Chapter 1
Alexandra’s husband was set to go on a business trip for a month and had prepared thirty small gifts for her, one for each day he’d be away, to keep her company.
But on the night before his departure, she happened to see him and Chelsea Knight, his close friend, having drinks at a London pub.
“You really are a genius, Chelsea! The moment I mentioned the trip and talked about those little gifts, she was completely captivated.” “Alexandra not only didn’t oppose the trip but seemed almost hesitant to let me go!”
After three years of marriage, he exclaimed with his arms wide open, eyes shut in a moment of bliss, “Finally, I get a taste of freedom! This is the first time I’ve felt so liberated!”
Chelsea smirked and said, “Handling hopeless romantics is second nature to you.”
Watching their closeness, Alexandra silently left the pub and called her father, Bruno Morris.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready to become the successor of the Morris Group.”
“That’s fantastic, sweetheart! I’ve always said that Kayce Campbell wasn’t the right choice!” her father responded enthusiastically from the other end of the line.
Taking a deep breath to steady her emotions, Alexandra firmly replied, “Yes.”
For three years of marriage, Alexandra had poured her heart into supporting Kayce, preparing him to be a capable successor for the family business.
Had she not come to the pub with the documents naming him as the successor of the Morris Group, she might have continued to be deceived by his facade.
Last night, he’d brought home a large gift box decorated with a bow. Slightly out of breath as he set it down, he grasped her hand and said with affected reluctance, “Honey, I’ve got a challenging client recently, and I need to travel for a month.”
“I don’t want to leave you, but to win your father’s trust, I have to close this deal!”
After saying this, he guided her to the box, gazed deeply into her eyes, and continued, “While I’m away, let these little gifts keep you company.”
“Open one each day, and by the time you’ve opened them all, I’ll be back.”
Moved to tears, she understood that his determination was driven by a desire to win her father’s favor.
Kayce had joined the family through marriage, working in a subsidiary of the Morris Group. Her father always saw him as an opportunist and never truly accepted him, putting immense pressure on Kayce.
But she believed in his love, a love that could overcome all barriers.
He would make her spiced honey tea during her difficult days and rub her stomach to ease the pain. He would find creative ways to cheer her up when she was feeling low.
The most touching gesture was on her birthday when he used ten thousand dollars he earned from part-time jobs to buy front-row tickets to a concert by her favorite singer. It was almost all his savings at the time.
But he said, “Seeing your smile makes it all worthwhile.”
After he fell asleep, Alexandra had called her father, pleading with him to consider Kayce as the heir to the Morris Group. Despite his reluctance, Bruno eventually agreed, giving in to her persuasion.
The moment she received the official documents naming Kayce the successor, she couldn’t wait to share the good news with him. Yet, instead, she stumbled upon this scene at the pub.
“A marriage is like a pretty prison, with Alexandra always keeping tabs on me. I’m worn out,” Kayce laughed, pulling Chelsea closer into his arms, “I wish I could just whisk you away on a vacation right now.”
So much for the business trip; it was nothing but a cover for taking his close friend on a getaway.
After hanging up the phone, Alexandra returned home, disillusioned. Slowly, she tore the document she held, piece by piece, into the trash, along with the three years of emotions she had invested.
