Chapter 1

My fiancée, Julia Hartwell, got promoted to Vice President and threw a party to celebrate.

I was holding a custom pink diamond ring, planning to surprise her with a proposal.

But outside the door, I overheard her telling her friends:

"I'm making a million dollars a year now. Xavier is nowhere near my league anymore. He's just a dog I keep around."

Her newly hired assistant, Derek Stone, wrapped his arm around her waist and said:

"Being your dog is an honor for him. He has no idea how many men are lining up for the chance!"

She laughed in Derek's arms, her body shaking with amusement.

I smiled bitterly and tossed away the pink diamond ring, sending my father a message:

"Dad, I agree to the arranged marriage. Fire Julia immediately!"

Then I called the wedding planning company:

"Hello, for the wedding in ten days—the bride's name needs to change. I'm getting a new bride."

"Yes, we'll discuss the details when we meet."

After I hung up, the party had ended and Julia was just coming out of the bathroom.

Her hair was half-dry, wrapped in a bathrobe with moisture clinging to her skin.

Normally her showers took half an hour, but today she'd been in there for a full hour.

She frowned at me:

"Who were you just calling?"

I told her honestly—someone from the wedding company.

Julia relaxed.

"The wedding isn't for another ten days. You don't need to be so meticulous."

She probably thought I was calling to go over details with the wedding planners.

After all, during our five years together, I'd personally planned every holiday and anniversary down to the smallest detail, just to make her happy.

"Mm."

Indeed, I didn't need to be—especially since the person I was marrying was even more meticulous than me.

At that thought, I smiled bitterly.

Julia impatiently ran her fingers through her hair. "My hair's still wet!"

Before, I would always patiently blow-dry her hair after every shower. But now, I didn't want to.

"Sorry, I still have things to do. Dry it yourself."

Julia froze, her voice turning sharp:

"What could a house husband possibly have to do?!"

"Your main job is taking care of me! Those were your own words. Have you forgotten?"

A fine, dense pain spread through my chest.

Five years ago, I had said I would take good care of her. But now, I didn't want to anymore.

"I don't want to take care of you anymore, Julia."

With that, I grabbed my jacket and left without looking back.

When I got home, I fell to my knees before my parents in remorse.

"Mom, Dad, I was wrong! I agree to the arranged marriage. Same wedding date, different bride!"

My parents exchanged surprised glances and quickly asked what happened.

To be with Julia, I'd broken with them and moved out five years ago.

A few months ago, when they found out I was going to marry Julia, they finally couldn't stand by anymore.

They came to me and said they'd found a suitable match for an arranged marriage—the daughter of the Sinclair Corporation, who was also my childhood playmate. By any measure, she was better than Julia.

I refused them, saying my true love was Julia.

As it turned out, Julia slapped me hard in the face and broke my heart.

"Xavier, do you really agree to the arranged marriage? Don't you want to meet her first?"

My mother helped me up, her heart aching for me.

"No need. I trust your choice."

At least I wouldn't be hurt so badly by love again.

Late at night, Julia called.

"Xavier, I didn't dry my hair in time and now I have a cold. Can you buy me medicine and bring it home?"

On the other end, her voice was soft and sweet—clearly giving me a way out.

Every time we fought, as long as she spoke gently and played the victim, I would always soften.

But not this time.

"Don't you have an assistant? Just have him bring you medicine. I'm busy. Gotta go."

Julia's voice shot up, shrill and angry:

"What's your problem? Why are you bringing him up out of nowhere?! You're my husband—of course you should be the one taking care of me!"

I said nothing.

During our five years together, Julia had always been imperious with me like this.

She trampled on my sincere feelings, constantly giving other men opportunities. Too bad I was too foolish.

Blinded by love, I stubbornly believed she just had a bad temper, but that deep down she always loved me.

Until I saw with my own eyes how she compared me to Derek, saying I was boring and he was exciting.

That's when I finally understood—she only loved herself.

"Like I said, I'm busy. Figure it out yourself."

I hung up. My parents breathed a sigh of relief.

The next morning, I went home to pack my things.

Opening the door, I saw Julia lying on the couch, looking at me with an aggrieved expression.

"You're finally willing to come back."

Her face was pale, clutching her stomach as she spoke resentfully.

I sighed. Seemed like she'd gotten herself pretty worked up yesterday.

She had stomach problems—whenever her emotions fluctuated too much, her stomach would hurt.

Though I was determined to leave, seeing her like this made me feel somewhat guilty.

I pulled out the medicine box, found some cold medicine, and poured her a fresh glass of water.

"There's medicine in the box. You didn't even think to get it yourself."

She took the medicine, but before she could speak, a male voice rang out.

"Julia, should I put sugar in the porridge?"

Derek, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen.

The moment he saw me, he froze, then smiled:

"Xavier, you're here?"

Like he was the man of the house greeting a guest.

The next second, realizing he'd said the wrong thing, he quickly corrected himself:

"Oh, you're back, Xavier. Julia's been running a fever and her stomach's been hurting. She said you were busy, so she had to call me to bring medicine."

Only then did I notice a paper medicine bag on the coffee table.

I couldn't help but smile. Looks like I'd worried for nothing again.

Julia tilted her head back and swallowed the pills, then gulped down several mouthfuls of the water I'd poured.

"Honey, your medicine still works best."

"Don't be mad. I waited for you all last night. This morning I was feeling so awful I had to call my assistant over."

She rested her head on my shoulder, speaking weakly:

"The moment I saw you, I felt so much better."

"Derek, you can head back to work now."

She raised her hand to dismiss Derek.

After he left, Julia took my hand and said earnestly:

"Honey, yesterday was my fault. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

"Will you forgive me?"

She rarely called me "honey." This was also the first time she'd chosen me in front of Derek.

So she did know how to make me feel secure.

She just never wanted to before. Now it was too late.

I gently pulled my hand away and stood up:

"Just rest. Don't overthink things."

In the kitchen, I looked at the two sets of bowls and chopsticks in the sink. My heart sank to the bottom.

Derek had been here last night.

Once again, Julia had lied to me.