Chapter 1 Broken hearted

Olivia Grace never imagined that tonight would become the most devastating night of her life.

She stood frozen behind the glass doors of the lavish nightclub, her body refusing to move as her eyes locked onto her husband-Hunter Jackson-laughing and touching the arm of his ex-girlfriend, Sophia Joy.

Purple and blue neon lights danced through the air, the music thundered, and the guests' laughter filled the room-but Olivia's world had gone completely silent. No sound, only the racing beat of her heart battling the crashing waves of emotion inside her.

"Why would he cheat on me with Sophia Joy? What did I lack that made him turn away?" her mind screamed.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought them back with everything she had. She wouldn't cry. Not in front of everyone silently laughing at her misery.

She had trusted Hunter completely. He came home late every night, claiming overtime. She never checked his phone-because she believed love shouldn't be built on suspicion.

But everything crumbled the moment she stumbled upon a video posted on Sophia Joy's Instagram account.

The short clip showcased an extravagant party-diamond-encrusted dance floor, gold-layered cake, and a bold backdrop that read "Happy Birthday Sophia Joy."

Yet it wasn't the luxury that shattered Olivia's heart-it was the man giving the toast on stage.

Her own husband.

"Hunter Jackson, the best man that's ever been in my life," Sophia's voice rang out in the video, her smile playful and seductive.

Without hesitation, Olivia had thrown on a jacket and driven straight to the club mentioned in the post. Her heart felt like it was being crushed under a boulder, but she had to see the truth for herself.

And now she had.

Hunter leaned in and whispered something in Sophia's ear, then laughed with her. His hand landed possessively on her waist. That hand is supposed to only touch me, Olivia thought, choking on the bitter betrayal.

Other guests looked all too familiar-some were Hunter's business associates, others were their former college friends.

"Come on, Jackson, just divorce that wife of yours, Olivia Grace! She's not worthy of you," said a broad-shouldered man in an expensive suit-William, Hunter's arrogant college buddy.

Laughter erupted around them.

"Yeah, Sophia Joy is a much better match. Beautiful, classy, successful. Olivia? Just a poor girl who doesn't even know how to dress herself!" sneered a woman in a fiery red dress.

Olivia felt like she was being stomped into the ground. They spoke as if she were invisible. As if she wasn't Hunter Jackson's lawful wife.

She clenched her fists. How dare they insult me like this?

But the final blow came when Hunter himself-the man who once promised to love her through thick and thin-agreed with them all.

"You're absolutely right. Olivia was never fit to stand beside me."

Olivia's heart stopped. She stared at her husband, tears spilling freely now, praying this was just a nightmare she would soon wake from. But reality was far more brutal.

Sophia laughed loudly, then turned to Hunter with a wicked grin.

"Or maybe we should just make your wife our maid, hmm? Let her serve us instead."

Hunter furrowed his brows for a second, then chuckled, "A maid? Now that's actually a good idea. At least she'd be useful instead of just dead weight."

Laughter exploded again. Champagne glasses clinked, the music roared back to life-but Olivia heard nothing except the sound of her own heart breaking.

"Hunter!" Olivia's voice cut through the room like lightning in a storm.

Everyone turned to her. Eyes widened. Silence fell.

Her eyes were red, her lips trembling, and her whole body shook with a mix of rage and agony.

Hunter froze. Their eyes met. Olivia stepped forward, the crowd parting like curtains for the real show.

"So this is why you've been working late every night?" Her voice was low but razor-sharp. "To throw a luxury party for your ex and publicly humiliate your wife?"

"Olivia..." Hunter tried to speak, but no words followed.

"You're a coward, Hunter." Her voice was cold. "I'm not poor. I just don't waste money on foolish parties and overpriced dresses. But now I see... you never deserved my love."

Sophia scoffed. "This is hilarious. What a cheap drama."

Olivia stepped right up to her, inches apart.

"And you-proudly accepting a party from a married man? That's beyond pathetic."

Sophia smirked. "You really think you can compete with me?"

"I don't need to compete. Because as of tonight, I'm done."

Without hesitation, Olivia took off her wedding ring and threw it right at Hunter's chest.

"Happy birthday, Sophia. You've won. But remember one thing, Hunter..."

She locked eyes with him, her voice a chilling whisper.

"You just lost the only woman who ever truly loved you."

She turned and walked away, her steps steady despite the tremble in her limbs. Every pair of eyes followed her, but she didn't care.

But just as Olivia reached the exit, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Olivia, wait!"

Her steps faltered. She knew that voice. A voice she hadn't heard in years. She turned slowly, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Ethan?" she whispered.

Ethan-her former fiancé who vanished without a trace years ago, the man she once believed had died in a tragic accident-now stood at the door, very much alive. Dressed in a sleek black suit, with eyes that still held that same familiar intensity... warmth... and secrets.

The entire room stood still.

"What are you doing here?" Olivia asked, her voice barely audible.