Even the strongest feelings couldn't withstand the arrival of someone new. I let out a bitter laugh, only to see Peter walking toward me.

"What are you doing here?" He brushed past the moving truck, his expression tense, as if something troubled him. A hint of unease lingered between his brows.

"Nothing, I just got off work," I said, making up an excuse to brush him off before heading back inside.

In the living room, Peter opened a bag he was holding. He placed a bowl of soup on the table.

"I passed by a seafood shop and thought of your favorite fish soup, so I got some for you," he said and handing them to me. He'd long forgotten that I was allergic to seafood.

I stared at the soup, unsure how to even start. Peter didn't notice and continued speaking, "HR told me you submitted your resignation," he said. "Was it because of Regina?" His voice was low and his lips pressed into a tight line, as if probing for the truth.

"What, are you afraid I'll storm off in a fit of rage?" I joked, trying to sound casual.

Peter's eyes flickered and a spark of anger flared, "I've told you before, there's nothing between me and Regina," he said. "Can you stop overthinking everything? It's exhausting."

I forced a smile and changed the subject, "Didn't you always say I don't earn enough? A friend introduced me to a new job that pays better," I replied calmly.

Peter's expression stiffened. He probably remembered the measly five thousand salary he paid me each month.

"So you think what I give you isn't enough?" he snapped. "Fine, I'll add five hundred a month, but don't quit. The company still needs you."

I said nothing. Peter assumed I agreed and sighed in relief, heading to get some water.

He soon noticed the usual decorations on the table were gone, "Where's our nesting doll set?" he asked, referring to the DIY watercolor figurines we made together three years ago.

"It's outdated, so I put it away," I lied effortlessly, picking out the scarce vegetables from the overly spicy fish soup.

I was exhausted from a long day and aside from the bland toast and scrambled egg I had that morning, I hadn't eaten anything else.

Peter seemed puzzled but reached into his bag and handed me a card.

"Is this severance pay?" I joked, fiddling with the bank card.

He frowned, "It's for you to buy some clothes. There's a banquet and I need you to come with me," he said. "Make sure to get a new gown. Don't embarrass me," he added, glancing at my outfit with visible disdain.

I looked at him, surprised. Wasn't he planning to take Regina?

The question formed in my mind, but before I could voice it, his phone rang. Regina's name flashed on the screen.

Peter didn't hesitate to answer right in front of me, "Regina, what's wrong? I'm busy right now," he said.

"Peter, you said you were just handling something at the office. Why aren't you back yet?" she whined playfully.

Startled by her sudden sweetness, Peter glanced at me. Seeing that I appeared unfazed, he relaxed and stepped into the bedroom to continue his call.

The room had good soundproofing, but I could still make out his gentle murmurs through the door.

The fish soup had barely any vegetables, so I had to make another new meal in the kitchen.

My cooking skills weren't great. The gnocchi was tasteless, but it was the only thing I could eat.

Peter walked out just as I finished eating. He glanced at the untouched fish soup and my bare, flavorless gnocchi, his face darkening.

"Are you trying to give me an attitude?" he snapped.

When I remained silent, he snatched the bank card from the table and said, "If you want to act like this, don't bother coming to the banquet tonight." With that, he turned toward the door.

Just before leaving, he inexplicably glanced back, sensing something had changed in the room, though he couldn't pinpoint what.

Seeing my composed expression only made him more irritable. He slammed the door and left hurriedly, shutting me inside a shadowed, suffocating space.

I couldn't help feeling bitterly mocked by it all. Six years of marriage, ten years of love and within three months, he could forget about my seafood allergy and forget about me for another woman.

He was willing to leave me behind for another woman, while I still saw him as that shy, passionate boy in a white shirt.

Tears welled up in my eyes. It must have been the damn chili peppers.

My phone buzzed on the table and through the haze of tears, I saw it was my lawyer calling, "Miss Lockster, the divorce papers are ready. Are you sure you want to transfer your fifty-one percent stake in Einstein Corporation to the competitor? Doing so might invite trouble from Mr. Einstein."

"It's fine," I replied hoarsely. Einstein Corporation had been my creation from the start.

Though the public face of the company had changed, I was always the actual majority shareholder. Satisfied with my confirmation, the lawyer promised to send someone over with the documents.

After cleaning up, I wiped away all traces of myself from the house. If no one mentioned it, nobody would know a married couple once lived here.

Dragging my suitcase, I booked the next available flight. The doorbell rang and it was the tailor delivering my repaired gown.

Time had passed, but the dress I wore for our wedding looked just as beautiful as it once did. Sadly, everything else had changed.

The relationship between Peter and I was no longer what it used to be.

I took a moment to compose myself and placed the gown back in its bag.

My phone vibrated again and this time, it was my older sister's messages on WhatsApp. Several voice messages popped up.

"Madeline, Mr. Reagan Whitely from Alabama is hosting his golden wedding banquet tonight. If you can, try to make an appearance."

"If it works out, we'll partner with him and Lockster Corporation can open our first orchard branch in Alabama."

"If you seal the deal, you won't have to shuttle back and forth and can stay near Peter."

Reading the address she provided, I realized it was the same as the one Peter's secretary had given me. I laughed bitterly at the absurdity.

Was Peter so blinded by his infatuation, or had he completely lost his sense? It was one thing for him to have Regina wear my own gown, but to bring her to an old family friend's golden wedding banquet?

Was he trying to embarrass the respected businessman, or was he just eager to elevate Regina? Either way, it no longer mattered.

Once we divorced, she could do whatever she wanted.

I glanced at the gown on the coffee table, lost in memories of our wedding day's joy. But it was time to let go.

When the divorce agreement arrived, I signed my name with a flourish.

Taking the gown, I headed to the banquet hall, ready to face whatever came next.

By the time I arrived, there were only ten minutes left before the banquet began. I straightened my dress and entered the venue, using my sister's name to get in.

Mr. Reagan Whitely, an esteemed entrepreneur in Alabama, had countless assets under his belt, attracting numerous famous businesspeople to his golden wedding celebration.

Compared to the glamorous attendees, I stood out in my old black dress, appearing simple and out of place.

"Who is she? Wearing something so plain to Mr. Whitely's grand event, trying to cozy up to the rich, maybe?" A lady with a heavy gold bracelet wrinkled her nose in disdain.

"This is Mr. Whitely's wedding celebration! How dare a pauper sneak in! Hey, why are you still standing there? Call security and throw her out!" she ordered, sneering.

The nearby servers exchanged glances and moved toward me. Luckily, I dodged them just in time.

Staring into the sea of hostile faces, I considered leaving. But remembering my sister's instructions, I swallowed my pride.

I said, "Fine, throw me out if you want, but remember, who in this hall isn't here by Mr. Whitely's invitation? If you kick me out and it turns out I was invited, won't you face the consequences?"

The servers hesitated, their eyes darting around, unsure of what to do.

The gold-bangled lady scoffed, "Ha! Stop pretending. There's no way Mr. Whitely invited someone like you!"

She pulled her fur shawl tighter, sneering at my simple black dress and said, "If you were truly invited, show us the invitation. No invitation? Then you've definitely snuck in!"

I found myself cornered, knowing my sister had only given me an electronic invite. Showing it would only give them more ammunition.

Just then, a voice cut through the crowd, "Well, look who it is, Peter's little canary! What's this? Sneaking in to find your sugar daddy?" Heads turned to me.

"Aha, I knew it! Mr. Whitely would never invite someone like her. She's just here to cling to her wealthy benefactor!"

The commotion drew more attention and Peter, hearing his name, turned and walked over.

When he saw me, the smile that had been on his lips vanished. "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to come?" he snapped, his eyes blazing with anger.

The sudden confrontation drew even more curious stares. Gossip-loving socialites flocked over, eager to witness the drama.

"My, oh my, Peter never fails to impress. Business booming and a harem of women to boot," one of them remarked.

"But isn't it inappropriate to bring two women to Mr. Whitely's golden wedding celebration?" They giggled behind their hands, their laughter only darkening Peter's expression.

Beside him, Regina clung to his arm, pouting sweetly. "Peter, don't be angry. I borrowed a dress from Madeline, which is why she's here. I didn't mean to cause trouble or make her come all the way."

She smoothed down the brand-new cocktail dress she was wearing, beaming happily.

"But Madeline, which gown did you bring for me? If it's even nicer, I can wear it instead and make sure Peter looks his best." With that, she snatched the bag from my hand, revealing its contents to everyone.

"Isn't that the gown from Peter's wedding banquet?" A sharp-eyed guest exclaimed, drawing more attention. "And what's that inside? Documents?"

Peter took the bag and as he glimpsed the papers, his expression darkened, "You want a divorce?"