Chapter 1

The year Liam Smith was at his lowest, I left him for three hundred thousand.

Years later, at a class reunion, he was a roaring success, proposing with three million.

Everyone said Liam was madly in love with me.

But then, he treated me like a prize, delivering me straight to his rival's bed.

And I? I just took it. No tears, no fuss.

He completely lost it, his eyes blazing crimson. "Elara, are you just naturally trashy? Will anyone with money get to fuck you?!"

I just smiled.

For someone dying of stomach cancer, none of that really mattered anymore.

Five years after breaking up with Liam, I saw him again at a class reunion.

I was a down-on-my-luck stripper, and he was a powerful CEO, a titan in the business world.

They all whispered that Liam was still head over heels for me.

He'd just returned to the country, flaunting his immense wealth, and married me.

Making me the envy of every woman in our social circle—Mrs. Smith.

But on our wedding night, he brought a stunningly beautiful woman into our bridal suite.

I recognized her instantly.

She was Chloe, my once-best friend.

Liam doted on her, giving her everything she asked for.

For two years, Liam brought her back almost every night, to sleep in our marital bed.

He'd grip my chin, a chilling warning in his eyes: "Elara, I didn't spend all that money to marry you just so you could live a life of luxury as Mrs. Smith. Mark my words: from the day we got married, you're nothing but a servant in this house."

He shattered my heart, turning me into a nationwide joke.

Everyone knew I was just a maid Liam had married.

But I didn't divorce him. There was a clause in our marriage agreement: if I divorced, I'd owe him three million.

I'd hide in my room, silently planning how to use that money.

A few days before, I'd been to the hospital. The doctor said I only had about three months left.

It's only when you're facing death that you realize how fiercely you cling to life.

The day I came back from the hospital, I got news.

My dad's case had new developments.

If I could find someone to help, he might clear his name and get out early.

Right now, Liam was the only one powerful enough to help my dad appeal his case.

No matter what, I had to save my dad.

I baked Liam's favorite cookies and took them to his company.

His employees pointed and whispered.

"Dressed so shabbily, looking pale as a ghost. How did she end up marrying Mr. Smith?"

"I heard she was Mr. Smith's first love. Men always have a soft spot for their firsts, I guess."

"I think Ms. Chloe is a better match for Mr. Smith. She's the heiress of the Chloe Group, after all…"

I waited outside the company for ages, only to learn Liam wasn't even there.

He'd gone to a party with Chloe.

I found their party.

The place was buzzing, mostly with Liam's friends.

The moment I stepped in, the room fell silent.

Chloe walked up to me, a sickly sweet smile on her face. "Elara, what are you doing here? Bored, looking to get back to stripping?"

I didn't get angry. "You don't need to mock me. Being the other woman isn't exactly more noble than being a stripper."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Chloe splashed a glass of wine on me.

"Elara, I'm not the other woman! You're the one who dumped Liam for three hundred thousand back then! If you hadn't come back, Liam would have married me! Your father is a murderer, you don't deserve Liam at all! And your mom…"

Before she could finish, I shoved her away.

"Chloe, shut up!"

My dad isn't a murderer! My dad was framed!