Chapter 1 Adrian, You Are Free

Violet Reed glances down at the women's diamond watch on her wrist.

It's 11 p.m.

She's waited a full four hours in the restaurant.

No messages from Adrian on her phone.

Violet dials Adrian Hart's number.

It connects.

"Hello?"

It's a woman's voice.

Violet recognizes it—Adrian's first love, Quinn Mitchell!

After a few seconds of silence, she hears a man's low, magnetic voice.

"What's up?" Adrian asks coldly, keeping his distance.

Violet's heart feels like it's being cut by a knife. She replies numbly, "...Nothing."

Before she finishes, there's a "beep," and Adrian hangs up coldly.

Violet gives a bitter smile and stares blankly as her phone screen goes from bright to dark.

Today is the sixth anniversary of her marriage to Adrian.

On their anniversary, her husband is sweetly keeping company with his first love...

For six years, Violet has approached Adrian full of hope each time, only to be disappointed again and again.

Of course, it was her who fell for Adrian at first sight, chased him for ten years, and forced him to marry her.

She knows Adrian doesn't love her—he even hates her.

But Violet loves Adrian so much she's lost herself.

Even though Adrian is out with Quinn all the time, Violet still can't help loving him in this pathetic way...

She finishes her last glass of red wine, sets down the wine glass, and wipes the wetness from the corner of her eye.

She stands, grabs her bag, and leaves the restaurant alone.

When she gets back to the villa, five-year-old Theodore is still up in the living room, drawing late into the night.

"Mom."

Theodore turns his head to call out to Violet, then goes right back to his drawing.

Violet walks over to Theodore and says with concern, "Theo, why aren't you sleeping? It's so late."

Theodore grips his crayon and carefully colors on the paper. "Auntie Quinn's birthday is coming up. I'm making her a gift."

Violet looks down at the warm, happy picture on the paper.

Two adults with a kid in the middle.

Like a family of three.

But the mom in the drawing isn't Violet—it's Quinn.

Theodore even wrote in his wobbly handwriting: Happy Birthday, Auntie Quinn.

Violet finds it a bit funny.

Her five-year-old son hasn't learned to write Violet's name, but he can write Quinn's.

Theodore sees his mom's face doesn't look good and asks carefully, "Mom, are you getting mad again?"

Again.

Every time Auntie Quinn comes up, Mom acts crazy and stays mad.

But Auntie Quinn is such a great person—pretty and gentle, and she buys him tons of gifts and yummy food.

Mom is the one who's not nice, always making rules and nagging—this not allowed, that not allowed.

Theodore is scared Mom will get mad, so he quickly explains, "Auntie Quinn fainted today, so Dad went to the hospital to stay with her."

"Mom's a grown-up, not like a kid. You won't be that petty, right?"

"And Auntie Quinn is really nice. Mom, can you not dislike her?"

Theodore looks at Violet with hopeful eyes.

Violet's heart feels like it's been dug out by a sharp little knife, sending a numb ache.

Five years ago, at a party, Adrian fell hard for Quinn at first sight and chased her passionately.

From then on, in his world, Quinn was number one, Theodore number two.

As for Violet, she was never even in the picture.

If she hadn't clung to her spot as Mrs. Hart, Adrian would have married Quinn long ago.

Theodore sees Violet zoning out and calls softly, "Mom?"

Violet gives a faint smile, touches Theodore's head. "Done drawing?"

"Yeah."

"Then go to bed early."

Theodore notices Mom doesn't seem mad this time. He thinks she's not so petty after all.

After helping Theodore bathe and tucking him in, it's already past midnight.

Theodore falls asleep in a daze, mumbling in his sleep, "Auntie Quinn is so nice..."

Violet's hand clenches into a fist, her fingertips turning white, as if doused in cold water—her whole body chills.

What irony.

Her own son calls out her husband's first love's name even in his dreams!

Adrian doesn't come home all night again. Violet lies in the empty bedroom, tossing and turning.

The next day, Violet wakes up early.

As usual, she gets up to make breakfast for Theodore.

Theodore finishes breakfast and hides in a corner to send voice messages.

He doesn't notice Violet walking up behind him.

"Auntie Quinn, are you feeling better?"

"Theo misses you so much. I really want to eat the little cakes you make yourself."

He can't type yet, so he just sends voice notes.

Normally, Mom's strict with him and won't let him eat too many sweets.

Mom's bad, Auntie Quinn's good.

Violet hears Theodore's words and lowers her eyes sadly.

She tells the driver to take Theodore to kindergarten.

Theodore sits in the car, looking at Mom a bit strangely.

Mom usually insists on driving him herself...

"Mom, you're not taking me today?" Theodore asks.

Violet says flatly, "Yeah, Mom's busy today."

Theodore doesn't think much of it and smiles goodbye to Violet.

As soon as the car pulls away, Theodore grabs his phone to send Quinn a voice message.

Great, no Mom—he can chat with Auntie freely now.

Violet heads back to the company.

Back then, to chase Adrian, she shamelessly joined Hart Group and became one of the many secretaries in the executive office.

During a meeting, Violet delivers files and spots Adrian through the glass door, sitting at the center of the conference room.

Deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, thin lips.

In a custom black suit, his Patek Philippe watch catches the light with a sharp gleam.

Every move screams top-dog authority, calm but intimidating.

Not sure what the department manager said wrong, but Adrian frowns slightly, and the whole room goes dead silent and heavy.

Violet just glances at Adrian, and her heart starts racing again.

After dropping off the files, she heads back to her office and dives into work.

Winter nights fall early—it's already dark by quitting time.

Violet drives to the cake shop, wanting to get Theodore a little cake as a treat to smooth things over between them.

Passing the fancy Lake View Western Restaurant with its golden lights, she spots familiar faces.

Adrian and Quinn, having dinner together.

With Theodore too.

Quinn's sweetly cutting steak for Theodore.

Theodore looks so happy and content.

Adrian gazes at Quinn tenderly.

Violet's hand suddenly balls into a fist, her fingertips digging into her soft palm.

That familiar numb pain drills into her heart like an electric tool.

They are the real family of three.

Six years.

Violet, maybe it's time you woke up.

You've liked Adrian for ten years, had his son—but he's never once given you a real look.

If not for family pressure, he never would have married you.

Violet skips the cake shop and drives back to Hart Group.

Some secretaries in the executive office are still working late.

Her fingertips ice-cold, Violet numbly drafts the divorce papers.

Once done, she seals them in an envelope and asks Secretary Roman Chase to deliver them.

Even though she's in the secretary pool, Adrian hardly ever lets her into his office.

Roman's one of the few who knows the truth about Violet and Adrian.

Mr. Hart doesn't like Violet—he was forced into the marriage.

Violet's the clingy one, always after Mr. Hart.

Wonder what she's up to now. Roman takes the envelope and mutters, "So dramatic."

As she leaves the executive office, Violet glances back at Adrian's office one last time.

Her face is calm and distant—no more of that old fiery passion.

Adrian, ten years. I'm setting you free.