Chapter 1
After fading every strategy, I got bound to a “Perfect Spouse” program ||
From that moment on, I became the perfect wife in Ethan Ashbetme
When the mindu explodni erIT
oded over his affair with
air with Sophia Reynolds, I stepped up and cleared
name
When Sephia trained me, and he stood by in silence. I was the one who apologized ||
When he got Sophia pregnant. I didn’t throw a ft. ||
Instead, I quietly handed him the divorce papers and gave up my title as Mrs. Ashbourne. ||
But that’s when Dhan snapped||
He pinned me to the bed, eyes Iorning with tape-||
“Lillian. I told you to behave–not to push me máy.“).
“po what, now this is my fault?”|||
1 blinked, staring up at the man above me.]
“Tant this exactly what you wanted?“}]
<-0
When Dihan Ashbourne walked through the front door, he brought with him the scent of a woman’s perfume and a faint lipstick mark on his white collar |
He was smiling–warm, indulgent–sending a voice message on his phone]
he good for me, alright? post wait a little longer.“]
Esat on the couch watching TV.|||
The moment he noticed me, his expression dropped
So did the sweet tone in his voice
“Why are you still up?“]
I nodded toward the TV screen
The HD display showed me surrounded by a swarm of reporters, microphones shoved into my face like vultures e
“Mrs. Ashbourne, have you seen last night’s trending post?“]
“Ethan Ashbouter caught sneaking into a hotel with Sophia Rey
Reynoliks.-||
cirding roadbull ||
“Any comments?”
“Do you think Exham’s having an affair? |
Just last night. Ethan and Sophia had shown up together at a charity gala||
She
ar wore a crimson gown with a trailing hem, her arm hooked through his lake she was born to be there ||
She sparkled under the lights.|||
Tuminy, because Liban always said he hated fed on women ||
He once threw out every red dress Inward and served, ||
An Ashbourne wide should look classy †
“Not like she’s working
ipe dadn’t like makeup either -sand natural wat better.|]
So for five years of marriage, Enever wore any
But in the video, Sophia leaned in, ruby lips mirving with a side, and planted a kiss righ
The Owl Bl
went wild.[]
And the kicker?
The matching wedding hands on their ring fingen–something I begged him to wear for five years
He always reford
hut now, with Sophia, he wore it promify||
then i finally understood.
on about the dress]
Or the makeup
or the rings ||
He never loved me.]
After crying myself dry, I accepted the syster’s offer in berme the perfect wide
Before, whenever we argued, Dhan called me jealous, needy, immature.
Said I was 1 worthy of being an Ashboume||
Now
I did everything right
Always composed. Always thinking ahead.||
On screen, I smiled
gesture[]
Haised my nd in a gentle “wrap it up” ge
Then took a mic and faced the camera with the calm of a seasoned pro]
“Mr. Ashbourne and Ms. Reynolds are simply working together on a new foundation.
“And I’ve already made a list of every oudet present tonight.-||
“By midnight, expect to hear from our legal team
behind me, Elisan turned off the TV.[]
His brows drew together.||
Not pleased
Old me would ve panicked.||
New ine stood up quickly, reading
ng Isis face ||
“Was I too harshy I thought this time I handled it better
Three months ago, this exact thing happened ||
Reporters shouted about Chan’s one night come with Sophia
I cried on the spot|||
Afterward. 1 legged Ethan to explain ||
of his mouth
He snapped that I embarrassed him on camera.
Said I was a disgrace to the Ashbourne name
To punish me, he didn’t come home for two
I showed up at his office |
-0
weeks
Found Sophia curled in his lap like a goddamn trophy.||
He had secunry throw me out.
I sat outside in the rain for hours while he watched from his window.||
“crazy woman. he muttered before turning away.
I walked three miles home, soaked and freezing, wondering how five years could vanish just like that
Etham froze, probably thinking about that night too.
But he didn’t say anything.]
Just reached into his coat and pulled out a jewelry box
[you]
Inside was a diamond necklace.
It looked familiar
Two months ago, or my birthday, his assistant gave me the same one.||
Told me Ethan had “personally picked it out after “looking through every display in the mall.:
I guess he proved out two
Old mae would’ve called him out.
New me smiled brightly and took it with gratitude.||
“Oh my God, it’s stunning.“]
1 turned at in the light ||
Thank you. I love IL“]]
Ethan looked surprised
He opened his mouth to say something–but then his phone rang
The ringtone was Sophim.]
Custom–made
That’s how love wo
works, right?
You give the person you care about their own sound ||
1 turned away and admired my necklace in the mirror ||
Edan answered will a scoff
“Sophia“” he said ||
e came her excited voice
He blinked, stunned
Then broke into the happiest smile I’d seen on him in years.
stay right there. I’m coming
He rushed into the bedroom
Came out already changed, face glowing
At the door, he paused when nur eyes met.
Sophia’s having a baby-
“Congratulations–1
We both spoke at once.
I meant it.
But his face darkened
I don’t know what kind of
And past like that, he was gone
es you’re–playing, but you better behme now that she’s pregnant.”
I stood there, confused by his warning
Until I ewight sight of myself in the mirror ||
A perfect partner is supposed to make life easter for her husband
Sophin was pregnant.
Which meant she should be the new Mrs. Ashbourne
I sat down, opened my laptop, and started drafting the divorce papers.]
