I spent three years in prison for my husband, Paul Hecith—and he rewarded me with just one dollar. At the same time, he gave his mistress a whopping 15 million dollars.

On the day of his company's grand opening, Paul handed me the gift for the event.

I thought it was a mistake, but then I noticed that my colleague, Jessica Mounier, also received only one dollar.

Relieved, I pushed my doubts aside and cheerfully stood by him through the entire ceremony.

But that night, I saw Jessica's Instagram post. She posted a check.

"Congrats to Mr. Hecith on the grand opening! The boss is incredibly generous—he gifted me 15 million dollars!"

The comments were filled with envy and well-wishes, congratulating her on making it official with the "boss."

Paul didn't even bother to explain. Instead, he distanced himself from me completely.

"You just got out of prison. It's not a good time to go public. Let's keep our marriage a secret for now. In public, just call me 'boss'."

In the next moment, he liked Jessica's Instagram post.

Wiping away my tears, I called his biggest rival. "Let's work together."

***

"You spent three years in prison for Paul's career. Why the sudden interest in working with me?

"I recall he promised you the department manager position once you were released. Are you sure you're giving that up?"

I rubbed the one-dollar bill over and over, letting out a bitter laugh.

"Yeah, I'm over it."

The words were barely out of my mouth when Paul appeared before me, looking at me suspiciously. "Over what?"

I hung up the phone without care and told the truth. "The department manager role."

Upon hearing this, a fleeting glint appeared in his complex expression, as though he had just exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Great. I was going to offer the position to Jessica anyway. You can begin as a clerk."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but frown.

I had served three years in prison for Paul's business back then.

He had consistently assured me that the position would be mine once I was out.

Who would have thought that I'd end up as nothing more than a mere errand clerk?

Right now, Paul had gone back on the promise he made three years ago, yet there wasn't a hint of remorse in his gaze.

My eyes began to burn, and a piercing ache rose in my chest.

Noticing my silence, Paul pulled a contract from his briefcase and casually tossed it onto the coffee table.

He said indifferently, "This is a secret marriage agreement, for the benefit of the company."

The phrase "Secret Marriage Agreement" felt like a dagger to my eyes.

Three years ago, just a day before I was imprisoned, Paul and I officially registered our marriage.

The hope of a joyful life together after my release was the only thing that kept me going.

But now I had become someone Paul was embarrassed to admit knowing.

Someone he wished would disappear entirely.

I let out a bitter laugh at myself, picked up a pen from the table, and without any hesitation, prepared to sign.

Paul turned around, frowning as he noticed my hand ready to sign.

Why was I, who once wanted to proclaim our marriage to the world, now acting with such resolve?

He instinctively pressed down on my wrist, his words difficult to comprehend.

"Aren't you even going to think about it?"

Without opening my eyes, I immediately signed the document.

After securing the agreement he wanted, he inexplicably fell silent for a moment.

After a pause, he cleared his throat, his tone turning gentle.

"Diana, don't worry. Once the company stabilizes, I'll definitely make it up to you properly."

I gave a perfunctory "mm-hmm," just as the company group chat notification sounded.

Jessica had become the company's first department manager, and everyone rushed to congratulate her.

"You've been by Mr. Hecith's side these three years. We've all noticed. This role is well-earned!"

"I think if Jessica is a department manager today, she'll be Mrs. Hecith tomorrow! We should all start currying favor with you now."

Then Jessica sent an emoji, silently affirming it all.

"I still think Diana's luckier. After three years in jail, she can still work as a clerk at the company. The boss really appreciates her!"

She was clearly mocking me, knowing the truth.

I couldn't stand looking at the screen any longer, but I inadvertently caught sight of Paul gazing at his phone.

The soft smile on his lips was more tender than I'd ever witnessed.

It made me question.

Was our secret marriage truly for the company, or was it for Jessica?

To comply with the secret marriage agreement, Paul moved out of the master bedroom to the guest room.

He also laid down strict rules. No riding in the same car with him, no speaking to him at work, only referring to him as "boss".

And another thing—his relationship with Jessica was merely a façade, and I wasn't allowed to cause any trouble over it.

After issuing these commands, Paul disappeared for three days.

It wasn't until I called in sick with a fever that he finally contacted me.

"Leaving work so soon? Isn't that a bit dramatic?

"You'll have to go to the hospital by yourself. I'm tied up with a business trip and can't come with you."

Just as I thought. I muttered a reply, still in a fog.

Right after, a familiar female voice chimed in over the phone.

"Paul, can you help me zip up my dress?"

He managed to hang up the phone quickly, but I still caught the sound of his hurried footsteps as he rushed away.

When I checked Jessica's Instagram, I noticed she had updated his profile picture to a matching couple's avatar with hers.

I recalled how, during our relationship, I often asked him to use a couple of avatars.

But he always had countless excuses—too much hassle, too childish, lacking in taste...

For some reason, he started flooding me with messages and calls. I only sent back one response.

"Please understand that it is my rest time, boss."

After finishing my IV drip, I returned to the office.

My colleagues were as indifferent as ever, stacking more work on my desk.

To them, I was just a lucky ex-con the boss took in, so I was expected to handle more.

I gathered myself and packed all the couple's items from the storage cabinet into a black garbage bag.

Had I known they would never be used, I wouldn't have brought them to the office.

Just as I was about to discard them, Paul unexpectedly returned.

Before I could react, he angrily grabbed me and pulled me to the stairwell.

When he spotted the garbage bag in my hand, his face turned grim.

"You have time to clean up trash but can't answer my calls?"

The strong scent of women's perfume on him made me instinctively step back. I answered calmly, "I replied with a message."

Paul exploded like a firework. "Why did you call me 'boss' in your text?"

What was the difference between calling him that over the phone and in person?

He was the one who suggested I do it. Why was he upset now?

Realizing I wasn't going to offer any explanation, he released a chilling laugh.

"You know I can't stand petty women. Make sure you don't become someone I despise."

Then he grabbed the bag from my grasp and flung it to the floor.

The loud crash echoed down the stairwell as he walked away angrily.

As I stared at the broken photo and the couple's cup, my heart quivered.

It felt as though our years together were also destined to shatter.

I gathered the pieces, contacted a lawyer, and arranged for a divorce agreement to be prepared.

Once I had the document, I headed to the print room to make a copy.

Just as I was about to knock on the door, Paul opened it.

Meeting his cold stare, I handed him the papers calmly.

"Sign it when you have the chance."

To my surprise, Paul didn't even look over the agreement.

He went straight to the last page, signed it, and handed it back to me indifferently, saying, "Join me at a business dinner later. Be attentive and make sure to drink on my behalf."

I was puzzled. Paul was known for his ability to handle alcohol. Why did he need me to drink for him?

Before I could question him, Jessica appeared from behind him with a satisfied expression.

"The boss is so considerate! He even remembered I can't drink because of my cold?"

Jessica dropped down next to Paul, casually intertwining her arm with his.

When she saw me, she frowned and grumbled, "Mr. Hecith is totally overreacting. It's just a cold, but he won't let me drink or work. If I hadn't pleaded with him, he wouldn't have let me come to this dinner."

Paul playfully tapped her nose.

"If I didn't take care of you, you'd be complaining about how annoying it is to take your medicine."

The two of them looked like a couple deeply in love.

His gentle affection was something entirely unfamiliar to me.

Holding the divorce papers, I felt an unexpected wave of relief.

At the restaurant, Paul exchanged greetings with the partners before stepping aside to introduce, "This is Jessica, our department manager."

When I was introduced, the partner boss frowned slightly.

"I remember her. This woman was imprisoned for debt issues. Mr. Hecith is indeed quite loyal."

Paul stiffened, glanced over at me, then forced a smile and silently agreed.

During the project meeting, Paul and Jessica sat so close their chairs were touching.

He kept glancing at me, signaling for me to offer to drink on Jessica's behalf.

At the table, someone noticed their cozy behavior and joked, "Mr. Hecith and Ms. Mounier seem like the perfect pair. Is Mr. Hecith married, I wonder?"

The moment the words were spoken, Paul glanced at me, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

In the very next instant, we both replied together, "No."

Despite our synchronized answer, he suddenly turned toward me, his gaze filled with surprise.

Before the partner headed to the restroom, he texted me, "It's just an act. Don't take it seriously."

Paul was referring to the facade, but I was being honest.

After all, he had already signed the divorce papers.

I glanced at the message and placed my phone face-down.

When Paul saw this from across the table, he seemed ready to stand. But I got up first and made my way to the restroom.

As I exited the stall, I bumped into Jessica.

She stood there with her arms crossed, exuding a sense of triumph.

"Diana, it's a disgrace how your husband looks down on you. If I were in your shoes, I'd be too embarrassed to even show up in public."

Without looking up, I calmly responded as I washed my hands. "That's not your business, Ms. Mounier."

I then dried my hands and got ready to go.

Jessica appeared before me, scanning me from top to bottom.

"Why is the boss's wife still dressed in rags?

"Oh, that's right. I forgot. Paul must have spent all his money on my exclusive designer pieces. My mistake."

The extravagant brands she wore constantly reminded me of the vast gap between a single-dollar gift and a 15-million-dollar check.

Suddenly, the bitterness I had been holding in erupted, and I rushed away in distress.

Once back in the private room, I gathered my things to leave.

Paul hurried over to stop me, speaking softly.

"Don't go yet. I'll give you home later."

Before I could decline, Jessica burst in, looking alarmed, immediately capturing everyone's attention.

Paul quickly released me and rushed to find out what was wrong.

Jessica hurriedly searched through her bag and checked all her pockets before exclaiming in distress, "My custom-made bracelet is gone!"

As soon as she finished talking, everyone in the private room began helping Jessica search for the bracelet.

While looking, she kept murmuring, "It was a birthday present from Mr. Hecith! It cost over five million dollars. I can't afford to lose it!"

Even though I wasn't sure what game she was playing, I just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

When I reached the door, Jessica stood in my way.

"Diana, let me check your bag. Otherwise, people will keep suspecting you."

I was confident I hadn't taken her bracelet.

"I'm exhausted, Ms. Mounier. You can search by yourself."

As I insisted on leaving, Jessica grabbed my bag.

During the struggle, its contents spilled onto the floor.

Among the scattered items, there was indeed a bracelet.

I stared at it in disbelief, then caught Jessica's challenging stare.

"Why are you setting me up?" I asked.

When I turned back, I saw everyone looking at me with eyes full of contempt.

Paul, especially, had his brows knitted, his eyes brimming with disdain.

I couldn't help but tell him, "I didn't take it!"

Yet, my words seemed weak and unconvincing against the overwhelming "evidence."

Jessica grabbed the bracelet and lamented sorrowfully, "This bracelet is very important to me. How could Diana take it?

"I believed Diana had changed after her time in prison, but it seems she'll still do anything for money. I can't risk working with her anymore..."

Jessica's words quickly cast a shadow over everyone's expressions.

The partner was the first to react, declaring firmly, "Mr. Hecith, this partnership is over!"

After saying that, he stormed out of the private room, flanked by his entourage.

I wanted to run after him and offer an explanation, but Paul struck me hard across the face.

When our eyes met, his gaze held no hint of regret.

"I never imagined you could be so money-hungry! I brought you here not to steal!"

Paul's accusations hit me hard.

I thought to myself. "Doesn't he know who I am? Has he forgotten the reason I ended up in prison?"

Seeing the fury in his eyes, I realized he couldn't possibly trust me.

So, I forced a bitter smile and extended my phone toward him.

"Then call the police."

He glanced at the phone, scowled at me once more, but made no move to take it.

The prolonged gaze seemed to clarify my view of the man in front of me.

After some time, Paul let out a derisive snort. "Unreasonable!"

He turned away, placed the bracelet on Jessica, and gently encouraged her as they departed.

In the private room, I was left alone with the chaos on the floor.

I gathered my scattered belongings and made my way to the airport without a moment's hesitation.

It was midnight at the airport terminal. I was on the verge of drafting my resignation when I unexpectedly received Paul's termination notice.

His words dripped with fury.

"Don't come to the company anymore. Stay home and think about what you've done!"

Seeing his ridiculous demand, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Without a second thought, I snapped a photo of the signed divorce agreement and sent it to him with a message.

"Paul, I wish you and Jessica a long and happy marriage!

"But only after we finalize the divorce certificate. Otherwise, I'll take legal action for bigamy."

As soon as the message was sent, Paul flooded my phone with desperate calls, as if his life depended on it.