Chapter 1

The cold wind pierced through my skin. I instinctively wrapped my damp clothes tighter around my body. As I exhaled, my breath turned into fog. I couldn't help but shiver from the freezing temperatures.

I had just gotten home when I received a video call from Mom. I answered the call and immediately spoke before she could say anything.

"I changed my mind, Mom. Don't promote Henry to the director of the company."

She looked shocked. "What happened?" she asked.

"Nothing much. He's just marrying someone else."

I noticed how pale my complexion was from the camera. I smiled resignedly.

In order to ensure that Henry had a successful career, I utilized my family's connections and resources to provide him with countless opportunities. Thanks to my help, he managed to become a manager within three years of joining the company.

I even begged Mom to appoint him as the director so he could fulfill his dreams. Mom had agreed to my request.

I was planning to surprise him with the news after we got married. However, I had decided that he didn't deserve it.

I happened to run into Henry Fenton and Yvette Samson when I got home. Henry was holding a wedding dress up to Yvette to see how it'd look on her. He looked overjoyed. It seemed that he couldn't wait to marry the woman before him.

When he heard the door open, he turned around. Our eyes met for a brief moment before he looked away.

"Yvette feels like having your slow-cooked ribs for dinner. Do prepare it right this instant," he instructed. He had always treated me like I was a household maid.

Yvette looked sickly, but I caught her smiling mockingly. Her smile felt sinister. I hated it.

"Thank you, Natasha," she chirped.

I ignored their request. Instead, I walked into my room and began to pack my bags.

The house was mine. Henry and I were supposed to move in here after we got married. His pictures were even displayed everywhere. The entire house smelled like his cologne, too. Now, I've grown to hate this place and the people who occupy it. On the way back home, I decided to sell the house.

"Did you hear what I just said?" Henry suddenly yelled irritably from behind me.

I got up and walked over to him. After pushing him out of the way, I took my clothes from the closet and put them in my suitcase. I didn't look at him. I couldn't even be bothered to respond to him.

When he finally noticed the suitcase, his face contorted with anger.

"What kind of trouble are you trying to stir up this time?" he barked.

Whenever an argument occurred, he'd pin the blame on me without even trying to understand the situation. If I voiced my opinion, he'd claim that I was trying to cause trouble.

Back then, I had loved him and was afraid of losing him. Hence, I was always the first to apologize after a fight.

This time, things were different.

"If that's what you think I'm doing, I have no comment on the matter," I replied blankly.

Henry and I were childhood friends. He'd been special to me since we were kids.

In our first year of high school, Henry met Yvette. Yvette was a delinquent who wore heavy makeup and smoked cigarettes. She was the first girl who didn't give Henry any attention.

He instantly became infatuated with her. He stopped being a well-behaved student and started to smoke, drink and skip classes. He even stayed out late and didn't return home.

When his dad learned the truth, he immediately gave Yvette's family a considerable sum of money and sent her out of the country. Henry and I wouldn't have ended up together if she hadn't been sent away.

To everyone's shock, Yvette reentered Henry's life after a decade. Her return caused him to end our 14-year relationship without a second thought.

"Are you angry because Henry and I are getting married?" Yvette asked when she returned to the room.

She changed into the wedding dress Henry had picked out for her. She even pinned the wedding brooch to her dress, evidently trying to show off.

She wore an apologetic expression before lowering her head. "If that's the case, please allow me to apologize. I'm sorry."

She continued, "You don't have to be angry, though. Because of my terminal disease, I only have about two years left to live. You can still marry Henry after I pass away."

I felt bitterly disappointed. Henry would rather marry a dying woman than be with me.

He took Yvette's hand and said gently, "It's not your fault you're ill, Yvette. Why do you need to apologize to her? Natasha is only breaking up with me because I'm not marrying her anymore. I broke a promise and stood her up. That's why she's upset."

He continued, "However, this is exactly what she deserves for being so vile and shameless."