When I found out my husband had gone to celebrate another woman's birthday again, I was so devastated that I was ready to jump to my death.

Just as I looked up, countless messages appeared in the air like a live-stream chat.

"Don't do it! That guy will grovel at your feet in the future!"

"If you die now, you'll miss the moment he begs for your forgiveness!"

"If you don't believe us, wait two minutes. Your husband will text you, asking you to prepare a bath for him before he comes home!"

Skeptical yet curious, I waited. Sure enough, two minutes later, a message from my husband—Carter Reed—appeared on my phone.

I now believed that these mysterious messages were really trying to help me save my marriage.

So I followed their advice, using makeup to create a hickey on my neck. Then, I waited to welcome Carter home.

***

When I heard the door unlocking, I took a deep breath and opened it.

Carter stood there, holding the drunken Matilda Sterling in his arms. The smell of perfume and alcohol clung to him.

His brows furrowed as he prepared to explain.

"She had too much to drink, so I—"

"I've got something to do tonight." I cut off the excuse he'd prepared in a gentle tone.

He froze.

I stepped aside, flashing a polite smile. "Go put her in the guest room. After your shower, just go to bed without me. Don't worry about the cleaning. The help will come tomorrow."

My thoughtful speech left him standing there in utter disbelief.

When he finally recovered, his gaze sharpened. For the first time, he looked at me as if seeing a stranger. The silky black slip dress outlined the curves I'd hidden for so long, and on my neck... was that striking red mark.

His face darkened instantly.

"What's that on your neck?!" His voice trembled with anger, something I hadn't heard in a long time.

Instinctively, I raised my hand to cover it, eyes dodging his as I feigned panic. "Nothing... probably just a mosquito bite."

Without another glance at his face, I picked up my handbag from the sofa, slipped on my heels, and walked past him.

"Where are you going?!" His voice sounded behind me, thick with suppressed fury.

I didn't look back, leaving him only the sight of my back as I stepped out.

Outside, the night breeze hit me, cool and biting. I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding.

"Guys... did I do the right thing?"

Instantly, a bunch of bullet comments appeared before me again.

"Yes! Absolutely right! You slay, girl!"

"Did you see the shocked look on that asshole's face? Man, that was so satisfying!"

"You've spoiled him for too long! So he thought you could never live without him!"

"Remember, good girls get nothing but a reputation, and bad girls get everything."

Thinking of Carter's furious, bewildered expression, I realized it was the first time in years he actually cared.

And I was more convinced than ever that the comments were right.

"If you're acting, go all in! Hit the nightclub! Make him unable to find you!"

A nightclub? I'd always been shy. I barely even raised my voice.

But the comments felt like countless invisible hands pushing me forward.

Deafening music. Flashing lights. Bodies twisting on the dance floor...

I sat stiffly in a corner, clutching a drink I hadn't touched.

"Don't be scared, Ellie! You're gorgeous! Own it!"

"Move with the rhythm! Set yourself free!"

Under the encouragement of those comments and the intoxicating atmosphere, I somehow found myself on the dance floor. My movements were awkward at first, but soon, I was lost in the rhythm. I realized, for the first time, how liberating dancing could be.

After having enough fun, I returned to my booth and picked up my muted phone.

Across the screen flashed one notification—27 missed calls.

All from Carter.

The same husband who had ignored me for an entire year... had just called me twenty-seven times?!

After all, I used to be the one desperately calling him, trying to find out where he was.

"Ignore him! Leave him hanging! Let him taste what it feels like when someone disappears on him!"

Obediently, I slipped my phone back into my purse, though the corners of my lips couldn't help curling upward.

"Carter, it's not that I don't want to come home. It's just... I want you to fall in love with me all over again," I made up my mind.

"You'll understand, won't you?"

I spent the entire night out, drinking and dancing until dawn.

By the time I returned home, exhaustion and a hangover clung to me.

The living room lights were still on. Carter sat on the sofa, eyes bloodshot, the ashtray by his feet overflowing with cigarette butts.

The moment he saw me, he sprang to his feet and grabbed my wrist, his voice hoarse. "Where have you been?!"

I could smell Matilda's perfume still lingering on him.

When I didn't answer, disbelief filled his face. "You're not like this! You've never stayed out all night!"

I lifted my eyes and blinked innocently.

"So what if I did?

"Carter, we're adults. Don't adults have their own lives?"

He was struck silent. For the first time, his eyes flickered with unfamiliar unease and a trace of fear.

"Isn't that what you always said to me?" I tilted my head and smiled sweetly, as if puzzled. "You said you were busy. You said you had social events. You said... adults need their own space."

Every single word he once used to brush me off was now used against him.

In truth, my heart was pounding and my palms were sweating.

"Stay calm! Don't break character! Right now, you're Queen Eleanor!"

"Yes! Use his own spell against him! So satisfying!"

The bullet comments gave me infinite confidence.

Just then, the master bedroom door clicked open.

Matilda stepped out, wearing one of my silk robes, rubbing her sleepy eyes. The robe was my favorite one.

Once, that sight alone would have made me lose control and scratch her face.

"She's here! High drama incoming! Remember! Whoever loses their temper first, loses the war!"

I drew a deep breath. Calm should be my greatest weapon.

When Matilda saw me, she feigned surprise, covering her mouth with delicate fingers. "Oh my, you're back, Ellie? I'm so sorry, I drank too much last night. Carter was worried I'd ruin my clothes, so he... grabbed one of your robes for me. You don't mind, do you?"

Carter's face turned stiff. "Her clothes were dirty. I just took one randomly."

"Mind?" I chuckled lightly, walking straight up to her. My tone carried gentle reproach, but it was aimed at Carter. "How could you give her one of my old robes? That's so careless of you."

I took Matilda's hand affectionately and led her toward the walk-in closet. Under their shocked gazes, I pulled out a brand-new silky robe and placed it in her hands.

"This one's new. The color suits your skin. Go change into it. It'll look beautiful on you."

"Oh damn! Queen behavior! She just killed her with kindness! Deadly move!"

"Matilda's face just turned dark. She thought she was taunting, but our queen just made her look like a beggar!"

Ignoring their stunned expressions, I turned and went back to my room. After changing into a sleek outfit, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. Passing through the living room, I reached into the entryway safe and took out a velvet box.

"Where are you going?! And what's that in your hand?!"

Carter finally came to his senses and grabbed my wrist.

I immediately shook off his hand and opened the box. Inside lay a dazzling sapphire jewelry set, sparkling under the light.

"Oh, this?" I lifted it up, my tone affectionate yet slightly teasing. "You remember it, right? The Mermaid's Tears, the one you spent 800,000 dollars on the year we got married. The same set you once meant to give Matilda, but didn't."

Carter's pupils shrank sharply.

I turned to Matilda with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Matilda. It's not that I'm being stingy. It's just that Mrs. Blackwood has had her eyes on this set. Her husband is Alexander Blackwood from the Blackwood Group, who's kinda interested in partnering with the Reed Group. I'm meeting her for afternoon tea today and plan to gift it to her as a gesture, to discuss the collaboration."

"You're insane!" Carter's voice trembled, disbelief etched on his face. "Do you even remember how much you treasured that set? You wouldn't even let me touch it back then!"

"I've come to see things differently." I looked him in the eye, calm and sincere. "It's just a set of jewelry. I can't take it to the grave anyway, so why not let it serve a greater purpose?"

With a faint smile, I closed the box and patted his shoulder. "You two stay home and rest. I'll be going now."

Then, I turned and walked out without looking back.

Once inside the car, as the door shut, I clutched the velvet box to my chest. A sharp ache pulsed in my heart.

After all, it had once been the most precious proof that I was loved.

To say I wasn't reluctant would be a lie.

"Don't be sad! You've got to sacrifice something to catch a bigger prize!"

"That Blackwood project could bring the Reed Group at least 80 million in profit! As a shareholder, you'll be cashing in big-time!"

"That's the spirit! You turned a tainted gift into business leverage and wealth, and most importantly, he'll start seeing you in a whole new light!"

I stared at the messages, took a deep breath, and nodded firmly.

They were right.

It was time to think bigger. Sacrificing a mere possession for career and power. It was all worth it.

When I presented the Mermaid's Tears to Krista Blackwood, I clearly saw delight in her eyes. As expected, the partnership between the Blackwood Group and the Reed Group was finalized quickly, and I was personally appointed by Alexander as the project manager.

In the days that followed, I barely had a moment to breathe.

I threw myself into the professional world I'd been away from for three years, absorbing everything like a sponge. Meetings, reports, social events... My schedule was totally full.

"Go, queen! Let him see how irresistible you are when you're focused on your career!"

"Exactly! Forget about him! Men only slow you down!"

The comments were my strongest backup. I could feel Carter's gaze lingering on me constantly, curious and threaded with a complicated emotion I couldn't quite read.

But I had no time to respond.

First, the comments forbade it. Second, I was really busy.

On the night of the celebration banquet, as project lead, I attended it with Carter.

I changed into an elegant gown that hugged my curves. When I stepped out, Carter was leaning against the wall, waiting for me. The moment he saw me, his breath visibly caught. He clearly admired me.

I was content, but my face remained icy as I asked coolly, "Shall we go?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. Wordlessly, he stepped forward and opened the door for me.

Just as we were about to leave, a sweet voice piped up nearby.

"Where are you two off to?"

Matilda popped up from nowhere, holding a deep purple juice. She stumbled and lunged straight toward me.

The cold liquid splashed all over my dress, instantly blooming into glaring stains.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Ellie!" Matilda immediately screamed in panic. Tears came on cue. "I didn't mean to... my foot slipped... What can we do? Tonight's banquet is so important. You need a dress. You can't leave Carter to go alone..."

With every apology, she was actually veiling an implication.

Carter was stunned at first and then looked at my ruined dress with a flicker of hesitation. He fell silent for a few seconds and then said, "Eleanor... maybe you should go home and change. There's not enough time. I'll take Matilda to the event, OK?"

"Don't agree! Absolutely not!"

"Scumbag! He actually said it out loud! Can't he see her trick by now?!"

"Ellie, if you comply, you'll ruin everything! He'll immediately reduce you back to that pathetic thing he bosses around!"

I looked up at Carter's hesitant, entitled face and, without the slightest hesitation, slapped him.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the hall.

Carter's head turned from the blow. He stared at me in disbelief.

"She's young and naive, but you?" I said coldly.

Then I turned to Matilda, who was still performing, hands over her mouth, eyes glittering with triumph.

I then slapped her twice, sending her reeling to the floor.

"Falling on flat ground. Quite an act," I said coldly, exposing her clumsy performance. "Next time you try to set someone up, remember to hide the look in your eyes."

"Yes! My queen! That slap was perfect!"

"Hit her harder! That's what she deserves!"

Ignoring their shock, I bent down, picked up the half-empty bottle of juice from the floor, and walked toward Carter.

Under his horrified gaze, I twisted off the cap and slowly poured the remaining purple liquid over his head.

The cold juice dripped down his expensive, tailored suit, soaking it through.

I tossed the empty bottle into the trash can and turned to the stunned staff nearby. "Find me another dress. You've got five minutes."

After changing into a new gown, I didn't spare either of them another glance. I walked straight to the elevator and headed to the celebration banquet.

When I took the stage as the representative of the Reed Group, I caught sight of a figure at the door from the corner of my eye.

It was Carter.

He had changed into a backup suit in a hurry, but his hair was still damp and his tie slightly crooked.

For a moment, I was reminded of our early days, when he wore faded shirts yet his eyes burned with ambition. Then I thought of later years, when I had returned to family life while his nights were filled with the scent of alcohol and unfamiliar perfume, until another woman proudly stood at his side.

I still didn't understand. Must success always come with betrayal?

Yet standing under the spotlight now, watching him arrive late and subdued, I suddenly felt that he seemed... different. The confidence and drive he once had seemed to have been lost.

I pushed the thought aside and finished my speech flawlessly.

As thunderous applause filled the hall, I stepped down from the stage. Carter tried to approach, but I stopped him with a single look.

"Ignore him! Let him feel the cost of siding with that bitch!"

"Yes! Make him panic. Let him know you don't need him anymore!"

Holding a glass of champagne, I glided effortlessly among the guests. Carter, like an abandoned dog, tried several times to come near, only for me to block him smoothly with polite laughter and casual conversation with others.

As the party drew to a close, he finally cornered me on the terrace.

"Eleanor," he called out, his voice hoarse, "I sent Matilda away. I scolded her and took back the card I gave her as punishment."

He watched my expression carefully before adding, "Today... it was lucky you were there. Otherwise, things could've gone wrong."

I frowned. "Lucky I was there?"

Stepping forward, I stared him down. "Carter Reed, have you ever thought about what would've happened if I hadn't been here today? Who could have explained the project details, the procedures, and the follow-up plans? You? Or that Matilda girl who can do nothing but cry?

"You almost ruined the entire project for the sake of your so-called personal feelings!"

He stood there speechless, face drained of color. Finally, he muttered, "I'm sorry."

Lowering his gaze, his eyes lingered on me. In a soft voice, he said, "This dress... suits you. You look beautiful."

A pang shot through my heart.

I remembered the countless nights when he had criticized me for trying too hard on my outfits. He said that I could never compare to Matilda's beauty without makeup. He said that my jewelry made me look shallow, while Matilda's plain white shirt made her look pure.

I almost asked him if I looked as good as Matilda now.

But at the last second, I found it ridiculous. Why even ask?

"Exactly! You don't need his validation to be beautiful!"

"Yes, queen! You shine on your own!"

Just then, Krista approached with a cheerful smile, holding a glass of wine. "Eleanor, there you are! We're having a little get-together later, just us ladies. Come join us and relax a bit?"