Chapter 1

"Mrs. Carnegie, congratulations! Mr. Carnegie never would have recovered this quickly without you."

"Absolutely. They say adversity reveals true feelings, and we've all witnessed Mrs. Carnegie's devotion to Mr. Carnegie. Mr. Carnegie must be throwing this grand gala tonight to officially introduce you as his wife."

At the Carnegie Group gala, Cordelia Sinclair maintained a polite smile as guests offered their congratulations, her eyes brimming with happiness.

Three years. This was the first time Ellington Carnegie had brought her to a public event since his recovery.

Her gaze swept through the crowd, searching for that familiar figure.

Ellington stood in the center of the ballroom, his black suit emphasizing his tall, commanding presence. He was deep in conversation with several business partners. His illness hadn't diminished his presence—if anything, it had added a certain depth and restraint.

Ellington looked up and found her. Across the crowd, in full view of everyone, he extended his hand toward her.

Cordelia's heart raced.

This was the first time he'd reached for her hand at such a formal occasion.

Ellington led her to center stage as guests showered them with congratulations and envious glances.

For a moment, Cordelia was so overwhelmed she nearly cried.

She'd fallen hopelessly in love with Ellington the first time she saw him. When she learned about his critical condition after the car accident, she'd dropped everything to care for him.

Three years of devoted nursing had brought him back to health. Even she believed her suffering had finally earned her the love she'd waited for.

Ellington took the microphone. The ballroom fell silent.

Cordelia stood beside him, tilting her head slightly to gaze at his chiseled profile, unable to hide the love in her eyes.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. I have an announcement to make."

Ellington paused. The hand holding Cordelia's suddenly let go.

She stared at her empty hand, a sense of dread washing over her.

Before she could process it, she heard Ellington's next words: "I've decided to end my marriage to Cordelia."

The air froze.

The smile on Cordelia's face stiffened, then slowly crumbled.

She turned to look at Ellington, her reddening eyes filled with disbelief and confusion.

The ballroom fell into shocked silence, then erupted in gasps and whispers.

Those congratulatory gazes turned to shock and pity.

Ellington's voice continued: "I'm grateful for Cordelia's care over these three years. The Carnegie family will provide appropriate compensation."

He turned to face her, his eyes cold and distant, sending her spiraling into despair. "Cordelia, thank you for everything. Now that I've recovered, it's time to give you back your freedom."

That casual statement reduced three years of devotion and hope to nothing.

Cordelia stared at him, her lips trembling, unable to make a sound.

Her ears rang. Everything before her blurred.

So this was it—falling from heaven to hell really only took an instant.

She stood at the center of the stage, feeling ice seep into her bones.

The guests' stares felt like needles. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't cooperate, rooting her in place as everyone watched her humiliation.

After the last guest departed, the ballroom finally quieted, littered with the remnants of the party.

Cordelia looked up at him, forcing back tears, her voice breaking with confusion. "Does it have to be this rushed? The agreement still has a month left. And what about your mother..."

"I'll explain things to my mother. You don't need to worry." Ellington cut her off, his tone calm and detached.

He pushed a document across the table, a complex emotion she couldn't read flashing in his eyes. "This is your compensation. If it's not enough, let me know."

Cordelia looked at the bold letters spelling "Divorce Agreement" on the document. Her vision immediately blurred.

With trembling hands, she picked it up and turned to the compensation clause—two luxury villas in Silverlight City's prime district, a trust fund substantial enough to last several lifetimes, plus various stock holdings and jewelry.

Ellington had always been generous with her. Even the end of their marriage was handled so "gracefully."

So gracefully, she had no grounds to even protest.

There seemed to be no room for negotiation.

Back home, Ellington went straight upstairs to shower.

Cordelia stood in the empty living room, clutching the divorce agreement, her knuckles white.

Her heart had numbed from the pain.

She slowly climbed to the second-floor bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, mechanically pulling out her phone. A notification automatically popped up on the screen: [Renowned fashion designer Ondine returns home with new collection, spotted at airport with mysterious man in intimate display]

Ondine Lawson—Ellington's first love.

In the photo, the woman wore a cream trench coat, her face radiant as she leaned against the man beside her. Though the man wore a mask, obscuring his features, Cordelia recognized him immediately. It was Ellington.

Ellington tilted his head slightly, his gaze resting tenderly on Ondine. Even through a blurry airport photo, their undeniable affection was obvious.

So this was the real reason for the divorce.

Cordelia felt something lodge in her chest, suffocating her with pain.

She wiped the tears from her eyes, picked up a pen, and signed her name on the divorce agreement.

Then she opened her closet and began packing.

Ellington had bought her many clothes and jewelry, but she only took a few personal items she'd brought with her. One suitcase was enough.

Three years as a housewife, dimming her own light, thinking she could earn a little genuine affection. In the end, it had all been self-deception.

As she dragged her suitcase downstairs, she heard Ellington's voice from the living room, his tone gentle: "I already asked her for a divorce. Don't worry, she'll agree... After all, she didn't marry me willingly in the first place."

Cordelia froze, her grip on the suitcase handle tightening.

How could he possibly know whether she'd been willing? His heart had never lingered on her, not once.

Three years ago, Ellington had been critically injured in a car accident. Despite everyone's objections, she'd signed a three-year marriage contract with the Carnegie family. From that day forward, she'd stayed by his bedside day and night, caring for him with everything she had.

Two months ago, Ellington finally stood up from his wheelchair. Even the doctors called it a medical miracle.

No one had mentioned the three-year agreement.

But now, at this precise moment, Ondine had returned, shattering all her illusions.

Ellington hung up and turned to see Cordelia standing at the foot of the stairs. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Where are you planning to go?"

"Home, I guess," Cordelia answered casually, though she had no intention of actually going home.

Years ago, when she'd insisted on marrying Ellington, she'd refused the arranged marriage her family had planned. She hadn't contacted her parents in a long time.

Ellington thought for a moment. "I'll drive you."

Cordelia wanted to refuse, but Ellington was already heading toward the door.

She could only follow him.

The moment they stepped outside, the cool autumn wind hit her face.

Cordelia couldn't hold back. Her eyes burned, and tears fell.

Ellington saw and frowned slightly. "Don't do this. You've always had someone else in your heart, haven't you?"

Cordelia looked at him, confused.

"The pendant he gave you—you've worn it around your neck this whole time, haven't you?" Ellington's eyes were complicated as he looked at her.

Cordelia instinctively covered the pendant at her chest, biting her lip hard. She swallowed her tears and gave a faint smile. "I don't need a ride."

With that, she dragged her suitcase away from Carnegie Villa without looking back.

Ellington stood in the doorway, watching her slender figure disappear around the corner, his fingers unconsciously curling into a fist.