BOOK 1

Chapter 1

Lisa sacrificed everything for her husband—including her freedom. After serving time in prison for a crime he committed, she returns home early, only to uncover his darkest betrayal: his affair with his first love, now pregnant. Shattered but composed, Lisa plots the ultimate escape—not just from a loveless marriage, but from her past identity. With the help of her best friend, she fakes her own death and vanishes overseas. But some obsessions don't die easily. As her husband spirals into madness and tragedy unfolds, Lisa must confront the ghosts of her love, her choices, and what revenge truly costs.

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I got out of prison early for good behavior.

The second I stepped into the house, I caught voices coming from the bedroom. Flirty ones.

That woman's sugary voice cooed, "Your wife went to jail for you, and you're sneaking me into your home while she's gone. Aren't you scared she'll find out?"

Ethan's breathing was heavy as he said, "She won't, as long as you keep your mouth shut."

"In just two months, she'll be out. You won't be able to sneak away by then. We better make the most of this time. If I get pregnant, our baby could be the heir of your family." Her laughter was light, but laced with ambition.

She kept going, "Your wife's the one you married in front of everyone. You always made it sound like she's the love of your life. But what if she refuses to accept our baby?"

Ethan sounded annoyed. "She can't have kids. We were never meant to have one. Just focus on getting pregnant. I'll take care of the rest."

I didn't burst in and expose them. Instead, I quietly stepped out and closed the front door behind me.

Then, I pulled out my phone and made a call to my best friend.

"I need your help faking a death. I want out from Ethan Porter."

After hanging up, I sat in the garden gazebo outside our villa, lit a slim cigarette, and waited in silence.

When the time felt right, I called Ethan.

He picked up fast. I kept my voice calm. "Hey babe, I got out early."

His voice shot up an octave, clearly caught off guard. "What? Really? That's great! Babe, wait there, I'll come grab you right now."

"No need," I replied. "I'll be home in about ten minutes."

He sounded more flustered now, cursed under his breath like he'd hit something, then tried to say more—too late. I ended the call.

Minutes later, I saw a woman bolt out of the house, looking panicked. Her clothes were a mess. She jumped into a mini parked out front and sped off.

Of course I knew her: Lila Porter. Ethan's assistant. Technically. But more like his first love—and side chick. I'd only learned that part while I was doing time.

I crushed the cigarette under my heel and walked back toward the house.

When I walked in, Ethan was in an apron, scrubbing the bedroom like his life depended on it, spraying air freshener like crazy—trying to hide what had just happened in there.

When he spotted me, he ran over and grabbed me in a hug, his voice shaky with excitement. "Babe… You've been through hell. I'm so sorry."

"It's all my fault. If you hadn't covered for me, you wouldn't have gone to jail. I owe you everything. I'll make it up to you, I swear."

As I listened to him, I had to fight the urge to dig into his chest and see if his heart was even real.

Before… I would've melted in his arms. I'd cry, complain, lean into the only man I ever fully gave my heart to.

But those months behind bars? They changed me.

Now, all I felt from his embrace wasn't comfort.

It was pure disgust.Just a few minutes ago, he was still cuddling with another woman, sweet-talking like it was nothing.

I pulled myself out of his embrace and said flatly, "I'm a bit tired."

Ethan looked a little caught off guard by my indifference, then quickly said, "Honey, get some rest. I'll cook your favorite dishes tonight to welcome you home…"

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

The caller ID said "Assistant Secretary." His brows knitted, and a flicker of panic crossed his face.

I glanced at the screen, kept my tone calm, and said, "Go ahead and answer. Might be something urgent at work—you shouldn't fall behind."

Then I headed into the shower.

Fresh out of prison, I needed a long rinse to get all the bad vibes off me—physically and mentally.

By the time I was done, Ethan looked guilty as hell. "Babe, something urgent came up at the office. I need to head back for a bit…"

I cut him off and said, "Go handle it. Work comes first. I'm going to bed."

He gave me a quick kiss and said softly, "I'll come back once I'm done. I've missed you like crazy—these past days I've been full of guilt."

"I swear, I won't let you get hurt again."

Saying that, he grabbed a change of clothes and left in a hurry.

I didn't go back to the bedroom—that place felt polluted after what he and Lila had done. Disgusting.

I curled up on the couch, staring blankly into space. At some point, my face became wet—tears falling without a sound.

Not long after, my best friend Chloe called. She sounded ready to explode: "Lisa, that scumbag husband of yours just went to the Maternity Hospital with Lila, that homewrecker."

"That jerk—he didn't even wait a day after you got out! And don't forget, if it wasn't for you, he'd have been the one in jail!"

Before she could keep going, I quietly said, "Help me arrange that fake death… the sooner the better."