Liveupdate

Chapter 1: The Anniversary Humiliation

By six o'clock, the candles were already lit.

Lena Whitmore had spent the entire day preparing dinner herself.

Not because she had to.

The mansion had staff for everything.

But tonight mattered.

It was her wedding anniversary.

Or at least, it was supposed to be.

The dining room glowed under crystal chandeliers.

Fine china.

Crystal glasses.

Fresh flowers.

A bottle of expensive wine waiting to be opened.

For the first time in years, Lena allowed herself to hope.

Maybe Adrian would remember who they used to be.

Maybe he would remember the woman who stood beside him when nobody else believed in him.

Then the front door opened.

Lena smiled automatically.

The smile vanished instantly.

Adrian wasn't alone.

A younger woman walked beside him.

Champagne-colored silk dress.

Confident smile.

The unmistakable expression of someone who believed she had already won.

Lena felt her stomach twist.

"Adrian..."

He didn't apologize.

He didn't even pretend.

Instead, he tossed a stack of papers onto the floor.

"Sign it."

The papers slid across the polished wood.

Divorce papers.

The room fell silent.

"In front of her?" Lena asked quietly.

Something cruel flashed across Adrian's face.

Without warning, he flipped the dining table.

Plates shattered.

Wine exploded across the floor.

Candles toppled.

Food scattered everywhere.

The mistress laughed.

Then sat down in Lena's chair as if she belonged there.

Adrian waited.

Expecting tears.

Expecting begging.

Expecting humiliation.

Instead, Lena calmly picked up the divorce papers.

Then reached for her phone.

"What are you doing?" Adrian asked.

Lena pressed one number.

The call connected.

She spoke only two words.

"Come in."

A strange silence followed.

Then car doors slammed outside.

More than one.

And suddenly, Adrian's confidence disappeared.