Gabriela Moore had never imagined that coming home from her business trip would lead her straight to discovering her husband in bed with another woman.
From the slight opening of the door, she witnessed it herself. Alexander Marsh held a slim young woman close, lying together on the bed meant for their marriage.
They were so absorbed in each other that they stayed unaware of her presence, leaving her to see everything unfold.
Gabriela remained where she was, unable to move. The chill from the marble floor spread through her body, making her tremble. For a moment, she thought about storming inside.
Her hand reached the handle, but her thoughts cleared at the last second. Instead, she stepped back, headed downstairs, and made a call.
"Prepare a divorce agreement for me," she said in an even tone.
She knew she couldn't confront Alexander just yet.
If she caused a scene now, things would only get messier. She needed evidence first if she wanted the divorce to go smoothly.
After the call, she checked into a hotel and dropped onto the bed, exhaustion weighing her down.
With her eyes shut, she started thinking about how everything between her and Alexander had come to this.
Back in college, they were inseparable. When they married, everyone talked about how the Marsh heir gave up his wild ways for her, the campus queen.
Even so, no one in his family truly supported their marriage. His parents, in particular, never hid their disapproval. They looked down on her background and believed he would eventually return to his old habits once the excitement faded.
Gabriela chose not to believe any of it. Now, she had to face what that trust had cost her.
In the end, she realized, men were all the same. Didn't matter what promises they'd made.
She had already noticed how distant Alexander became after the wedding. She kept believing her love would change him, but now she knew she had been wrong.
Emotions crashed over Gabriela in waves, and she didn't even notice the moment she fell asleep. By the time she woke the next morning, a deep exhaustion weighed heavily on her.
Still, she steadied herself, put on a composed front, and went to work.
When she reached the office, Alexander had arrived ahead of her.
She placed the divorce papers among a pile of documents and walked to his office, knocking lightly.
"Alexander, I have a few files that need your signature."
The secretary, who arrived late, didn't manage to stop her in time.
As the door stood partly open, Gabriela caught sight of the young woman pulling away from Alexander, fixing her skirt while gathering the papers scattered around.
Seeing the secretary's startled expression, Gabriela quietly shut the door and passed the documents over.
"I just remembered I left my coffee in the break room. Can you bring these in for me?"
She turned and walked away, letting out a slow breath as she fought down the wave of nausea rising in her throat.
By the time she came back with her coffee, the office looked completely ordinary again.
Still, the smear of lipstick on Alexander's collar, the pink plush toy near his desk, and the bold gaze peeking from behind the lounge door made it clear what had happened.
"So quick to return?" Alexander said as he signed the documents with ease.
"I sent you a message earlier, and I tried calling too. You didn't pick up, so I figured you were occupied," Gabriela answered while passing the documents over.
Alexander paused briefly, then leaned back and gave her a relaxed smile. "You rarely go abroad. Haven't you always wanted to visit that country? You could've stayed longer and enjoyed it. After all, it's my family's money."
A cold smile tugged at Gabriela's lips. It wasn't the first time Alexander had looked down on her, using the fact that her family's company depended on his as a reason to diminish her.
"It didn't live up to what I expected. Some things just lose their appeal once they're within reach."
Alexander's brows drew together as he looked at her more closely. Something about her felt off after this trip. Just as he was about to question it, his phone vibrated and cut him off.
After glancing at the message, he signed the papers quickly without checking them. "Remember the family dinner the day after tomorrow. Mom enjoys your seafood chowder, so make it ahead of time."
He slid the documents back to her with a faint smirk. "Try harder this time. Cooking's the only thing you do well."
Gabriela looked at him in silence as he spoke to her so casually, without any concern for how his words sounded.
He understood exactly how much work that dish required. From picking out fresh seafood to cleaning it carefully and adjusting the heat step by step, every part demanded effort.
That meal was the only reason she managed to gain a place in his family.
Alexander had often said that if it weren't for his love for her, someone like her wouldn't even have the chance to marry into his family.
Back then, love had kept her from speaking up, no matter how tired she became.
Now, after his betrayal, everything she had given felt meaningless.
She took the documents in one hand, avoided his gaze, gave no response, and started toward the door.
Without warning, Alexander reached out and grabbed her waist. "Ella, now that you're back, we could..."
Remembering what he had done in the office, Gabriela pulled away in disgust the instant he touched her.
She kept her voice steady. "I still have work."
His face darkened. "Don't act like this. I don't have time for your attitude."
"The company comes first. I can't delay anything," Gabriela replied in a calm, formal tone before walking out.
Left alone, Alexander stared after her, his jaw tightening in irritation.
The fact that she had insisted on staying untouched before marriage had always bothered him. Since they were now married, he intended to tear down that restraint and make her yield to him completely one day.
Once she stepped out of the office, Gabriela went over her tasks with her coworkers, ensured everything was settled, and then headed down to the underground parking area.
There, she unexpectedly spotted Alexander's car parked beside hers, and the movement inside drew her attention.
Curiosity made her glance through the window, only to find the two people inside tangled together in an intimate act.
Without a second thought, she took out her phone and snapped a photo of their shameless closeness.
Now that she had proof of his betrayal, she saw no reason to remain. She got into her car and drove off without looking back.
The passing headlights caught Alexander's attention, prompting him to glance outside as the vehicle pulled away. It seemed strangely familiar to him.
Could that have been Gabriela's car?
A chill spread through him at the thought.
He couldn't tell if it truly belonged to Gabriela or if she had already seen everything.
"Alex..." The woman in his arms lifted her head, confusion in her voice. "What's wrong?"
Alexander's mood faded almost instantly. "That's enough for today."
He rushed back home, only to find Gabriela already in the bedroom. She rested against the headboard, calm, with a facial mask covering her face.
Watching her closely, he searched for any sign that she knew the truth.
Before, Gabriela would always wait for him downstairs, no matter how late it was. Today, her behavior felt off, and it unsettled him.
He moved closer and reached for her, intending to pull her into his arms, but she immediately pulled away.
"Ella?" A deep crease formed between Alexander's brows. "What's wrong?"
Not wanting to expose herself, Gabriela answered at once, "I didn't want the serum from the mask dripping onto you."
Alexander had always been particular about cleanliness, especially when it came to anything sticky or unpleasant.
Just as she expected, he instinctively moved back and kept a gap between them.
Even so, doubt lingered, and he continued, "After you left, I remembered there was a problem with one of your projects. I had someone look for you, but you weren't around. Did you head home early?"
His eyes stayed on her, watching closely for any change in her expression.
Sensing what he was trying to confirm, Gabriela stayed calm and scrolled through her phone. "I was exhausted from the trip. I only wanted to come home and get some rest."
From the corner of her vision, she noticed the tension leave him, and she almost found his reaction amusing.
They exchanged a few casual words, and once she removed her mask and washed her face, he moved behind her and pulled her into his arms.
"Ella, we're already married," he said softly as his lips brushed against her neck, his touch light.
A wave of disgust rose in her, and she shoved him away. Seeing his puzzled and slightly annoyed look, she quickly came up with an excuse. "It's my period... I don't feel well."
Without waiting for him to respond, she picked up her pillow and blanket and walked toward the guest room.
"What is it? Are you..."
Alexander had just begun to frown and open his mouth to question her when his phone suddenly rang, interrupting him.
The caller's name "Babe" lit up on the screen, and Gabriela's eyes locked onto it as she waited for his reaction.
As expected, he didn't hesitate. Even with her watching, he answered right away.
He lowered the volume and stepped out, while a trace of mockery surfaced in Gabriela's gaze.
Standing by the doorway, she watched him in the hall as his expression softened into something gentle.
She recognized that look. It was the same one he used when he pursued her, though it had disappeared after their marriage.
A soft, teasing voice came through the phone. "I miss you. Can you come stay with me?"
Alexander glanced toward the guest room with hesitation, but he still agreed in the end.
When he returned after the call, Gabriela had already lain down, pretending to be asleep.
He tightened his lips, then turned around and left in silence.
As soon as the door closed, she sat up. Looking out the window, she caught the light flashing from the garage.
Moments later, Alexander sped off in his newest car, disappearing in an instant.
With his taillights fading into the distance, Gabriela began packing her belongings.
Inside the walk-in closet, she looked over the luxury pieces Alexander had given her, from their early relationship to their married life.
One by one, she took photos and sent them to a secondhand luxury dealer. The quoted amount was enough to secure a small apartment downtown.
She couldn't deny it. No matter how despicable he was, Alexander had been quite generous while they were dating.
With that money, she wouldn't struggle even after the divorce.
After finishing her packing, Gabriela called her best friend, Lindsay Reynolds.
"Are you free tonight? I'll take you out to The Ritz."
Lindsay checked the number again, disbelief filling her voice. "Wait, you? The perfect wife asking me out for drinks? Is this actually you, or did someone grab your phone to mess with me? Or is this some kind of scam?"
Unfazed by Lindsay's reaction, Gabriela spoke evenly. "Are you coming or not?"
"Of course I am!" Lindsay answered right away. "Ever since you got together with Alexander, you've been impossible to find. It's been ages since we spent time together."
Lindsay's words stirred something in Gabriela, a quiet mix of feelings she couldn't ignore.
For Alexander, she had let go of so many things.
Gabriela had just reached the entrance of The Ritz when Lindsay rushed over and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"You're paying tonight, right? Then I'll eat and drink as much as I want tonight."
The familiar warmth of that embrace brought back memories of their school days, when everything felt simple and carefree.
A small smile appeared as Gabriela hugged her back.
"Hey, what's going on with you?" Lindsay asked, picking up on her mood.
Gabriela avoided answering, brushing it off, but everything shifted the moment Lindsay noticed someone nearby.
In the distance, Alexander stood with his arm around a young woman who looked barely past her twenties.
"Ella, that's Alexander, right? I'm not imagining things?"
Lindsay blinked in disbelief, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her.
Following where Lindsay pointed, Gabriela's eyes settled on her husband.
A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.
There was no need for Lindsay to ask further. The look on Gabriela's face already gave her the answer.
Anger surged through Lindsay, and her hands curled into fists. "They're really shameless! If I don't make them pay tonight, I'll regret it!"
As Lindsay's anger neared its breaking point, Gabriela quickly stopped her. "It's not worth your time."
Lindsay took that calmness the wrong way and frowned.
"Ella, wake up! He's out here showing off his affair, and you're just going to ignore it?"
Seeing how worked up Lindsay was, Gabriela felt a quiet warmth, though her expression stayed composed. She shook her head. "I've made up my mind to divorce him. Let's not allow people who don't matter to spoil our evening."
The word "divorce" left Lindsay stunned for a moment. Then excitement quickly replaced it.
"That's exactly what you should do! I've never thought he deserved you anyway. Back in school, you had so many guys chasing you. If he can't value you, someone else will. I'll set up a gathering and invite all those guys. Let's make him regret everything!"
"Once the divorce is done, he won't have anything to do with me anymore," Gabriela replied, her voice turning cold as she shut down the topic.
Lindsay changed the topic right away and slipped her arm through Gabriela's with a warm smile.
"Forget him. Tonight, we're drinking until we can't stand. I'm not as strong as before, but I can still keep up!"
Gabriela let out a soft laugh at her confidence. Yet after just two drinks, Lindsay was already slumped over the table.
"I'm not finished... Just wait..." Lindsay muttered, still trying to continue.
Seeing Lindsay refuse to admit defeat even in that state, Gabriela sighed.
She called over the bartender, "Can you keep an eye on my friend? I'll be back after I use the restroom."
Inside, Gabriela had just finished drying her hands when a frightened voice reached her.
"Please let me go! I have a boyfriend..."
Instead of backing off, the men laughed and pressed closer, their behavior becoming more aggressive.
A frown formed on Gabriela's face as she stepped forward. Her voice came out firm and cold.
"This is a place for fun, not trouble. Touch her again, and I'll call the police."
Taking the chance, the young woman rushed over and hid behind Gabriela.
The moment she got a clear look at Gabriela, surprise flashed across her face. "It's you?"
It was only at that moment that Gabriela recognized the woman she had helped. She was Alexander's mistress.
"Hurry, go get—"
Before Gabriela could finish calling for security, someone shoved her aside, and the young woman's frantic voice rang out.
"You're looking for a woman, right? Take her instead!"
The sudden betrayal stunned Gabriela. She stared in disbelief at how quickly the woman turned on her, even after being helped.
The young woman barely made it a few steps before one of the men grabbed her again.
"You're so ungrateful. She helped you out of kindness, and this is how you thank her?" He spoke lightly, almost teasing, while his eyes stayed on Gabriela, studying her from head to toe.
"What a beauty."
Her clear skin, long legs, and striking features made her stand out instantly.
Drawn in by her appearance, the man stepped closer without hesitation.
"Hey, gorgeous. How about we get along? Say yes, and I'll deal with her for you. Sounds fair?"
His eyes flickered with intent as his hand reached toward her shoulder.
"Alright," Gabriela replied, a faint smile forming, though it carried no warmth. She caught his wrist, leaned forward, and flipped him onto the floor in one smooth motion.
Without wasting time, she picked up a bottle and smashed it against the wall. The sharp sound cut through the air.
Holding the broken glass toward them, her gaze turned cold and dangerous. "Anyone else want to try?"
Her sudden move shocked them, and none of the men dared step forward. Eventually, they scattered.
At the same time, Alexander started to feel uneasy. He stood up and began looking for his mistress, and the disturbance nearby drew his attention. When he arrived, he saw everything that had just happened.
"Alex, I'm so scared!" As soon as the young woman saw him, she pulled away from the man gripping her and rushed into his arms, tears pouring down her face.
"What happened?" Concern filled Alexander's expression as he gently wiped away her tears.
With a hesitant glance toward Gabriela, the young woman, Kylie Palmer, spoke in a small voice. "She wasn't the one behind this..."
Instead of reassuring him, that explanation only deepened Alexander's suspicion.
"Ella, why are you here?" he asked, disbelief clear in his tone.
In his mind, Gabriela never stepped into places like this, so there could only be one reason. She must have followed him.
Everything suddenly made sense to him. He assumed she had found out about his affair and arranged for these men to trap her.
Any trace of guilt he once felt disappeared, replaced by a look of clear disapproval.
"When did you become this cruel? She's an innocent woman. She isn't a threat to you. You're going too far."
Hearing his accusations, Gabriela found the situation absurd, almost laughable. "Do you even hear what you're saying?"
How could he still act so self-righteous after being caught cheating?
Alexander's expression stayed firm. "I understand you're jealous, but..."
Before he could continue, Gabriela grabbed a nearby bottle and poured its contents over his head.
"Have you lost your mind?" Soaked through his expensive suit, Alexander stared at her in shock.
Without a hint of emotion, Gabriela smashed the bottle near his feet and turned away as if he no longer existed.
A sharp cry slipped out as glass scattered across the floor. Kylie clutched his arm tightly and hid behind him.
"Are you okay?" Alexander immediately pulled her closer, his voice full of concern.
When he looked back at Gabriela, anger burned in his eyes. He seized her wrist with force. "Gabriela, stop right there and apologize to Kylie."
Gabriela's eyes dropped to his hand, where the veins stood out from his tight grip, before she met his gaze again in silence.
"You almost hurt her. It's just saying sorry. Why make it difficult?"
To him, it was nothing serious.
All it took was a few words, yet Gabriela had no intention of giving them.
A chill filled Gabriela's gaze, sharp enough to make Alexander hesitate, and his grip loosened without him realizing it.
As soon as he felt her slip free, his expression shifted, anger and embarrassment flashing across his face.
"Don't push it!" he snapped, reaching out for her again.
Disgust showed on her face as she moved back to avoid him. Her foot came down on broken glass, and she lost her balance, falling backward.
Fragments covered the floor, and Kylie secretly wished Gabriela would land face-first and be left with scars.
"Ella..." Caught off guard, Alexander lunged forward, trying to grab her, but he couldn't reach her in time.
Gabriela shut her eyes, bracing herself for the impact that never came.
Instead, a faint woody scent surrounded her, and when she opened her eyes, a stranger was right in front of her.
"Are you okay?" His voice was low and steady, carrying a cold edge.
Something about that voice stirred a sense of familiarity, and her heart quickened, though she couldn't place it.
"Who are you? Let her go!"
Seeing the man's arm around her waist, Alexander rushed over, anger burning in his eyes.
Even as his wife, Gabriela had pulled away from his touch. How could he stand seeing another man lay a hand on her?
Before Alexander could get close, a strong force shoved him aside.
"Should I call the police?" The man gave Alexander a brief glance before focusing on Gabriela, his tone calm yet firm.
A surge of resentment rose in Alexander toward the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.
"I'm her husband! This is our matter. Stay out of it!"
"Oh?" The man lifted a brow, a faint smirk forming. "Your wife is injured, and you didn't even notice. That doesn't look like concern to me."
It was only then that Alexander noticed the blood trickling from Gabriela's right hand, and panic hit him at once.
The man let out a mocking laugh. "Someone this careless shouldn't be anywhere near you. Imagine living with him and getting hurt, and he wouldn't even realize."
"Enough!" Embarrassment and anger flared in Alexander as he snapped, then turned back to Gabriela with a strained expression.
"Ella, I got worked up earlier. Let me see your hand."
Gabriela met his concern with a faint, ironic look.
"Save it for your mistress," she said coldly, refusing to even look at him again.
She turned to the man beside her. "Thank you."
When she lifted her gaze, she found herself caught in his deep eyes, as if they were pulling her in.
Asher Lewis studied her quietly. Her smooth skin and tear-filled eyes stirred a trace of sympathy in him.
She was striking, yet she had chosen someone like Alexander. It was a waste.
"No need to thank me. But you really should get your eyes checked—your judgment when it comes to men is seriously flawed."
With that remark, he turned and walked away, a flamboyant companion trailing behind him.
"Asher, your tongue's still as sharp as ever!"
......
As the voices grew distant, Gabriela looked away, then walked away, leaving Alexander and his scheming mistress behind.
"Ella, it's all a misunderstanding..." Alexander tried to follow her, eager to explain, but Kylie grabbed onto him.
"Alex, I'm really afraid..." Kylie's trembling voice made Alexander pause, leaving him conflicted as he watched Gabriela disappear.
With the help of a hired driver, Gabriela managed to bring the completely drunk Lindsay home.
"Thank you, sir. Keep the change."
The driver accepted the cash with a grin and drove off.
Back in the bedroom, Gabriela looked at Lindsay lying there unconscious and let out a tired sigh before helping her remove her makeup and clean her face.
By the time everything was done, and Gabriela finished her shower, it was already past midnight. She climbed into bed, and the alcohol pulled her into sleep almost immediately.
Morning came, and when she checked her phone, she saw it filled with missed calls from Alexander.
