Chapter 1

Layla Montgomery sat quietly in her car, her gaze cutting through the rain as she watched the scene unfolding before her.

Outside "Harbor Star," Haven City's most exclusive Michelin-starred restaurant, her husband, Seth Stanton, was passionately embracing a woman in a white blouse.

Raindrops slid down the windshield, blurring her vision but doing nothing to dilute the grief spreading across her features. Her hands unconsciously tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles turning pale from the pressure.

Twenty minutes earlier, Layla had been nearly asleep when Seth called, claiming he'd had too much to drink after a business dinner and couldn't drive.

She hadn't even changed out of her nightclothes, just hurriedly wrapped herself in a trench coat and rushed over, only to witness this scene.

She didn't get out of the car, just watched silently until the pain in her chest became almost suffocating. Only then did she slowly reach for her phone and dial Seth's number.

Through the window, she saw him display an annoyed expression as the ringtone interrupted his moment, finally releasing the woman.

"What?" His voice dripped with impatience.

"Get in the car," Layla said tersely.

Seth paused, holding the phone while scanning his surroundings, his eyes eventually landing on the car parked at the curb. Their gazes met through the window, and Layla immediately looked away, as if even a moment's eye contact might cause her to fall apart.

Soon, the passenger door opened, and Seth got in, bringing with him the strong smell of alcohol that instantly filled the car.

Layla glanced up to see that the woman had vanished; she hadn't even noticed how she'd disappeared.

"How long are you going to stare?" Seth lifted his eyelids slightly, giving her a cold glance.

Despite being caught red-handed, Seth showed not a trace of panic, as if this were perfectly normal.

Clearly, he didn't consider Layla worth his concern. His confidence stemmed from being the head of the Stanton Group, while Layla's survival depended entirely on his charity.

As long as Layla didn't cry or make a scene, he would satisfy her material needs—except, of course, for affection.

"I knew you were seeing someone, but I didn't expect this type," Layla said calmly, her eyes reflecting nothing but emptiness. "Did you deliberately call me here just to see this? Is she Ms. Ramirez?"

Seth's gaze was cold, his eyes filled with contempt and disgust. "How is that any of your business? You have no right to question anything, much less mention her. What? You think I'd want to sleep with you instead?"

The vulgar words fell from his lips without hesitation, and Layla felt her heart being sliced apart, a dull ache spreading from her chest.

For three years, he had never treated her as a real wife, not even as a casual lover.

Layla took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in her chest, and silently started the car.

"I'm not going home. Take me to North Shore Heights," Seth commanded, completely indifferent to how his words might hurt her.

North Shore Heights was one of Haven City's most expensive neighborhoods, with average home prices exceeding $30 million. Seth owned multiple properties but never spent the night here.

His request to go to North Shore Heights tonight clearly indicated that place had become his "love nest" with that woman.

In three years of marriage, Seth returned home barely a handful of times each month.

Layla had always assumed he didn't want to see her, staying at his office or hotels. But now she finally understood—he had been living with that woman at North Shore Heights all along.

Layla gripped the steering wheel tightly, the burning pain spreading from her chest to every nerve ending, but she remained composed.

"Tomorrow night is Grandmom's birthday. Don't forget," she reminded him.

"I haven't forgotten," Seth replied indifferently. "If I can't make it, just go by yourself. You know what excuses to give. I've already bought her gift; you can take it with you."

"You're not attending her birthday? She'll be heartbroken," Layla said, pressing her lips together.

Seth's gaze conveyed deep mockery. "You do what I tell you to do. Are you trying to lecture me? She's my grandmother, and if she wants to scold me, she'll call me herself. I don't need you butting in."

Layla bit her lower lip hard, unable to say anything for a long while. Yes, she had indeed overstepped.

Fifteen minutes later, the car entered North Shore Heights. Seth merely had her stop at the entrance before walking into the luxurious mansion without a backward glance. Layla didn't linger, driving away immediately.

Back at their marital home in Oceanview Estate, Layla collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling before closing her eyes, allowing tears to silently stream down her face.

The next day, just as Layla had anticipated, Seth used work as an excuse to have her attend Elizabeth's birthday celebration at the Stanton Manor alone. When Elizabeth Stanton found out, she was furious, first calling to berate her grandson, then phoning Layla to humiliate her.

"After three years of marriage, you still can't control him? What have you been doing all this time? Didn't I teach you? Men love to play around—you need to keep him satisfied in bed, spice things up. Can't you even manage that?"

Layla's face gradually turned pale. "I'm sorry, Grandmom, but his heart isn't with me."

"I don't care where his heart is," Elizabeth said harshly. "You're Seth's wife now. We can't have people gossiping, can we? How does that make the Stanton family look? You did save Seth's life, and if my husband hadn't insisted on you as Seth's wife, I would never have agreed. Three years, and I still don't have a great-grandchild to hold."

Layla didn't argue, just endured Elizabeth's various insults until the older woman finally declared that Layla shouldn't bother coming to the birthday celebration either, then hung up.

These successive blows had gradually crushed Layla's spirit. She sat motionless on the sofa, as if her soul had been extracted.

Five years ago, the Montgomery Group collapsed due to failed investments and lawsuits. Her father, Thomas Montgomery, couldn't bear the shame and committed suicide.

Her mother, Susan, chose to remarry wealthy businessman Robert Hawkins, abandoning both Layla and her brother.

But the good times didn't last—Robert gambled away his fortune and ended up in prison. Three years ago, when Susan learned Layla had married Seth, she shamelessly came back seeking help.

Unable to reject her mother due to blood ties, Layla frequently gave her money. Susan had been living quite well on her daughter's generosity these past years.

The only trouble was that Robert had left behind a son from his previous marriage, Brian Hawkins, who hadn't even finished college and drifted through life.

Susan had been supporting him, and Layla suffered the consequences. Because of Layla's striking beauty and Seth's indifference toward her, Brian often harbored inappropriate intentions.

After a simple dinner of instant noodles, Layla was preparing to rest when the doorbell suddenly rang.

She went downstairs to the door and checked the video intercom. When she saw who was there, her heart instantly contracted.