Chapter 1

"I need you to fake a private jet crash for me, so I can slip away from Audrey without any trouble."

When Alexander Jarman made that request, his best friend Sean Shore's jaw nearly hit the floor. For a moment, Sean wondered if he'd heard him right, just like when he first learned that Alexander was marrying Audrey Scurfield.

After all, Alexander was just a penniless man from the mountains, while Audrey was Zelbury's darling, their so-called "crown princess". The two came from such different worlds that no one ever expected them to end up together.

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Some thought Audrey was just after novelty, while others assumed she had settled for Alexander as a substitute for someone she couldn't have. A few even joked that she'd only married him on a dare.

But after three years, Audrey proved them all wrong. She hadn't married Alexander for any of those reasons. She'd married him because she loved him madly.

Back then, Audrey fell for Alexander the moment she saw him and threw herself into winning him over.

She didn't stop at showering him with gifts. She donated tens of billions in his name to major charities and built schools for underprivileged children across the globe, naming each one Alexander Elementary School.

Audrey wanted the world to know his name and to be in his debt. That way, no matter where life took him, someone would always have his back.

To spend more time with Alexander, she took part-time jobs alongside him—waiting tables, handing out flyers, sorting packages, and more.

This heiress, who'd never done her own laundry, endured three years of hardship at his side. Her delicate, violin-trained hands grew rough and calloused.

Audrey's persistence eventually broke through Alexander's resistance. But their vastly different backgrounds meant that her family remained completely opposed to their relationship.

She went through 16 rounds of punishment as part of a family tradition to win her parents' approval. The whippings left her back shredded and bloody, leaving scars that would never fade.

When she finally understood that her sacrifices meant nothing, Audrey turned her back on the family fortune and built her own company from the ground up. This way, no one could dictate her heart's choices.

Her high-society friends thought she'd gone mad. The famously shrewd heiress was tossing away a multigenerational fortune for a man.

In the end, her family had no choice but to relent and allow her to marry Alexander.

After marrying Alexander, Audrey dismissed all of her male staff and replaced them with women.

She kept Alexander updated on her every move—even though he never asked—and even installed a tracking app so he could monitor her location at all times.

Fans online swooned over them, praising them as the ultimate couple and proof that true love conquers all. For a while, their relationship overshadowed even the biggest celebrities.

But only Alexander knew the truth. While the world saw Audrey as the "perfect wife", she had secretly given birth to twins with another man and was living a double life behind Alexander's back.

When Alexander discovered the truth, the shock was so severe that it made him cough up blood before he lost consciousness.

The moment Audrey heard about what had happened, she abandoned a multi-billion-dollar deal and flew back to the country. She stayed at his side for two straight days without rest.

When Alexander finally woke up, she was still there. Her face was tense with worry, and her fingers were curled around the IV tube to warm the fluid entering his veins.

"You're awake? You scared me half to death." Audrey pressed his hand to her cheek, her eyes glistening with tears.

Once, during a business deal, someone had held a gun to her head, but she hadn't even flinched. But the moment she heard Alexander had coughed up blood, her legs nearly gave out beneath her.

Seeing the concern and panic in her eyes, Alexander felt his heart tear in two.

The love in her gaze was real. She truly loved him. But was this the same woman who had looked at Gavin Hepher with that same devotion? Had she whispered those same tender words to him?

Gavin was Audrey's childhood sweetheart—and the man she had an affair with.

When news first spread that she was pursuing Alexander, Gavin rallied his friends to bully him at college. He showed up at Alexander's part-time jobs, picking fights and getting him fired more than once.

Gavin had even hired thugs to corner Alexander, forcing him to crawl between their legs. That was when Audrey walked in, just as she'd come to confess her feelings.

She didn't care about their families' history. She crushed the Hephers, bankrupting them without hesitation. If not for her mother's intervention, she would have killed Gavin long ago.

Unless Alexander had seen those videos and the paternity test with his own eyes, he'd never have believed that Audrey had betrayed him with Gavin, or that their secret twins were already a year old.

Alexander closed his eyes and turned his face away, tears streaming down his cheeks, soaking a wide stretch of the pillow.

Audrey didn't realize he was crying. She simply assumed he was exhausted. "Xander, I have amazing news. The doctor just examined me. I'm two months pregnant! We're finally going to have our own baby!"

Normally so distant and aloof, Audrey was now beaming like an overjoyed child. "Our anniversary is in five days, and now this? It's like a double celebration!"

Alexander's eyes flew open. He and Audrey had always wanted children of their own, but after years of trying, luck had never favored them.

Because of that, Ronan Scurfield and Odette Endewelt, who already disapproved of him, had shot him countless scornful looks.

Since they were Audrey's parents, Alexander had to swallow his pride each time. But Audrey refused to stand by while they made him suffer on her account.

Her voice was icy as she spoke. "Xander is the love of my life. Just being with him is more than I ever thought I'd deserve. If you keep giving him hell because we can't have kids, then we're done. We won't be family anymore."

Alexander ran his fingers over Audrey's belly, his eyes filling with tears despite his efforts to hold them back.

Why did this child have to come now, of all times? And more importantly, was he the father, or was Gavin?

Audrey curled into him and murmured, "You seem upset. Who pissed you off? I'll set them straight for you."

A strange perfume clung to her, mingling with the milky scent of baby formula. Alexander pushed her away, lurching over the edge of the bed as he retched violently.

Thinking he was simply sick, Audrey instinctively cupped her hands near his mouth to catch the vomit. She didn't even flinch at the thought of him throwing up on her.

Alexander gaped at her, stunned. She was a known clean freak, yet there she was, willing to go that far for him. She even hand-washed his everyday clothes and shoes.

She had loved him completely for three years, and he had loved her just as much. The thought of losing her now was unthinkable.

He even considered letting go of his principles, thinking they could forget this whole mess as long as Audrey cut ties with Gavin.

But then her phone buzzed. She read the message, called it an urgent work emergency, and hurried off.

Half an hour later, Alexander received a photo from Gavin. It showed Audrey cradling her twins, leaning down to kiss their foreheads.

That picture shattered his last remaining hope. Audrey had betrayed him so thoroughly that she had even borne children with Gavin.

As soon as Alexander left the hospital, he went straight to Sean and ordered him to stage a crash with their private jet.

He knew Audrey too well. She would never accept a divorce. She wouldn't even allow him to leave. If he tried, she would unravel completely.

Chapter 2

Alexander got home from Sean's place and found a two-and-a-half-hour video from Gavin. In it, Gavin was dressed in a cat-ear butler outfit, while Audrey wore a bold red dress.

An array of "toys" lay scattered across a nearby table. They lost themselves in each other from one place to another—the kitchen, the study desk, the entryway—leaving no corner untouched.

Audrey was more uninhibited than Alexander had ever seen her, and every scene in the video gnawed at him. Still, like some kind of glutton for punishment, he watched it all the way to the end.

Alexander, who had never shed a tear in his life, shook violently, his face wet with tears. This wasn't just about Audrey's betrayal. It was the crushing realization that, despite everything, he still loved her.

She wasn't some worn-out shirt he could discard without a second thought. She was flesh and blood. Tearing her out of his life would be like wrenching open his ribs, clawing out his own heart, and watching it break apart in his hands.

Alexander sat in a daze for what felt like hours before his body moved on its own, carrying him into the kitchen without conscious thought. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he began stuffing food into his mouth.

He endured frequent abuse as a child, including periods when he nearly starved. As an adult, he developed a destructive habit—whenever the pain overwhelmed him, he binged. The temporary fullness made him feel safe.

For years, Audrey had always been there to hold him back when the urge took over. Now, she was too busy sleeping with someone else to bother.

Alexander hadn't realized how much he'd eaten. When he finally came to his senses, sharp cramps pulsed through his gut. The pain was so intense that his vision darkened, threatening to knock him out.

He gritted his teeth and crawled to the living room, every movement a struggle. His first thought wasn't to call an ambulance. It was to call Audrey.

The phone rang continuously before she finally picked up.

By then, Alexander was barely holding on. The pain was so overwhelming that he could barely speak. "Where are you? I—"

He wanted to tell her how awful he felt and to ask her to come back, but Audrey cut him off.

Her voice was tight, like she was barely holding it together. "Honey, there's something really important at work tonight—"

A muffled groan escaped her before the words rushed out. "I'm not coming home!"

Then, the line went dead.

And Alexander blacked out.

…

When Alexander came to, he found himself in a hospital bed.

Sean was beside him, his eyes puffy and red. "You scared the hell out of me! Do you even realize how close you were to dying?"

He had called to confirm that everything was set for the staged death, but he couldn't reach Alexander.

Concerned that something might be wrong, Sean hurried to Alexander's place. He found the latter passed out on the floor when he opened the door.

The doctor explained that his binge eating had triggered severe pancreatitis. By admission, part of his pancreas had already necrotized. Any later, and he'd have been beyond saving.

"We need family consent for surgery, but Audrey isn't answering. Should we keep trying?" Sean asked.

Alexander gazed vacantly at the wall before letting out a hollow laugh, tears cutting tracks down his face. "Don't contact her again."

…

Early the next morning, Alexander dragged himself out of the hospital.

Audrey didn't return until noon. She shrugged off her coat and waited for the chill to fade before stepping forward to hug Alexander.

Then she opened her tablet and showed him an image of an island. "Look what I bought for our baby, honey. I'm already building amusement parks nationwide that'll bear our child's name. We'll hold a 100-day celebration when our baby arrives. Everyone will celebrate with us!"

She finished excitedly, only to realize that Alexander hadn't spoken a single word since she arrived. His face was ghostly pale, his hand clutched his stomach, and sweat glistened on his forehead.

"What's wrong, honey? Are you sick? I'll take you to the hospital now!"

Her voice shook when she saw how much pain he was in.

Whatever pain Alexander felt, Audrey felt it a hundredfold. His suffering echoed endlessly through her. The sight of his pale face made her heart twist like a wrung-out rag.

"I'm fine," Alexander said, catching her wrist. "You know my stomach's always been weak. I had something cold yesterday, so now it's acting up. My medicine is on the table. Grab them for me, will you?"

Audrey rushed out, snatched the pills, and came back with them and a glass of water. But when she glanced at the box, she paused. "Honey, why are these different from your usual stomach meds?"

Alexander shrugged it off. "It's just a new prescription from the doctor."

"Oh." Audrey didn't push further. "I'll stay home with you all day. What do you want for lunch? I'll make it."

"Don't worry about it. I have a class reunion at noon, and I'll be visiting a few of my mentors later in the evening. Just go on with your day as usual."

Alexander stood up. He likely wouldn't return after going abroad, so this final gathering with his friends would serve as his goodbye.

Audrey didn't like the idea of him going alone and insisted on coming.

The second they walked into the private room where the union was being held, the whole group erupted in laughter. "See? I told you that if Alexander came, Audrey would cling to him like glue. She's terrified of losing him."

Audrey simply smiled, unfazed by their teasing, and distributed the gifts she'd prepared for everyone.

The room erupted in disbelief. "No way! These are the brand-new Chérie Shenae watches. They cost seven figures each! Ms. Scurfield always spoils us with these outrageously fancy presents. Honestly, we're just lucky to be Alexander's friends!"

Alexander had always been well-liked in college, and everyone here counted among his closest friends. Audrey was determined to win them over. After all, keeping them happy meant keeping Alexander happy too.

They all secretly marveled at the power of love. It had transformed Audrey, once an untouchable ice queen, into a radiant sunflower smiling at everyone around her.

"Alexander, you're lucky to have a wife who adores you this much!"

Instead of his usual delighted grin, Alexander only managed a polite, half-hearted smile in response.

The private room buzzed with laughter and lively conversation until the door suddenly swung open.

Gavin strode in, confidence dripping from every pore. "Why didn't I get an invite? Did I suddenly stop being part of this class?"

Chapter 3

Gavin's arrival instantly cast a gloom over the room, but he seemed oblivious to how unwelcome he was.

He sank into the seat opposite Alexander, grinning as his gaze lingered on the gifts clutched in everyone's hands. "Chérie Shenae? That's a well-known brand. But none of you seemed to realize that I was the one behind it."

A thick wave of disbelief settled over the room. Audrey had once driven the Hephers to bankruptcy and blacklisted their family name across the nation. So, how could he possibly be the one who founded a luxury brand like this?

"Yeah. My family hit a rough patch back then. But then I met my wife. Two years ago, she poured tens of billions of dollars, called in every favor, and worked herself ragged just to build this company for me. And not just this one. She gave me 26 companies."

As the words left his mouth, Gavin's eyes flickered toward Audrey for just a split second before coming to rest on Alexander, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

Alexander's breath hitched. He remembered a time two years ago when Audrey had been unusually overwhelmed.

At the time, she'd explained that her company was expanding into overseas markets, leaving her swamped with work. But the reality, he now knew, was far different. She had poured every ounce of her energy into helping Gavin establish his businesses.

The thought sent a sharp pang through Alexander's chest, so intense that it even made his old surgical scar ache. Without thinking, he pressed a hand to his stomach.

"What's wrong, honey? Are you in pain?" Audrey was instantly on her feet, her expression tightening with worry. "I'll call the doctor."

Gavin sneered. "Alexander, how does a grown man manage to be so dramatic? You always look like you're halfway to the grave."

The instant the words escaped his lips, Audrey's face hardened with fury. Without hesitation, she struck Gavin sharply across the cheek. "Shut your mouth and get out, or I swear you'll lose the privilege of speaking altogether."

Gavin raised a hand to his stinging cheek, sniffed his palm, and smirked. "Fine, fine. I'm leaving. There's no need to get so worked up over nothing."

The moment he stepped out, the tension in the private room seemed to ease, its energy lifting. But Alexander's expression stayed unnaturally pale.

Audrey gripped his hand anxiously. "Honey, what's wrong? The doctor will be here any minute."

Alexander pushed her away. "I'm fine. I need to use the restroom. Stay here."

The moment he crossed into the hallway, Gavin blocked his path, sneering. "Don't flatter yourself thinking you're special just because Audrey took a swing at me for you. We already have two children together.

"Surrogacy or not, they're still our flesh and blood. Her heart already belongs to me. Care to test it? Watch how fast she comes running if I say the kids are running a fever."

Alexander stepped back into the private room to find Audrey visibly agitated.

She rushed to him, pressing a hurried kiss to his cheek. "Honey, there's an emergency at the office. I've told the manager to put everything on my tab. Enjoy your time with your friends."

Alexander caught her wrist and said, "You promised you'd stay with me today. Don't go. Please."

Audrey met his calm gaze, and an unexpected surge of panic tightened her chest. Somehow, she felt that she might lose something irreplaceable if she walked away now.

But Gavin had told her that the kids were sick. They were her own flesh and blood. No matter how conflicted she felt, she had to go to them.

In the end, she pried Alexander's fingers off her, one by one. "Honey, I swear I'll come back to you tonight, okay?"

Alexander drew in a deep breath. So this was it. Audrey's heart was slipping away, after all.

Half an hour later, Gavin sent him a video. Even though Alexander already knew what it would show, his fingers trembled as he tapped to open it.

In the video, Gavin pulled Audrey close and murmured, "I can't stand being apart from you for even a second. The only reason I went to the reunion was because I missed you so much. But then I saw how cozy you and Alexander were, and I burned with jealousy.

"That's why I lashed out like that. And then you actually hit me for him? Audrey, you're pregnant. How could you let yourself get so worked up over him?"

Audrey's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile, her pleasure at his words clear as day. She fetched a warm towel and pressed it to his swollen cheek.

"Enough. You're the one who picked a fight with Alexander in front of everyone. But fine. I admit that I also went too far today. Name what you want. It's on me to make things right."

"Well… the kids' birthday is coming up. How about giving them that island you just bought?"

Audrey frowned. "No. That's for my child with Alexander."

"How can it be his? We were together the entire month you got pregnant!"

Audrey pulled a face. "Don't be ridiculous. It's Alexander's. There's no doubt about it. And the only child I'd ever carry is his."

A shadow crossed Gavin's face briefly, then he grinned again. "I talked to a psychic, and guess what? That island's energy perfectly matches our kids' birth charts. It's supposed to bring them amazing luck. And you did promise to make it up to me! Come on, my queen. Pretty please?"

This time, Audrey agreed.

A triumphant smirk curled Gavin's lips as he turned to the camera. Then he sent another voice message. "See? Even if she promised it to you, she'll still give it up the moment I ask. You lose."

Alexander sat dazed, phone in hand. He remembered Audrey pressing a warm towel to his injuries after his part-time job, her touch easing the pain.

Now he knew that those caring gestures weren't special. She'd do the same for any man.

Exhaustion weighed on Alexander, but he knew everything would be better once he was free of Audrey. Tomorrow, he would finally leave.

Chapter 4

Alexander visited his mentors that evening. As he prepared to leave, one of them led him to a nearby chapel, calling the place deeply sacred and insisting on getting him a protection charm.

But when they arrived, a priest who had never seen Alexander before addressed him by name.

"You must be wondering how I know you," the priest said, smiling. "A year ago, a woman named Audrey Scurfield donated 80 million dollars to this chapel.

"She climbed barefoot from the foot of the hill, pausing to pray every three steps to get a protection charm for you. But she didn't take it. She left it here and asked us to pray over it."

Alexander's mentor brightened when he heard that. "Seeing such devotion between you two eases my mind."

Alexander lowered his gaze. The sweet memories of the past now tangled with the sting of betrayal, unsettling the fragile calm he'd fought to regain.

"Since you're here today by chance, take this protection charm with you."

As Alexander accepted it and turned to leave, the priest called after him. "Wait, sir! Ms. Scurfield actually requested three more charms back then. You should take those as well."

Alexander took them, but when he saw the names inscribed, a bitter laugh nearly escaped him. There, written clearly, were Gavin's name and the twins' names.

…

That night, Audrey returned home to find Alexander already asleep.

For years, they had always waited for each other, never falling asleep unless they were in each other's arms. Tonight was the first time he hadn't stayed up.

A ripple of unease ran through her. She hugged him, burying her face in his neck. "I missed you so much, honey. Even just a few hours apart felt like centuries. I wouldn't survive if you were ever gone."

"Is that so?" Alexander murmured.

"Oh, honey, I should mention something about that island we looked at. I had a psychic check its energy, and it was all wrong. So I went ahead and bought two others instead. I hope that's okay with you."

Alexander closed his eyes. "Do whatever you want."

Audrey sensed the cold impatience in his voice, which only deepened her unease. "Honey, did I do something wrong?" she asked carefully.

"No, I'm just tired." Alexander drew a slow breath. "Our anniversary is coming up. Tomorrow evening, I'm taking the private jet overseas. I have a gift to pick up in person."

"But you're still unwell. A 15-hour flight will wear you out. Let me go for you instead."

Alexander quietly laughed. "An anniversary gift should be retrieved by the one giving it."

Her heart softened at his words. She would've agreed to anything he asked.

"Alright. If that's what you want."

…

The next morning, Audrey prepared breakfast before heading out, mentioning she had work at the office.

Once she left, Alexander started packing.

He opened the wardrobe, took out all the clothes he had once handmade for Audrey, and sliced them into pieces, throwing them in the trash.

Every expensive gift she'd ever given him, he passed along to the household staff without a second thought.

Alexander and Audrey had spent three years compiling 16 photo albums, treasures they vowed to cherish together in their later years. Now, he had thrown every last one into the fire.

Audrey came home to grab some forgotten documents. Her mind went blank when she saw their photos curling black in the flames, a deafening roar pounding in her ears.

Without thinking, she yanked the half-burned album from the flames.

"Honey…" Her voice shook as she looked at Alexander. "Why did you burn them?"

Alexander smiled. "No reason. I just thought they were ugly, so I didn't want to keep them."

He approached Audrey and took her burned hand in his. "We have our whole lives ahead of us. We'll take more photos. Why did you put your hand in there? Look at what you've done to yourself. Let's get a doctor to treat this."

The panic in Audrey's chest eased when she saw the worry in his eyes. She pouted playfully. "Blow on it, honey. Then it won't hurt anymore."

If her employees saw her now, they'd never believe that she was their ice-cold boss.

"Aren't you a little old for this? You're such a cheeky thing."

Alexander stepped closer, blocking Audrey's view of the torn clothes in the trash bin.

After taking her documents, she kissed him on the forehead and said, "I'm off to the office. I'll be back by noon."

Moments after she left, Gavin's text arrived. "Your wife's here at The Grand Davern Hotel. I've got quite the show for you today."

Alexander didn't respond.

Now he knew the truth—she was actually with Gavin whenever she said she was at the office. He knew whatever awaited him there would ruin him. Still, he went anyway.

Apparently, it was the twins' birthday. Audrey, Ronan, and Odette had all come together to celebrate with Audrey's friends.

The party was held at a hotel, where the staff kept referring to Gavin as "Ms. Scurfield's husband". Audrey never corrected them. Instead, she and Gavin shared a smile, their eyes shining with warmth.

Ronan and Odette smiled at Gavin with a warmth that Alexander had never witnessed before. "If not for Gavin, how could we have such a happy family life now? Audrey, don't you dare neglect him. Treat him well, you hear?"

Audrey nodded while smiling. "When have I ever treated him poorly? Everything Alexander has, Gavin gets too—clothes, watches, houses, and cars. Aren't they always prepared in pairs?"

Alexander had believed that he could face anything calmly, but at that moment, something inside him shattered. Every cherished memory he had shared with Audrey splintered into sharp fragments, piercing his heart until it was raw and bleeding.

It turned out that everyone had known all along.

And from the very beginning, what he believed was his alone had never been true. Everything he received, Gavin got too. And everything he was denied, Gavin somehow ended up with anyway.

Chapter 5

Alexander hid behind a pillar outside the ballroom, catching Audrey's conversation with her cousin, Roxanne Scurfield.

"Seriously, Drey—you can't keep this up forever," Roxanne said, frowning. "Secrets don't stay hidden. No matter how careful you are, Xander will find out eventually."

Audrey smiled. "I love Xander, but Gavin is the father of my children. I can't just shut him out. Besides, this arrangement works well enough."

"And what if the truth comes out?" Roxanne muttered. "You're betraying your marriage. It's not fair to Xander."

"That day won't come. We've made it two years already, haven't we?" Audrey replied, her confidence unwavering. "I know I've wronged Xander, and I'll make it up to him. I'll treat him twice as well."

Roxanne rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You think throwing money at it makes up for love? Listen. As your cousin, I'm giving you a heads-up. Aunt Zoey's flying back soon, and she's super old-fashioned.

"She can't stand people who mess around like you do. So keep your affair quiet. If Aunt Zoey finds out, she'll expose you before you even see it coming!"

Alexander slid down the pillar, slow and weak, before collapsing to the floor. His heart had long gone numb from the pain. Now, all that remained was a sick feeling.

He staggered as he got to his feet, then he fled the hotel. But the relentless psychological blows of the past few days finally overtook him. His vision darkened, and he crashed face-first onto the ground.

…

When he woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. A woman in a tailored suit sat on the couch beside the bed, her frameless glasses resting on her nose.

She flipped through a thick stack of papers, her face unreadable. Yet there was an undeniable intensity in her striking, elegant features.

Alexander sat up, staring blankly for a moment before recognition dawned upon him. The woman before him was Audrey's aunt, Zoey Scurfield.

She had been running her business abroad for years, so Alexander had only met her a few times. All he knew was that Audrey was a little afraid of Zoey, who was three years older.

Back when Audrey was a mischievous kid, Ronan and Odette couldn't bring themselves to discipline her, so Zoey was the one who stepped in.

Audrey had always thought of Zoey as rigid and stern, someone who had to follow everything by the book.

"You awake?" Zoey shut the file in her hands. "The doctor said you collapsed because you got yourself too worked up after surgery. You weren't fully recovered."

She moved closer to Alexander. "Audrey doesn't know about your surgery, does she? If she did, she never would've let you pass out alone on the street."

Alexander was silent for a long moment. "Thanks for today. But please don't tell her about this."

When Zoey didn't answer, he lowered his voice and pleaded, "Please."

Zoey hesitated. Something was clearly off between them. By all rights, Audrey should know about it. But something in her softened. Against her better judgment, she agreed to keep his secret.

She then had someone take Alexander home.

He had just gotten home when Audrey returned as well.

"Honey, what would you like for lunch? I'll make it for you," she said.

No matter how busy she was, she had always prepared all three of his daily meals for years, worried that the chef might not put enough care into them or that the food might not suit his taste.

She then took out a new watch. "Your custom watch is here. Take a look and see if you like it, honey."

Alexander looked at it. The design was identical to the one she had given Gavin earlier that day.

He couldn't help but laugh bitterly. The entire time, he'd believed her devotion was his alone. Now, he saw the truth. It was just an empty gesture, carelessly given to two men.

"No, it's fine. I'll go check out Tree Hollow."

Tree Hollow was the estate Audrey had built for Alexander three years earlier. It was a place filled with so many cherished memories.

Audrey's 97th confession of love finally worked at Tree Hollow. That was where they first held hands and shared their first kiss. It was there she promised Alexander they'd stay together for life.

The place was on the outskirts of town. After they got married, they hardly ever visited, since it was too far out of the way.

It was noon. Alexander knew that by 3:00 pm, he'd be leaving this place for good. Before then, he wanted one last look at Tree Hollow as his final goodbye.

Audrey froze, panic flashing across her face. She'd given Gavin the keys to Tree Hollow previously when he insisted on staying there, and now, he'd taken the two kids there to hang out.

"Okay. We'll go after lunch," she said, slipping into the kitchen to secretly text Gavin, warning him to leave the place.

By 1:00 pm, Alexander and Audrey arrived at Tree Hollow. The moment they stepped inside, Alexander knew something was wrong.

The garden roses had been swapped for lilies. The pale green curtains were now pink. Even a child's rocking horse sat in the living room.

Someone else had clearly been living here. But Alexander played dumb, walking straight upstairs without saying a single word.

A few photo albums of him and Audrey still sat in the bedroom. He planned to take them away and burn them because leaving them there made him sick.

But the moment he opened one, he froze.

Every photo was of Audrey with Gavin and the twins. The four of them were pictured in lavender fields, at Avalaine Tower, on a hot air balloon—all the places Audrey had once taken him. Every spot held memories that had once meant everything.

Yet now he knew that in all those moments she never mentioned, she had taken Gavin there too, tainting the last remnants of what he'd believed belonged only to them.

Seeing Alexander's face turn pale, Audrey stepped closer. "What's wrong, honey?"

Alexander snapped the photo album shut and forced a smile. "Nothing. I just want to go home."

As he turned to head downstairs, Audrey's phone pinged. Alarm flashed across her face.

"Honey, I need to run to the bathroom. Can you wait for me downstairs?"

Alexander nodded and walked away. But a few minutes later, he doubled back, only to catch Audrey's frantic voice through the bathroom door.

"I told you to take the kids and go. Why are you still here?"

"Auds, don't you want to have a little fun?" Gavin chuckled. "Last time, we did it right on your bed with your wedding photos in plain view. But now he's just downstairs. Doesn't that make it even hotter?"

Audrey's breathing grew ragged. "Never again!"

The wet slap of skin and other filthy sounds filled the air.

Alexander stood outside the door, his heart unnervingly still. He couldn't make sense of how the woman he loved had ended up like a rose in the mud—still alluring, yet rotting underneath.

Or perhaps she had always been this way, and he'd simply failed to see it.

Alexander remembered how, long ago, Audrey had first introduced him to her social circle.

These privileged elites—all of them wealthy or powerful—would pretend to offer their blessings to their face, only to mock Audrey behind her back.

They called her a fool for being devoted to just one man. After all, with their status, they could easily have ten lovers at once without breaking a sweat.

Audrey had told him, "I'm not like them. I only love you."

As it turned out, there was no difference. They were all the same kind of rotten; it was only a matter of time.

Alexander gave a dry laugh and went downstairs, his footsteps light and quick.

He came from the mountains, where his mother, Gloria Jarman, had been trafficked and ended up with his father, Peter Coleman.

Peter was a drunk who abused both Gloria and Alexander whenever he was wasted. At 13, Alexander ran away from those mountains, and the first thing he did was put Peter behind bars.

Peter screamed at him, cursing that he'd die a wretched death. Gloria was freed because of Alexander, but she never thanked him.

That was because Alexander was proof of her shame—a reminder she could never escape.

Growing up in such a broken family, Alexander learned to build towering walls around his heart, keeping everyone at arm's length.

But when he turned 18, Audrey burst into his life. She was like an unstoppable flame, relentlessly melting the ice in his heart and soothing every wound from his past.

She gave Alexander more love than he'd ever known and taught him how to love again.

Yet in the end, she was the one who plunged the cruelest knife at the peak of his happiness, leaving a wound that would never fully heal.