In the fifth year of Gwyneth Payne's marriage to Asher Crowe, he tells her thrice that he wants to bring Liana Quayle along with them when they migrate.

Gwyneth puts down the dishes she's just prepared and asks him why.

He's frank with her. "I don't want to keep this from you anymore. Liana lives in the residential area beside ours. She's spent nine years with me, and I owe her too much. I must bring her with me when we migrate."

Gwyneth doesn't cry or kick up a fuss. Instead, she books a ticket for Liana on their flight.

Asher thinks she's finally seen sense.

On the day they leave the country, Gwyneth watches Asher and Liana board the flight. Then, she turns and boards another flight that will take her back to her parents' home.

"Mrs. Crowe, are you sure you want me to cancel your flight ticket for moving abroad with Mr. Crowe in a week?" Milena Brooks' voice came through the phone, sounding confused. She was Asher Crowe's assistant.

Gwyneth Payne stood on the balcony. She glanced at the withered trees below and made her decision. "Yes. Book me a flight to my parents' place for the same day and get Liana a flight overseas for that day, too. I'll see them off to settle down overseas in a week, then head back to my parents' place."

Milena was taken aback on the other end of the line. Liana Quayle was the other woman in Gwyneth's marriage. Milena couldn't figure out what Gwyneth was up to.

Even though she was puzzled, she nodded. "Got it, Mrs. Crowe."

Gwyneth ended the call.

Asher was in the living room. He jumped to his feet as soon as he saw her walk in. He looked impatient. "Have you decided yet? Lia's still waiting on my answer."

Gwyneth had just finished getting the meal ready ten minutes ago.

Asher came home and cut to the chase. "I'm done hiding this from you. Lia actually lives in the neighborhood next to ours. She's been with me for nine years, and I owe her so much. I have to take her along when we move abroad."

Gwyneth had barely set the dishes down when her smile instantly disappeared.

This wasn't the first time Asher had mentioned taking Liana abroad. When he first brought it up, Gwyneth had flipped out, wrecking the living room and cursing him for saying such a thing.

The second time Asher brought it up, Gwyneth completely broke down. She slapped him and left home for a week. He hadn't called her at all during those seven days.

Gwyneth decided to let them have their way this time. "I asked Milena to book her flight. You both can leave together."

"So, you have finally come to your senses?" Asher's frown faded, and a smile spread across his face.

Gwyneth dropped her gaze and twisted a strand of spaghetti around her fork. A rush of bitterness flooded her. "I thought you said you were worried about her being alone in the country. She's easy to deceive because she's so trusting."

Feeling like things were out in the open, Asher decided to drop the act. The mention of Liana brought a smile to his face.

"Honestly, Lia would make a better wife than you. But you got lucky, getting to know me a few years ahead of her. Once we're abroad, maybe you should learn from her how to keep a man happy."

Asher's phone buzzed at that exact moment. He stepped out onto the balcony to take the call.

Gwyneth watched him leave and looked down with a heavy heart.

She'd always considered knowing him to be one of the greatest gifts in her life. When they were freshmen in high school, Asher wrote her 99 love letters to win her over.

When their high school romance came to light, he visited the Payne residence with his parents. He dropped to his knees before Gwyneth's parents, sobbing as he pleaded with them to accept their relationship.

After the SATs, Gwyneth checked her results and saw how badly she'd done. Asher aced it, but he wasn't happy about it. He secretly passed on a top university to attend a regular college with her.

She hadn't failed him, either.

When Asher moved north to launch his business, she didn't hesitate to marry him, even though he was financially unstable. She supported his efforts all the way.

He failed three years in a row, and Gwyneth followed him from their apartment to a damp basement, where they lived off cabbage and potatoes for a long while.

Eventually, Asher made it in his business. He made their relationship public by posting their photos online, gave her 80% of his company's shares, and threw a belated, grand wedding celebration.

At the wedding, Asher gazed at Gwyneth, his voice thick with emotion. "Babe, I owe everything to you. I'll love you forever."

Those words had stayed with her all this time.

But just a month ago, she found out Asher had a mistress. It was Liana, his junior from college. After graduation, the two stayed in touch and chatted every single day.

Every year, Asher would get thoughtful gifts for Gwyneth's birthday and Liana's. The gifts he gave Liana tended to be far more expensive than the ones for Gwyneth.

Even during the hectic times of launching his business, he still made sure to spend one day a week with Liana.

Liana was at Asher and Gwyneth's belated wedding celebration. She had on a simple, short wedding dress and topped it off with a loose blazer.

Later that evening, she posted on Instagram. "I'll always be there for you in a different way."

Asher liked her post.

When Asher woke up the next morning, Gwyneth grabbed his phone and opened the conversation between him and Liana.

She lost control and yelled at him, "How many years have you two been talking all the time? Eight? Nine?"

Asher knew exactly who she meant without her even saying the name. He didn't feel bad about it at all. "Lia has feelings for me but never wanted to ruin our marriage. We've been talking for nine years. Is that a problem?"

Gwyneth's eyes were bloodshot, her gaze fixed on him in disbelief. Her voice was raw with hurt. "You're cheating on me. You've betrayed me."

Asher frowned, his voice dripping with disdain. "Gwyneth, ever since I found success in my career, you've been staying home and relying on me. It's been three years of trying, and you still haven't gotten pregnant. Don't you think you've been neglecting your duties as a wife?

"Imagine being in my shoes. I'm not the same broke guy I was. I now own three companies and am financially set, yet I'm only seeing one woman, who doesn't even bother you. I've always shown you respect and consideration. What else do you want?"

Gwyneth was left silent by Asher's words. She hadn't worked in years because she overexerted herself while helping him get his startup off the ground, and it took a toll on her health.

Back when Asher first started dealing with clients, he was arrogant and awful at negotiations. He couldn't close any deals.

Gwyneth downed one drink after another, toasting clients until her stomach bled. That was how she kept landing deal after deal.

When he finally succeeded in his venture, her body was a wreck. She lost her period and ended up in the hospital for over half a year. And now, he was blaming her for staying home instead of working.

Gwyneth silently headed to the bedroom, tore up the pregnancy test report from today, and threw it in the trash. She couldn't sleep that night again, managing only two hours of rest with the help of some pills.

After that day, they fought almost every day.

Two weeks ago, Asher brought up the idea of expanding his business overseas and talked about settling abroad.

Gwyneth thought this could be the perfect opportunity to separate him from Liana. Unexpectedly, he suggested bringing Liana with them when they moved abroad.

Today was the third time Asher had brought it up, and Gwyneth had lost all hope. She took a few half-hearted bites, her eyes drifting toward the balcony again.

Asher was still on the phone, smiling with a look of indulgence.

Gwyneth rose from her seat and headed to the whiteboard in the living room, writing the number "seven" on it.

…

Gwyneth woke up bright and early the next morning. She didn't waste any time and called a lawyer to discuss the divorce.

"Ms. Payne, the best-case scenario would be if Mr. Crowe is willing to sign the divorce agreement. If he's unwilling, living separately while he's overseas for a year will definitely help your chances in the divorce case. But are you sure you want a divorce?"

Norbert Lyle was the lawyer Gwyneth managed to find at the last minute. He was surprised to hear that she was thinking about divorcing Asher.

To outsiders, he seemed really attentive to her. He stayed clear of other women, with no signs of being involved with anyone else.

Gwyneth lowered her gaze, a trace of sorrow in her eyes. "He's got another woman."

There was a brief silence before Norbert apologized.

Gwyneth continued, "Send me the divorce agreement. I'll sign it and mail it abroad. After his flight lands next week, I'll have someone deliver it to him for his signature immediately."

As soon as she hung up, she saw Asher standing at the bedroom door.

He shot her a disapproving look. "What was that you were talking about? Divorce agreement?"

Gwyneth didn't expect Asher to overhear. She clutched her phone and hurriedly made up an excuse, saying, "I was talking to a friend. She's been wanting a divorce these days."

Asher didn't give it much thought. He didn't think Gwyneth would ever leave him, and he didn't even consider that the friend she mentioned was actually her.

Instead, he pulled out his phone and showed her pictures of the villas. "I've got two villas abroad—the bigger one for us to live in and the smaller one for Liana. I only put her name on the deeds for both villas.

"Don't try to stop me. She's been with me for so long. I have to do something for her."

Gwyneth couldn't believe what she was hearing. There wasn't a single villa in her name. "You said she wasn't after anything, but now, both villas are in her name. I helped out a lot in those years when you were starting your business. How do you sleep at night doing this?"

Asher shot her an irritated look, his tone firm. "I've given you plenty. You ought to be satisfied. When I transferred the money for these villas, she told me she didn't have any property under her name. That's all she said. I put her name on them because I felt sorry for her, not because she asked."

Gwyneth's heart sank, and she found the whole thing utterly ridiculous. She had more to say, but a noise from the door cut her off.

They turned to find Liana peeking her head out from behind the door.

She showed up in a white dress, lugging two big grocery bags. She had porcelain skin and subtle, elegant makeup. It was obvious she was thriving.

A month ago, Gwyneth had gone through Asher's chat history with Liana. Only then did she realize that he'd been secretly sending Liana 50 thousand dollars each month after he became successful.

Every time, Asher would say, "Here. This is what I owe you. I can't let you be with me without getting something in return. It's a shame she came into my life earlier. Luck was on her side."

When Gwyneth met Liana's eyes, she saw nothing but arrogance and pride. Liana looked soft and delicate in her outfit, but her expression screamed that she was there to assert her place.

Gwyneth scowled at Asher, her face tight with displeasure. "Why is she here? Didn't I tell you she's not welcome in our home?"

He glanced away, looking guilty. "Today is Liana's birthday, and since you agreed to let her go abroad, she came by to cook for you as a way of saying thanks."

After a beat, he shot Gwyneth a disapproving look. "She's trying to be nice, so don't be rude. She's dealt with so much over the years and hasn't said a word."

Gwyneth looked at the "seven" written on the whiteboard. She took a deep breath, forcing down the disgust she felt. "Tell Ms. Quayle I don't eat pickles and don't want any in the food."

Liana's smile faltered, feeling like Gwyneth was treating her like she was a maid. She went to the kitchen to prepare a few dishes.

Instead of bringing the dishes out, she poked her head out and waved at Gwyneth. "Wyn, help me carry these out."

Gwyneth entered the kitchen and scanned the dishes on the table, immediately noticing pickles in all of them.

Liana was reapplying a light shade of lipstick, and her rosy lips ended up looking colorless. She gave Gwyneth a condescending glance. "Asher's definitely going to feel sorry for me when he sees how much I've been doing. He hates seeing me wear myself out."

Gwyneth glanced at Liana, noticing how her makeup made her look drained.

Asher really did feel sorry for Liana. Recently, he often said, "Liana's done so much for me. You've just been supporting me through the startup phase."

When Gwyneth first heard Asher say stuff like that, she would try to explain herself. These days, she didn't even bother to respond.

"You must be tired from pretending to be so fragile and needy all the time," Gwyneth mocked.

Liana snorted, picked up the soup, and looked at Gwyneth disdainfully. "I'm doing great. Can't say the same for you, though—sacrificing yourself for him and still getting treated like crap. If I were you, I'd divorce him without a second thought."

Gwyneth's gaze hardened as she crossed her arms. "Have you been in the gutter long enough that you think you deserve to climb out now?"

Liana set the soup down and crossed her arms. After all the years Asher had pampered her, her confidence and calmness were second nature. "Honestly, I may not be his legal wife, but I'm a better fit for him than you are.

"I've known Asher for nine years, and we've never gone a day without talking. He doesn't hold anything back and tells me right away. I know how he feels inside and out, and I even know his PIN for transactions—198111. If you think I'm lying, try it yourself."

Gwyneth went still. In all their 12 years together, Asher had never shared his PIN with her. She was legally his wife, but it was Liana who got treated like one.

"Are you done?" Gwyneth asked.

A smug smile crept across Liana's face when she saw Gwyneth frown. "How do you just stand there while your husband cheats on you?"

"Are you done?" Gwyneth asked again.

Liana paused, unsure what she was up to, but still itching to provoke her. "I'm not leaving him. If you guys head abroad, I'll be going, too. I'm sticking with Asher—he loves me. You won't have a happy marriage with me around!"

Gwyneth set the plates down and narrowed her eyes. "You done? Now, it's my turn. Here's a little advice. If you're going to be a mistress, act like it and stop blabbing."

She slapped Liana hard, and her face jerked to the side.

Liana twisted her ankle and knocked the soup bowl off the table. The scalding liquid splashed on her, and she yelped, "Ouch! That's burning!"

The noise caught Asher's attention, and he hurried into the kitchen. "What happened, Lia?"

Liana looked up, her right cheek red from the slap and her left hand swollen and burned. She pointed angrily at Gwyneth, who remained cold and distant. "Honey, she slapped me and spilled soup on me!"

Honey? Gwyneth pushed down the disgust rising in her. Liana acted like Asher was her husband, even though he was actually Gwyneth's.

Asher lifted Liana off the floor, his heart aching for her. He faced Gwyneth with a stern look. "Apologize to Lia."

Gwyneth frowned. The hot soup had gotten on her, too.

"You don't even care to ask what happened?" she asked, feeling hopeless.

Asher's face showed sympathy as he looked at Liana, who was a mess. "She's a great woman who's been with me for years and never asked for any title. What bad things could she have done? How could she possibly provoke you?"

Gwyneth gazed at him, her chest tight with sorrow.

Back in school, a jealous classmate had falsely accused her of stealing money. The homeroom teacher had questioned her about it.

But Asher rushed to the office to defend her. "Ms. Johnson, Gwyneth's a great person. She keeps quiet even when she's wronged. What bad things could she have done? How could she have stolen money?"

And now, Asher was saying the same stuff, but instead of defending Gwyneth, he was backing up Liana.

"I'll apologize, but she's not coming with us," Gwyneth said.

Liana shot her a glare as she gritted her teeth. "Who are you to make that decision? It's not up to you."

Asher's expression darkened. "Don't get me mad."

Gwyneth's eyes welled up, and she glanced up, trying to hold back the tears. "Don't make me bring in a lawyer and make this whole thing about you and Liana go public."

Asher's face grew stormy. He took a moment before pursing his lips. "Fine. I'll let it slide this time, but it had better not happen again."

He carried Liana to the couch in the living room and got some burn cream for her.

As Gwyneth left the kitchen, she spotted them together, looking all lovey-dovey. She headed upstairs to the master bedroom.

Since Asher wasn't around, she seized the chance and grabbed his phone. She pulled up the transaction app, entered an amount, and typed in the PIN.

The screen flashed a message, "Transfer Successful".

Gwyneth paused. After clearing everything off, she returned his phone to its spot. It was ironic that Liana ended up being the one to tell her Asher's transaction PIN.

Asher was downstairs, pressing a warm towel to Liana's right cheek before putting burn cream on her hand.

Liana's eyes welled up, her voice breaking with emotion. "She slapped me and acted like nothing was wrong. How could she be so nasty? Honey, you didn't even stand up for me. You should've slapped her back."

Asher looked annoyed but patiently tried to calm her down. "What if she gets angry and decides not to let you go abroad? What do we do, then? I'm doing all this for you, aren't I?"

Liana dropped her gaze and said, "Fine. But tonight's my birthday. You have to spend it with me."

"Anything for you, princess." Asher lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips.

They didn't realize Gwyneth was upstairs, watching them condescendingly as they did all that flirtatious stuff.

A little while later, Asher came into the master bedroom. He seemed bothered and told Gwyneth that Liana's burns were severe and that she had to be taken to the hospital immediately.

Gwyneth didn't call him out.

Once Asher was gone, she went through her chat history with him. He always claimed something came up at work every year on this day.

Before going to bed, Gwyneth erased "seven" from the whiteboard and put "six" in its place.

"Six days," she murmured.

…

When Gwyneth woke up the next morning, Asher was already home. He had dark circles under his eyes, clearly from a night of too much fun.

Gwyneth ate her breakfast.

Asher looked at the whiteboard and frowned. "What's with the six?"

Gwyneth kept a straight face. "Six more days until we leave for abroad."

Six more days until she could finally end this 12-year relationship and walk away from him.

Asher couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but his phone rang before he could dwell on it.

After he left, Gwyneth started packing her things. Asher wasn't planning on selling the house once they moved abroad.

Gwyneth sorted her things, packed them, and sent them to the Payne residence. As for the gifts Asher had given her, she left them all behind. Once she was done, it was already afternoon.

There was a noise from the doorway. She turned to see Liana standing behind Asher, looking smug with a suitcase in hand.