Chapter 1

Carter Group’s lavish anniversary gala was packed with the city’s elite.

The host warmly invited Ethan Carter and his most important partner to pour the champagne tower together.

I stood beside him and watched his gaze soften as he turned toward Sophie Miller in her pure white gown. In front of everyone, he held out his hand to her.

“Sophie, you’ve worked so hard lately. This honor belongs to you.”

In my previous life, this was where I had desperately fought to keep my place beside him, using the baby I had just discovered I was carrying and a promise to secure the Brookhaven project.

I thought I had won.

Until, just before my due date, Ethan brought a heavily pregnant Sophie to the Carter estate and threw divorce papers in front of me.

Only then did I understand. I was nothing more than a tool he used to strengthen his position in business, something to discard once I had served my purpose.

Now that I had a second chance, I was done playing their game.

I watched without emotion as Sophie took Ethan’s arm and walked toward the champagne tower, the symbol of Carter Group’s success.

Under the dazzling lights, they looked like the perfect couple.

I quietly stepped back, took out my phone, and deleted the message I had drafted for Ethan with my pregnancy results attached.

The ceremony ended.

Sophie approached with a wineglass in her hand. Her voice sounded apologetic, but smug satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Carter. You should have been the one up there with Ethan.”

Ethan walked over with his own glass, his tone cold.

“Vivian, this is an important company event. Think of the bigger picture instead of sulking. Sophie has done a lot for the company. Bringing her up there shows our employees that Carter Group values their contributions.”

I looked at him, a faint smile curving my lips.

“Am I sulking? Miss Miller, did I ask you for an apology? You seem awfully eager to make me the unreasonable one. That feels a little manipulative.”

Sophie’s smile froze.

Ethan’s brows drew together.

“Vivian, watch what you say. Sophie was only trying to be considerate—”

“Then thank you for your consideration, Miss Miller.”

I cut him off coldly.

“Ethan, Mr. Lawson from the Brookhaven project just arrived. Shall we go say hello?”

Sophie spoke sweetly as she slipped her hand around his arm.

Ethan nodded, his voice indifferent.

“Come with us, Vivian. You can talk to Mrs. Lawson.”

The sight of them made me sick.

“No, I’m not feeling well. I’m going home.”

Ethan’s voice turned icy.

“Vivian Bennett, don’t throw a tantrum here.”

Sophie’s face filled with fake concern.

“Mrs. Carter, today is so important. It wouldn’t be right to leave Ethan to handle everything alone.”

I looked at her and suddenly smiled.

“With such a capable partner by his side, I’m sure everything will go smoothly for him.”

Ethan’s face darkened. With a cold snort, he turned away and left with Sophie without another glance at me.

As I watched them go, the last lingering attachment from my previous life finally disappeared.

“Vivian Bennett. It’s been a few years. You’ve changed.”

A deep, teasing voice sounded beside me.

I turned and paused in surprise.

The man wore a perfectly tailored dark suit without a tie, the top button of his shirt casually undone. He leaned against a column, looking relaxed. I had no idea how long he had been watching.

“What? Don’t recognize me after a few years?”

“Julian Hayes.”

I said his name.

Julian smiled faintly.

“Being Mrs. Carter really has changed you. You’re so… accommodating.”

I frowned slightly, fighting back a wave of nausea from the pregnancy.

“Do you make a habit of eavesdropping?”

Interest flickered in Julian’s eyes. He raised a brow and stepped closer.

“Eavesdropping isn’t nearly as satisfying as stealing someone’s wife. Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Carter?”