Chapter 1

Joseph Dryden had been having an affair for three years.

I held onto our marriage.

But it was only due to an underlying sense of resentment.

We were childhood sweethearts, from school uniforms to wedding gowns, and we had truly loved each other.

Then, one day, I had an epiphany.

I decided to end this painful entanglement.

To set him free and to set myself free.

...

I took my parents to the restaurant, Chez Joseph and Anna, for dinner.

Upon entering the restaurant, I walked directly towards the private room I used to frequent.

The lobby manager subtly intercepted me.

She revealed her signature smile and respectfully said, "Hello, Mrs. Dryden."

"Um," I nodded, "I'll have the dishes I usually order, please hurry."

After I spoke, while looking at the manager who was standing still in front of me, I sensed that something was amiss.

"Wife, would you like us to take you to another private room? No. 7 Room is currently occupied by another guest," she politely inquired.

"Has Joseph returned?" I asked instinctively.

"Mr. Dryden is still on a business trip, it's another guest," she replied.

"Are you kidding? No. 7 Room is a private room reserved for us and is never open to the public. As the lobby manager, you dare to run the private room for external customers without instructions. You're going to hear from me—"

"It was instructed, it's Mr. Dryden's instructions," she interrupted me.

"How is that possible—"

Before I could finish my sentence, I was stunned.

Because, I saw a hint of sympathy in the lobby manager's eyes, which she inadvertently revealed.

In an instant, I understood everything.

A cold feeling rapidly spread from my heart throughout my body.

I heard my own voice trembling slightly, "It's Penny Shaw, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Joseph instructed you to let them use No. 7 Room?"

"Yes." The manager hesitated for a moment, seeming reluctant, but continued, "Mr. Dryden said Miss Shaw likes No. 7 Room, and from now on, this private room is exclusively reserved for her, waiting for her anytime."

"Exclusively?" I laughed bitterly, "So, it means that even I can't enter now?"

The lobby manager didn't answer, but her evasive gaze and lowered head told me everything.

"This is outrageous!" My mother pushed the lobby manager aside and stormed towards No. 7 Room.

"Mom!" I grabbed her arm, "Don't go."

"Anna, they are running wild over you. What are you holding back for?" She stared at me with red eyes.

My father, too, came over with a stern face. "If you want to vent your anger, we're always here to support you. My daughter of the Zangwill family, what is there to be afraid of?"

Unable to meet my parents' gaze, I held their arms and pleaded, "Mom and Dad, let's go back, okay?"

"You!" My dad pointed at me in frustration. "My daughter, how could you be so weak!"

"Dad, Joseph is doing this deliberately. He's trying to provoke me into asking for a divorce," I argued loudly.

"If you want a divorce, then get one!" My dad said bitterly. "Do you really think you can't live without him?"

"Anna, is there even a need to continue a marriage like this?" My mom gently held my hand. "Listen to your mom, get a divorce."

"No!" I cried out loudly. "I don't want a divorce!"

"You're just being stubborn!" My dad angrily stormed off, shaking my arm away. "We won't interfere in your matters anymore!"

After my parents left, I remained in the restaurant lobby, motionless for a long time.

"Mrs. Dryden?" A pleasant voice suddenly reached my ears.

Following the voice, I saw a seductive woman standing there.

Penny Shaw, Joseph's openly acknowledged mistress.

She wore a custom-tailored, upgraded version of the qipao that perfectly accentuated her graceful body curves.

With fiery red lips and eyes that spoke volumes, she exuded a bold and unapologetic beauty.

Everyone knew that Penny was Joseph's favored one.

They paraded together, unabashedly and publicly.

When she spoke the words "Mrs. Dryden," it was as though she was mocking me.