Chapter 1
Evelyn Carter stared at the divorce papers on the table, already signed by her husband.
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned toward the window. Nathan Blackwood stood there, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun—cold, perfect, and unyielding, like a statue carved from marble. His presence alone was suffocating.
"I've signed. You should do the same so we can finalize this before Victoria arrives."
Nathan tucked his hands behind his back, not even sparing her a glance. "Since we had a prenup, there won’t be any disputes over assets. But as compensation, I’ll give you an additional $20 million and the villa in the western suburbs. At least that way, I won’t have to explain to Grandpa why you left empty-handed."
Evelyn’s breath hitched. "Does Grandpa know you’re divorcing me?"
"His opinion doesn’t change my decision."
Her slender frame trembled, forcing her to grip the edge of the table for support. Tears spilled freely as she whispered, "Nathan… can’t we stay married?"
Finally, he turned, his dark eyes narrowing in disbelief.
His sharp jawline, those sculpted lips—even now, her traitorous heart skipped a beat.
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
Her voice cracked. "Nathan, I love you. I don’t care if you don’t love me back. I just want to be your wife—"
"Enough." He cut her off with a dismissive wave. "A loveless marriage is torture. You knew from the start this was temporary. You knew I was only rebelling against Grandpa. You knew I loved Victoria. I couldn’t be with her then, but now she’s coming back from Silvercrest, and I intend to marry her. Our three-year contract is up. It’s time for you to go."
Evelyn lowered her head. Fat teardrops splattered onto the table, but she wiped them away before he could see.
(He noticed. He just didn’t care.)
Then his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his entire demeanor softened.
"Victoria, have you boarded yet?"
The warmth in his voice made Evelyn flinch. Was this the same man who had just spoken to her like she was nothing?
Victoria Sterling’s cheerful voice floated through the speaker. "Nathan, I’m already at Crestview Airport!"
"What? Weren’t you supposed to arrive tonight?"
"I wanted to surprise you!"
"Wait for me. I’m coming to get you."
And just like that, he was gone.
The slam of the door echoed through the empty room, leaving Evelyn shattered.
She had given everything to the Blackwoods—her devotion, her sacrifices, her love. And in the end, Nathan treated their marriage like a prison sentence he couldn’t wait to escape.
Now that Victoria was back, he was rushing to discard Evelyn like yesterday’s news.
A bitter laugh escaped her. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the pen and signed the papers, smudging Nathan’s perfect signature with her tears.
That evening, Nathan returned to Cliffside Manor with Victoria in his arms, carrying her bridal-style through the grand entrance.
"Nathan, we shouldn’t be like this. You’re not divorced yet. What if Evelyn sees us?" Victoria murmured, pressing a hand to his chest.
"She won’t care."
His voice was ice. "And even if she does, so what? I never loved her. She was just a placeholder. She knows her place."
The Blackwoods flocked around Victoria, showering her with attention while Evelyn quietly set the dining table in the next room.
Nathan caught sight of his wife’s lonely figure and smirked. Pathetic. Did she really think playing the dutiful housewife would make me reconsider?
Then the butler rushed in, breathless. "Young Master Nathan! The young madam—she’s left!"
"Left? When?"
"Just now! She took nothing—just removed her apron and walked out the back door. A black car picked her up."
Nathan stormed into their bedroom. It was spotless, as if she had never existed. The only trace of her was the tear-stained divorce papers on the nightstand.
Frowning, he strode to the window just in time to see a sleek black Rolls-Royce vanishing into the night.
"She couldn’t wait to leave, huh?" he muttered, irritation flaring.
Hadn’t she been begging to stay just hours ago?
Pulling out his phone, he barked at his secretary, "Find out who owns the car with license plate EVA9999."
Five minutes later, the answer came: "Mr. Blackwood, that vehicle belongs to the CEO of Monarch Group."
Sebastian Kingsley.
Evelyn was from a small town. She had no connections, no social circle. For three years, she had been a recluse in his home.
How the hell did she know Sebastian Kingsley?
Nathan’s jaw clenched. So she already had a rebound lined up.
"Sir… did you finalize the divorce today?" his secretary hesitantly asked.
"Obviously. Why would I delay?"
"It’s just… today is the young madam’s birthday."
Nathan froze.
In the back of the Rolls-Royce, Sebastian Kingsley gently squeezed his sister’s hand.
"Dominic arranged fireworks tonight to celebrate your homecoming."
"I don’t feel like celebrating," Evelyn whispered.
No longer Anna Brown, the discarded wife—she was Evelyn Carter again, heiress of Monarch Group. She buried her face in her brother’s shoulder and sobbed.
Her phone buzzed. The last message from Victoria glared up at her:
[You stole Nathan from me. I always said I’d take him back. He’s mine. Stay away.]
Evelyn laughed through her tears.
"What’s wrong?" Sebastian asked, tightening his embrace. "Do you still miss him after everything?"
"Seb… it’s my birthday today."
"I know. And Nathan chose today to destroy you."
"Which is why I have no regrets." She wiped her eyes. "Nathan didn’t just divorce me. He killed Evelyn Carter."
When she opened her eyes again, the grief was gone.
Only cold resolve remained.
"I’m done with him," she said, her voice steady. "I’d rather die than go back."