Chapter 1 Our Loveless Marriage

My dad urgently requested that I bring Jeffrey back as he was rushed to the emergency room following a car accident.

I nodded, holding back tears, but deep down, I knew Jeffrey harbored resentment toward me. He blamed me for his shattered relationship, my inherited wealth, and for coming between him and his first love.

Nothing could deter him from pursuing her, not even me.

"Evalyn, today is Melinda's birthday. Can you just be reasonable for once?" He spoke these words amidst the familiar sounds of laughter before abruptly ending the call.

Moments later, my dad took his last breath, his eyes wide open in a final, stark gaze.

As I fulfilled his last requests, organizing everything as he had instructed, I decided to let Jeffrey go.

It was only then that he began to regret everything…

——

To Jeffrey Hood, I had always been a plain, straightforward, and utterly unremarkable woman. My only notable attribute was my wealthy father.

But now? I didn't even have that. My dad was gone.

The day we met, Jeffrey had come to the Levine Group seeking investment. I happened to be visiting my dad at the company that day, and from the moment I saw Jeffrey, I was smitten.

He secured the investment he sought, and not long after, I became his wife.

However, on our wedding night, he vanished without a trace.

I later found him in a hotel room, intimately embracing another woman, whispering tender nothings into her ear.

For the next five years, that devastating scene replayed itself weekly in our own home.

It didn't stop there; he seized every chance to belittle and mock me, demanding that I leave him.

I understood his bitterness; he had never wanted this marriage. It was a union of convenience for him, and one I had initiated at that.

Even though he was a proud man, he suffered greatly.

I did everything to win his affection, hoping that my efforts would eventually endear me to him. Instead, he used my attempts as an excuse for his continued betrayal.

After settling everything at the hospital for my father, I was drained. There had been no time to properly mourn. So, I returned home to pack my belongings and leave.

Jeffrey and I resided on the top floor of our apartment building.

As I stepped out of the elevator, a bodyguard barred my way. "Mrs. Hood, Mr. Hood is inside," he informed me, his tone respectful yet firm.

Through the door, I could hear Jeffrey and Melinda Stuart talking. Whatever they were discussing seemed to delight her.

Summoning all my strength to keep my voice steady, I declared coldly, "Jeffrey, let's get a divorce!"

At that instant, the door swung open, revealing Jeffrey in an embrace with Melinda, looking at her with deep affection.

"Evalyn Levine, what's this all about now?" Jeffrey asked irritably.

"Do you really want a divorce just because I celebrated her birthday? Besides, do you think you can actually go through with it?

"If you're so eager to leave, good luck, because I'm certainly not giving you the money your dad needs!" he added scornfully.

I sneered.

He was still oblivious to the fact that my dad had passed away, accusing me of manufacturing drama. The irony was almost laughable.

My mocking laughter got on his nerves.

"Are you finished?" he spat. "You lied about your dad's car accident just to stop me from going to Melinda's birthday. All this for money? You don't need to put on such a dramatic act."

"Your dad has always looked down on me," he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "And now he wants to borrow money from me to keep things afloat!

"You people used your filthy money to ruin my love life back then, and it caused Melinda to fall into depression. Now, it's your turn to feel the misery of being trapped by financial troubles!"

Mockery glinted in his eyes, his lips twisted in a sneer.

Overcome with anger, I lost all control. My fists clenched, and I stormed over and slapped him hard across the face.

"You could have refused back then!" I shouted, my voice quaking with rage.

He was stunned, unable to react for a moment. He clearly hadn't expected that the one person who had always been so submissive to him would dare strike him like this.

As I descended the stairs with my suitcase, Melinda was nestled against Jeffrey, her face flushed. When he saw me, panic flickered across his face, and he hastily pushed her away.

He rushed to me, seized my arm, and asked grimly, "Where do you think you're going with that suitcase?"

I smirked. "If I don't leave, how will I make room for the two of you?"

His voice was strained as he questioned, "You're leaving the money behind? Won't your dad be worried sick without it?"