Chapter 1

Tags: Matrilocal Husband, Infidelity, Wrongfully Imprisoned, Male Lead Awakening, Regretful Ex-Wife, Single Dad, Rebirth

Chloe Frost had a reputation for running wild, yet I fell head over heels for her the moment we met. After chasing her relentlessly, I finally married into the wealthy Foster family.

In the third year of our marriage, the Fosters tracked down their long-lost biological daughter. Furious, Chloe threw a massive tantrum, severed all ties with her family, and walked away without a single cent.

My devotion never wavered. I swore to protect and cherish her for the rest of my life.

In our fifth year together, someone anonymously reported me for assaulting the real Foster heiress. I was convicted and thrown behind bars.

When I was finally released, Chloe looked at me like I was a piece of trash. She held another man's hand while our autistic daughter stood beside them, trembling.

"You're an ex-con now. How could you ever be good enough for me?"

"Lily and I don't need a pathetic piece of garbage like you. We're signing the divorce papers tomorrow!"

Heartbroken, I finally walked away once I learned the sickening truth.

Yet the moment I gave up on her, why did she break down in tears?

The words barely left Chloe's lips, and I stared down at her fingers intertwined with that stranger's. A wave of bitter cold washed over my chest.

"Chloe, the police already cleared me. I was framed—"

Before I could finish, Chloe spat on the ground. Pure revulsion burned in her eyes as she pointed toward the road behind me.

"Ethan Vance, if you're so innocent, why was Clara Foster rushing here to see you? Guess two weeks apart was too long for you two whoring around!"

Ever since the Fosters brought back their long-lost biological daughter two years ago, Chloe had treated Clara like a sworn enemy. When she couldn't outdo her, she cut ties with the entire family in a fit of rage.

"Yeah, Ethan," the man beside her sneered, casually adjusting his collar. "You're an ex-con now. Where do you get the nerve to stand in front of Chloe?"

His tone dripped with mockery.

"Sleeping around like a stray dog... If you catch some filthy disease, dying would be doing the world a favor. Just don't drag other people down with you!"

Looking at his arrogant smirk, fury exploded in my chest. I lunged forward and tore his hand away from my wife.

I never expected what happened next.

Chloe whipped out a pocketknife and slashed it across my forearm.

I knew that knife. I had picked out the steel and polished the blade myself, giving it to her so she could protect herself.

The blade was surgical-grade steel. In a split second, my skin split open, and blood gushed out. The searing pain stole my breath.

"Ethan Vance, you're filthy! Don't touch us!"

"Marcus is right. Trash like you belongs with a slut like Clara. Marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life!"

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering what was left of my heart.

"Ethan, are you okay?!" A familiar voice cried out. Clara ran up to us, her face pale with concern. "Chloe, are you out of your mind?! If you ruin Ethan's hands, you won't be able to pay for it in ten lifetimes!"

I caught Clara's gaze and gave her a slight nod, trying to reassure her that I was alive.

"Aw, look at you two," Chloe scoffed, crossing her arms. "The cheating couple showing off their love right in my face? Have you no shame?"

Listening to her ridicule, half of me was devastated and the other half raged. But then I saw my daughter standing beside her—eyes red, shaking like a leaf. I couldn't bring myself to make a scene.

"Chloe, I know it's my fault you're suspicious. I can explain everything. Please stop this. Arguing like this is bad for Lily's condition. Let's just go home and talk, okay?"

Clutching my bleeding wound, I stepped toward her, pleading softly.

*Slap!*

Before my hand could even reach her, her palm cracked hard across my face.

"Ethan Vance, you make my skin crawl!"