On their third wedding anniversary, Andrew Bennett’s older brother passed away, and that was when Elena Fletcher finally filed for divorce.

Andrew frowned, totally confused. “Just because I took that slap for Charlotte?”

Charlotte? Wow. That name came out way too naturally.

Wasn’t Charlotte Fitzgerald his sister-in-law?

Elena let out a cold laugh. “Yeah, that’s exactly why.”

But seriously—who’d believe that was the only reason? No way a marriage falls apart over just one slap.

The bright red mark from that slap was still stark on Andrew’s handsome face, standing out in a not-so-flattering way.

The way he’d rushed to shield Charlotte that day left everyone in the Bennett family stunned. Everyone except Elena.

She hadn’t even flinched. Not even a twitch of an eyebrow—like she’d already known.

Three days ago, their wedding anniversary.

She had planned a surprise, flown across cities just to see him during his business trip—only to overhear something she shouldn’t have.

“Andrew, seriously, sneaking off every anniversary? That’s low. Elena’s all in on you, man. Don’t you think this is kinda messed up?”

Andrew, who always looked all calm and classy, suddenly showed this deep sadness in his eyes. “You think I enjoy doing this? If I didn’t, she’d never believe me when I say—I’ve never touched Elena. Not once.”

“She…”

His friend froze for a second, then snapped. “Wait, you mean Charlotte? Man, are you out of your mind? You’re still hung up on her? What next—cling to her when she’s pregnant again?”

Then his buddy switched gears. “Come on, aren't you worried about Matthew Dalton finding out you’ve been treating Elena like crap?”

“He won’t.” Andrew toyed with his ring. “She married me after cutting ties with him. They blocked each other on WeChat three years ago.”

Outside the VIP room, Elena quietly turned and walked away, face frozen, but her fingers trembled slightly.

She had always known there was someone else in Andrew’s heart.

She’d tried to find out who that someone was, even asked around—but no one ever gave her answers.

She’d guessed at every possibility.

Except this one. Her.

His sister-in-law.

She’d called her “Charlotte” sweetly and respectfully for three whole years. What a sick joke.

When Elena left the venue, it was pouring like crazy. She didn’t even notice, just stood there, soaked to the bone like a drowned cat.

She caught a red-eye back to Jingcheng that night.

As soon as she got home, she fell ill.

Ran a fever that refused to break for two whole days. It was only starting to ease a bit when news came that Thomas Bennett had suddenly passed away.

Seven days later, they held his funeral in Jingcheng.

Elena had barely been sleeping—just two or three hours a night ever since they moved into the old Bennett home. The moment the funeral ended and she walked out of the cemetery, she felt like she was just a body on autopilot. Her mind was floating miles behind.

Their driver was already waiting near the gate.

As soon as she got into the car, Elena closed her eyes. “Let’s go home, Mr. Chen.”

“Not going back to the family estate?”"Not going."

The funeral might be over, but things at the Bennett house were just starting to boil.

Thomas Bennett, being the eldest son and first grandson, had always been the center of everyone's world.

The whole accident happened because Charlotte Fitzgerald wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted he go skydiving with her. Something went wrong with the gear, and he fell from high up—didn’t make it.

By the time they got him to the hospital, it wasn’t about saving him—it was about stitching pieces of him back together.

The Bennetts’ anger toward Charlotte was simmering beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment.

Elena Fletcher really didn’t feel like watching her husband stand up for another woman again. She had more important things to deal with.

But just as she was about to start the car, the back door was yanked open out of nowhere.

Standing there in a sleek black custom-fitted suit was Andrew Bennett. Tall and sharp-looking as always, though his face looked unusually conflicted. "Elena, are you heading home?"

"Yeah."

As soon as she responded, her peripheral vision caught Charlotte standing beside him—with a little boy.

That was Ethan Bennett, Thomas and Charlotte’s son. Only four, with his chubby cheeks and round little belly.

Before Elena could figure out what was going on, Ethan practically scrambled into the car like a little monkey and said boldly, "Auntie Elena, can you take me and Mommy home with you?"

She frowned slightly and looked up at Andrew, silently asking for an explanation.

He pressed his lips into a line. "Mom and Dad are still too mad to see them right now. Just let Charlotte and Ethan stay at our place for a few days."

Worried she was about to say no, he quickly added, "Didn’t you always say you wanted a kid? Think of it as practice with Ethan."

"......"

Elena nearly burst out laughing.

But then thought better of it—laughing at a cemetery didn’t seem right.

Letting Charlotte and her kid stay at their place while he went back to deal with the family's fury.

Well, at least he was trying to handle it.

When they got back to the house, looks like Andrew had given Mrs. Gray a heads-up, the guest room was already prepped.

Elena felt relieved. She took a shower, flopped into bed, and knocked out cold.

By the time she woke up again, it was already nine at night.

Right as she grabbed her phone, her best friend's call came through.

"I've finished drafting that divorce agreement just like you asked. Want me to send it over so you can take a look?"

"Thanks, Lydia." Elena’s voice was extra soft, still groggy from sleep. "No need, just get it couriered over."

"That urgent, huh? Are you really sure about this?"

Lydia Carter had handled more cases than she could count, and couldn’t help but worry this was a heat-of-the-moment decision. "Andrew might not be husband-of-the-year material, but from a certain angle..."Elena switched on the bedside lamp and sat up straighter, her mind gradually clearing. "I've thought it through, Lydia. He was jerking off to another woman's photo."