Chapter One: The perfect Wife's Betrayal

EVA’S POV

I signed the last document on my desk, trying and failing to contain my excitement. My hands shook a little, but not from nerves—pure joy flowed through me. This was it. Daniel's Promotion would be official once the contract was finished, the deal secured.

I sent the email, then I held my breath as I kept refreshing my inbox. Come on, come on…

A notification popped up.

" A hearty Congratulations, Mr. Sinclair. Your promotion is confirmed."

A shaky exhale left my lips.

I closed my mouth, stopping a squeal. At long last. My husband—my best friend, my everything—had been given the promotion he had worked so hard for. I could already envision his reaction, his smile relieved, his eyes crinkling by the side as his face would light up when I told him the good news.

We have been waiting for this.

For years, we had fought side by side, building our future from nothing. And now, we’d finally made it.

I picked up my bag and practically ran out of the office.

The elevator ride felt like a lifetime, my heart beating fast with anticipation. My mind wandered back to us—to our story.

Daniel and I had been together since childhood, two orphans against the world. When we left the orphanage, we had nothing—no family, no home, no one to turn to but each other.

I worked two jobs to put food on our table while he pursued his degree, believing in his dream to become a tech mogul. And it was worth it. Every sleepless night, every sacrificed dream—it was worth it, because we had each other.

And he never let me down.

He worked hard, secured a job at Clark International, and even helped me get a position there as a secretary. My Daniel was always so thoughtful, always looking out for me.

My phone buzzed as I reached my car. I eagerly unlocked it, expecting to see Daniel’s name, but—

No messages. No missed calls.

I frowned, then dialed his number. It rang. And rang. And rang.

Then, voicemail.

A small sigh left my lips. Right. The business meeting. He had mentioned meeting with the regional manager of Xano Canon Printers today.

"My baby works so hard," I murmured, a small smile playing on my lips.

I started the car, my heart thrumming with excitement the entire drive home. I could not wait to see him.

Forty-five minutes later, I pulled into our driveway, my heart picking up. Our home—our dream home—stood in front of me, a testament of everything we had built together.

I climbed out of the car, practically bouncing toward the door. My fingers fumbled inside my purse for my keys, but then—

I paused.

The front door was unlocked.

My brows furrowed. That’s strange. Daniel was always careful about locking up. Did he forget?

Shrugging it off, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Babe? Are you home?"

Silence.

I frowned, stepping further inside. That’s when I noticed them—the shoes.

Red stilettos.

Neatly placed on the shoe rack near the door.

A chill ran down my spine. My stomach twisted. Those weren’t mine.

I swallowed. Maybe a client came over. Maybe… maybe it’s nothing.

I forced my feet to move, walking toward the living room.

Then, I pushed the door open—

And my world shattered.

Daniel was there.

Not alone.

Kissing another woman.

The air left my lungs.

A blonde, rested against his chest, her perfectly manicured nails moving down his suit as she clung to him like a koala. Their lips moved in synergy, his hands holding her waist like she belonged there.

My bag slipped from my hands, hitting the floor with a thud.

The sound made them break apart.

Both turned to face me.

And Daniel…

He didn’t look guilty.

He didn’t even look surprised.

His face was blank. Cold. Indifferent.

As if I were nothing. An afterthought maybe, or just an inconvenient transaction.

My throat tightened. "D-Daniel?" My voice cracked. My hands clenched at my sides, shaking. Trying to hold myself together. "What… what is going on?"

He smirked.

Smirked. He smirked!!!!!

As if I were the one interrupting something I had no right to see.

"Ah, she’s back," he said lazily, turning to the blonde as if I were an afterthought.

A nervous giggle fell from the woman’s lips. She leaned her head against him, running her fingers down his chest.

"You were right, baby," she purred. "She really is slow."

My body went cold.

Daniel finally looked at me.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said casually, as if I were some inconvenient appointment.

Then, he tossed an envelope onto the coffee table.

My stomach twisted. What is that?

With shaking hands, I picked it up. I flipped it open, my vision blurring as I read the words.

Divorce papers.

My breath hitched. I staggered back. "What… what is this?" Tears clouded my sight.

The blonde sighed dramatically and extended her hand toward me.

A diamond ring glittered on her finger.

I knew that ring.

It was the same one Daniel had promised me—the one he said he’d give me after his promotion. He promised to change my current ring to that when he gets the promotion.

The promotion I just secured for him.

I felt sick. My body trembled as the realization crashed into me.

Daniel sighed, rubbing his temples like I was wasting his time.

"Look," he said. "I appreciate that you helped me, but did you really think—knowing my background—that I would settle for someone like you?"

My heart stopped.

Someone like me?

I looked down at myself. My simple work clothes. My modest shoes. The hands that had worked themselves raw to support this man.

Tears blurred my vision. My chest ached. But I still forced out the words.

“What is wrong with me, Daniel?”

His smirk deepened.

And then, he delivered the final blow.

“Everything.”

My legs give way and everywhere goes dark.