[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221FDDD1-69":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},69,1,"Chapter 1: \"She Wouldn't Fit In\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once all his friends married women with the right pedigrees, I could feel it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was starting to regret choosing me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I was never his parents’ favorite. I couldn’t keep up with their high-society chatter, and my family background didn't carry the weight they demanded. These became the pillars of his disdain—a laundry list of reasons to hate me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The day Everett praised another woman right in front of me, I finally untied my apron for good. I didn't reach for the rags or the sponges. Instead, I sat at my vanity, reapplied my makeup, and pulled on my favorite dress—the one I had tucked away for too long.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I was finished burning myself out to keep this charade of a marriage alive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When I arrived at the office to drop off his lunch, Everett’s inner circle was gathered in his suite. The door was cracked open. I didn't push it further.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everett, you’ve been looking like hell lately. Everything alright with the wife?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett sat at his desk, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, his head buried in files. He paused for a heartbeat before shaking his head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s nothing. I’m just... annoyed,\" he muttered. \"I can’t even explain it. She hasn't done anything wrong, but just being around her leaves me feeling restless.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The lunchbox in my hand suddenly felt like a lead weight. I could barely hold the handle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The reason he couldn't explain it? I knew it perfectly well. Once love is no longer the glue holding a life together, you realize you have nothing left in common. To put it bluntly, he had just grown bored of me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned to leave, but Hailey Silva—Everett’s childhood sweetheart and his newly appointed personal assistant—stepped into my path. A smirk played on her lips, sharp and mocking.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She shoved the door wide open.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everett, your wife brought you lunch!\" she chirped. \"I’m so envious. You get to enjoy her cooking every single day.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett stood up. I saw it clearly: he didn't even glance in my direction. He reached out, plucked the lunchbox from my numb fingers, and set it on his desk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You little brat,\" he said, his voice laced with a playfulness I hadn't heard directed at me in years. \"You’ve already finished off my lunches all week. Are you still not satisfied?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hailey gave a coy shrug, pouting. \"Well, you were the one who said she only knows how to cook and told me I could order whatever I wanted. Don't blame me now!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She shot a triumphant look in my direction before sliding into Everett's chair, helping herself to the meal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My fingernails dug into my palms until I felt the skin break, but Everett stepped toward me, gently pulling my hands apart. His eyes looked as warm and affectionate as they had on our wedding day. There wasn't a flicker of the irritation he’d just expressed moments ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evelyn,\" he said softly. \"Hailey’s stomach has been acting up lately. Surely you can be understanding?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pulled my hand back. He didn't let go, gripping my wrist firmly. He began to stroke the back of my hand, ignoring my clear discomfort.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hailey turned in the chair, her mouth full. \"Everyone’s grabbing drinks tonight. It’s been ages since we all hung out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room erupted in agreement. Everett nodded along. He stood up, shoved the empty container into my hands, and dismissed me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You should head home,\" he said, not meeting my eyes. \"Don't wait up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I should have been furious. I should have screamed. But the anger had hollowed out into something cold and still. I turned and walked out the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As I left, Hailey’s voice drifted down the hall, sweet and sharp as a razor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everett, why not bring her along? It’d be fun to have her join us!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett’s reply was dismissive, barely a whisper. \"She wouldn't fit in. She doesn't understand the world we move in. If she’s miserable, the rest of us will be uncomfortable.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I froze in the middle of the hallway. It took me a long time to find the strength to put one foot in front of the other.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272927226]