Chapter 1

“C-could I have your contact information?”

The young man lowered his head, and his flushed ears revealed how nervous he was.

Ava let out a low laugh and handed him a room key.

“Wait for me tonight.”

As she spoke, her fingers gently brushed over his face.

“Mr. Blake is really generous, but I wonder how many times he’s been cheated on…”

“Ms. Morgan is still young. It’s normal for her to enjoy herself. One day, she’ll settle down and return to her family.”

I listened to the guests whispering with barely concealed mockery, then strode forward and flipped over the life-sized birthday cake. Like a line of dominoes, the wine, lights, and decorations all came crashing down.

The venue was left in complete chaos.

The young man who had spilled wine on Ava earlier shot me a smug look. I sneered, picked up a piece of cake from the floor, and flung it straight into his face.

Everyone stared in shock. “Mr. Blake has lost his mind!”

This was Ava’s twenty-fourth birthday party. Every prominent family in Capital City had come. And all these people were watching.

“Ethan Blake.”

Ava clearly hadn’t expected me to do that. But she didn’t get angry. She only gave some calm instructions for the mess to be cleaned up.

When the party ended, Ava watched the guests leave and said pointedly:

“You made a scene today. Be more careful next time.”

After all, I was part of the Morgan family.

Everything I said and did represented the entire Morgan family.

The young man from earlier was still standing beside her. He was quiet, obedient, and well-behaved.

Compared to him, it really did look as though I had been the one throwing a tantrum.

When I didn’t say anything, Ava walked over and took my hand, her tone casual and unconcerned. “Are you really mad? Why are you being so petty?”

“You know I was only playing around with him. He won’t threaten your position.”

The boy chimed in at just the right moment.

“Ethan, if you don’t like me… I’ll leave.”

“It’s just that… I really like Ava. I’m not as lucky as you are. You grew up with her…”

He sounded so sincere that even Ava couldn’t bear to listen anymore.

She waved her hand. “Ethan, I promise you he won’t appear in front of you again.”

What she meant was that I should stop making an issue of it.

I found it ridiculous. I raised my hand and pointed at the silver ring on my finger. “Ava, do you remember what you promised me when we got married?”

After three years of marriage, it seemed I was the only one who had been completely trapped by it.

Ava had always been carefree and independent.

One day she would meet a guy named Josh, the next she would take another guy named Mike by the hand, and the day after that she would go drinking with someone named Chris. I never asked questions. I simply played my part, occasionally helping her deal with the young men who wouldn’t stop clinging to her.

But after living this way for so long, I was truly exhausted.

Ava yanked her hand away and looked at me with contempt. “Ethan, you’re nothing but a dog the Morgan family raised to stay by my side! What right do you have to question my decisions?”

My words seemed to have provoked her, and her voice turned sharp.

But every word she said stabbed into my heart like a knife.

So this was what I was in her eyes…

I forced myself to endure the dull pain and pulled off my wedding ring, then held it out to Ava.

“Here. Take your ring back.”