Chapter 1

It was Vicky's birthday, and I decided to play a little prank. I gave her a gag lottery ticket, guaranteed to win a hundred million dollars.

She scratched it open, ecstatic. The very first thing she did was call her male best friend. "Chad! I hit the jackpot! Come over, quick!"

“I always said I’d take care of you if I ever got rich!”

My gut twisted. I opened my mouth to say it wasn’t real.

But then she whirled around, pointing at me, her voice sharp. "We've been married for five years, and I realize you don't understand me at all. I've been thinking, let's just get a divorce."

"Look at Chad. He sent me 999 roses first thing this morning for my birthday. That's the kind of tenderness and romance I want!"

I stood there for a long time, stunned. I put away the real presents I'd prepared for her - a luxury car and a mansion.

Was she really so convinced she'd won a hundred million that she wanted to ditch me?

Fine. She shouldn’t be surprised by what happens next.

......

My brows furrowed. "Are you saying I'm not good enough compared to Chad Hayes?"

My wife, Vicky Sterling, froze, probably surprised I was so direct.

She looked at me, then carefully tucked the lottery ticket into her purse. She scoffed. "Yes."

"Chad and I have been childhood sweethearts. He's always been the most important person in my life!"

"If you hadn't tempted my parents with a seven-figure sum back then, do you really think I would've agreed to marry you?"

It all clicked.

Chad Hayes was Vicky's male best friend. Ever since he came back to town, he'd been constantly lurking around.

He was at every birthday party, every weekend shopping trip. He was even at our house when I was away on business.

I'd told Vicky countless times how much I hated it.

But every time, she'd shoot back, "We have a pure friendship! Why are you so petty and jealous? It's so annoying when you get like this!"

I could never find concrete proof, so I just bit my tongue.

I never intended anything beyond a simple joke.

The plan was to let her get a little upset before surprising her with the real presents, like the luxury car and house deed.

But I never expected that a fake lottery ticket would blow open her true feelings.

Male best friend? Pure friendship?

It was all a lie.

Seeing me silent, her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Now I see things clearly. I don't want to keep deceiving myself. Let's go get a divorce today."

"Considering all the years I've busted my ass for you, I'll let you keep this house."

I just found it amusing. I blurted out, "I bought the ticket. Even if it were real, you wouldn't get to hog it all to yourself, would you?"

Hearing that, she clutched her purse tightly and took two steps back, her voice shrill. "Alex Thorne! Are you even a man anymore?!"

"You don't just take back what you've given away!"

Just then, Chad Hayes, her so-called best friend, rushed in.

Vicky saw him and immediately threw herself into his arms. "Chad!"

Chad had already heard about Vicky winning a hundred million on the phone. He'd probably also overheard our conversation.

He quickly pulled Vicky close, shielding her. "Vicky, give me the ticket. I'll go cash it in."

"That way, he can't use marital assets to force you to split it with him."

Vicky nodded frantically. "You're so thoughtful, Chad! Don't worry, I'll divorce him today!"

Their voices grew louder, as if afraid I wouldn't hear.

I was trembling with rage. "Vicky Sterling, are you really going to divorce me over a bunch of roses and a lottery ticket?"

Chad lifted his chin, sneering. "What's wrong with roses?"

"It's better than that cheap trinket you gave her last year, right?"

"Alex Thorne, Vicky's not the same woman anymore. You're a low-class jerk, you don't deserve her!"

I remembered. Last year for her birthday, I'd given her a vintage diamond bracelet.

It had cost me over three million dollars, and I'd pulled a lot of strings to get it.

Vicky had smiled so sweetly then, saying she loved it, but behind my back, she called it a cheap trinket.

This year, to give Vicky an even better life, I'd pulled countless all-nighters, making my company's business skyrocket.

As soon as I closed a deal worth over a hundred million in overseas orders, I immediately ordered her a supercar and a mansion.

Now, it seemed, there was no need.

I took a deep breath. "Vicky Sterling, you just said you wanted a divorce, right?"

"Fine! I agree!"