Chapter 1

At my husband’s company retreat, everyone received a boxed Thanksgiving turkey with a raffle ticket inside.

After spending a year working myself to the bone to support his company, I was excited to see what I might win.

Then his secretary won first prize: an entire year of paid leave.

My ticket told me to donate five hundred dollars to the company.

Everyone marveled at the secretary’s good luck.

I was the only one who went cold and asked for a divorce.

My husband frowned.

“Just because Sophie won first prize?”

My answer was firm.

“Yes. Just because of that.”

The moment I spoke, the room fell silent. A second earlier, everyone had been excitedly discussing the prizes.

Sophie Parker pressed her raffle ticket against her stomach and protested in an injured voice.

“Claire, this is a company giveaway. I won it, so it belongs to me.”

“You can’t take it back.”

I answered coldly.

“When did you hear me say I wanted your prize back?”

“I said I wanted a divorce.”

My husband, Ethan Hayes, took my hand and lowered his voice.

“Everyone’s having a good time. Why are you making a scene about divorce?”

I spread my hands.

“Everyone else is happy. I’m not. What’s wrong with wanting a divorce?”

Sophie looked ready to cry.

“Is Claire upset because she didn’t win a big prize? Is she taking it out on me because I won first?”

Ethan seemed to think he finally understood. He quickly asked an employee to bring over a different gift box, then smiled to ease the tension.

“Honey, this is my fault. I forgot to give you your raffle gift.”

“I had it ready ages ago, but I got busy and forgot. Open it. Let’s see what you won.”

“As far as I know, nobody’s opened the biggest prize yet.”

I made no move to take it.

Looking embarrassed, Ethan opened the box himself.

“That’s okay. You must be tired after sitting here all evening. I’ll open it.”

Inside was a raffle ticket marked GRAND PRIZE.

The prize was a dazzling gemstone bracelet.

Ethan gave me a big hug and added,

“And the prize comes with all my love.”

The room erupted.

Everyone started gushing and flattering him.

“Mr. Hayes really spoils his wife.”

“Forget the turkey. All this sweetness is filling us up.”

Sitting beside Ethan, Sophie let out an exaggerated gasp.

“Wow, Claire! That’s an Hermès bracelet. Ethan really loves you.”

She put special emphasis on “Hermès bracelet.”

My gaze landed on the latest Hermès bag behind her.

Everyone knew that getting a coveted Hermès bag often meant buying other items first.

My bracelet was just one of the extra purchases he’d made to get her that bag.

Even his love for me was an afterthought.

I was the daughter of Richard Bennett, Westport’s financial powerhouse. Did he really think something like this would impress me?

I pushed away Ethan’s hand as he tried to put the bracelet on my wrist.

“It doesn’t suit me. I don’t want it.”

I looked at him and spared him nothing.

“Neither do you.”

The cheering died instantly.

Humiliated, Ethan snapped,

“Claire Bennett, why are you suddenly acting like such a spoiled princess?”

“I’ve already given you a way to save face. What more do you want?”

Sophie chimed in, even as her hand drifted behind her to stroke the leather of her Hermès bag.

“Claire, Ethan put so much thought into your grand prize. Everyone’s jealous of you.”

I couldn’t help sneering.

Back when Ethan had been a penniless nobody, my status as that “spoiled princess” had convinced my father to fund him. That was how he’d become the CEO of a publicly traded company.

And now he resented me for acting like a princess?

I took his accusation and ran with it.

“If you think I’m throwing a spoiled princess tantrum, I might as well go all the way.”

I called my father and spoke each word clearly.

“Dad, I’m divorcing Ethan.”

“Cut off every business relationship with his company immediately. Shut down his funding.”