Chapter 1
Preston Hawley and Selene Sutton were infamous for being sworn enemies.
For 25 years, they tormented each other, each holding onto the other’s secrets like ammunition.
Preston always assumed Selene would eventually be like all the other women–go crazy over him.
But no, she did the exact opposite of whatever he wanted.
When Preston confessed his feelings, Selene made a scene. On his birthday, she sent 999 pigs rampaging through his party venue. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
Preston once boasted that he’d rather marry a dog than marry Selene.
She didn’t even blink. Just scoffed and said, “Even a dog wouldn’t put up with your ten–second stamina.”
When they both reached the age where everyone expected them to settle down, Selene suddenly changed her tune–she demanded they get married.
Preston’s lips curled into a lazy, mocking smile, his eyes glinting with derision.
“Thought you could hold out forever, huh?”
On their wedding day, the main screen at the venue played an endless loop of Selene’s most embarrassing photos from the past 25 years.
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Selene stared at the screen for a moment, then calmly played a video of Preston bawling his eyes out after failing to win over the prom queen.
Preston scoffed, his gaze cold as he looked at Selene as if warning her.
Selene didn’t care. She stubbornly went through every step of the ceremony.
That very night, Preston didn’t come home. Instead, he sent her a provocative photo of himself with two women, arms draped around them, along with a message.
“From now on, good luck keeping up.”
Selene thought it was just Preston acting out on their wedding night. She never imagined it would become just one of countless nightmares.
A year into their marriage, Preston was never home. Selene could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen him all year.
Three years in, Selene received Preston’s 99th explicit photo.
She stared at the image on her phone, a strange weariness creeping into her heart.
Returning home one day, she pushed open the door to find chaos and depravity inside.
She simply turned her head, ignoring the entire scene.
Preston’s eyes flashed with contempt as he tossed a used condom at her feet, daring her to react.
After another round of debauchery inside, the air was thick with sickly
sweetness.
Selene’s voice was calm as if nothing had happened.
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“Preston, why don’t we just get a divorce?”
Preston’s eyes widened slightly, studying her up and down.
His lips curled into a lazy smirk. “Selene, knowing when to quit is smart, but do you really think I don’t know what you’re up to?”
Selene looked up, exhaustion flickering in her eyes as a sharp pain stabbed her chest.
Without missing a beat, she shot back, “Preston, you’re not all that. Don’t flatter yourself.”
Preston just shrugged, making no effort to hide the red marks on his chest or the bulge under the sheets.
He eyed Selene sideways, her expression deadly serious.
But he wasn’t fooled by her performance. He just kept pushing her buttons.
“Selene, you’re not hoping I’ll come crawling back after the divorce, are you? Trust me, there’s no shortage of women dying to be Mrs. Hawley.”
Smoke from Preston’s cigarette drifted lazily toward the ceiling, caught by the breeze and whisked away.
Selene flipped him off, sneering, “Don’t worry. Once we’re divorced, you’ll never see me again.”
Her tone was firm, her attitude resolute. For the first time, Preston faltered, frowning as he asked, “You didn’t go running to my parents, did you? Trying to get them on your side?”
Thinking of this, Preston’s expression relaxed, almost amused.
“Of course, this must be Selene’s purpose. Just another game,” he thought
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to himself.
He almost laughed, about to call her out, when Selene said lightly, “Have you ever seen me at your parents‘ house these past years? Relax, Preston. If you want a divorce, there are conditions.”
Preston’s fingers curled, lips tilting in a lazy grin.
So this is what she was after.
Given Selene’s usual stubbornness, her conditions were probably impossible.
But as long as it meant getting divorced, he’d reach for the stars if he had
- to.
“Fine. Sign the divorce papers, and I’ll agree to whatever you want.”
Selene nodded calmly, signed her name, and turned to leave.
Preston’s worries weren’t unfounded, but this time, she really was leaving.
With heart failure, she only had 15 days left.
Those conditions were her last chance at survival.
If Preston fulfilled them, she could start over–at the cost of never loving Preston again.
Selene underwent treatment at the hospital. But it wasn’t really treatment; it was just buying time.
Her days were numbered.
It didn’t take long for word of Preston’s impending divorce to spread through their circle.
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Chapter 1
Preston even threw a three–day party to celebrate.
When the invitation arrived, Selene was chatting with friends.
“Selene, are you seriously going through with the divorce?”
Selene dabbed a heavy foundation on her face, giving a bitter laugh. “He
will.”
He couldn’t wait to wash his hands of her.
At the party, Preston was front and center, making out with a college girl.
Selene watched, expressionless, and realized Preston hadn’t switched partners in a while.
The girl’s months.
name was Mira Solen. She’d been with Preston for seven
When Selene appeared, the room buzzed with excitement, all eyes on
them.
“Ms. Sutton, are you really divorcing Preston? You lasted three years. Was it really like Preston said–you just couldn’t handle all the women around him?”
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Preston frowned slightly, gently squeezing Mira’s hand as he said, “What are you talking about? There’s no one else. From now on, I only love Mira. As for her, maybe I’ll talk to her when I’m in the mood.”
Mira curled up in Preston’s arms, peering at Selene with thinly veiled malice.
“Ms. Sutton, everyone knows you and Mr. Hawley were bitter rivals. Why did you suddenly force him to marry you? Were you just pretending to be
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virtuous, hoping Mr. Hawley would see you differently?”
Preston’s eyes lit up, a smile playing on his lips.
But he held it back, saying nothing–just watching the show.
Selene met Mira’s gaze, her voice cool and concise, “I’ve wasted enough
time on him. I’m not wasting another minute of my life.”
