"Ethan Palmer, let's get divorced."
Veronica Chandler stared at the blinking cursor on her phone screen for what seemed like an eternity. Taking a deep breath, she finally stopped hesitating and pressed send.
She tossed the phone onto the coffee table, sank to the floor, and began packing her suitcase. Her hands moved quickly, but her mind was in chaos.
She and Ethan had been married for three years. Three years of loving him so deeply that it felt like she had buried herself in the dirt. And yet, he had always kept another woman in his heart.
That woman—Celina Hudson—was back.
Veronica had received proof, too. A photo had landed in her inbox: Celina leaning against Ethan, both smiling, warm and bright. The image had cut through Veronica like a blade. Worse still, the timestamp showed her own twenty third birthday.
Veronica's husband had spent her birthday with someone else.
How absurd.
Their marriage had been arranged by Ethan's grandfather. Veronica had believed that if she gave everything, she might eventually warm his heart.
Now she knew how wrong she had been.
In Ethan's eyes, Veronica was nothing but a scheming, materialistic woman, utterly incomparable to his ideal—Celina. The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
It was time to end it.
Veronica lifted her head, forced back the mist gathering in her eyes, and firmly closed her suitcase.
…
Close to dawn, Ethan walked into the house to find Veronica pulling a large suitcase down the stairs.
Remembering the text Veronica had sent earlier, his expression darkened.
"What's this drama in the middle of the night?"
His voice was as cold as ever.
Hearing him, Veronica paused and looked up.
The soft light outlined Ethan's well defined features and deep, striking eyes. Even now, resolved to end everything between them, the sight of him still made her heart race.
Stop this foolishness,
she told herself firmly. Then she stepped toward Ethan, set down the suitcase, pulled a stack of papers from her bag, and handed them to him.
"The divorce agreement. I've already signed. Once you do, we can finalize it at the courthouse tomorrow."
Ethan's brow furrowed.
"What are you playing at now? More theatrics?"
He couldn't believe someone as materialistic as Veronica would willingly give up this life of luxury.
"Veronica, is this your latest way to stir up trouble?"
Ethan didn't even glance at the papers. His tone dripped with impatience as he moved past her, heading upstairs to freshen up.
Watching him turn away, Veronica felt a faint, familiar ache.
He was always like this—cold, distant, unwilling to spare even a moment for her.
Clenching her fists, Veronica spoke softly but clearly:
"Ethan, the papers state I'm leaving everything behind."
Ethan froze mid step and turned sharply, disbelief written across his face.
Veronica offered a sweet smile, though her voice held a thread of mockery:
"What's wrong? You look as though you don't want to let me go."
Under the light, her clear eyes sparkled like delicate crystals, shining with an unfamiliar brightness.
Ethan had never seen her like this. Something in her gaze was different, something he couldn't quite grasp..
Ethan picked up the pen and flipped straight to the last page. Sure enough, the terms were just as she had said.
His hand hesitated briefly. Brushing aside the sudden irritation rising inside him, he signed without another thought.
Then, with a sharp smack, he tossed the divorce agreement into Veronica's lap, his lips curling into a mocking smile.
"Whatever game you're playing, I'll play along," he said with a sneer.
Veronica's lips curved slightly, her expression unreadable. She replied lightly, "Nine tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting outside the courthouse."
…
Dragging her suitcase behind her, Veronica sat on a bench near the neighborhood fountain.
She used to sit here often—sometimes waiting for Ethan to come home, sometimes just watching people pass by.
Looking back now, those years seemed humiliating, devoid of any self respect.
A car accident ten years ago had nearly taken her life. It was Ethan who had risked his own to save her.
To Veronica, Ethan wasn't just the man she loved—he was her savior.
For him, she had been willing to give up everything, even her life.
It was a pity he no longer remembered. Veronica had stayed by his side all this time, only to become a stand in. Now that Ethan's true love had returned, it was time to end the charade and reclaim herself.
The diamond ring on her finger caught the shimmer of the night. Slowly, Veronica removed it and slipped it into her pocket.
Casting one last look at the two story house she had once called home, she stood and walked toward the neighborhood entrance.
In the distance, a silver gray sports car was parked by the road. Leaning against it stood a tall man.
Taking a deep breath, Veronica let go of the sadness she had bottled up inside, allowing the night to swallow it for her. Then she curved her lips into a faint smile and walked toward the figure.
But as she drew closer, she nearly laughed aloud.
No one else around, deep into the night, and yet the man wore a mask, sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a scarf—wrapped up so tightly he looked like he was on some clandestine midnight operation.
Noticing the amusement in her eyes, the man turned his head awkwardly.
"Occupational hazard… You know how my fans can get."
Veronica chuckled softly.
It was Liam Montgomery.
Liam, the hottest rising star with flawless looks and talent, was also the cherished youngest son of the elite Montgomery family.
Most importantly, he was Veronica's best friend.
Liam took the luggage from her hands, casually draped his coat over Veronica's shoulders, then removed his sunglasses. His gaze settled on her face, slightly reddened from the cold.
What had happened to the vibrant, dazzling girl she used to be? The one whose every smile lit up the room like sunshine? Now she stood here looking so forlorn, so distant.
Veronica caught the concern in his eyes. She offered a soft smile and said, "I'm fine, really."
Liam opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure what to say.
His strikingly handsome eyes glimmered with frustration, confusion, and deep sorrow.
Liam placed a firm yet gentle hand on her slender shoulder, flashed his signature bright grin, and said warmly,
"Welcome back, Veronica."
