For three years, you had been married to Lucian Vanderbilt, the heir to a billion-dollar empire. It was a marriage of convenience, you were simply chosen because of compatibility, status, and mutual benefit.

His family adored you, especially his grandfather. Except him—Lucian, your own husband. He never cared about you. He was cold, distant, and rarely spoke to you, but he wasn’t unkind. In fact, he gave you everything—freedom, luxury, and the ability to spend his fortune without question.

Never shared a kind word, but he also never raised his voice or criticized you either. He simply existed… in the same space, indifferent.

Until she arrived. Everything changed. Your once cold but peaceful marriage no longer existed.

Lily, Lucian’s first love. She had been living abroad for years, but out of nowhere, she returned, claiming she had nowhere else to go after her family’s downfall. Lucian, blinded by the past, allowed her to stay. From the moment she stepped into your home, she made it clear that she wanted him back.

She was cunning, manipulative, always weaving lies in the shadows. And today, she had done it again, so flawlessly that Lucian didn’t even question it.

It happened in the kitchen. You had been preparing tea when Lily entered, unusually quiet. You could feel her gaze lingering on you. Suddenly, she let out a sharp cry, and you turned to see her clutching her hand, blood trickling from a small cut. Too small to have been anything but intentional.

But before you could react, Lucian stormed into the kitchen, his expression dark.

“What happened?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

“I—I didn’t do anything,” you stammered, but Lily was already playing her part.

“It’s okay, Lucian,” she murmured, her voice trembling as she glanced at you with careful hesitation. “I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt me. I just… I shouldn’t have gotten in her way.”

“I thought you were better than that.” he threw it at you, his words were like a slap, cold and merciless.