In the fifth year of my marriage, I've done something incredibly stupid.

I've cast out Monica Jackson's favorite boytoy, Billy Greenwood, out of the country in hopes that she will return to my side willingly.

But when Monica finds out about Billy's disappearance, she chooses to not say anything. Instead, she forces my family into bankruptcy overnight. My father is forced to kneel before her, whereas my mom's hair has turned gray.

Now, Monica stands before me with a stormy look as she gets ready to beat me up.

"It's my fault for being far too nice to you, Julian. You've completely forgotten your place because of that. Now, it's your turn to have a taste of what it feels like to suffer to the point of craving death."

Julian's POV

When my wife, Monica Jackson, said those words, I finally raised my head to look at her.

We'd dated for four years and been married for five. We'd shared the best years of our youth. I never expected that things between us would end up like this.

I curled my lips into a bitter smile. But Monica, acting as if she didn't see it, asked darkly, "I'll give you one last chance. Where is Billy?"

I wanted to sneer at her. But my one moment of willfulness had already dragged my entire family down with me.

"Let my parents go, and I'll tell you."

Monica nodded. She walked toward me slowly, and before I could react, she grabbed me by the neck, forcing me to lower my head and look at her.

"Julian Hargitay, don't take my patience for granted. It's only a matter of time before I find Billy. Who do you think you are to bargain with me?"

The crushing pressure made me gag instinctively. My face turned red, and the veins on my neck bulged. I gritted my teeth, and the sudden wave of fear and despair made my blood run cold…

Even so, I used every last bit of my strength to shout, my voice hoarse, "And so you made my father get down on his knees to beg you? That's my dad!"

Monica merely continued gripping my neck expressionlessly. Her hold was shockingly strong.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared into her dark, almost mad eyes. I didn't doubt for a second that she would strangle me to death for another man.

Just as I was about to pass out from lack of oxygen, she finally pulled her hand away.

I gasped violently, my body trembling with lingering fear as I slumped onto the couch.

In that instant, countless memories flashed through my mind. I couldn't hold it in any longer, and tears fell from my eyes. I was crying for the past that we could never return to, for this hopeless marriage, and most of all, for the pathetic person I had become.

Monica stood before me coldly, completely unmoved. She didn't even let me catch my breath before she grabbed my chin again, her voice sinister and icy.

"I'll ask you one last time. Where did you send Billy?"

…

Monica left.

The moment she received the information from me, she ran out of the room. I clearly saw the look of relief and joy on her face in that moment.

My wife had already lost her mind over another man.

I wiped my tears and immediately called my parents, preparing to move that very night. I thought Dad would scold me, but he only comforted me.

His worn, aging voice carried a sob. "You've suffered enough, Julian. I don't blame you. We'll just leave."

After hanging up, despair and self-blame swallowed me.

Monica and I had fallen in love in college and married right after graduation.

The Jackson family was wealthy and powerful. Having ties to them was something Dad never even dreamed of. He had his concerns too—he worried I wouldn't be treated well. Our family didn't have any social standing, and there might not be anyone to stand up for me.

Back then, I swore to Dad that Monica loved me too much to ever let me be wronged.

Julian's POV

Monica would always prepare gifts for me every holiday and introduce me to all her friends.

Every day we were apart, she would tell me over and over how much she missed me. If anyone looked at me for a second too long, she'd get so jealous that her eyes would turn red.

She once said, "Julian, do you know? The Jacksons are all twisted monsters, but you taught me what love really is."

Monica was deeply insecure, needing me to constantly reassure her of my love for her. I could only hold her, my heart aching for her, until she fell asleep quietly in my arms.

I thought we would grow old together like that. So when she abruptly turned cold toward me, I panicked immediately.

Billy Greenweed was an intern fresh out of college.

The first time I heard his name was from Monica's secretary. She joked that young men today had no game at all. Accidentally spilling coffee on his boss? What an outdated move.

I laughed along, not taking it seriously.

But not long after, Billy was promoted to Monica's personal secretary—something that was highly unusual.

She'd take him horseback riding. Since he didn't know how, she would ride with him and canter around leisurely.

Billy didn't understand the ways of the business world, so Monica patiently guided him, even personally showing him how to make a good cup of coffee.

Once, a tactless business partner mocked Billy. The usually calm and restrained Monica had her bodyguards beat him up so badly that he ended up in the hospital.

It seemed like she had no intention of hiding anything. Everyone was well aware of how good she was to Billy.

By the time I heard about it, the two of them were already attending major events together, holding hands, and even kissing openly amid everyone's teasing.

Looking at the photos others sent me, I lost my temper at Monica for the first time.

But she merely sat in her chair, silently watching me. Her gaze seemed to say that I was being unreasonable.

"Julian Hargitay, you're almost 30 years old. Why are you competing with a fresh college graduate? When you were in your early 20s, I loved you the same way, didn't I?"

At that moment, I felt as if I'd plunged into an icy lake.

Only then did I understand how exclusive Monica's love was. She only loved young men, and I had already passed that stage.

I thought I'd just get a divorce, but in the end, I couldn't bear to throw away such a long relationship. I wanted to fight for us one more time, so I asked Dad to arrange for Billy to be sent abroad.

The result was obvious.

Despite our nine-year relationship, I meant nothing to Monica. I had lost. Completely.

Dad asked me to give him three days. Since we'd already offended the Jacksons, there was no place for us in this country anymore.

I took the chance to pack up the few things I owned. All the gifts Monica had given me went straight into the trash. The love was gone, so there was no reason to keep them any longer.

Besides, Monica had plenty of money, and she wouldn't miss those things.

In the end, the only things I packed—things that truly belonged to me—were a few sets of clothes and some books.

On my way back, I contacted a few lawyers to discuss the divorce. As soon as they heard it involved Monica, every single one of them refused to take me as a client.

"Mr. Hargitay, Ms. Jackson's company has a professional legal team. I'm afraid we're not qualified to get involved."

I understood and didn't push them.

After marrying Monica, I'd become a full-time househusband. She said she didn't want me in the public eye, so I'd obediently followed her wishes for the past five years.

Now, my entire social circle was filtered through her, and I couldn't even find someone to help me.

But that was okay. Once she got Billy back, getting the divorce would likely be very easy.

Julian's POV

When I got home, I did a final check of my belongings.

I had been exhausted lately. While packing late into the night, I ended up passing out on the couch.

It wasn't until the next day, when the door to the house opened from the outside, that I was jolted awake. Startled, I hurriedly sat up.

To my surprise, Monica had returned. And she walked in holding Billy's hand.

He was strikingly handsome. Even photos of him couldn't capture the full extent of his good looks.

In his other hand, he carried several shopping bags from high-end luxury brands, and the smug smile on his face was almost blinding.

It looked like Monica had successfully placated him.

My stomach sank. I hadn't expected her to come home so quickly. Instinctively, my hand went to my neck. The suffocating sensation from before seemed to have returned, and I realized I was actually a little afraid of her.

I swallowed hard and got up from the couch.

Monica guided Billy over to me. Right in front of me, she brushed his hair back with a soft smile, before glancing at me with a cool and indifferent expression.

"Julian, apologize to Billy."

I couldn't believe my ears.

We'd already torn each other apart; she'd cut off my family's livelihood, and just yesterday, she’d even strangled me. I thought all of that was crazy enough. And now she wanted me to apologize to her lover?

Seeing that I was stunned, Monica simply grabbed my chin and forced me to look at Billy.

"Didn't you hear me? Apologize to Billy."

Monica was a businesswoman. She knew exactly how to crush a person's soul—even if that person was her husband of many years.

Since entering the house, Billy hadn't once looked at me directly. He kept his eyes lowered and his lips slightly pursed. He didn't say a word, yet he somehow managed to look completely wronged and evoke pity.

"Ms. Jackson, that's not necessary. My position here is already dishonorable. It's only natural for Mr. Hargitay to hate me."

Despite what he said, I clearly saw him discreetly roll his eyes and glare at me.

When I remained silent, Billy tugged at Monica's sleeve. "Ms. Jackson, I'm a little tired. I want to rest for a bit."

Monica kissed him on the cheek, her voice gentle. "Alright, go rest in the bedroom."

Billy's eyes flicked toward me.

"This is your house. Where am I supposed to go?" he asked skeptically.

Monica generously led him to our bedroom. Her message was clear.

My whole body trembled uncontrollably. I clenched my teeth tightly just to stop myself from losing control and cursing at them, and I did everything I could to steady my breathing.

Only after watching Monica escort him into the bedroom did I croak from behind her, "Monica, let's get a divorce. You've trampled all over my dignity as if it were trash and destroyed my parents' lifelong work."

My eyes were red, but I forced my voice to remain steady. "It's all my fault. I was blind back then."

Raising an eyebrow, Monica came toward me with her hands in her pockets. She leaned close, her beautiful face hovering near mine, her expression twisted into something I couldn't quite figure out.

"Who said I wanted to get a divorce? As long as you behave yourself and don't do anything out of line, you'll still be my husband."

I stared at her in disbelief. "What do you take me for?"

She waved her hand dismissively, looking bored. "Enough with this act. Didn't you only date me and marry me because of the Jacksons' name?

"You know better than anyone how much your dad's business has benefited after you married me, Julian. So why talk about divorce now?"

I stood there frozen, my mind completely blank.