Chapter 1

On our wedding day, Tristan's first love got into a car accident. He ripped the wedding dress right off my body to cover her with it.

In front of all the guests, I stood on the stage in nothing but my underwear.

I grabbed a tablecloth to cover myself. When I reached for him, he slapped me to the floor.

"Vivian cares about her image. She can't lose her dignity! Don't you have any shame?"

He carried his first love away, his eyes full of devotion.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and smiled.

He probably forgot what was in the prenuptial agreement. If the wedding was canceled, his entire family would be saddled with a billion dollars in debt.

Tristan's mother was the first to rush onto the stage.

She jabbed a finger at my face, her spit nearly hitting me.

"Can't even keep your own man!"

His father followed behind, putting on a show of composure for the guests below.

I said nothing. I pulled the tablecloth tight around myself.

Then I turned to the crowd and bowed.

"I apologize for this scene."

I straightened up and took the microphone. My voice carried through the entire hall.

"Today's wedding is postponed. The groom, Mr. Foster, has suffered a sudden medical emergency."

"The situation is urgent. He needs immediate medical attention."

I gave the Foster family and him one last shred of dignity.

Back in the dressing room, I looked at myself in the mirror. Disheveled. The blood at the corner of my mouth had dried.

I took off my underwear and threw it in the trash. Then I changed into my own clothes.

I slipped off the wedding ring and dropped it in too.

My phone buzzed. A text from Tristan.

"I'm at Central Hospital. Bring a change of clothes for Vivian."

No apology. No explanation. Just an order.

I looked at the photo of us on my phone. The man who once ran across half the city to buy me cold medicine was gone.

He died in that slap just now.

I replied with one word. "Okay."

My assistant called, her voice urgent. "Miss Sterling, I've sent the draft divorce agreement to your email."

I opened the email and skimmed through it.

"Article Nine. The breach of contract debt, triple the penalty clause."

"Yes, Miss Sterling. I'll revise it right away."

I started my car and drove toward the hospital.

In the hospital corridor, Vivian lay on a hospital bed with my wedding dress covering her.

Tristan was gently helping her drink water.

I pushed the door open.

He immediately stood up and blocked Vivian, his eyes full of wariness.

"What took you so long? Are you trying to freeze Vivian to death?"

He forgot that just dozens of minutes ago, it was me standing on stage without clothes.

I ignored him and tossed the clothes onto the bed beside them.

"Where is Miss Shaw hurt?"

Tristan thought I was jealous. His expression softened as he reached for me.

"Seraphina, don't make a scene. I was just helping someone."

I stepped aside. His arm froze midair. A flicker of displeasure crossed his face.

He pulled a black card from his pocket and pressed it into my hand.

"Take this. Go buy yourself a bag. You've had a long day."

Vivian spoke up from the hospital bed, her voice very weak.

"Seraphina, what about the wedding dress now that it's dirty? Tristan specially prepared it for you."

Tristan nodded. "Yeah, take it back and wash it clean. After all, it's your wedding dress."

I watched them sing in harmony and smiled.

Right in front of Tristan, I snapped that black card in half.

"Sorry, my hands hurt. I can't wash it."

With that, I turned and left without looking back.

I returned to the house Tristan and I were supposed to share as newlyweds.

Every corner here was decorated by my own hands.

Now it just seemed ironic.

I pulled out the suitcase I had prepared and packed my things.

There wasn't much-one suitcase was enough.

Late at night, Tristan came home.

He reeked of alcohol. When he saw the suitcase by my feet, he frowned.

"Seraphina, what are you throwing a tantrum about now?"

He hugged me from behind, burying his head in the crook of my neck. His voice sounded exhausted.

"Stop making a fuss. I have a pile of work at the company, and Vivian got hurt. I'm tired."

"Only when I'm by your side can I feel at ease."

His breath on my neck made me feel nothing but disgust.

My body stiffened as I pushed him away.

"Go take a shower."

My tone was cold.

Tristan finally lost it.

"You've got some nerve. Seraphina, don't think I won't do something about you!"

He slammed the door and stormed off to the study.

He thought that, like before, if he ignored her for a few days, she'd come crawling back.

Too bad. Not this time.