Chapter 1

When I was 20, Caleb's first love, Seraphina, was gravely ill. He begged me to donate a kidney.

To finally marry him, I made a deal. “I’ll donate my kidney. In return, you give me the rest of your life!”

He agreed. I got what I wanted and walked down the aisle with him.

After we married, I helped him build an empire from scratch, turning him into a rising star in the business world.

On our wedding anniversary, Seraphina tossed the five million dollars Caleb and I had earned right in my face. “Caleb gave me five million. I’m buying you out of this marriage.”

It was then I finally understood. Caleb had agreed to marry me, but he’d never really cut ties with her.

I took the card, my eyes burning.

“Give me a hundred million, and I’ll leave Caleb willingly in seven days.”

A delighted smile spread across her face. “Deal!”

But she had no idea. Without me, Caleb wouldn’t be where he was today!

I grabbed my phone and made a call. “Pull all investments from Caleb’s company. Now!”

…

After Seraphina showed her true colors, she stopped pretending. She moved right into my home.

She clung to Caleb, looking frail and delicate, utterly unlike the woman who’d arrogantly thrown money at me just days before.

“Maya, I’m so sorry to intrude on you two…”

Before she could even finish, Caleb wrapped his arms protectively around her, his voice chilling.

“Seraphina had to leave the city because of you, and she didn’t get top-tier medical care. Now, her condition risks a relapse. To be safe, she needs to come back to the city for treatment.”

“I know you’ve always had an issue with her, but this time, I hope you won’t make a scene!”

I slowly looked up at him, a wave of bitter sadness washing over me.

I hadn't said a single word, yet he’d already judged me.

“She has no friends in the city, so she can only stay here for now. Don’t make things difficult for her during this time. Once the hospital confirms her condition is stable, I’ll personally send her away.”

He’d said the exact same thing when he knelt before me, begging me to donate a kidney to save her.

But he’d secretly kept in touch with Seraphina for four long years, hiding it all from me.

I pressed my lips together, my voice catching. “So, was the million dollars last night to buy the right to use a room?”

Last night, Caleb had been unusually gentle with me. He’d even, for once, prepared a Valentine’s Day gift for me. Even though it was just a bank card that required no thought, it had kept me awake with joy all night.

But the moment I saw Seraphina, that bank card felt tainted.

Now, it sat quietly in my bag, yet it seemed to burn my palm, making me tremble uncontrollably.

He frowned, his face tight with displeasure as he retorted, “What kind of talk is that?!”

“You’ve been a wealthy wife for so many years, yet all you talk about is money? Are you some insatiable pet I picked up?”

I froze, unable to move. Caleb’s gaze on me was filled with utter disgust, as if he were looking at some ugly beggar.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

I’d thought that four years of living together, experiencing ups and downs side-by-side, would have gradually warmed his feelings for me. But now, I finally understood. No matter what I did, I could never melt his heart, a heart that would never love me.

Seeing my silence, he sneered. “Don’t worry. What happened between Seraphina and me is in the past. I can assure you, for now, no one can threaten your position!”

“So, be a good girl. Go prepare a bedroom for Seraphina. She’ll need someone by her side once she moves in, and you’re idle all day, so you can take good care of her.”

And in that instant, a flicker of triumph gleamed in Seraphina’s eyes, stinging mine.

I bit down hard, slowly speaking. “What if I say no?”

He hadn't expected me to refuse. Caleb’s face turned as dark as thunder. “You’d rather do this the hard way, wouldn’t you?”

“Since you’re so ungrateful, why should I show you any more mercy!”

He barked an order. “Brenda, pack up all of Mrs. Maya’s things and move them to the storage room. Clear out the master bedroom for Miss Seraphina!”

Seraphina’s appearance crushed my dignity instantly.

I curled up on the small bed in the cramped storage room, tears streaming down my face.

Remembering Caleb’s kindness during this time, I realized it was all just to pave the way for Seraphina.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

My brother, Jax’s, furious voice came through. “I heard the mistress has moved in, and you’re still not divorcing him? We let you indulge that jerk and his little company for years, but not to see you suffer like this!”

“Seven days from now, if I don’t see you home, I swear I won’t let Caleb off the hook!”

Jax always knew Caleb was my weakness, but soon, we’d have no connection at all.