Chapter 1

"Are you done making a scene, Chloe?"

Julian wrapped his arm around Scarlett's shoulders, shielding her like she was some priceless treasure. He didn't even glance at the blisters forming on the back of my hand.

I just stood there, the searing pain on my skin pulsing through my entire arm.

Twelve years. I saved Julian's life from a gang of street thugs when I was only twelve. And now, I was standing in the back kitchen of his engagement party, cooking soup for another woman.

How pathetic. This recipe used to be exclusively his. Now, he called my cooking dirty and my love cheap.

He claimed it was just a business marriage. He promised he would divorce her and remarry me in two years, saying I could still be his woman in secret.

But looking at the burn on my hand, I tasted copper in my mouth.

I finally woke up. The special treatment he once gave me could be taken back at any second.

Chloe's POV

"Today's slow-cooked wild mushroom soup is specially made for my husband. He has a sensitive stomach, and this is the best comfort food for him."

Facing the camera, I wore my favorite linen apron and smiled as I lifted the lid of the pot.

Steam swirled up, carrying a rich, savory aroma through the kitchen.

The live chat on my TikTok stream instantly blew up.

"Another day of being jealous of Chloe and Mr. Vance!"

"Julian is so lucky to have a wife who cooks like a Michelin-star chef!"

"Today is their third anniversary, right? I bet Mr. Vance has a massive surprise waiting for her!"

Looking at the comments, I couldn't help but smile.

Yes, three years of marriage.

For today, I turned down all my brand deals. I spent the entire afternoon working in this high-tech, ten-million-dollar kitchen Julian had custom-built for me.

Julian Vance, the CEO of Vance Enterprises in New York, and my husband of three years. We kept our marriage private to protect his public image.

In the business world, they said Julian was ruthless, cold-blooded, and calculated.

But only I knew how incredibly sweet he could be.

If I casually mentioned wanting a pastry from a bakery across town, he would drive through a heavy rainstorm just to get it for me.

When my cooking failed, he would eat every last bite without even blinking, smiling and telling me I was improving.

He once told me, "Chloe, just focus on doing what you love. I'll handle everything else."

"That's all for tonight's stream, guys. I'm going to wait for my husband to come home now. Goodnight, everyone."

I ended the stream and looked at the clock on the wall.

11:00 PM.

I had reheated the dinner three times already. Julian still wasn't home.

He hadn't even sent a single text.

I picked up my phone to call him, but before I could dial, an Instagram notification popped up.

"BREAKING: Billionaire CEO Julian Vance Spotted on a Late-Night Date with Heiress Scarlett Sterling. Engagement Rumors Confirmed?"

My hand shook violently.

I tapped the link. At the top of the article was a high-definition paparazzi photo.

Inside a luxury Michelin-starred restaurant, Julian was wearing the custom Tom Ford suit I had personally ironed for him this morning. He was leaning in, cutting a steak for a beautiful woman.

His eyes were incredibly gentle, a look I thought he only gave to me.

That woman was Scarlett Sterling, the sole heiress to the Sterling Group.

Even more blinding was the massive pink diamond ring sparkling on Scarlett's finger.

I had seen the blueprint of that exact ring in Julian's study two weeks ago.

At the time, I thought it was my third-anniversary gift.

Turns out, it was an engagement ring for someone else.

The front door clicked open.

Julian walked in, bringing the cold night air with him.

He loosened his tie. When he saw me sitting motionless at the dining table, he frowned slightly.

"Why are you still up?"

He walked over and leaned down to kiss my forehead.

I jerked my head away, dodging him.

A heavy, sweet scent of rose perfume. Another woman's perfume. It hit my nose.

It made me want to throw up.

Julian's hand froze in mid-air, his expression darkening instantly. "Chloe, what are you throwing a tantrum for now?"

"What is going on with you and Scarlett Sterling?" I looked up at him, my eyes red and my voice trembling.

Julian paused for a second, then pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You saw the news?"

He pulled out a chair and sat down, his tone as casual as if he were talking about the weather.

"The company needs the Sterling family's backing for our new project. It's a strategic merger. A marriage of convenience. There are no feelings involved."

A marriage of convenience?

I let out a bitter laugh. "A marriage of convenience? Julian, we are legally married! You're going to marry someone else, so what am I to you?"

"Chloe, be reasonable."

He reached out to grab my hand, but I slapped it away.

"We don't need to actually break up. We just file for a paper divorce. Once the project stabilizes in two years, I'll end the marriage with her and we'll get married again."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a patronizing tenderness.

"Just deal with it for two years. You can still live here. You'll still be my woman. I'll give you everything you want, except the title of Mrs. Vance for now."

I stared at him in absolute disbelief.

Twelve years of knowing him, three years of marriage.

He used to treat me like a princess. Now, he was asking me to be his hidden mistress.

"Julian, you want me to be your side piece?"

"Don't put it so dirtily," Julian's face turned completely cold. "I told you, you're the only one I love. Scarlett is just a business transaction. I won't touch her."

"What if I say no?" I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

Julian stood up, towering over me, his eyes ice-cold.

"Chloe, don't be childish. Without me, your TikTok account, your cooking studio. All of it would be shut down in a day."

"I am letting you know my decision, not asking for your permission."

With that, he turned and walked into the bathroom, not even glancing at the dinner I had spent all afternoon preparing.

The bathroom door slammed shut.

I collapsed back into my chair, staring at the cold food. Finally, my tears spilled over.

The love he gave me could indeed be taken back at any moment.