Chapter 1

My neighbor abandoned her cat, and I took it in.

The cat never warmed up to me, but it clung to my husband, purring and meowing constantly.

That's when a red flag went up for me. When my husband claimed to be working late into the night, I knocked on my neighbor's door.

She ran a hand over her noticeably bulging belly. "Chloe, what can I do for you at this hour?"

The blatant challenge and triumph in her eyes made everything crystal clear.

In the early hours, my husband crept back home, only to find both our parents waiting.

A divorce agreement lay on the coffee table.

"Divorce?"

"Chloe, are you really throwing away seven years of our relationship over a worthless cat?"

Liam didn't even look at the document. He snatched the divorce agreement and hurled it at the ragdoll cat rubbing against his leg.

"If you don't sign, we'll go to court."

I said flatly, then turned to walk back to our room.

Both sets of parents looked utterly bewildered.

They couldn't understand how a couple who, just last month, seemed like newlyweds could suddenly be on the brink of divorce.

Liam lowered his head, trying to conceal the panic in his gaze, his fists clenched and trembling.

His parents rushed forward, blocking my path. "Chloe, you can't accuse Liam of cheating just because of a cat! Some cats are naturally drawn to men. What does that prove?"

"We've seen how good Liam has been to you. When you had that severe flu and high fever years ago, Liam stayed awake for 48 hours, tirelessly caring for you in the hospital. When you accidentally fell off that mountain, Liam didn't hesitate to sell his shares, spending a fortune to bring in the top medical team for you."

"Do these things weigh less in your heart than a cat?"

My parents also tried to persuade me, speaking earnestly.

"If you leave Liam, where will you find such a good husband again?"

"Your body was damaged, leaving you unable to conceive. It's a blessing that Liam hasn't left you for it. Don't you realize how lucky you are?"

Liam suddenly grabbed my hand, his red-rimmed eyes filled with a desperate, doting look, as if he loved me beyond measure:

"Honey, we dated for two years and have been married for five. We faced life-or-death situations together and never let go of each other's hands. How can you misunderstand me over a cat?"

"Is it because I've been so busy with problems at the company lately that you feel neglected and unhappy?"

"I swear, no matter how busy I am, I'll come home on time every day to be with you…"

Everyone in the room seemed to love me so much.

My in-laws were sophisticated and kind; they had always treated me well, never once treated me poorly.

My parents were a bit more pragmatic, believing that staying with Liam would guarantee me a good life.

But the indifference and resolve in my eyes never wavered. I coolly pushed Liam's hand away. "I'll say it again: if you don't sign tonight, we're going to court."

"This is my last act of consideration for you."

Liam's eyes were bloodshot. "Chloe, how can you be so heartless?"

"It's simple. Because I don't care about you one bit anymore."

With that, I couldn't be bothered to argue with them anymore. I walked straight to the front door and left.

The disappointed sighs of both sets of parents echoed behind me, but I didn't pause for a moment, quickening my pace.

The ragdoll cat also seized the opportunity to slip out.

As I sat spacing out on a park bench in the neighborhood, I saw the ragdoll cat chasing its former owner, Skylar, who was downstairs throwing out trash.

Skylar viciously kicked its head, but the ragdoll wouldn't leave for anything.

I couldn't stand it and went over to intervene, but the ragdoll arched its back and hissed at me, claws out.

Skylar suddenly chuckled:

"Chloe, sometimes people are just like cats."

"If you don't like someone, you just don't. No matter how hard you try to force it, it won't work out."

I looked at the blatant challenge and superiority in Skylar's eyes, then glanced at her obviously bulging belly, instantly understanding what she meant.

"You're right."

"Desperate cats and people—you can't keep either."

Liam suddenly showed up, his face filled with tension and panic.

But it wasn't for me.

"Chloe, can you just act normal? I told you, the cat being affectionate with me was just a misunderstanding, and it has nothing to do with our neighbor! Causing a scene at home is one thing, but how can you go crazy and harass her? Can't you see she's pregnant?"

Liam clearly had no idea what had happened. He just saw me with Skylar and instinctively wanted to defend her, treating me like a jealous shrew looking for trouble.

I let out a bitter laugh, realizing that even if Liam still loved me, his love for Skylar was greater.