Chapter 1

When Derek Miller showed up with his secretary, Serena Cross, he pointed a finger right at my face.

"You're nowhere near as sweet or stunning as Serena, and you can't even handle our kid. Let's get a divorce."

Serena scoffed, too.

"I warned you, Chloe. Women need to know how to keep their men happy, or they'll just get replaced."

I let out a dry chuckle, looking at Serena's smug face. "Alright, ex-husband. Enjoy your 'happiness'."

Less than three minutes later, I'd cleared out the bedroom for them.

I swiftly packed my bags, ready to walk out.

As I left, I thoughtfully pulled Leo out of his room and pushed him into Serena's arms.

"Leo, this is the new mommy your dad found for you. Now you'll have someone new to spoil you."

The words had barely left my lips when Leo punched Serena's stomach. A piercing shriek echoed through the living room.

"Honey, it hurts so much! My baby, our baby!" Only then did I notice Serena's stomach was subtly rounded.

At least three months along, I'd guess.

Derek rushed forward, pulling Leo away, his face etched with worry as he cradled Serena. Leo, meanwhile, sat on the floor, kicking and screaming.

Mrs. Miller, Derek's mom, came out, drawn by the cries. Seeing her precious grandson wailing on the floor, she immediately snapped at me.

"What kind of mother are you, Chloe? You can't even manage one child?"

"All you do is lecture! Do you even know how to be a woman anymore?"

I glanced at Serena, about to explain that today had nothing to do with me.

Serena immediately took a few deep breaths, straightened up, and forced a smile. "Mrs. Miller, it's all my fault. Leo accidentally bumped into me, and when Derek pulled him away, it upset Leo."

Mrs. Miller's expression softened instantly when she saw Serena. She smiled warmly. "Kids are rambunctious; a few cries are nothing."

Her gaze then turned to Serena's belly, gleaming with anticipation. "Serena, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Serena said, flashing an ingratiating smile. She pulled out a gaming device and knelt in front of Leo.

"Leo, Auntie's sorry. Auntie forgot to bring a present for our little darling."

"Let's not be angry anymore. Auntie will play games with you, okay?"

Before I could stop him, Leo's chubby body launched into Serena's embrace. He snatched the gaming device and began excitedly fiddling with it.

Serena shot me a triumphant glance, then started smiling as she showed Leo how to play.

Seeing Leo happily nestled in Serena's arms, Derek immediately shot me a look of pure disdain.

"Chloe, what 'sickness' could Leo possibly have? It's just your overly strict parenting that makes him defiant and difficult. Look how calm he is with Serena."

"Since you can't manage a husband or a child, just stay at the office from now on. Don't be an eyesore at home."

Serena also looked up, her voice cloyingly sweet and slightly nasally. "Ms. Hayes, Derek has so much on his plate every day; he's exhausted physically and mentally. How can you burden him with petty family matters?"

"Don't worry about staying at the office. I'll take good care of Derek and Leo from now on."

Every word from Serena dripped with blatant provocation and indifference, as if I, the actual wife, was nothing but a pushover.

But they seemed to forget that not only did I hold twenty percent of AlphaCorp's shares, but all the company's core technology patents were developed and filed by me. They were the very foundation of the company.

If lust had completely clouded Derek's judgment, then I guess I didn't mind running AlphaCorp myself.

I swallowed my fury, smiled, and pulled out the divorce papers I'd had ready for ages.

"Derek, Ms. Cross is so beautiful, sweet, and understanding. You wouldn't want her to be called a mistress, would you? Sign these, and she can become Mrs. Miller legitimately."

Derek scoffed. "Chloe, you've threatened divorce so many times; aren't you just trying to get me to ditch my other women?"

"If you insist on divorce, fine. Take ten million and leave. The company is absolutely off-limits for you."

From his first affair with an intern to the club managers and bar hostesses, I'd threatened divorce countless times. But he'd always calmly lecture me about 'human nature':

Chloe, we were college sweethearts, and you were with me from the ground up when we founded AlphaCorp. Ten years of marriage, I truly loved you, and I still do. But I'm a successful man; I have needs, and I crave passion and excitement. You can't expect me to be like those boring, conventional guys who stick with one woman forever, can you?

He sugar-coated his depravity with such pompous justifications.

I was tired of his shameless excuses. This time, I didn't want to drag it out. Since he was handing me the blade, I might as well slice out the poison.

I couldn't be bothered with more talk. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the mansion.

The moment I stepped outside, I made a call.

"Mark, I need you to audit the company accounts immediately, tally the total assets, and have a lawyer draft a divorce settlement."

"Yes, I want Derek to leave with absolutely nothing."