Chapter 1

On our fifth wedding anniversary, I caught my husband kneeling in the VIP section of the mall, carefully helping his first love slip on a pair of flat shoes.

The woman was five months pregnant, smiling sweetly at my husband.

My hand trembled as I held the tray. The perfume bottle clinked against the glass with a sharp sound.

He whipped around. The moment he recognized me, his smile froze.

"What are you doing here?" He stood up, his tone thick with irritation at being caught.

"Did you forget, Mr. Blackwell? I work here as a sales associate."

"Lillian just got back from overseas. Her husband passed away. I'm just helping her out." He lowered his voice. "Don't read into this."

I stared at the shoes he had put on her feet. Suddenly the two theater tickets in my purse felt like a joke.

"Nathan," I said. "Let's get a divorce."

I stood at the counter on the first floor of One World Trade Center, pain shooting up from my heels. My calves felt like they were filled with lead.

Today was my fifth wedding anniversary with Nathan Blackwell.

In my purse were two theater tickets. I'd worked overtime for half a month straight, earned my full attendance bonus, just to afford them.

Nathan used to love this play. But ever since his company in New York had grown and his net worth had skyrocketed, we hadn't set foot in a theater together in three years.

"Frost, what are you spacing out for? There's a customer in the VIP lounge who wants to try the new perfume. Take this over there, quickly." My manager pushed me from behind, her voice urgent.

I responded and forced myself to focus, carrying the velvet tray toward the VIP area.

As I approached the frosted glass door that stood slightly ajar, my feet froze in place.

On the leather sofa in the lounge sat a pregnant woman.

She was looking down at a product catalog, her long hair draped over her shoulders. Her profile was gentle, her entire demeanor radiating the kind of refinement that comes from being pampered.

And Nathan was kneeling in front of her, holding a pair of flat shoes, carefully lifting her foot to change them for her.

"These have soft soles. You're not as mobile now. High heels will tire you out."

Nathan's voice carried a tenderness I hadn't heard in years.

The woman laughed softly and touched her belly. "Nathan, you're too anxious. The baby's only five months along. It's not that fragile."

"Lillian, how could I not worry about you?" Nathan looked up at her, his gaze so focused it made me jealous.

My hand holding the tray trembled violently.

The glass perfume bottle knocked against the edge of the tray with a sharp clink.

Nathan turned at the sound. The smile on his face completely froze the moment he saw me.

The air seemed to solidify.

I looked at this man who'd shared my bed for five years and suddenly felt nauseous.

Lillian. I knew that name all too well.

She was Nathan's first love. When he was at his lowest, struggling financially, she didn't hesitate to leave the country and marry someone else.

During the years she was gone, I'd been by Nathan's side, soothing the hurt in his heart bit by bit. I'd stayed with him as he built his business, step by step, until now.

The years Nathan's company thrived happened to coincide with my brother's serious illness. He needed ongoing hospital care and astronomical medical bills.

I refused to be seen as a leech. I insisted on working, supporting my brother myself, not wanting to add any burden to Nathan.

Because my background wasn't impressive enough, I was afraid of embarrassing him. I kept myself hidden, careful not to draw attention. Few people knew I was Mrs. Blackwell. Only those close to Nathan knew.

But even they looked down on me...

I loved him. I didn't mind the humiliation. I thought of him in everything. But what did I get in return?

Lillian had come back, and she was pregnant.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan stood up, his brow furrowing slightly. His tone instantly returned to its usual coldness, as if that tender, caring man moments ago had been my hallucination.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "Did you forget, Mr. Blackwell? I work as a sales associate at this mall."

A flash of displeasure crossed Nathan's face. He strode over to me and lowered his voice.

"Lillian just got back to the country. Her husband died in an accident recently. She's alone with a child on the way. It's not easy. I'm just helping her out as an old friend. Don't read into this."