Chapter 1

Three years of marriage, and our home had been run exactly like a corporation, under the strict rules set by Ethan Vance.

From maintaining a professional family image to our daily meals, clothes, and schedule—there was no exception.

"Rhi, you went out shopping today without submitting a time-off request? I’ll have to mark you as absent. A day’s worth of your allowance is deducted."

He tapped away on his laptop, logging my behavior for the day.

Dressed in a crisp, tailored suit, he didn’t show a single hint of exhaustion from a long day at the office.

But my mind was stuck on the scene I had witnessed earlier today.

Chloe Miller had been looking up at the man beside her, chatting happily. The man in the suit held a shopping bag in one hand while wrapping his other arm tightly around her waist.

That man was my husband, Ethan.

Ethan closed his laptop, walked over, and wrapped his arms around me naturally.

"Rhi, why didn't you sign the check-in sheet at the front door? You know I'll have to dock your pay for that."

I forced a weak smile and quietly pushed him away.

"Sure. Deduct it."

Ethan had no idea that his probation period in my heart had just expired.