Two years of marriage left Brinley questioning everything, her supposed happiness revealed as nothing but sham. Abandoning her past for Colin, she discovered only betrayal and a counterfeit wedding. Accepting his heart would stay frozen, she called her estranged father, agreeing to the match he proposed. Laughter followed her, with whispers of Colin's power to toss her aside. Yet, she reinvented herself-legendary racer, casino mastermind, and acclaimed designer. When Colin tried to reclaim her, another man pulled Brinley close. "She's already carrying my child. You can't move on?"
Brinley Shaw set her resignation letter on the HR manager's desk, her fingertips smoothing the edge of the paper as though ensuring not a single fold or wrinkle remained.
The manager parted his lips, a resigned sigh escaping before he spoke. "It's such a pity to see you leaving, Brinley. Are you absolutely certain about this?"
"Yeah," Brinley said with a soft smile, her eyes curving like crescents. "I'd like to spend more time with my family."
Stepping out of the company building, she was met by a flood of sunlight.
She squinted against the glare and pulled a pair of sunglasses from her bag, slipping them on.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ryland Francis, a real estate agent. "Mrs. Palmer, the owner of the villa you like has agreed to lower the price. Could you come view it this afternoon?"
Brinley smiled at the good news.
That small villa on the outskirts of the city-a place she had admired for a long time-stood far away from the noise and bustle of downtown.
Its peaceful surroundings might just be the opportunity she needed to strengthen her fragile marriage with Colin Palmer.
Married for two years, she and Colin had never once been intimate.
In the beginning, she had convinced herself his hectic work schedule was to blame, but gradually, doubts about her own attractiveness began to creep in.
Finally admitting that something had to change, she quit her job to spend more time with her husband and salvage their relationship.
That afternoon, she visited the villa. It turned out to be even more charming in reality than in the photographs.
The elderly couple who owned it had kept a garden brimming with roses, their sweet perfume lingering heavily in the air.
Standing in the middle of the sunlit living room, Brinley watched her shadow stretch long across the polished floor.
"This is the one! How do we proceed?" she said in a firm voice.
Ryland's face lit up. "Excellent! I'll prepare the contract immediately. By the way, will Mr. Palmer be joining you to sign?"
Brinley shook her head. "No, he's tied up with work. I'll take care of it."
"Alright then. Please bring all necessary documents with you tomorrow for the paperwork."
On her way home, Brinley sent Colin a quick message. "I resigned and found a villa I love. I'm planning to buy it."
His reply came almost instantly. "So sudden? But if it makes you happy, that's what matters. I'll come home early tonight; we'll celebrate."
Warmth spread through Brinley's chest as she gazed at the screen.
Colin had always treated her with care and tenderness. He remembered her favorite meals, always had sweet treats ready when she had her period, and never missed an anniversary without a thoughtful gift.
Apart from his refusal to be intimate with her-which upset her deeply-he was nearly the perfect husband.
The following morning, Brinley dressed with special care before leaving for the real estate agency.
She chose a pink-and-white dress, the very one Colin often praised as suiting her best.
"Mrs. Palmer, please, have a seat," Ryland greeted her warmly. "I'll bring out the contract."
Smiling, Brinley passed him a folder. "Here's a copy of my marriage certificate with Colin. I would like to register the house as a joint marital property."
Ryland accepted it and tapped away at the computer for a while, but soon he frowned. "That's odd... The system isn't pulling up your marriage registration record."
Brinley's smile faltered. "What do you mean by that?"
"Probably just a system error," Ryland said quickly, trying to reassure her. "You can confirm it directly at city hall. It happens every now and then."
Brinley's chest pounded wildly. A creeping sense of unease overwhelmed her.
Forcing herself to stay calm, she replied, "Alright. I'll head there right away."
Chapter 1 A Fragile Marriage
04/09/2025
Chapter 2 A Substitute
04/09/2025
Chapter 3 Marriage Alliance
15/09/2025
Chapter 4 Charity Gala
15/09/2025
Chapter 5 Painted Brinley As A Desperate Clinger
15/09/2025
Chapter 6 Her Husband
15/09/2025
Chapter 7 Quite The Impression You've Made
15/09/2025
Chapter 8 You're Coming Back With Me
15/09/2025
Chapter 9 I Don't Want Unnecessary Trouble
15/09/2025
Chapter 10 There's No Need For A Wedding Ceremony
15/09/2025
Chapter 11 Confusion
15/09/2025
Chapter 12 How's Austin Treating You
15/09/2025
Chapter 13 Are You Doubting Me
15/09/2025
Chapter 14 I Can Deal With Colin Myself
15/09/2025
Chapter 15 Visiting Brandon
15/09/2025
Chapter 16 You Really Know How To Turn Me On
15/09/2025
Chapter 17 Is Just Touching Enough For You
15/09/2025
Chapter 18 You Dared To Slap Me !
15/09/2025
Chapter 19 She Is My Wife
15/09/2025
Chapter 20 Your Cooking Just Keeps Getting Better
15/09/2025
Chapter 21 A Nightmare
15/09/2025
Chapter 22 Try My Cooking
15/09/2025
Chapter 23 It's Not Terrible
15/09/2025
Chapter 24 You Shameless Rogue!
15/09/2025
Chapter 25 Why On Earth Did You Marry Me
15/09/2025
Chapter 26 What A Fool
15/09/2025
Chapter 27 Gastric Bleeding
15/09/2025
Chapter 28 Caught Up In Your Husband's Charm, Are You
15/09/2025
Chapter 29 You're Different
15/09/2025
Chapter 30 Promise Me You'll Eat Properly
15/09/2025
Chapter 31 No One Can Touch You
15/09/2025
Chapter 32 Being My Wife Ties You To The Moore Family
15/09/2025
Chapter 33 Visiting The Moores
15/09/2025
Chapter 34 Why Would You Torch That Much Money
15/09/2025
Chapter 35 His Dear Wife Hadn't Let Him Down
15/09/2025
Chapter 36 Staying The Night
15/09/2025
Chapter 37 Sharing A Bed
15/09/2025
Chapter 38 A Sleepless Night
15/09/2025
Chapter 39 Do I Come Across As Frightening
15/09/2025
Chapter 40 Was He Being Thoughtful On Purpose
15/09/2025