Chapter 2

Caiden's public declaration of love for Leyla was anything but subtle.

News of his infidelity spread like wildfire through their social circle.

Alexandra's phone buzzed incessantly with calls.

Her parents, who had been traveling abroad, and her older brother, who was away on business, rushed back home overnight.

When Alexandra saw them, the tears she had held back all day finally fell.

Josh Clayton, her brother, took one look at her and turned to leave. "I'm going to settle this with Caiden right now!" he said.

Alexandra quickly stopped him. "Josh, there's no need. Making a scene will only make it look like I can't let go."

Josh's expression darkened, but he halted.

"What's wrong with Caiden? Weren't you two happy together?" he asked, turning back to her.

Alexandra briefly recounted the story of Caiden and Leyla.

Her father, furious, slammed his hand on the coffee table. "Fine, just fine! I thought he was loyal, but I misjudged him!"

Alexandra gave a bitter smile.

Hadn't she misjudged him too?

The Clayton family was one of the most prominent in Glimon Province, and Alexandra, as the family's eldest daughter, was strikingly beautiful and exceptionally capable.

Back then, her suitors could have lined up from the Clayton estate to ten miles beyond.

Caiden had been one of them.

At first, Alexandra was drawn to his looks, though not enough to consider marriage.

But then she had a severe car accident, and while her other suitors panicked, Caiden tirelessly sought the best doctors for her.

He stayed outside her hospital room for an entire week without rest.

The day she was discharged, Alexandra kissed him and smiled. "Caiden, let's get married."

Looking back now, she realized his devotion likely had ulterior motives.

Alexandra's lips twisted in self-mockery, her expression slowly hardening.

If that was the case, she no longer wanted him.

"By the way, Alex," Josh said, remembering something. "Are you still attending the charity gala tomorrow?"

Alexandra let out a cold laugh. "Why wouldn't I? I'm not the one who betrayed our marriage."

The charity gala was a fundraising event for community development, attended by the city's elite.

When Alexandra arrived, the event was already underway.

Seeing her arrive alone, the crowd exchanged subtle glances.

Some busybodies wanted to pry into whether she and Caiden were having issues, but her status kept them at bay.

Her closer friends, sensing her reluctance to discuss it, acted as if nothing was wrong. "Alex, come here," one said, pulling her over.

Alexandra smiled and accepted a glass of champagne.

A commotion stirred at the entrance. She turned to look.

A woman in a blue mermaid gown walked in, arm in arm with Caiden.

Alexandra's expression froze.

Then she laughed.

Well done, Caiden. Truly well done.

The woman bore a striking resemblance to Alexandra, almost six parts identical.

The esteemed eldest daughter of the Clayton family had been someone's stand-in for seven years!

Her grip on the champagne flute nearly shattered it.

But Alexandra refused to let others see her as a laughingstock.

It took every ounce of self-control not to march over and slap Caiden.

Caiden, as if oblivious to her presence, led Leyla to another corner of the room.

After an awkward moment of silence, the gala resumed its lively hum.

Her friends could no longer pretend nothing was wrong.

"Alex, are you okay?" one asked.

"What's gotten into that jerk Caiden? I thought the rumors were false, but he's actually cheating!" another said.

Some tried to console her.

"That mistress is clearly just a stand-in for you. Caiden's probably just chasing something new," one said.

"Men are like that. Once he gets bored, he'll toss her aside," another added.

"She's not a stand-in," a cold, deep voice interrupted from behind.

Alexandra looked up to see Caiden standing there, his arm around a teary-eyed Leyla.

Caiden, tall and imposing, carried an air of authority from years in power.

In his navy suit, he seemed to command the room.

His piercing gaze swept over the group, finally landing on Alexandra. He spoke slowly. "I've always loved Leyla. Seven years ago, I did. And seven years later, I still do."

The implication of who the real stand-in was hung in the air.

Sympathetic glances turned toward Alexandra, more intense than before.

Her nails dug into her palm.

She thought his public declaration of love was the worst he could do.

Yet he continued to trample her dignity in front of everyone.

As if that wasn't enough, Caiden paused, then spoke again. "Leyla isn't a mistress. I'm the one who pursued her relentlessly," he said. "And here, I formally request a divorce from Alexandra Clayton, the eldest daughter of the Clayton family."

The room erupted in gasps.

Alexandra could no longer hold back. She stepped forward and slapped Caiden hard across the face.