Chapter 2

Three years ago, I stood by the floor-length window in the top office of Reed Corporation, clutching the newly signed marriage agreement. The edges of the paper were crumpled from my tense grip.

"Miss Adeline Reed, I hope you remember your role."

Gideon's voice came from behind, cold and businesslike.

"This is merely a transaction."

As I turned to leave, Phoebe Walters passed by me, her eyes filled with challenge and disdain, silently reminding me that I was just a pawn bought with money.

She threw herself into Gideon's arms, his eyes soft and tender as he looked at her. But when he looked at me, his gaze was always distant.

Three years ago, when my father suddenly fell ill, our family business faced a crisis.

Even in decline, our company held valuable core nanotechnology. My father agreed to Reed Corporation's investment proposal, with the condition that Gideon and I marry.

Gideon, always the astute businessman, agreed after some thought but demanded that I sign a marriage contract in private.

For three years, Gideon consistently reminded me that ours was a contractual marriage. So, when rumors about him and Phoebe frequently emerged, I always remembered my role and helped clear them up.

But today, Phoebe invited me to a café and confronted me with the ultrasound results.

"Gideon hasn't been with you all these years, has he? You've held this title for three years. It's time you acknowledge reality and stop dreaming about something that's not yours."

"Will you leave voluntarily, or do you need Gideon to force you out? Let's keep this dignified, shall we?"

When I returned home in the evening, finding Gideon there was unusual. His usual cold gaze sent a shiver down my spine.

After hesitating for a moment, I finally said the words that should have ended this farce long ago.

Unexpectedly, we both spoke at the same time.

"Have you eaten?"

"Let's divorce."

The atmosphere instantly cooled. I saw Gideon's slight frown.

"Adeline, you don't have the right to bring this up. Don't forget, you were bought for a high price. I decide when it ends."

He dropped these words and headed to the bathroom.

I was grateful to him for spending three billion to save the Reed Family, but every time he humiliated me, my heart still ached.

Touching the wedding ring on my finger, its cold texture reminded me of the essence of this marriage—a three-billion-dollar investment in exchange for the empty title of Mrs. Reed.

On our wedding night, Gideon didn't even toast with me. He signed the marriage agreement and rushed back to the company for a 'meeting.'

Not long after he left, Phoebe sent a photo of herself nestled in Gideon's embrace, with a hotel in the background.

The sound of water in the bathroom suddenly stopped. I hastily wiped my eyes.

Gideon emerged in a robe, his hair still dripping. Upon seeing me, he frowned noticeably:

"Why are you still here?"

Since our marriage, we had slept in separate rooms. Gideon confined my activities to the guest room.

"I..."

I stood up nervously and accidentally knocked over the scented candle on the table.

The sound of glass shattering was particularly piercing in the silent bedroom.

"Sorry, I'll clean it up right away..."

He grabbed my wrist.

"No need."

I froze, smelling the faint scent of cedarwood and shower gel on him.

This was the first time we were so close. Close enough for me to see the shadow his eyelashes cast.

"Mrs. Reed," he let go of my hand, his tone warning, "remember your role. Play your part well. You have no right to have your own thoughts."

Role.

What a ridiculous word.

I crouched down to pick up the glass shards, not realizing my palm was cut and bleeding.

It wasn't until I heard the sound of the master bedroom door being locked that I realized I was crying.

As night deepened, I curled up in the guest room bed, staring at the message my father sent me.

"Adeline, you've worked hard all these years."

Suddenly, lightning flashed outside, followed by pouring rain.

Driven by a strange impulse, I walked to the master bedroom door, raising my hand to knock—when I was little and afraid of thunder, I always hugged a stuffed animal and went to find my mom.

But my hand fell back down, remembering this wasn't home, and Gideon wasn't someone who would comfort me.

Just then, my phone screen lit up, a text from an unknown number appeared.

"Miss Reed, how have you been? You're such a heartless woman. I was planning to propose to you when I returned to the country."

I stared at the unknown number, my heart skipped a beat. I knew who it was.

Asher Greene.

Gideon's biggest overseas business rival, and... my first love.