’t know Rachel Rae. She’s completely in love with me now. More obsessed than I ever was with her.” “When she sees that house is for Mia, she’ll be so jealous she’ll lose her mind. There’s no way she’ll sign.” I never pushed open the door to the private room. Instead, I turned around, went to my office, and signed my name on the disguised contract. He didn't know. The love I once had for him had long since turned to ash. 1 I stood there, stunned, trying to process Adam’s words. When he’d begged me for this marriage of convenience, he’d sworn up and down he’d rather die than divorce me. “Rachel, I swear to you, the only way you’ll ever leave me is as a widow, never a divorcée.” The echoes of that thunderous vow hadn't even faded. And now, just to amuse his little mistress, he was turning our marriage—something I held sacred—into a sick joke. Inside the room, his friends were laughing. “Careful you don’t play yourself, Gibbs. What if she doesn’t look closely?” “Or what if you’ve broken her heart so badly she signs it out of pure spite…” Adam just shook his head, the picture of a spoiled playboy. “When it comes to me, she’s meticulous about everything. Last time, I just asked her to drop off a coat for Mia in the middle of the night, and she was so mad she wouldn’t let me touch her for days. This is a house.” He looked even more pleased with himself. “I’m telling you, the second Rachel sees that email, she’ll come storming in here ready to fight. What can I say? The ladies love me. It’s a curse.” One friend wasn’t buying it. “Stop bragging. Everyone knows Rachel’s dad cheated on her mom. She’s got a complex about it. She needs a perfect marriage. You keep pulling stunts like this, you’re going to end up crying.” Adam stubbed out his cigarette with a sneer. “You don’t believe me? Let’s make a bet. One million dollars. Three days.” “You’re on.” Another friend finally spoke up, his voice laced with disapproval. “Come on, man, that’s enough. Rachel’s our friend too. Betting on this is a scumbag move.” He nudged Adam. “And you’re being a real asshole. You finally marry the woman you’ve been chasing for years, and you’re still messing around with someone else. Just retract the damn email.” Adam paused for a second, then lit another cigarette in frustration. “No. I already made a bet with Mia.” “Besides,” he added, “the email isn't just a joke. I want her to learn from Mia. When Mia gets jealous, she acts like a proper woman—all teary-eyed and fragile. When Rachel gets jealous, she just screams like a lunatic. It’s so damn annoying.” The friend sighed, exasperated. “Keep it up. You’re going to destroy a perfectly good thing.” “Who are you cursing? It’s not like we haven’t fought before. And which time did Rachel not come crawling back?” “Just have my million ready when I win.” … Adam’s voice droned on, but I couldn’t hear it anymore. My knuckles were white as I clutched the thermos of chicken soup I’d made for him. A part of me wanted to storm in there and dump the entire thing over his perfectly styled hair. But that would go viral. Powerful CEO and Husband Clash Publicly. The humiliation… The fight drained out of me in an instant. I turned and walked out of the club. 2 I returned home in a daze. The warm, cozy decor of our apartment, once a comfort, now felt like a suffocating net, squeezing my heart until it ached. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Adam’s smiling face. I just couldn’t understand. How could the man whose world once revolved entirely around me have become this ugly, unrecognizable stranger? Just three years ago, in front of all our family and friends, he had wept as he said marrying me was the happiest moment of his life. Before I overheard that conversation, I had been seriously considering having a baby, just to make him happy. But it turned out the marriage I was fighting so hard to preserve… was nothing more than a gambling chip to him. I stood up and threw the cake I’d baked and the carefully chosen gift I’d bought for him straight into the trash. Adam and I met when we were young. He was a whirlwind of confidence, bursting into my life in a pristine white basketball jersey. My parents had just divorced, and the shock had turned me into a quiet, withdrawn girl. No one knew how to talk to me, so they kept their distance. But not Adam. He followed me around all day, filling the silence with his endless chatter. Later, when his family’s business hit a rough patch, he came to me, his eyes red-rimmed, and asked if I would consider a marriage of convenience. My mother warned me to be careful, but I didn’t hesitate. I said yes. I believed in his sincerity. But sincerity, I was learning, could vanish in a heartbeat. I sat down at the computer, opened the email, and signed my name. Really, I should have seen it long ago. After three years of endless tabloid rumors and whispered scandals, even the most passionate love would have burned out. 3 Done with my obsession over this toxic marriage, I turned my attention to my work emails, not looking up until the early hours of the morning. I was about to head for a shower when my phone rang. It was Adam. I ignored it. He called again. And again. And again, until I finally blocked his number. But the peace was short-lived. The smart screen in our living room flickered to life with an incoming video call. “Rachel, what are you still doing at home?” “I drank too much, my stomach’s killing me. Where’s the soup? You said you made it. Bring it over.” He was lounging on the club sofa, his tone arrogant and demanding, as if I weren't his wife but a servant he could summon at will. The soup? I glanced over at my dog, who was licking his lips, full and satisfied. “I fed it to the dog,” I said flatly. “If you want some, order takeout.” Before I could finish, a fragile, trembling voice piped up from the video feed. “Adam, is she feeding the soup to a dog instead of bringing it to you because of me? Is she angry that I’m here?” One of his friends snorted. “You know the answer to that, so why are you still hanging around? Who’s the damsel-in-distress act for?” “What did you say?!” Adam snapped, his face darkening. “Mia is my guest.” “Rachel is just a petty, jealous shrew. I can’t even talk to another woman without her throwing a fit for three days. It’s exhausting.” “Mia, don’t listen to him.” Mia deliberately moved closer to the camera, her eyes welling with tears, her lip trembling as if she were about to cry. “Adam, please don’t fight with your wife because of me. It’s all my fault. I… I won’t come looking for you anymore.” Adam’s expression softened instantly. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. “What are you apologizing for? It’s not your fault.” “Rachel’s just having one of her crazy episodes. Ignore her. We’ll keep having fun.” Someone in the background couldn’t take it anymore. “Adam! Do you have any idea what day it is?!” Adam frowned, as if trying to remember. I had no desire to watch their little performance any longer. I reached over and unplugged the smart screen. Then, I blocked him on every platform. This was it. The final break. And yet, before today, I never would have imagined I’d leave Adam over another woman. Especially not Mia. 4 She was a top student from a small town. She’d been rejected from our company after showing up late for her interview, but she’d crashed our lunch at a restaurant, sobbing and begging for another chance. “Ms. Rae, please, just give me one more chance,” she’d pleaded. The entire restaurant was staring, the silent pressure mounting. I reviewed her resume again. Seeing she’d graduated from a top university, I made an exception and hired her. But once she started, she constantly misplaced files and mixed up data. She didn’t even make it through her probationary period. I was about to give her one last chance, feeling sorry for her as a new graduate, when I found out she was already working for Adam. After catching them being overly familiar several times, I admit I lost my composure and we had a huge fight. I even asked him if he had feelings for Mia, telling him I would grant him a divorce if he did. But Adam would just pull me into a gentle embrace, a teasing smile on his face. “Still so jealous,” he’d murmur. “I just feel sorry for the girl. She’s just office decoration, a flower vase. I have no other intentions. We’ve known each other for so long. Don’t you trust me?” “My type has always been strong, career-driven women like you. What’s so great about a little crybaby?” And I believed him. Mia cried easily and fell apart when she made a mistake. It seemed plausible she would turn to Adam for help. Plus, Adam’s pursuit of me had been the stuff of legends. He had sworn he loved only me. In the heat of that love, I couldn't bring myself to doubt him. But later, while I was busy expanding his family’s business empire, Adam was taking her to see the Northern Lights, to chase penguins in Antarctica, to make New Year’s wishes in the deep snow of the Swiss Alps. And now. Now, for her, he was turning our carefully guarded marriage into a joke. Thinking back, I really was a clown. A prop in their flirtatious games, still believing that love was immutable. Well, it wasn't too late to wake up. Adam didn’t come home that night. He had the housekeeper pass on a message. “Rachel, I was wrong not to be with you on our anniversary. I’ll make it up to you, okay?” I ignored it. After finishing up at the office, I changed into an evening gown and went to a charity gala. Major corporations held these events periodically, partly to network and partly to burnish their public image. I was originally supposed to attend on behalf of the Gibbs family, but just before leaving, I changed my registration to the Rae family. I just hadn’t expected to run into Adam and Mia there. In these circles, it was an unwritten rule that married couples sat together. But there was Mia, sitting comfortably in my seat, staring up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “Oh, Rachel, can’t you find your seat? Should I go talk to the organizers for you?” Adam glanced at me, a smirk playing on his lips as he lounged in his chair. He was waiting for me to explode. Waiting for me to start a fight with Mia. The old me would have given him exactly what he wanted. But I wasn't going to lower myself to that level anymore. I held up my invitation, and an attendant quickly and respectfully escorted me to a seat in the front row. “Next, we’ll be introducing the projects available for sponsorship…” The host began his presentation. I looked down at my tablet, scrolling through the options. The gala was hosted by the Fourier Group, and the projects focused on medical research, education in underserved areas, and aid for special needs children. I submitted my donations through the tablet and then slipped out of the main hall. The outer ballroom was for mingling and conversation. I had just found a quiet corner when Adam appeared. “Rachel, what’s your problem now?” I looked up, meeting his simmering anger with an amused expression. Was he here to question me because I didn’t donate under the Gibbs family name? I couldn’t be bothered. I stood up to leave. Adam grabbed my arm, causing the wine in his glass to spill all over the floor. “So I didn’t spend our anniversary with you. Is that any reason to throw a tantrum like this?” “If anyone sees this, they’ll think I’m cheating on you, that’s why you’re donating under your own name. How is that supposed to make me look?” My brand-new gown was stained. Furious, I flung the contents of my own glass back at him. “Isn’t it a fact that you’re cheating? If you want a good reputation, go buy one with your own money.” He stared at me, his disbelief turning to impatience. “Fine. You’ve grown some claws.” “This better not be an act. Don’t talk tough now and then go home crying over my picture.” I shook him off and went to the restroom to clean the wine stain. When I came out, Adam was blocking the doorway. He grabbed my hand, his expression meaningful. “I sent you an email. You need to look at it when you get home. The contents are very important. It’s about…” He didn't finish. Mia materialized from behind me, linking her arm affectionately with his. “Adam, my period started, and I… I stained my dress. Can you help me find a new one?” Adam, the notorious germaphobe, didn't hesitate. He whipped off his own jacket and draped it over her, his voice softening with concern. “You silly girl, you have to be more careful. Does your stomach hurt?” Mia shook her head shyly. The sight made me nauseous. I turned to leave. Behind me, Adam’s voice followed. “Remember to check your email! It’s about a major life event.” “Don’t just sign it without looking.” 5 Right. A major life event worth a mere one-million-dollar bet. Adam surely thought I'd pick up on his "hint," go home, inspect the "purchase contract," and then have a hysterical screaming match with him. That way, he’d save face with his friends, get to call me jealous, and continue his little affair with Mia guilt-free. But I was done playing his game. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. It was dark by the time I finished at the office. I was about to go out for dinner when our housekeeper messaged me. The dog was missing. I had no choice but to drive home. The moment I pushed open the door, confetti exploded around me, accompanied by a chorus of cheers. “Surprise!” His friends explained that Adam had roped them into throwing me a make-up anniversary party. My eyes landed on Mia, and I laughed coldly to myself. Whose anniversary party includes a pack of friends and the husband’s mistress? It didn’t take a genius to figure out Adam’s game. Sure enough, after I excused myself on the pretext of getting some celebratory wine, I overheard his friends trying to talk some sense into him. “I’m telling you, man, just stop. I’ll give you the million, okay? Just retract the email and go apologize to Rachel.” Adam waved a dismissive hand. “It’s not about the money. I brought you all here to witness my charm.” “I told her multiple times to check the email carefully. Just wait. You’ll get to see her lose her temper. It’s hilarious when she gets all pouty and scowls.” … The party wound down, and it was time for everyone to leave. I stood up to call for drivers, but Adam grabbed my hand, pulling me back. “Rachel, are you happy?” I frowned at him, genuinely confused. He brings a crowd of people to my house without asking, disrupting my work and my peace. What was there to be happy about? Our eyes met, and he broke into a wide grin, pressing his palm to my forehead. “Stop frowning. I know you’re thrilled deep down. The only reason I missed our anniversary was because Mia drank too much and I had to take her home.” “You were just putting on a show at the gala because you were jealous. You should be over it by now.” “Oh, right. Did you see the email? I’m still waiting to hear from you.” I swatted his hand away, my face a blank mask. Mia chose that moment to chime in. “Adam, I think I drank too much. Can you take me home?” She swayed, then added with a little gasp, “Oh, wait, you’ve been drinking too, Adam. I guess I should stay here and take care of you…” I stared at her, wondering if I’d misread her resume. Was her major in management or professional acting? She was like an NPC, constantly spawning next to us to deliver another poorly staged act. I turned to leave, but this time, Mia blocked my path. 6 “Rachel, are you still angry? There’s really nothing between Adam and me. Please don’t fight with him because of me anymore. I don’t want to see him unhappy.” I looked at her coldly and uttered two words. “Get lost.” The girl’s eyes instantly reddened, and fat tears began to roll down her cheeks. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been concerned about Adam. I shouldn’t have made you angry.” “I’ll do anything, anything at all, if you’ll just stop giving him the silent treatment.” With that, she dropped to her knees with a thud. The sound was loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. Adam, instantly sobered, flew into a rage. He pulled her to her feet and shielded her behind him, roaring at me. “Rachel, are you insane?!” “If you have a problem, take it up with me! Why are you always bullying a young girl like this?!” “Making her kneel to you? Aren’t you afraid of shortening your own lifespan? Apologize to her right now, or get the hell out of this house!” I suppressed my own fury. “This is my house. You’re the ones who need to get out.” Adam’s face flushed with anger. “Fine! I’ll go! And from now on, you could be on your knees begging me, and I would never come back!” Seeing things escalate, his friends rushed to intervene. “Adam, what are you saying? Just apologize to her.” “Yeah, man, it’s not worth blowing things up over an outsider.” Hearing this, Mia clutched her knee and began to limp dramatically toward the door. “I’m the one causing trouble. I should be the one to leave. Adam, please don’t fight with your wife.” But Adam was determined to be her knight in shining armor. In front of everyone, he wrapped a protective arm around her. “You did nothing wrong. She’s the one being unreasonable.” “Let’s go. We’ll stay somewhere else tonight. I’m not coming back until she apologizes.” With that final declaration, he swept Mia up into his arms and walked out.
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