Chapter 1

On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, my fiancée, Seraphina Dawson, was wearing a brand-new silver necklace.

The moment I saw her, I lunged forward and kicked her, sending her sprawling to the ground.

My parents, her parents, they stood there, frozen in shock.

She looked up at me, dazed and confused, as I lifted my foot again, ready to deliver another blow.

“What are you doing? Stop kicking me! If you kick me again, I’m not marrying you!” she shrieked.

“Good!” her mother snapped. “That suits me just fine!”

My gaze was locked on the silver chain around her neck.

“I’m asking you.”

My voice was disturbingly calm, devoid of any warmth.

“Who gave you this necklace?”

Her body stiffened. Her eyes darted around, betraying a flicker of panic.

“Wh-why are you asking?”

“I’ll ask one more time.” I tightened my grip on her arm, enunciating each word. “Who gave it to you?”

Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the dust and grime, making her look utterly disheveled.

“Julian, you’re hurting me…”

She tried to play the victim, hoping to get away with it.

But she didn’t know. The moment she put on that necklace, it was a fight to the bitter end, and I wouldn't stop until one of us was broken.

Watching her, I couldn't hold back. I kicked her again!

Seraphina cried out in agony!

I stared intently into her eyes.

“Have you forgotten?”

“The birthday gift I gave you was a platinum bracelet.”

“All the jewelry in your closet—your necklaces, earrings, rings—they’re all platinum and K gold.”

“I’ve known you for ten years. When have you ever worn silver?”

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

The City Hall was bustling, and our dramatic scene had already drawn every eye.

She took a deep breath, as if making a monumental decision. The next second, she suddenly broke free from my grasp and scrambled to her feet.

Clutching her face, she began to wail.

Her cries were heartbreaking, tearing through the air, enough to make anyone grieve.

“Julian, what is wrong with you?”

She cried and accused me, her voice just loud enough for everyone around to hear.

“It’s just a necklace! My best friend gave it to me for my birthday, and I thought the weather was nice today, so I wanted to wear it with my outfit. Is that wrong?”

Now she was turning it all around on me.

“The bracelet you gave me is safely put away. I just changed my necklace, and you have to hit me in front of all these people?”

“Do you not love me anymore?”

Her words instantly ignited the onlookers’ “sense of justice.”

“Oh my God, he’s beating his fiancée in the street just for a necklace?”

“He looks so respectable, but he’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”

“He’s laying hands on her before they’re even married? What’ll happen after?”

The murmurs and pointing fingers crashed over me like a tidal wave.

My parents couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly pulled me aside.

“Son, what on earth is going on?” My mother’s eyes were red with worry.

My father clapped me on the shoulder, his voice low. “We trust you, Julian. You’re not a reckless man.”