Chapter 1

Julian’s secretary’s husband had died in a tragic car accident.

The shock sent Chloe, who was eight months pregnant, into early labor.

Being a woman and a mother myself, I knew how brutal childbirth could be. I made some homemade chicken soup, thinking I’d drop by the hospital to show some support.

But when I reached the door of the recovery room, my heart stopped.

Through the glass, I saw my husband, Julian, half-kneeling by the bed. He was holding a piece of gauze, gently and carefully wiping away the postpartum blood from Chloe’s thighs.

Julian, a man with extreme OCD who couldn't stand a speck of dust, now had dark red blood stains splattered all over the hem of his crisp white shirt.

I stood there, frozen. It felt like a physical blow.

When I was giving birth, he refused to set foot in the delivery room. He claimed witnessing childbirth would ruin our sex life and that the blood grossed him out.

Yet here he was, wiping another woman’s postpartum discharge.

The thermos in my hand slipped, hitting the floor with a loud clatter. Chicken soup spilled everywhere.

Both of them snapped their heads toward the door.

Panic flashed in Julian’s eyes. He quickly pulled his hand back, hiding the bloody gauze behind his back. He stammered, "Audrey? What... what are you doing here? I was just... checking on my employee."

I stared at his pathetic, flustered face. My heart grew ice-cold.

It turned out he wasn't incapable of gentleness. His gentleness was just never meant for me.

Before he could utter another lie, I curled my lips into a cold smile. My voice was dead calm.

"Save it, Julian. Let's get a divorce."

Julian’s brows furrowed instantly, his face twisting into annoyance.

"What are you throwing a tantrum for now? Chloe’s husband just died, and her family lives halfway across the country. As her boss, I’m just helping her out. It’s corporate empathy. Can't you be a little supportive?"

"Supporting her?"

I let out a harsh laugh.

"By wiping your female subordinate’s postpartum fluids? Is that in the employee handbook?"

Chloe’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She weak-fully propped herself up against the headboard, looking like she might faint at any second.

"I’m so sorry, Audrey. It’s all my fault. I’m causing trouble for Julian. I’ll check out of the hospital right now..."

As expected, Julian rushed to her side, gently pushing her back onto the pillows. His eyes were filled with raw concern.

"Chloe, stay down! Don't move!"

When he spun back to face me, his gaze turned vicious.

"You’re a mother too, Audrey! You know how weak a woman is after giving birth! Where is your goddamn compassion?"

He gently patted Chloe’s back to soothe her, his voice dropping to a tender whisper.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I’m here. Just focus on recovering. You’re not going anywhere."

Watching this disgusting display, my heart ached so much it felt numb. Our seven years together felt like a giant, pathetic joke.

From college to the corporate world, we had eaten cheap instant noodles and pulled all-nighters together to build our company. He had never once looked at me with that kind of tenderness.

It was laughable.

Chloe leaned weakly into Julian’s chest, sobbing like a victim. She looked at me with a face full of guilt, but the triumph in her eyes was hard to miss.

"Audrey, I swear, as soon as I’m strong enough, I’ll leave. I will never show my face to you again."

"Please, just live happily with Julian. If you two divorce because of me, I’ll never forgive myself!"

She spoke with such self-righteous drama.

As if I were the villain tearing her family apart.

Julian’s heart bled for her. He shielded her immediately.

"You don't need to apologize to her, Chloe! She’s just eaten up by jealousy!"

I couldn't help but burst into a cold laugh.

Julian froze. Chloe stopped her sobbing, looking up at me in confusion.

"Julian."

I met his gaze, my eyes completely void of affection.

"Are you delusional?"

He frowned. "What?"

I spoke clearly, emphasizing every single word.

"The disgusting trash between you two isn't worth my jealousy. You aren't even worth my anger. I only regret one thing—that I was blind enough to waste seven years of my life with a useless, brainless loser like you."

Seven years of love. It was time to put it in the trash.

Julian’s face flushed a deep, angry purple. He pointed a shaking finger at me.

"Audrey Collins! I already explained everything! Don't you dare push your luck!"

"Respect is earned, Julian, not given."

I didn't want to waste another breath on him. I turned my gaze to Chloe, who was still trembling like a delicate leaf.

"And you, Chloe. You just popped a baby out, yet you already have the energy to seduce another woman's husband. You seem to be recovering spectacularly."

Chloe’s face turned paper-white.

Seeing this, Julian exploded. "Audrey, shut your mouth! Chloe just gave birth—"

"Then she should keep her hands off what’s mine!" I snapped, cutting him off.

"Julian, my lawyer will deliver the divorce papers shortly. I will take every single share of the company that belongs to me. Not a single penny less."

Without waiting for their responses, I turned on my heel and walked out.

At the threshold, I paused and threw a cold glance over my shoulder.

"Oh, and Chloe? Don't call me Audrey. Coming from your mouth, it makes me feel dirty."

Second Chapter