<b>Chapter </b>4


    “Look, I’m not here to talk about your feelings. This is business. You’ve been killing it these past few yearspany, family, everything. Breaking in someone new would be a pain in the ass. You leaving? Do the math yourself on whether that’s smart.”


    If this was just business and <b>not </b>about feelings, it was hands down the best deal I’d ever get.


    I poured him tea and said quietly, “You know, if feelings weren’t involved, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”


    I’d considered <b>it </b>before–keeping a tight grip on the wife’s title while letting the others stay outside the Harper family gates forever.


    But I didn’t marry Luke Harper to be Mrs. Harper. I became Mrs. Harper just because I married Luke Harper.


    Back then, I’d pushed him away, saying he wasn’t free to marry and had no business dating me.


    Luke frowned. “What do you mean I’m not free? I want to marry you, and I’ve got ways to make it happen. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean you should run off and marry some other guy. What am I<b>, </b>a loser?”


    I didn’t believe him. What brilliant n could get past all those obstacles?


    Later he stopped bringing it up and just gradually took over Harper Industries, slowly working his way into the family’s inner circle.


    After graduation, I sessfully joined Harper Industries as an intern.


    During the day I trained at work, and at night Luke tutored me. I advanced incredibly fast.


    By the time marriage came up again, he had enough power in the Harper family that nobody dared object.


    He respected the old man, so the next day he pulled a stunt to wake Grandpa up to reality.


    “That little brat, did he really think I was losing my mind?”


    “Finding some pretty boy actor, holding hands and threatening to run off and get married–he thought that would scare me into giving my blessing. But I just yed along and let you two have your way. And now you’re still not satisfied.”


    “Now just a few yearster, you’re making noise about divorce again.”


    “Let me be clear–once you leave the Harper family, I won’t let youe back. Think carefully before you decide.”


    I kept my head down<b>, </b>the seven years of marriage shing by like a slideshow in my mind.


    “I’ve been waiting three years to leave the Harper family.”


    He waved his hand dismissively.


    “Finish up whatever you’re working on. Someone will contact you when the timees.”


    When I came downstairs, Luke’s mother was still sitting on the sofa.


    I walked to the door, then turned back.


    “I won’t be around to celebrate with you anymore, so I hope you stay healthy.”


    After saying that, I turned and walked out.


    13:21


    Hell Yeah, Forget the Other Woman. My Smart House Was Cheating On Me<b>! </b>


    <b>16.1</b><b>% </b>


    The Harper mansion’s living room was dimly lit, and Melody sat shrouded in darkness, staring straight ahead.


    All the light in the room seemed to follow that quickly departing figure out the door.


    She watched and watched, as if seeing a young Melody walking away.


    The maid bent down near her ear. “Ma’am, it’ste. Time for bed.”


    The living room fell into darkness again, and Melody looked away. “Let’s go.”


    When I got in the car, I remembered I needed to wrap up loose ends. I called the paparazzi that night to pick up his check in the morning, buying out all of today’s Luke Harper scandal footage.


    Luke didn’t text me again until a few dayster.


    After Ruby came back, he’d been keeping a lower profile.


    Thinking about my deal with Grandpa, I had the driver make a detour to pick up Luke.


    When we arrived, the door was wide open with a bunch of people ying cards inside, Ruby among them.


    She’d just won a hand, and the guy across from her was sucking up. “Mrs. Harper’s killing it tonight! You’ve been wiping the floor with us all evening. I’m about to lose my shirt here. Cut us some ck!”


    Ruby smiled and was about to respond.


    Then Luke looked up and saw me in the doorway. He took a drag of his cigarette and snapped, “The woman standing in the doorway is your real Mrs. Harper. Are you blind or something? No wonder you’ve been losing all night.”


    The guy spotted me and jumped up in a panic. “Oh… Mrs. Harper…”


    Ruby went pale when she saw me.


    Looking at this scene, I knew Luke had done it on purpose,