Chapter 1

On my thirtieth birthday, Noah booked an entire private island just to celebrate with me.

But the moment I appeared on the beach, Noah's secretary, Rosamond, yanked the shawl right off my shoulders.

And so, wearing only a swimsuit, I was exposed to everyone's eyes.

"Haha, Mr. Fox was right, her breasts really do sag terribly—they're practically hanging down to her stomach!"

"Oh my, that's really scary. If that's what happens, I wouldn't dare get married and have kids."

The other secretaries crowded in too, looking me up and down.

"Even a nightgown that conservative can't hide those sagging breasts. It's disgusting, they're almost as bad as my grandma's."

"I've heard it's not just the breasts that sag after childbirth—you can also leak urine when you cough or sneeze. I wonder if Mrs. Fox has that problem too?"

Noah appeared just in time and draped the shawl back over my shoulders.

"Don't listen to their nonsense. They're just young girls who talk without thinking. Don't take it to heart."

I fought hard to hold back the tears about to spill over, staring straight at Noah.

"That's it? One flimsy little line and it's settled? Why are they even here?"

"They're humiliating your wife—are you deaf?"

Noah shot them a warning look, then turned and tried to take my hand.

"All right, they're all young, never been married or had kids. They're just a little curious about you."

"Don't be angry. Why don't I go sit over there with you?"

I took a step back, opening up the distance between Noah and me.

"Weren't you supposed to be celebrating my birthday? Why are they here?"

A flicker of impatience crossed Noah's face, but he still explained to me good-naturedly.

"When they heard I'd booked a whole island, they kept begging to come along for a team-building trip."

"Don't read into it. They didn't mean anything by it."

As Noah spoke, the group of secretaries, with Rosamond at the front, watched me from not far off.

The provocation and malice in her eyes were completely undisguised.

I couldn't be bothered to keep listening to Noah smooth things over, and strode straight toward Rosamond.

"Smack!"

Amid the crowd's astonished stares, I landed the slap clean and decisive.

"Go on, why so quiet now? Weren't you having such a great time a minute ago?"

"Who gave you the right to pass judgment on other people's bodies? Aren't you a woman yourself?"

With that, I ignored Rosamond's reaction and let my gaze fall on each of the other secretaries in turn.

Caught under my stare, they all lowered their heads and didn't dare say another word.

Noah strode over and pulled Rosamond protectively to his side.

"Emily, that's a bit much."

"Even if they were wrong, you still shouldn't have hit her."

Seeing Noah shield her, Rosamond's eyes instantly went red.

"Mrs. Fox, I was only joking. Please don't be angry. It's all my fault."

"But it's still wrong of you to hit me. Even if I said the wrong thing, you shouldn't have—"

Before Rosamond could finish, I slapped her hard across the face again, cutting her off.

"What did you mean by what you just said? Mr. Fox was right?"

"Who ever discussed my body with you?"

The instant I asked that question, Noah's expression changed.

Before Rosamond could speak, Noah rushed in.

"All right, Emily, you've hit her and you've cursed her out. Let's just drop it."

"It's your birthday today. Don't let a little thing like this ruin your mood."

Noah's reaction made my heart sink, and sink again.

For some questions, no answer is already the best answer.

I raised my hand and pointed at Rosamond, but my eyes stayed fixed on Noah's face.

"Fire her."

Noah froze, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes.

That reaction was answer enough.

I didn't spare them another glance, turned, and walked straight off the beach.

Back in my room, I took off the swimsuit and changed into my own clothes.

As I changed, I caught sight of my figure in the full-length mirror.

I'm thirty this year, and I have a four-year-old daughter with Noah.

I did have a child, but I was young when I gave birth and recovered quickly—besides, my postpartum recovery therapist and nutritionist were the very best.

My figure isn't perfect, but it's certainly not bad.

All these years, unless I said so myself, no one could ever tell I'd had a child.

Yet today, Noah let his secretaries openly tear my body apart.

Sometimes, isn't staying neutral its own kind of answer?

Once I was dressed, I called the driver directly.

"Send someone to pick me up and take me home."