###Chapter 1
“Does your offer still count? I’ve decided to join Centineo Law Firm.”
I stood quietly before the window, my fingers absentmindedly rubbing against the fabric of a neatly ironed men’s shirt.
“If you’re certain, I can grant you the title of partner. But what about Cody Partridge? Twenty-five years ago, you refused the lucrative offer of a New York law firm for his sake. And your children, don’t they oppose you leaving for abroad?”
At his calm inquiry through the headset, I gave a low, mocking laugh.
“Cody doesn’t care where I end up.”
If I disappeared, would Cody feel even the slightest sadness? No, I could already see the relief shining in his smile.
That night at the last family gathering, when I placed the divorce papers in front of him, he didn’t so much as lift his eyes. He signed immediately, then drove off into the endless darkness.
It was then I finally understood: no matter how much youth I had wasted, no matter how much I had sacrificed, until the day I died, I could never melt a heart that had never belonged to me.
The children I had raised with my own hands could hardly wait for me to step down as his wife and hand it to the woman they called Aunt.
There was a pause, then the calm male voice came again through. “Then, in ten days, at the law firm’s anniversary banquet, you may attend.”
Ten days later, the exact day the divorce agreement would come into effect.
“Fine. I will attend on time.”
The evening sun slanted across the bedroom, trapping my shadow on the floor, long and unmoving.
“Attend? Where exactly are you going?”
The cold question struck from behind. Turning, I saw Cody standing at the door, suspicion written in his gaze.
Even at fifty, he remained tall, handsome, his figure carrying an air of unshakable dominance.
“Ester’s kindergarten will hold an event soon, and our son asked me to attend in his place.”
I lifted my lips into a faint smile, quickly ended the call, picked up Cody’s suit jacket, and knelt to change his shoes, my movements so familiar, they felt like the silent routine of a lifetime.
The last trace of evening glow disappeared, and the room fell into heavy silence.
Cody loosened his tie and opened his mouth a few times before finally speaking. “By the way, what were those papers you asked me to sign?”
“It was your 50th birthday gift.”
Ten days later, you realized it was the greatest surprise I had given you, freeing me to a new future, and freeing you to half a lifetime of release.
1
Hearing my words, Cody gave a faint nod. “Then I look forward to unwrapping the gift.”
“Okay.”
Since the night he signed the divorce papers, Cody had not returned home for ten days. When he saw me lower my head to massage his feet, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes, and the stern lines of his brows softened.
“Karina, the company has been too busy lately. Tonight, I’ll stay with you…”
His long arms pulled me into his embrace, his warm breath wrapping around me in an instant.
I knew it was a lie; these days, he had been drowning in another woman’s tenderness, yet when his lips brushed against my neck, the hand that wanted to push him away only clutched his shirt tighter, unwilling to let go of that fleeting warmth.
At that moment, a distinct ringtone suddenly cut through the air.
It was the exclusive tone Cody had set for my cousin, Freya Dalton, who was five years older than I was.
“Don’t answer.” My pleading gaze met his, but the warmth of his embrace vanished in an instant.
My heart turned cold.
“Cody, my angina is acting up again… I feel so terrible…”
By mistake, Cody had pressed the speakerphone, and Freya’s frail voice spilled into the room.
His grip tightened around the phone as he cursed impatiently. “Do you know what time it is?! If you’re sick, then go to the hospital. I told you, don’t disturb my life again.”
A heavy silence followed before Freya’s choked voice returned, laced with tears. “Cody, I know you hate me for leaving you back then. If you don’t want to see me, then I’ll go and die.”
“Don’t you dare! Freya!”
The words burst from his teeth, his voice raw and unfamiliar. For twenty years, since taking charge of the family, Cody had always been calm, composed, untouchable. Never once had I seen him lose control like this, for anyone.
“Stay home and behave. I’m coming over right now.”
He ended the call in a rush, grabbed his jacket, and bolted for the door.
Only when he reached the stairway did he pause, turning back with a flicker of guilt in his eyes. “Freya’s illness can’t be delayed. I’ll take her to the hospital first.”
Before his words had even faded, he was already gone around the corner.
I stood frozen, staring into the thickening night, until tears finally slipped free, mingling with the hollow sound of my silent laughter.
Twenty-five years ago, the second young master of the family, Cody, had announced his engagement. But the very next day, his fiancée Freya vanished without a trace.
Cody went mad, pouring every resource into searching for her. A month later, he learned Freya had fled to South Africa in pursuit of freedom.
That night, drunk and reckless, he barged into my home, pressing me hard against the wall.
“Didn’t you want to marry me? Then marry me tomorrow!”
Even knowing he married me only to spite Freya, when his lips touched mine, I, who had secretly loved him since childhood, was still overjoyed.
I believed that as long as I gave him my true heart, one day Cody would finally fall in love with me.
So, I gave up my career and became a housewife who went unnoticed.
He disliked strangers in the house, so I dismissed the servants and shouldered every chore myself.
He was particular about food, so I rose early each day to prepare his breakfast.
When he returned drunk from social gatherings, even on stormy nights, I went out personally to bring him home.
I managed everything for him and raised our two children.
Gradually, he began to hold me gently as we watched the stars from the terrace. On special days, he would choose gifts with care. In winter, he pressed his warmth against my cold hands and feet.
From my twenty-fourth year until I was forty-nine, I thought that was happiness.
But just over two months ago, Freya returned from South Africa. Cody grew furious, restless, yet soon enough, he returned to her side.
A stolen love, in the end, was nothing but a fleeting dream.
I picked up my phone and booked a plane ticket for ten days later.
