Chapter 1

When I was 16, my father saved Mr. Malcolm Monroe’s life.

In return, I became engaged to the Monroe family as their daughter-in-law.

By 21, I had transformed into a lady, admired in high society.

At 22, I married Elijah Monroe.

At 26, I gave birth to our first child.

He, like Elijah, never liked me.

I worked hard to play the perfect daughter-in-law in the Monroe family.

One day, Elijah asked what I wanted for my birthday.

I handed him the divorce papers. "Elijah, I want a divorce."

Elijah gave me a cold look. "Serena, stop being ridiculous."

Even Gavin, our son, chimed in, “Mom, stop wasting everyone’s time.”

I signed my name and looked at Elijah again. "Elijah, I want a divorce."

“Why?”

Elijah’s voice was as cold and distant as ever.

I sat down, took a deep breath, and said, "There’s nothing to explain. It’s just pointless."

The diamond bracelet on my wrist, a gift from Elijah for my 30th birthday, sparkled faintly under the light.

To everyone else, Elijah was a perfect husband, always attentive in public, but only I knew how cold his heart truly was.

“Mom, it’s almost midnight. Stop wasting everyone’s time,” Gavin called down impatiently from the stairs.

I looked at the child I had nearly died giving birth to, still wearing the same patient expression I always wore around him.

“You’ll stay with the Monroe family. You won’t need my support. I have nothing to give you; I’m an orphan. Consider my absence from your life my final gift to you.”

Gavin, mature for his age, understood what I meant.

Turning back to Elijah, I said, “I’m not greedy. I don’t understand much about property or wealth. I only want the house you transferred to my name recently. I like it. Everything else belongs to the Monroes. I won’t take a thing.”

I removed the diamond bracelet from my wrist. “This was meant for your wife, but I don’t think I ever truly was your wife. And I’ve never liked the title Mrs. Monroe. You should have it back.”

I took off each piece of jewelry and placed them on the table, one by one.

Elijah remained silent, watching me quietly from across the table.

Finally, he spoke, “Serena, are you just trying to get my attention?”

“Isn’t being Mrs. Monroe enough for you? No matter what you do, in my heart, you’ll never matter.”

“Let’s go to court and finalize the divorce. The sooner, the better. We don’t have to wait a month. Sign the papers quickly—I’m in a bit of a hurry.”