I was the woman everyone in New York envied, but my husband, Derek, only had eyes for his first love, Vanessa.

The day Vanessa returned to the country, he handed me a divorce agreement, demanding I leave with absolutely nothing.

He threatened to bankrupt my entire family if I dared to utter a single word about it.

I signed the papers, then turned around and launched a live stream called "My Ex-Husband's Secret Auction."

First item: His and his first love's 'pure friendship' the uncensored video.

It was snapped up at a high price by a rival company.

Second item: Evidence of his bribery of officials and market manipulation.

Now under continuous investigation by FBI agents.

Third item: The true identity of his illegitimate brother

The live stream audience soared past 100 million, and Derek Corp.'s stock plummeted.

Derek and his family rushed to my apartment, falling to their knees, begging me to stop the broadcast.

I smiled brightly into the camera:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the grand finale is here:"

"Derek isn't Arthur Derek's biological son C the DNA test results, starting bid, the entire Derek Group!"




Today marked our third wedding anniversary.

I had personally prepared a slow-cooked gourmet meal, his favorite, simmering for a full six hours.

On the dining table, red wine, candlelight, roses C everything was perfect.

Except for his prolonged absence.

At ten o'clock that night, a pop-up on my phone announced entertainment news.

#Award-winning Actress Vanessa Returns Home, picked up by mysterious luxury car at the airport#

In the photo, that limited-edition Aston Martin's license plate was Derek's birthday.

My heart, at that moment, died.

At half past eleven, the lock clicked.

Derek was back.

He carried an unfamiliar perfume scent, nothing I ever wore.

It was Vanessa's favorite 'Desert Rose' perfume.

He didn't even glance at the meticulously set dining table, instead, he strode over and slapped a document onto my face.

The cold paper sliced across my cheek, a sharp, searing pain.

"Stella, we're getting a divorce."

I stared at him, at this man I had loved for three years, my throat tight.

"Why?"

He tugged at his tie, his eyes filled with annoyance and impatience.

"Vanessa's back."

His tone was flat, as if stating the most normal thing in the world.

I took a deep breath, gesturing to the elaborate spread on the table.

"Derek, we've been married for three years. What did these three years even mean to you?"

He finally chuckled, a laugh dripping with mockery and disdain.

"Stella, don't sicken me."

"You were nothing more than an accessory my grandfather forced on me back then."

"Now, I don't need this accessory anymore."

An accessory.

So, all my efforts these past three years, all my gentle consideration, in his eyes, had just been a decoration.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms.

"What if I don't agree?"

He stepped closer, leaning in, his voice dropping, laced with bone-chilling coldness.

"Stella, I advise you to be smart about this."

"You won't take anything with you, you'll walk away with absolutely nothing."

"Dare to utter a single word outside, and your parents' company will vanish from New York tomorrow."

I looked at his face so close to mine, those thin lips I had kissed countless times.

Now, they were spitting out the most venomous threats.

The last flicker of warmth in my heart extinguished.

I picked up the pen from the table, flipped to the last page of the agreement, and calmly signed "Stella."