Vanessa Ward spent three years believing her marriage to Preston Vance was built on love. But the moment she saw the tenderness in his eyes for his "first love"—a look he had never once given her—she knew the dream was over. Three years of silence. Three years of being a ghost in her own home. When Vanessa finally placed the divorce papers on his desk, Preston didn’t even look up. "Stop throwing a tantrum, Vanessa," he said coldly. But this wasn't a tantrum. She signed the papers, left her diamond ring behind, and walked out of his life without a single word. From that day on, his gala invites went ignored, his gifts were returned to sender, and the woman who once lived for his smile finally stopped caring. Free from the shackles of a loveless marriage, Vanessa returns to the spotlight. No longer the submissive Mrs. Vance, she reclaims her true identity: "Zelda," the world-renowned visionary designer. Radiating confidence and power, she becomes the woman every man desires—including Preston. Seeing her in the arms of another, Preston’s world crumbles. The arrogant CEO who never bowed to anyone is now on his knees, eyes bloodshot with desperation. "Vanessa, come home. It’s always been you," he pleads, his voice breaking. But Vanessa doesn't look back. Beside her stands a man far more powerful, far more devoted—a king of the business empire who treats her like the queen she is. As Preston begs for a second chance, the elite heir of the city’s most prestigious family kneels before her, pressing a kiss to her hand. "My Queen," he whispers, "will you give me the honor of being yours forever?" Vanessa fell once. She won’t fall again. This time, she’s the one holding the heart—and the power.

Chapter 1In the living room, a divorce agreement lay quietly on the coffee table."Let's get a divorce."This was the third time Vanessa Ward had brought it up, but the man before her, Preston Vance, didn't even glance her way. He simply looked incredibly impatient. "Put that away if you're done throwing your little tantrum. I don't have time for this nonsense."He stood up, pulled a bank card from his inner chest pocket, and tossed it onto the coffee table. "There's half a million dollars on this card. It buys a month of your time. Stop bothering me."Vanessa found it ridiculous. He wouldn't even hand the card to her directly. Was he really that afraid someone might misunderstand their proximity?In the past, if her husband had given her a bank card, she would have accepted it joyfully, offering a sickly sweet, "Thank you, honey."Now, she felt so numb she didn't even spare it a glance."Not enough?" A mocking smirk played on Preston's lips as he scoffed. "Vanessa, don't be greedy."She replied in a flat, even tone. "I don't want your money. I just want a divorce. You don't have to worry about me trying to split your assets. I don't want anything. Not a single dime."She was done. She wanted absolutely nothing.She had married into the Vance family with a clean slate, and she would leave the exact same way.Over the past three years, she had given up a career she loved to manage Preston's life, reducing herself to a full-time housewife.The so-called luxury of being a stay-at-home wife—the supposed endless money and free time—was all a lie.Living with her hand out for an allowance was humiliating enough, but her husband's blatant betrayal was the final proof that depending on a man was nothing but a sick joke.Preston's irritation flared. "You're just going to keep at this, aren't you? You've had it too good for too long, so now you want to make my life miserable? Fine, then we can all be miserable!"Like a petulant child, he snatched the bank card back, deciding she got nothing."If you want to throw a fit, then go ahead and throw it."He turned to leave, but Vanessa wasn't going to let the opportunity slip. She spun around and called out, "Preston, divorcing me means you can openly be with Chloe. Why are you refusing?"Chloe Beck. The secretary who had entered Preston's life a year ago. What had started as mild annoyance had morphed into amusement, then pity, then infatuation, and finally, blatant favoritism.Vanessa had watched his feelings shift in real-time. She had been a front-row witness to his entire affair.He had even given Chloe the Vance Family Heirloom, a piece meant only for the matriarch of the family. It was a rather obvious hint that it was time for Vanessa to step aside.If she did nothing, wouldn't she be wasting his effort?Preston furrowed his brow in disgust, his patience entirely depleted. "This is about Chloe again. She's sweet, and she's never tried to compete with you. Why are you so obsessed with tearing her down?""If you have so much free time, go back to the Vance Estate and help my parents. Stop making up these ridiculous scenarios in your head." Preston glared at her. "Stop acting out. The title of Mrs. Vance is yours, but if you push me too far, I have no problem finding a replacement."With that, he walked right out the door.Vanessa let out a self-deprecating laugh. Honestly, she wouldn't mind a replacement either.She was exhausted from sitting in the seat of Mrs. Vance.He loved Chloe so much, and Vanessa was practically gift-wrapping his freedom. Why was he refusing?Not long after Preston left, Arthur, the butler, walked over. "Ma'am, the estate is hosting a banquet tomorrow. Mrs. Vance requested you head over now to start the preparations. I can have a car brought around for you immediately."A banquet?Right. It was Preston's birthday. It was hosted at the Vance Estate every year, and this year was no exception. Every single year, she ran herself ragged organizing the entire event, and she never received a single word of gratitude.Since she was getting a divorce this year, whoever wanted to plan that miserable party could be her guest."Tell Catherine that Preston has a new woman, and she can ask her to plan the party."She wasn't going.Vanessa turned on her heel and headed straight upstairs.She had already signed the divorce papers. As for Preston, he would sign them eventually.**At Midnight Lounge, Preston's inner circle was already waiting by the time he arrived. Sitting right in the center of the group was the infamous Chloe Beck. The moment she saw Preston, she eagerly rushed over, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Preston, what took you so long?""They said you were late, so they wanted to make me take the penalty shots! You have to save me!"This was Preston's ideal version of a woman. Sweet, submissive, perfectly capable at work, yet wonderfully affectionate without ever throwing a tantrum.Vanessa used to be exactly like this. He couldn't understand how three years of marriage had completely ruined her.He sat down with a heavy sigh of annoyance, intentionally not pulling Chloe into his arms like he normally would.The entire room sensed the shift in his mood. The group exchanged tentative glances before someone finally worked up the nerve to ask."Boss, are you in a bad mood?"Once Carter Campbell broke the ice, the others quickly chimed in."That West Side project is already a guaranteed win, what else is there to stress about?""Are you mad because we tried to make Chloe drink? We were just messing around, don't take it seriously."Chloe, however, seemed to read the room perfectly. She knew most of Preston's secrets, so she knew the guys were completely off base. The only thing capable of making Preston this miserable was his plain, boring wife at home."Preston, did Vanessa upset you? It's all my fault. If she's misunderstanding our relationship, I'm willing to leave for your sake." Chloe delivered the heartfelt confession with wide eyes. "I just want you to be happy."Her words instantly opened the floodgates for everyone in the room.Carter scoffed, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Seriously, Preston, what is Vanessa's deal? She's insufferable. Just divorce her already!"Jasper Bennett quickly chimed in to fuel the fire. "Yeah, Boss, you need to dump that plain, boring woman as soon as possible. Chloe is gorgeous and young. Just cut the cord."A flash of smug satisfaction crossed Chloe's heart, but she masked it perfectly. Instead, she put on a display of pure, understanding innocence."You guys shouldn't say things like that. Vanessa has been with Preston for years. Even if things aren't perfect, she's put in the effort. Pressuring him to divorce her is just putting him in a terrible position."Preston felt a surge of warmth in his chest, looking at Chloe with a newfound sense of appreciation and relief.She was the only one who truly understood.No matter how ridiculous Vanessa was acting, she was still his wife. What did it matter if he kept her comfortably housed? High-society marriages weren't something you could just walk away from on a whim.At the end of the day, Vanessa was just being immature.She was a grown woman, yet she was pulling this pathetic divorce stunt to try and manipulate him. It wasn't going to work.The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Pushing the thought aside, Preston loosened his tie with long, elegant fingers, grabbed a glass of liquor, and downed it in one fluid motion. "Let's just drink. Why are we even talking about her?""No matter what I do on the outside, I still need a maid to run the house. Divorce?" Preston let out a cold laugh. "Vanessa can't survive without me. There is no way she's actually divorcing me."What did pulling out a divorce agreement actually prove? It was just a desperate bid for his attention.And she had succeeded. That printed agreement, paired with her infuriatingly emotionless face, was permanently burned into his mind. He couldn't shake it.Chloe picked up her glass, leaning in close. "Preston, let's have a drink."Carter immediately started cheering them on. "A regular drink is boring! Take a shot together, arms linked!""Link arms!""Link arms!"The raucous chanting echoed off the walls of the private booth. A deep blush spread across Chloe's cheeks, and she shyly lowered her gaze. She didn't reject the idea, instead casting a subtle, hopeful glance at Preston.Preston stared at the glass in front of him, but all he could see was Vanessa's alarmingly calm face.There was no anger on that face. No grievance. No tears. Absolutely nothing.It was as hollow and empty as a dried-up well.A sudden wave of intense irritation washed over him. He picked up his glass, casually tapped it against Chloe's outstretched one, and threw the liquor back alone, completely ignoring the linked-arm suggestion.Chloe's hand hung frozen in mid-air. A flash of intense awkwardness crossed her face, but she quickly covered it up, quietly sipping her drink like a good girl.Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Carter immediately went into damage control. "Alright, alright! Let's drink! Nobody goes home sober tonight!"The booth erupted into lively chatter once again.Preston leaned back against the leather sofa, absently spinning his empty glass. His gaze was fixed on a spot across the room, but he wasn't really seeing anything.The way Vanessa had looked today was like a thorn buried deep in his chest.In three years of marriage, she had never acted like that.When he used to come home late, she would wait up for him. Even if she fell asleep on the couch, the sound of the door opening would jolt her awake, and she would groggily ask if he was hungry or needed a hot meal. He found it suffocating and told her to stop. Eventually, she really did stop waiting.When he traveled for business, she used to call him multiple times a day to ask if he had eaten, if he was sleeping well, or if he was tired. He found it annoying and told her to stop calling. Eventually, she really did stop calling.Whenever he casually mentioned a dish he was craving, it would miraculously appear on the dinner table the next day, no matter how complicated or time-consuming it was to make. He never once praised her for it. Eventually, those dishes disappeared, too.He had no idea when Vanessa had grown so incredibly silent.No tears. No arguments. No fighting for his attention.He had genuinely believed she had finally matured.Until today, when she sat on that couch, looked at him with a gaze so calm it felt alien, and said, "Let's get a divorce."In that moment, it suddenly hit him—there was no trace of him left in those eyes.No, maybe he had been erased a long time ago, and he was only just now noticing."Boss, what's on your mind?"Carter leaned in, trying to follow his line of sight, but saw nothing of interest.Preston snapped back to reality and slammed his glass onto the table. "Nothing."He stood up and grabbed his jacket.Chloe immediately jumped to her feet. "Preston, are you leaving already? It's still early.""You guys keep going. The tab is on me." He didn't even look at her as he headed for the door."Preston!" Chloe chased after him, grabbing onto his sleeve, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"Preston looked down at her fingers clutching his sleeve, and his mind immediately flashed to another pair of hands.Hands that used to wash his clothes, cook his meals, bring him hot tea, and manage his entire life.Hands that used to be incredibly warm.But now, the owner of those hands wanted absolutely nothing from him.He pulled his arm free, his voice turning icy. "No. Go enjoy yourself."With that, he pushed the door open and left.Chloe stood completely still, her fingers curling tightly by her sides as a suffocating wave of jealousy washed over her.Vanessa.This was all because of Vanessa.Preston drove home, his mind an absolute chaotic mess.He couldn't even pinpoint what was making him so furious.The car pulled into the driveway of the estate, and the moment it shifted into park, he threw the door open and stepped out. Hearing the commotion, Arthur hurried out to greet him, clearly taken aback. "Sir, you're home early?"Preston ignored the question, marching straight into the house. "Where's Vanessa?" he demanded."She's already upstairs resting."His footsteps faltered.Upstairs?He instinctively glanced toward the living room. It was completely empty.The lamp next to the sofa was on, but the sofa itself was deserted.Usually, at this hour, Vanessa would be sitting right there. She'd either be reading a book or arranging flowers. The second she heard the front door open, she would look up with a warm smile and ask if he was hungry, or if he wanted a late-night snack.He had found it irritating and told her not to wait up.After that, she waited up less often, but no matter what time he came home, the living room light was always left on for him.Tonight, the light was on, but the woman was gone.An inexplicable surge of frustration coiled in Preston's chest. Why was she suddenly being so obedient today? Why wasn't she waiting on the couch like she always did? Wasn't she worried he might come home drunk and need someone to take care of him?Vanessa was really starting to show a blatant disregard for him.She was a grown woman, so why was she throwing this ridiculous tantrum about a divorce?He walked over to the coffee table and looked down.The divorce agreement was still sitting there, completely untouched, with a pen resting neatly beside it.It looked exactly the same as when he had walked out.He reached out, his fingertips brushing the edge of the paper before pausing. The paper felt cold to the touch, much like the look in Vanessa's eyes earlier that day.He flipped to the very last page.Vanessa had already signed her name. The handwriting was neat, deliberate, and perfectly composed.Preston stared at those words for a very long time.Vanessa Ward.His wife.Her signature was rock steady. There was no hesitation, no scribbled-out mistakes, not even an ink blotch. It looked as casual as if she were signing a routine delivery receipt. It was as if those three words held absolutely no weight for her anymore.He suddenly felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. The annoyance was indescribable.She had actually signed it?!Did she... really want to divorce him?No. That was impossible.Preston pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket, standing dead still in the center of the room. He forced his gaze away from the agreement and scanned the living room. The throw pillows were perfectly arranged, the coffee table was spotless, and a vase of fresh lilies—his favorite variety—sat on the television stand.Everything was exactly as it always was.Yet, something felt entirely wrong."Did she say anything today?" he asked, his tone laced with impatience.Ever since they got married, Vanessa rarely kept in touch with her friends. Being a full-time housewife for years meant she only ever really confided in him. But after he got tired of her constant nagging and told her to shut up, she eventually stopped talking altogether.Eventually, she resorted to making small talk with the butler.So now, Arthur was the only person he could ask.Arthur stood off to the side, maintaining a tense silence for a moment before shaking his head. "No, sir. She didn't say a word today."Not a word?Preston's brow furrowed heavily. That wasn't right. She always had something to nag about. She would constantly comment on how little he ate, complain that he wasn't dressed warmly enough, or list off the soups she planned to make him the next day.Why was she completely silent today?Arthur stood frozen, seemingly debating with himself before finally speaking up again. "There is one other thing.""Spit it out.""Tomorrow is your birthday banquet, sir. Mrs. Vance requested that your wife head over to the estate early this morning to help with the preparations, but she refused."Preston froze. "She refused?""Yes, sir." Arthur's voice was carefully neutral. "She told me to tell your mother to find your new woman to plan the party."Chapter 2In the living room, a divorce agreement lay quietly on the coffee table."Let's get a divorce."This was the third time Vanessa Ward had brought it up, but the man before her, Preston Vance, didn't even glance her way. He simply looked incredibly impatient. "Put that away if you're done throwing your little tantrum. I don't have time for this nonsense."He stood up, pulled a bank card from his inner chest pocket, and tossed it onto the coffee table. "There's half a million dollars on this card. It buys a month of your time. Stop bothering me."Vanessa found it ridiculous. He wouldn't even hand the card to her directly. Was he really that afraid someone might misunderstand their proximity?In the past, if her husband had given her a bank card, she would have accepted it joyfully, offering a sickly sweet, "Thank you, honey."Now, she felt so numb she didn't even spare it a glance."Not enough?" A mocking smirk played on Preston's lips as he scoffed. "Vanessa, don't be greedy."She replied in a flat, even tone. "I don't want your money. I just want a divorce. You don't have to worry about me trying to split your assets. I don't want anything. Not a single dime."She was done. She wanted absolutely nothing.She had married into the Vance family with a clean slate, and she would leave the exact same way.Over the past three years, she had given up a career she loved to manage Preston's life, reducing herself to a full-time housewife.The so-called luxury of being a stay-at-home wife—the supposed endless money and free time—was all a lie.Living with her hand out for an allowance was humiliating enough, but her husband's blatant betrayal was the final proof that depending on a man was nothing but a sick joke.Preston's irritation flared. "You're just going to keep at this, aren't you? You've had it too good for too long, so now you want to make my life miserable? Fine, then we can all be miserable!"Like a petulant child, he snatched the bank card back, deciding she got nothing."If you want to throw a fit, then go ahead and throw it."He turned to leave, but Vanessa wasn't going to let the opportunity slip. She spun around and called out, "Preston, divorcing me means you can openly be with Chloe. Why are you refusing?"Chloe Beck. The secretary who had entered Preston's life a year ago. What had started as mild annoyance had morphed into amusement, then pity, then infatuation, and finally, blatant favoritism.Vanessa had watched his feelings shift in real-time. She had been a front-row witness to his entire affair.He had even given Chloe the Vance Family Heirloom, a piece meant only for the matriarch of the family. It was a rather obvious hint that it was time for Vanessa to step aside.If she did nothing, wouldn't she be wasting his effort?Preston furrowed his brow in disgust, his patience entirely depleted. "This is about Chloe again. She's sweet, and she's never tried to compete with you. Why are you so obsessed with tearing her down?""If you have so much free time, go back to the Vance Estate and help my parents. Stop making up these ridiculous scenarios in your head." Preston glared at her. "Stop acting out. The title of Mrs. Vance is yours, but if you push me too far, I have no problem finding a replacement."With that, he walked right out the door.Vanessa let out a self-deprecating laugh. Honestly, she wouldn't mind a replacement either.She was exhausted from sitting in the seat of Mrs. Vance.He loved Chloe so much, and Vanessa was practically gift-wrapping his freedom. Why was he refusing?Not long after Preston left, Arthur, the butler, walked over. "Ma'am, the estate is hosting a banquet tomorrow. Mrs. Vance requested you head over now to start the preparations. I can have a car brought around for you immediately."A banquet?Right. It was Preston's birthday. It was hosted at the Vance Estate every year, and this year was no exception. Every single year, she ran herself ragged organizing the entire event, and she never received a single word of gratitude.Since she was getting a divorce this year, whoever wanted to plan that miserable party could be her guest."Tell Catherine that Preston has a new woman, and she can ask her to plan the party."She wasn't going.Vanessa turned on her heel and headed straight upstairs.She had already signed the divorce papers. As for Preston, he would sign them eventually.**At Midnight Lounge, Preston's inner circle was already waiting by the time he arrived. Sitting right in the center of the group was the infamous Chloe Beck. The moment she saw Preston, she eagerly rushed over, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Preston, what took you so long?""They said you were late, so they wanted to make me take the penalty shots! You have to save me!"This was Preston's ideal version of a woman. Sweet, submissive, perfectly capable at work, yet wonderfully affectionate without ever throwing a tantrum.Vanessa used to be exactly like this. He couldn't understand how three years of marriage had completely ruined her.He sat down with a heavy sigh of annoyance, intentionally not pulling Chloe into his arms like he normally would.The entire room sensed the shift in his mood. The group exchanged tentative glances before someone finally worked up the nerve to ask."Boss, are you in a bad mood?"Once Carter Campbell broke the ice, the others quickly chimed in."That West Side project is already a guaranteed win, what else is there to stress about?""Are you mad because we tried to make Chloe drink? We were just messing around, don't take it seriously."Chloe, however, seemed to read the room perfectly. She knew most of Preston's secrets, so she knew the guys were completely off base. The only thing capable of making Preston this miserable was his plain, boring wife at home."Preston, did Vanessa upset you? It's all my fault. If she's misunderstanding our relationship, I'm willing to leave for your sake." Chloe delivered the heartfelt confession with wide eyes. "I just want you to be happy."Her words instantly opened the floodgates for everyone in the room.Carter scoffed, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Seriously, Preston, what is Vanessa's deal? She's insufferable. Just divorce her already!"Jasper Bennett quickly chimed in to fuel the fire. "Yeah, Boss, you need to dump that plain, boring woman as soon as possible. Chloe is gorgeous and young. Just cut the cord."A flash of smug satisfaction crossed Chloe's heart, but she masked it perfectly. Instead, she put on a display of pure, understanding innocence."You guys shouldn't say things like that. Vanessa has been with Preston for years. Even if things aren't perfect, she's put in the effort. Pressuring him to divorce her is just putting him in a terrible position."Preston felt a surge of warmth in his chest, looking at Chloe with a newfound sense of appreciation and relief.She was the only one who truly understood.No matter how ridiculous Vanessa was acting, she was still his wife. What did it matter if he kept her comfortably housed? High-society marriages weren't something you could just walk away from on a whim.At the end of the day, Vanessa was just being immature.She was a grown woman, yet she was pulling this pathetic divorce stunt to try and manipulate him. It wasn't going to work.The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Pushing the thought aside, Preston loosened his tie with long, elegant fingers, grabbed a glass of liquor, and downed it in one fluid motion. "Let's just drink. Why are we even talking about her?""No matter what I do on the outside, I still need a maid to run the house. Divorce?" Preston let out a cold laugh. "Vanessa can't survive without me. There is no way she's actually divorcing me."What did pulling out a divorce agreement actually prove? It was just a desperate bid for his attention.And she had succeeded. That printed agreement, paired with her infuriatingly emotionless face, was permanently burned into his mind. He couldn't shake it.Chloe picked up her glass, leaning in close. "Preston, let's have a drink."Carter immediately started cheering them on. "A regular drink is boring! Take a shot together, arms linked!""Link arms!""Link arms!"The raucous chanting echoed off the walls of the private booth. A deep blush spread across Chloe's cheeks, and she shyly lowered her gaze. She didn't reject the idea, instead casting a subtle, hopeful glance at Preston.Preston stared at the glass in front of him, but all he could see was Vanessa's alarmingly calm face.There was no anger on that face. No grievance. No tears. Absolutely nothing.It was as hollow and empty as a dried-up well.A sudden wave of intense irritation washed over him. He picked up his glass, casually tapped it against Chloe's outstretched one, and threw the liquor back alone, completely ignoring the linked-arm suggestion.Chloe's hand hung frozen in mid-air. A flash of intense awkwardness crossed her face, but she quickly covered it up, quietly sipping her drink like a good girl.Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Carter immediately went into damage control. "Alright, alright! Let's drink! Nobody goes home sober tonight!"The booth erupted into lively chatter once again.Preston leaned back against the leather sofa, absently spinning his empty glass. His gaze was fixed on a spot across the room, but he wasn't really seeing anything.The way Vanessa had looked today was like a thorn buried deep in his chest.In three years of marriage, she had never acted like that.When he used to come home late, she would wait up for him. Even if she fell asleep on the couch, the sound of the door opening would jolt her awake, and she would groggily ask if he was hungry or needed a hot meal. He found it suffocating and told her to stop. Eventually, she really did stop waiting.When he traveled for business, she used to call him multiple times a day to ask if he had eaten, if he was sleeping well, or if he was tired. He found it annoying and told her to stop calling. Eventually, she really did stop calling.Whenever he casually mentioned a dish he was craving, it would miraculously appear on the dinner table the next day, no matter how complicated or time-consuming it was to make. He never once praised her for it. Eventually, those dishes disappeared, too.He had no idea when Vanessa had grown so incredibly silent.No tears. No arguments. No fighting for his attention.He had genuinely believed she had finally matured.Until today, when she sat on that couch, looked at him with a gaze so calm it felt alien, and said, "Let's get a divorce."In that moment, it suddenly hit him—there was no trace of him left in those eyes.No, maybe he had been erased a long time ago, and he was only just now noticing."Boss, what's on your mind?"Carter leaned in, trying to follow his line of sight, but saw nothing of interest.Preston snapped back to reality and slammed his glass onto the table. "Nothing."He stood up and grabbed his jacket.Chloe immediately jumped to her feet. "Preston, are you leaving already? It's still early.""You guys keep going. The tab is on me." He didn't even look at her as he headed for the door."Preston!" Chloe chased after him, grabbing onto his sleeve, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"Preston looked down at her fingers clutching his sleeve, and his mind immediately flashed to another pair of hands.Hands that used to wash his clothes, cook his meals, bring him hot tea, and manage his entire life.Hands that used to be incredibly warm.But now, the owner of those hands wanted absolutely nothing from him.He pulled his arm free, his voice turning icy. "No. Go enjoy yourself."With that, he pushed the door open and left.Chloe stood completely still, her fingers curling tightly by her sides as a suffocating wave of jealousy washed over her.Vanessa.This was all because of Vanessa.Preston drove home, his mind an absolute chaotic mess.He couldn't even pinpoint what was making him so furious.The car pulled into the driveway of the estate, and the moment it shifted into park, he threw the door open and stepped out. Hearing the commotion, Arthur hurried out to greet him, clearly taken aback. "Sir, you're home early?"Preston ignored the question, marching straight into the house. "Where's Vanessa?" he demanded."She's already upstairs resting."His footsteps faltered.Upstairs?He instinctively glanced toward the living room. It was completely empty.The lamp next to the sofa was on, but the sofa itself was deserted.Usually, at this hour, Vanessa would be sitting right there. She'd either be reading a book or arranging flowers. The second she heard the front door open, she would look up with a warm smile and ask if he was hungry, or if he wanted a late-night snack.He had found it irritating and told her not to wait up.After that, she waited up less often, but no matter what time he came home, the living room light was always left on for him.Tonight, the light was on, but the woman was gone.An inexplicable surge of frustration coiled in Preston's chest. Why was she suddenly being so obedient today? Why wasn't she waiting on the couch like she always did? Wasn't she worried he might come home drunk and need someone to take care of him?Vanessa was really starting to show a blatant disregard for him.She was a grown woman, so why was she throwing this ridiculous tantrum about a divorce?He walked over to the coffee table and looked down.The divorce agreement was still sitting there, completely untouched, with a pen resting neatly beside it.It looked exactly the same as when he had walked out.He reached out, his fingertips brushing the edge of the paper before pausing. The paper felt cold to the touch, much like the look in Vanessa's eyes earlier that day.He flipped to the very last page.Vanessa had already signed her name. The handwriting was neat, deliberate, and perfectly composed.Preston stared at those words for a very long time.Vanessa Ward.His wife.Her signature was rock steady. There was no hesitation, no scribbled-out mistakes, not even an ink blotch. It looked as casual as if she were signing a routine delivery receipt. It was as if those three words held absolutely no weight for her anymore.He suddenly felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. The annoyance was indescribable.She had actually signed it?!Did she... really want to divorce him?No. That was impossible.Preston pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket, standing dead still in the center of the room. He forced his gaze away from the agreement and scanned the living room. The throw pillows were perfectly arranged, the coffee table was spotless, and a vase of fresh lilies—his favorite variety—sat on the television stand.Everything was exactly as it always was.Yet, something felt entirely wrong."Did she say anything today?" he asked, his tone laced with impatience.Ever since they got married, Vanessa rarely kept in touch with her friends. Being a full-time housewife for years meant she only ever really confided in him. But after he got tired of her constant nagging and told her to shut up, she eventually stopped talking altogether.Eventually, she resorted to making small talk with the butler.So now, Arthur was the only person he could ask.Arthur stood off to the side, maintaining a tense silence for a moment before shaking his head. "No, sir. She didn't say a word today."Not a word?Preston's brow furrowed heavily. That wasn't right. She always had something to nag about. She would constantly comment on how little he ate, complain that he wasn't dressed warmly enough, or list off the soups she planned to make him the next day.Why was she completely silent today?Arthur stood frozen, seemingly debating with himself before finally speaking up again. "There is one other thing.""Spit it out.""Tomorrow is your birthday banquet, sir. Mrs. Vance requested that your wife head over to the estate early this morning to help with the preparations, but she refused."Preston froze. "She refused?""Yes, sir." Arthur's voice was carefully neutral. "She told me to tell your mother to find your new woman to plan the party."Chapter 3In the living room, a divorce agreement lay quietly on the coffee table."Let's get a divorce."This was the third time Vanessa Ward had brought it up, but the man before her, Preston Vance, didn't even glance her way. He simply looked incredibly impatient. "Put that away if you're done throwing your little tantrum. I don't have time for this nonsense."He stood up, pulled a bank card from his inner chest pocket, and tossed it onto the coffee table. "There's half a million dollars on this card. It buys a month of your time. Stop bothering me."Vanessa found it ridiculous. He wouldn't even hand the card to her directly. Was he really that afraid someone might misunderstand their proximity?In the past, if her husband had given her a bank card, she would have accepted it joyfully, offering a sickly sweet, "Thank you, honey."Now, she felt so numb she didn't even spare it a glance."Not enough?" A mocking smirk played on Preston's lips as he scoffed. "Vanessa, don't be greedy."She replied in a flat, even tone. "I don't want your money. I just want a divorce. You don't have to worry about me trying to split your assets. I don't want anything. Not a single dime."She was done. She wanted absolutely nothing.She had married into the Vance family with a clean slate, and she would leave the exact same way.Over the past three years, she had given up a career she loved to manage Preston's life, reducing herself to a full-time housewife.The so-called luxury of being a stay-at-home wife—the supposed endless money and free time—was all a lie.Living with her hand out for an allowance was humiliating enough, but her husband's blatant betrayal was the final proof that depending on a man was nothing but a sick joke.Preston's irritation flared. "You're just going to keep at this, aren't you? You've had it too good for too long, so now you want to make my life miserable? Fine, then we can all be miserable!"Like a petulant child, he snatched the bank card back, deciding she got nothing."If you want to throw a fit, then go ahead and throw it."He turned to leave, but Vanessa wasn't going to let the opportunity slip. She spun around and called out, "Preston, divorcing me means you can openly be with Chloe. Why are you refusing?"Chloe Beck. The secretary who had entered Preston's life a year ago. What had started as mild annoyance had morphed into amusement, then pity, then infatuation, and finally, blatant favoritism.Vanessa had watched his feelings shift in real-time. She had been a front-row witness to his entire affair.He had even given Chloe the Vance Family Heirloom, a piece meant only for the matriarch of the family. It was a rather obvious hint that it was time for Vanessa to step aside.If she did nothing, wouldn't she be wasting his effort?Preston furrowed his brow in disgust, his patience entirely depleted. "This is about Chloe again. She's sweet, and she's never tried to compete with you. Why are you so obsessed with tearing her down?""If you have so much free time, go back to the Vance Estate and help my parents. Stop making up these ridiculous scenarios in your head." Preston glared at her. "Stop acting out. The title of Mrs. Vance is yours, but if you push me too far, I have no problem finding a replacement."With that, he walked right out the door.Vanessa let out a self-deprecating laugh. Honestly, she wouldn't mind a replacement either.She was exhausted from sitting in the seat of Mrs. Vance.He loved Chloe so much, and Vanessa was practically gift-wrapping his freedom. Why was he refusing?Not long after Preston left, Arthur, the butler, walked over. "Ma'am, the estate is hosting a banquet tomorrow. Mrs. Vance requested you head over now to start the preparations. I can have a car brought around for you immediately."A banquet?Right. It was Preston's birthday. It was hosted at the Vance Estate every year, and this year was no exception. Every single year, she ran herself ragged organizing the entire event, and she never received a single word of gratitude.Since she was getting a divorce this year, whoever wanted to plan that miserable party could be her guest."Tell Catherine that Preston has a new woman, and she can ask her to plan the party."She wasn't going.Vanessa turned on her heel and headed straight upstairs.She had already signed the divorce papers. As for Preston, he would sign them eventually.**At Midnight Lounge, Preston's inner circle was already waiting by the time he arrived. Sitting right in the center of the group was the infamous Chloe Beck. The moment she saw Preston, she eagerly rushed over, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Preston, what took you so long?""They said you were late, so they wanted to make me take the penalty shots! You have to save me!"This was Preston's ideal version of a woman. Sweet, submissive, perfectly capable at work, yet wonderfully affectionate without ever throwing a tantrum.Vanessa used to be exactly like this. He couldn't understand how three years of marriage had completely ruined her.He sat down with a heavy sigh of annoyance, intentionally not pulling Chloe into his arms like he normally would.The entire room sensed the shift in his mood. The group exchanged tentative glances before someone finally worked up the nerve to ask."Boss, are you in a bad mood?"Once Carter Campbell broke the ice, the others quickly chimed in."That West Side project is already a guaranteed win, what else is there to stress about?""Are you mad because we tried to make Chloe drink? We were just messing around, don't take it seriously."Chloe, however, seemed to read the room perfectly. She knew most of Preston's secrets, so she knew the guys were completely off base. The only thing capable of making Preston this miserable was his plain, boring wife at home."Preston, did Vanessa upset you? It's all my fault. If she's misunderstanding our relationship, I'm willing to leave for your sake." Chloe delivered the heartfelt confession with wide eyes. "I just want you to be happy."Her words instantly opened the floodgates for everyone in the room.Carter scoffed, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Seriously, Preston, what is Vanessa's deal? She's insufferable. Just divorce her already!"Jasper Bennett quickly chimed in to fuel the fire. "Yeah, Boss, you need to dump that plain, boring woman as soon as possible. Chloe is gorgeous and young. Just cut the cord."A flash of smug satisfaction crossed Chloe's heart, but she masked it perfectly. Instead, she put on a display of pure, understanding innocence."You guys shouldn't say things like that. Vanessa has been with Preston for years. Even if things aren't perfect, she's put in the effort. Pressuring him to divorce her is just putting him in a terrible position."Preston felt a surge of warmth in his chest, looking at Chloe with a newfound sense of appreciation and relief.She was the only one who truly understood.No matter how ridiculous Vanessa was acting, she was still his wife. What did it matter if he kept her comfortably housed? High-society marriages weren't something you could just walk away from on a whim.At the end of the day, Vanessa was just being immature.She was a grown woman, yet she was pulling this pathetic divorce stunt to try and manipulate him. It wasn't going to work.The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Pushing the thought aside, Preston loosened his tie with long, elegant fingers, grabbed a glass of liquor, and downed it in one fluid motion. "Let's just drink. Why are we even talking about her?""No matter what I do on the outside, I still need a maid to run the house. Divorce?" Preston let out a cold laugh. "Vanessa can't survive without me. There is no way she's actually divorcing me."What did pulling out a divorce agreement actually prove? It was just a desperate bid for his attention.And she had succeeded. That printed agreement, paired with her infuriatingly emotionless face, was permanently burned into his mind. He couldn't shake it.Chloe picked up her glass, leaning in close. "Preston, let's have a drink."Carter immediately started cheering them on. "A regular drink is boring! Take a shot together, arms linked!""Link arms!""Link arms!"The raucous chanting echoed off the walls of the private booth. A deep blush spread across Chloe's cheeks, and she shyly lowered her gaze. She didn't reject the idea, instead casting a subtle, hopeful glance at Preston.Preston stared at the glass in front of him, but all he could see was Vanessa's alarmingly calm face.There was no anger on that face. No grievance. No tears. Absolutely nothing.It was as hollow and empty as a dried-up well.A sudden wave of intense irritation washed over him. He picked up his glass, casually tapped it against Chloe's outstretched one, and threw the liquor back alone, completely ignoring the linked-arm suggestion.Chloe's hand hung frozen in mid-air. A flash of intense awkwardness crossed her face, but she quickly covered it up, quietly sipping her drink like a good girl.Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Carter immediately went into damage control. "Alright, alright! Let's drink! Nobody goes home sober tonight!"The booth erupted into lively chatter once again.Preston leaned back against the leather sofa, absently spinning his empty glass. His gaze was fixed on a spot across the room, but he wasn't really seeing anything.The way Vanessa had looked today was like a thorn buried deep in his chest.In three years of marriage, she had never acted like that.When he used to come home late, she would wait up for him. Even if she fell asleep on the couch, the sound of the door opening would jolt her awake, and she would groggily ask if he was hungry or needed a hot meal. He found it suffocating and told her to stop. Eventually, she really did stop waiting.When he traveled for business, she used to call him multiple times a day to ask if he had eaten, if he was sleeping well, or if he was tired. He found it annoying and told her to stop calling. Eventually, she really did stop calling.Whenever he casually mentioned a dish he was craving, it would miraculously appear on the dinner table the next day, no matter how complicated or time-consuming it was to make. He never once praised her for it. Eventually, those dishes disappeared, too.He had no idea when Vanessa had grown so incredibly silent.No tears. No arguments. No fighting for his attention.He had genuinely believed she had finally matured.Until today, when she sat on that couch, looked at him with a gaze so calm it felt alien, and said, "Let's get a divorce."In that moment, it suddenly hit him—there was no trace of him left in those eyes.No, maybe he had been erased a long time ago, and he was only just now noticing."Boss, what's on your mind?"Carter leaned in, trying to follow his line of sight, but saw nothing of interest.Preston snapped back to reality and slammed his glass onto the table. "Nothing."He stood up and grabbed his jacket.Chloe immediately jumped to her feet. "Preston, are you leaving already? It's still early.""You guys keep going. The tab is on me." He didn't even look at her as he headed for the door."Preston!" Chloe chased after him, grabbing onto his sleeve, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"Preston looked down at her fingers clutching his sleeve, and his mind immediately flashed to another pair of hands.Hands that used to wash his clothes, cook his meals, bring him hot tea, and manage his entire life.Hands that used to be incredibly warm.But now, the owner of those hands wanted absolutely nothing from him.He pulled his arm free, his voice turning icy. "No. Go enjoy yourself."With that, he pushed the door open and left.Chloe stood completely still, her fingers curling tightly by her sides as a suffocating wave of jealousy washed over her.Vanessa.This was all because of Vanessa.Preston drove home, his mind an absolute chaotic mess.He couldn't even pinpoint what was making him so furious.The car pulled into the driveway of the estate, and the moment it shifted into park, he threw the door open and stepped out. Hearing the commotion, Arthur hurried out to greet him, clearly taken aback. "Sir, you're home early?"Preston ignored the question, marching straight into the house. "Where's Vanessa?" he demanded."She's already upstairs resting."His footsteps faltered.Upstairs?He instinctively glanced toward the living room. It was completely empty.The lamp next to the sofa was on, but the sofa itself was deserted.Usually, at this hour, Vanessa would be sitting right there. She'd either be reading a book or arranging flowers. The second she heard the front door open, she would look up with a warm smile and ask if he was hungry, or if he wanted a late-night snack.He had found it irritating and told her not to wait up.After that, she waited up less often, but no matter what time he came home, the living room light was always left on for him.Tonight, the light was on, but the woman was gone.An inexplicable surge of frustration coiled in Preston's chest. Why was she suddenly being so obedient today? Why wasn't she waiting on the couch like she always did? Wasn't she worried he might come home drunk and need someone to take care of him?Vanessa was really starting to show a blatant disregard for him.She was a grown woman, so why was she throwing this ridiculous tantrum about a divorce?He walked over to the coffee table and looked down.The divorce agreement was still sitting there, completely untouched, with a pen resting neatly beside it.It looked exactly the same as when he had walked out.He reached out, his fingertips brushing the edge of the paper before pausing. The paper felt cold to the touch, much like the look in Vanessa's eyes earlier that day.He flipped to the very last page.Vanessa had already signed her name. The handwriting was neat, deliberate, and perfectly composed.Preston stared at those words for a very long time.Vanessa Ward.His wife.Her signature was rock steady. There was no hesitation, no scribbled-out mistakes, not even an ink blotch. It looked as casual as if she were signing a routine delivery receipt. It was as if those three words held absolutely no weight for her anymore.He suddenly felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. The annoyance was indescribable.She had actually signed it?!Did she... really want to divorce him?No. That was impossible.Preston pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket, standing dead still in the center of the room. He forced his gaze away from the agreement and scanned the living room. The throw pillows were perfectly arranged, the coffee table was spotless, and a vase of fresh lilies—his favorite variety—sat on the television stand.Everything was exactly as it always was.Yet, something felt entirely wrong."Did she say anything today?" he asked, his tone laced with impatience.Ever since they got married, Vanessa rarely kept in touch with her friends. Being a full-time housewife for years meant she only ever really confided in him. But after he got tired of her constant nagging and told her to shut up, she eventually stopped talking altogether.Eventually, she resorted to making small talk with the butler.So now, Arthur was the only person he could ask.Arthur stood off to the side, maintaining a tense silence for a moment before shaking his head. "No, sir. She didn't say a word today."Not a word?Preston's brow furrowed heavily. That wasn't right. She always had something to nag about. She would constantly comment on how little he ate, complain that he wasn't dressed warmly enough, or list off the soups she planned to make him the next day.Why was she completely silent today?Arthur stood frozen, seemingly debating with himself before finally speaking up again. "There is one other thing.""Spit it out.""Tomorrow is your birthday banquet, sir. Mrs. Vance requested that your wife head over to the estate early this morning to help with the preparations, but she refused."Preston froze. "She refused?""Yes, sir." Arthur's voice was carefully neutral. "She told me to tell your mother to find your new woman to plan the party."