Chapter 1: You Think You Can Leave Me?

Lily's POV

The champagne tower is sparkling under the crystal chandelier, violins playing something elegant and meaningless. The Ashford family's Malibu beach house is packed with Manhattan's finest. Politicians, CEOs, socialites in designer gowns that cost more than most people's cars. Ocean breeze carries the scent of salt and money.

I'm standing at the edge of the crowd, holding a glass of champagne I haven't touched. My fingers trace the rim absently, a nervous habit I've never managed to break.

The dress is perfect. Custom-fitted ivory that photographs well. My hair is swept up in an elegant chignon, every strand shellacked into place. Three hours of preparation to look effortlessly beautiful.

I adjust the skirt, smooth down invisible wrinkles. My face wears the smile I've perfected over five years of marriage. Pleasant, polite, completely hollow.

Two women drift past, their voices low but not low enough.

"Look, that's Mrs. Hunt."

"She's alone again? Where's Sebastian?"

"Probably preparing his speech. I don't know how she stands it, being ignored like that."

I pretend I don't hear them. Five years of practice makes it easy. I'm used to this. Used to attending galas alone, used to being Sebastian Hunt's trophy wife, used to being a joke in everyone's eyes.

But tonight, I tell myself, might be different. Sebastian said he had an important announcement to make. Maybe tonight he'll finally...

The lights on stage brighten, cutting off that thought. The host is introducing tonight's main sponsor. I straighten my spine instinctively, touch my hair one more time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the founder of Hunt Capital, Mr. Sebastian Hunt!"

Sebastian walks on stage from the side entrance, dark suit fitting him perfectly. His ice-blue eyes scan the crowd, landing on me for less than a second before moving on. My heart stutters.

"Thank you all for being here tonight. Hunt Capital has always been committed to supporting the arts..."

His voice is low, magnetic. The room falls silent. I'm watching him, waiting for him to say it. 'I want to thank my wife.' Like other husbands do at these events.

My palms are starting to sweat. The champagne glass feels slippery in my hand.

"On this special evening, I want to thank the woman who means the most to me."

My breath stops. Around me, women are glancing my way. Some look envious. My cheeks flush warm. Five years. Five years and this is the first time he's acknowledged me publicly.

"Vivian Chase, tonight's museum exhibition wouldn't have been possible without your brilliant curation. Please, join me on stage."

Time freezes.

A woman in a deep purple gown emerges from the crowd. She moves with confidence, grace, everything I'm not. Sebastian extends his hand to her. She takes it. He smiles. Actually smiles, the kind of warmth I've never seen directed at me.

Every head in the room swivels toward me.

"Oh my god, he actually..."

"Vivian Chase? Isn't that his college..."

"Mrs. Hunt is standing right there, this is so..."

So this is the important announcement. This.

The champagne glass is trembling in my hand. The spotlight on stage is blinding, illuminating Sebastian and Vivian standing side by side. They look perfect together, like something out of a fairy tale. Prince and princess.

And me? I'm just the discarded tool.

I turn and walk toward the restroom. My heels click sharp against marble. Each step reminds me. You're nothing but a joke, Lily Morgan.

The bathroom is empty, thank god. I grip the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection. Perfect makeup. Perfect hair. Perfect fucking facade.

I don't cry. I've learned not to cry in public bathrooms at galas. Instead, I fix my lipstick and walk back out.

Sebastian's mother intercepts me near the buffet table.

"Lily, why are you standing here alone? Where's Sebastian?"

Victoria Hunt looks at me the way she always does. Like I'm a failed investment.

"He's giving his speech."

"The speech ended half an hour ago."

Her sharp gaze travels up and down my body, assessing, judging, finding me lacking.

Then she raises her voice, loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "Lily, you've been married to Sebastian for five years. When exactly are you planning to get pregnant?"

The conversations around us stop. Everyone is staring. I feel like a butterfly pinned to a display board.

"Victoria, maybe this isn't the right place..."

"Why not? The Hunt family needs an heir. You've been married five years with nothing to show for it. Is there something wrong with you? Or is it..."

She pauses meaningfully, glancing toward where Sebastian and Vivian are talking on stage.

"Maybe we chose the wrong woman."

Something inside me snaps. Five years of swallowing insults, five years of being polite, five years of pretending. It all comes crashing down.

"Maybe we're not in love enough to have children."

The words come out cold and clear. Gasps ripple through the crowd. Victoria's face turns stone.

I set down my champagne glass and walk away.

Five years. Five years and that's the first honest thing I've said.

I don't call the driver. I don't wait for Sebastian. I slip off my heels and carry them, walking barefoot down the Malibu streets. October night air bites cold but I barely feel it. The dress drags on the pavement, collecting dust and grime.

Three blocks later, I find myself in Central Park, sitting on a bench.

The memories come flooding back whether I want them or not.

Our wedding day. Sebastian checking his watch during the vows. When the priest asked "do you take this woman," he paused for three full seconds.

First anniversary. I cooked dinner, wore the dress he liked. He texted: "Meeting running late, don't wait up." I ate alone. The food went from hot to cold to trash.

Second year. Third year. Fourth year. Same text. Same waiting. Same disappointment.

Every single gala. Him laughing with Vivian in corners while I stood with my champagne, pretending to belong.

I sit on that bench watching the New York sky darken.

Five years. I spent five years trying to make Sebastian love me. I learned all the rules of high society, wore what he wanted, said what he expected, played the perfect Mrs. Hunt at every event.

I thought if I was perfect enough, he'd eventually see me.

But tonight I finally understand. He's never looked at me. To him, I'm just a contract. A transaction. A tool to help his father's company out of bankruptcy.

And I spent five years loving a man who never loved me back.

Dawn is breaking when I stand up. The dress is wrinkled, makeup ruined, but I feel clear-headed for the first time in years.

Enough, Lily. It's time to end this.

I push open the door to our Manhattan penthouse. The crystal chandelier is still on, the enormous living room empty. Light seeps from under the study door. Sebastian hasn't slept.

I don't knock. Just push the door open.

Sebastian sits behind his desk, three computer screens showing real-time stock data. He doesn't look up. "You're back?"

"I want a divorce."

His fingers pause on the keyboard for exactly one second. Then continue typing, like I just commented on the weather. Ten seconds pass before he finally raises his head. Those ice-blue eyes show nothing.

"Noted."

"I've already contacted a lawyer. The papers will be here tomorrow."

Sebastian finally sets down his mouse. "Reason?"

"Do you need one?"

"Legal procedure does."

I laugh, bitter. "Put down 'irretrievable breakdown.' Or would you prefer honesty? 'Husband's been in love with another woman the whole time'?"

His jaw tightens. He stands, walks to the window, turning his back to me.

"Vivian and I are just friends."

"Right. Friends. That's why you call her 'the most important woman' publicly. That's why you buy her limited edition jewelry. That's why you look at her like she's something precious."

He turns around, actually looking at me for once. "Are you jealous?"

"I'm awake, Sebastian. Finally awake."

He laughs, cold and sharp. "You think you can leave me and do what? You can't even get on a stage. I saved your father's company. This house is mine. The clothes you're wearing, I paid for them. Lily, without me, you're nothing."

Each word cuts like a knife because it's true.

Six years ago, that stage accident didn't just destroy my ankle. It destroyed my career. I was the ballet company's youngest principal dancer, Giselle's lead. Then it all vanished.

My father's company was going bankrupt. Sebastian's firm offered to acquire it. On the condition that I marry him.

I thought it was love. I thought he loved me enough to help my family.

Now I know it was just business.