Chapter 1

Three years into our marriage, I thought Ethan was just naturally cold and incapable of love.

Then I saw the texts he sent his first love:

"Fall for her? No way. She's just a stand-in for you."

"Baby, when you come back, we'll get married right away."

Turns out, he wasn't incapable of love; he just wasn't in love with me.

I signed the divorce papers and left with nothing, but he went crazy, searching the whole world for me.

Too bad, Ethan. Your belated affection is just too cheap.

Chloe POV

"Leo, I'm getting a divorce."

I stood by the master bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the glittering New York skyline, my voice so calm it even surprised me.

On the other end of the line, my brother Leo was silent for a full five seconds before letting out a cold laugh. "You're finally willing to give up on Ethan?"

I forced a smile, my eyes dry, unable to squeeze out a single tear. "Yeah, I tried for so long, but I couldn't make him love me."

"I told you before, Ethan has no heart. You just had to be with him," Leo's voice held concern, though he tried to sound casual. "Come to Paris. It has everything. French men are romantic and devoted; aren't they all better than that guy? You're so amazing, why waste your time on someone from the Sterling family?"

"Mmm, I'll come once the papers are done."

Hanging up, I turned, my gaze falling on the black backup phone on the vanity.

It was Ethan's phone. Half an hour ago, he went to shower, and the phone vibrated, sliding onto the carpet. When I picked it up, the screen was lit, showing an un-saved text message:

【Ethan, my flight home is tomorrow.】

On an impulse, I typed in Ethan's lock screen password. It wasn't his birthday, nor mine. It was a regular day from six years ago. The password was correct.

Opening the chat history for that number, I saw the most frequent, most affectionate Ethan I’d ever seen in my life.

【It snowed in New York today. Is it cold where you are?】

【I've secured all of Sterling Corp's shares. The board can no longer interfere with my decisions.】

【She's been docile, a perfectly acceptable ornament. But once this period is over, my wife's position will still be yours.】

【Ivy, I miss you so much.】

Every word was like a poisoned dagger, piercing my heart, twisting the flesh to shreds.

Ivy. Ethan's first love, the woman forced to leave the country because his grandfather had blocked their relationship.

I'd always thought Ethan was naturally cold, a workaholic machine. In three years of marriage, he'd given me endless material comfort. A black card with no limit, haute couture on demand. If anyone in the New York elite dared to cross me, Ethan would ensure their family was ruined by morning.

Everyone said, Mr. Sterling loved me very much.

I used to believe it too. Until today, I finally understood that kind of love was just compensation, an empty gesture, like feeding a prized pet. He reserved all his patience, tenderness, and scheming for another woman. And I? I was merely a "decoration" he used to consolidate his power and protect the woman he truly loved.

The sound of the shower stopped.

Ethan walked out in a black bathrobe, water droplets still clinging to his chiseled jawline, tracing paths down to his firm chest. He glanced at me, standing by the vanity, his gaze as deep and unreadable as ever.

"Why aren't you in bed yet?" He walked to the bedside, casually picking up a watch to wipe it.

I looked at Ethan, at this face I’d loved for five whole years. I pursued him for two, and married him for three. I reined in all my temper, learning to be a gentle and agreeable wife, just to be closer to him.

"Ethan," I spoke, my voice a little hoarse.

He paused, looking up at me. "What do you want? That art gallery space downtown? I'll have my assistant send you the transfer papers tomorrow."

See, that was his way. Whenever my mood was off, he'd just throw money at me. Simple, crude, effective.

"No need." I smiled, walking over and handing him the black phone. "Your phone fell earlier."

Ethan's pupils constricted for a split second. I caught it. He took the phone, his knuckles slightly white, his voice steady. "You looked through it?"

"No," I lied. I didn't want to be hysterical, didn't want to question him like a lunatic. If I was a decoration, I should act like one.

Ethan gave me a long, hard look, then tossed the phone into the drawer. "Get some rest early. I have an important meeting tomorrow; I won't be back for dinner."

"Okay." I turned my back to him and lay down.

In the darkness, I lay with my eyes open, listening to the steady breathing of the man beside me. The last flicker of hope in my heart was extinguished completely.