Chapter 1

On the day our game won a prestigious global award, my wife sent her golden boy crush onto the stage to accept the trophy behind my back. All to build up his fame.

When I stormed into the company’s victory banquet, everyone expected me to explode.

Instead, I just smiled, walked up to my wife, and shoved my Lead Game Designer badge into her chest.

"Why stop at letting him accept my award? Give him my title too. I quit."

The so-called star producer she idolized was holding a design doc where every single detail had been written by me.

Without me, that pretty boy couldn't even build a generic, pay-to-win mobile knockoff!

"Today marks our very first international gaming award!"

"To celebrate this historic breakthrough for our studio, let’s raise a glass to our star designer, Julian Lee!"

My wife, Chloe Vance, raised her champagne flute. A blissful smile lit up her face as she gazed at Julian.

Julian drained his glass, his cheeks flushed as he looked back at her.

"Our game’s success isn't just because of everyone’s hard work—it’s thanks to CEO Vance’s unwavering support!"

"Come on, everyone, a toast to Chloe!"

The banquet hall erupted in cheers. As an up-and-coming indie studio, winning an award of this caliber on the global stage instantly thrust us into the spotlight of gamers worldwide.

A few drunk colleagues started chanting for the two of them to lock arms and drink an indirect kiss toast.

Chloe blushed crimson, but she didn’t refuse.

Julian grabbed another glass, pressed it into her hand, and shouted over the noise, "Hey, don’t you dare tell Chase about this!"

The crowd erupted into mocking jeers:

"Who cares about Chase? He’s just Chloe’s boy toy!"

"Exactly! In our eyes, you’re the real husband here, Julian!"

"Divorce him, Chloe! Marry Julian already!"

My wife didn't utter a single word of rebuke. Blushing like a smitten teenager, she buried her face straight into Julian’s chest.

A gust of chilly night rain swept through the open banquet doors.

I had been standing in the doorway, listening the entire time. Now, I pushed the heavy doors open and walked in.

I had only found out we won when the Game Awards committee sent an invitation straight to my personal email, inviting the lead designer to the stage.

Overjoyed, I hadn’t even taken off my employee badge before boarding a red-eye flight to Los Angeles.

Ignoring the exhaustion from the flight, I had searched through the pouring rain to find where my team was staying.

Yet when I arrived at their hotel, it was completely empty.

I had called Chloe dozens of times, but she never picked up.

In the end, it was a loyal veteran employee—someone who had been with me since day one—who quietly slipped me the address of their private victory party.

I had rushed over through the storm holding a bouquet of flowers.

Tucked inside those petals was a ring I’d bought long ago. Tonight was supposed to be the night I finally gave her the proper proposal I owed her.

I never imagined that after flying across the country in the rain, this was the scene waiting for me.

Chloe finally lifted her head from Julian’s chest and looked in my direction.

Her face, flushed from alcohol and bashfulness, instantly contorted into a deep frown. She looked at me as if looking at a plague.

"Chase Miller? What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay back at the office and finish the new project pitch?"

She still lingered in Julian’s warm embrace, seemingly reluctant to pull away.

Glaring at me, she added coldly:

"Well, since you're here, I might as well tell you."

"We won. Tomorrow is the main ceremony, and Julian is taking the stage to accept the trophy."

"Since you're already in California, go play tourist on your own."