Chapter 1I had a disposable husband—anything involving me, he used fake names.
Dinner out? The waiter called him Mr. Hayes.
Me in the hospital? He signed "Husband Reed."
Even our wedding invitations said Mr. Sterling.
Rich guy, low-key—I let it slide.
Then my dad died. His grave got dug up overnight.
The headstone with 'son-in-law Asher Blackwood' carved on it? GONE.
My dad's ashes were left in mud and rainwater.
I lost it. Called Asher TWENTY TIMES.
He finally picked up, annoyed as hell.
"Blackwood rule—don't do public."
"You put my name on a gravestone. What's the media gonna say?!"
I froze. Shaking.
But I looked up—10,000 drones over the Manhattan skyline spelling:
"Happy Birthday Mia Harlow, From Asher Blackwood."
Mia? His childhood sweetheart who just flew back.
He forgot to hang up. Laughter came through the line.
"Dude, bet you've been using fake names so you can ditch Jade once Mia's back, right?"
Asher didn't deny it.
I laughed. Bitter.
He wanted no trace of me? Fine.
I'll leave with a BANG.
...
After I finished arranging Dad's grave relocation, Asher called back.
I hesitated.
Then picked up.
"I was busy. We'll talk when I get home."
I stared at the drones still flashing outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Busy throwing Mia a birthday party?"
Asher paused, as if he was wondering how I knew.
I let out a bitter laugh.
"Pretty sure the whole city saw it."
"Didn't you say the Blackwoods don't do public?"
Asher went quiet for two seconds.
"She's different. We grew up together. Everyone in our circle knows her."
Our circle.
Those two words cut through my chest like a dull blade.
Two years into our marriage, he finally brought me to a private dinner with his friends.
That night, the host opened a bottle of limited-edition Dom Pérignon.
Everyone there was invited to sign the bottle.
When it came to me, his friend deliberately skipped over me and handed it straight to Asher.
I looked at Asher, embarrassed.
He didn't even care. Took the pen. Signed his name.
Then, while everyone cheered, he wrote "Mia Harlow" right beside his own.
"She couldn't make it tonight. Just signing for her."
Yet I had been standing right there, and there was nothing for me.
After that night, I knew I'd never fit into their world.
I snapped back to the present and swallowed the bitterness in my throat.
"Okay."
I hung up before he could say anything else.
Then dragged my suitcase out of the closet and started packing.
I had no idea how much time passed.
By the time I finished, it was already dark outside.
I had just walked downstairs.
The butler stopped me.
"Ma'am, Blackwood house rule—no one leaves after ten."
I was about to push past him when the front door swung open.
Asher walked in carrying Mia in his arms.
He didn't even look at me.
"Mrs. Peterson, make a hangover smoothie. No ginger."
Five years later, he still remembered Mia doesn't eat ginger.
Yet I had stomach pain yesterday, he didn't even know I'm allergic to ibuprofen.
As he passed me, Asher finally looked over.
"Where are you going this late? Didn't you say you'd wait for me?"
He carried Mia upstairs.
Half an hour later, he finally came back down.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. My eyes filled with tears as I confronted him.
"Fine, you've been using fake names forever."
"But you dug up my dad's grave without even telling me?!"
Asher sat down on the couch, his expression cold and detached.
"You used my real name without asking me either. Digging up the grave was just a little lesson."
I was shaking with rage.
"That was my dad. YOUR father-in-law!"
He casually sipped his tea.
"He's a dead man."
"You put my name on a gravestone. Trying to show off from a corpse?"
I gasped in disbelief.
His drone show and extravagant birthday celebration for Mia? Not showing off.
Me putting his name on my dad's grave? Showing off.
The room fell deathly silent.
Then footsteps upstairs.
Mia appeared at the top of the stairs, barefoot, eyes red.
"Asher... I miss my parents again."
The butler once told me—five years ago, Mia's family went bankrupt, and her parents jumped off a building. That's why she ran overseas.
Asher's face changed instantly.
"Why are you barefoot? You'll catch a cold."
He shot me a warning look, then ran upstairs and pulled Mia into his arms.
"Don't be scared. I'll go with you tomorrow to visit them."
"I already bought the best plot in Manhattan. I'm building them a new grave."
I stood downstairs. My chest burned.
He dug up my dad's grave.
But he's building a new one for her parents.
Whatever. It didn't matter anymore.
I picked up my suitcase.
"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
"I'll have my lawyer send over the divorce papers."
Chapter 2
Asher suddenly raised his hand.
"Wait."
"Sure—you can leave. But everything from the Blackwood house stays. And you're signing an NDA."
He gestured to the butler, who handed over a list.
It was less than three feet long, yet it measured out my entire three years here.
Every single item had a receipt attached. Different names on every payment.
None of them said Asher Blackwood.
I laughed.
"Fine."
I turned to go back upstairs, but he had security block me.
"Strip right here."
I bit down hard. Looked at the dozen guards and staff standing in the hall.
Then I raised my hands.
Started taking off my coat, shoes, and everything else, one piece at a time.
Until I was down to my underwear.
November wind poured through the open door, making my teeth chatter uncontrollably.
Asher didn't even blink.
But just minutes ago, Mia was barefoot on the carpet and he was terrified she might catch a cold.
Mia saw me undressing and screamed.
Asher immediately covered her eyes with both hands.
"Don't look. It's disgusting."
I laughed inside. Bitter.
"The underwear too?"
Asher didn't even blink.
"Yes."
I reached for the clasp on my back.
Remembered the day I first moved in. How he'd measured me himself.
How he said my old underwear was worn out. "Now that you're with me. You'll never have to struggle again."
This thousand-dollar piece? I'd worn it for three years straight.
Just as I was about to undo the last hook—
Asher suddenly grabbed the antique vase from the hallway and smashed it at my feet.
Shards cut into my leg. Blood dripped down.
"Enough, Jade. There's a limit to throwing tantrums."
He looked down at me as though he were doing me a favor.
"Since it's your first offense, I'll let it slide this time."
He waved at security.
"Take her phone and lock her in her room."
"Tomorrow morning, send her to the estate in secret. She needs to learn the family rules."
The butler gestured for me to follow.
I stood in the broken glass and looked down at the blood on my leg.
My hands clenched into fists, then slowly relaxed.
The next second, I looked at Asher carrying Mia inside and let out a mocking laugh.
The more he wanted to hide me, the more I'd make sure everyone knew.
I'd already scheduled a post on Instagram.
The moment midnight struck?
My marriage certificate with Asher Blackwood would go live.
Before they locked the door, the butler brought in a fresh set of pajamas.
"Ma'am, Mr. Blackwood said when the time is right, he'll announce your identity to the world."
"Until then, you need to memorize the family rules and stop acting out."
I put on the pajamas. Said nothing.
Then I sat quietly by the window, staring at the clock on the wall.
The hands crept toward midnight. I counted down in my head.
"Three. Two. One."
Midnight. The towers outside went dark right on time.
Less than thirty seconds later, footsteps pounded down the hall.
Asher kicked the door open.
"Jade! Are you insane?! Who told you to post that online?!"
Behind him, Mia stood pale, holding onto the doorframe.
"Asher, is this because of me?"
"I'm sorry, I was just so lonely overseas, I didn't mean to ruin your marriage."
Asher turned around immediately to comfort her.
"This isn't your fault!"
"She's just jealous."
Then he pulled out his phone, turned on the camera, and pointed it at my face.
"Record this right now! Say everything you posted was nonsense. Say you're lying."
I ran my hand over the sheets he'd picked out for me.
"No."
I stared straight into the lens without backing down.
The second I said it, a shout came from the doorway.
"Sir! Miss Harlow fainted!"
"She saw people online calling her a homewrecker. She couldn't handle it and passed out!"
Asher's face went dark. He grabbed my arm hard.
"Jade. Last warning. Record the video. NOW."
He leaned closer, his voice low and threatening.
"Or did you forget? Your mom's still in the hospital."
I froze.
Five years ago, I'd pulled Asher out of a wrecked car at the bottom of a mountain.
He'd lost so much blood. Rare type.
My mom didn't hesitate—donated again and again.
Her health had already been fragile, and the repeated donations had left her even weaker.
Then my dad died, and she ended up in the hospital for good.
"Asher. My mom's like this because of YOU."
Guilty flickered in his eyes, but then his voice went cold again.
"You saved me. I married you. We're even."
"Now. Record the video."
Even?
Two lives. Paid off with a secret marriage he wouldn't even put his real name on.
I bit my lip until I tasted blood.
Then I looked at his merciless expression and gave in.
I faced the camera.
"I'm not Asher Blackwood's wife. I'm... I'm crazy. I made it all up..."
Once the video uploaded successfully, I couldn't hold back anymore.
I turned away so he wouldn't see my eyes burning red.
Asher carried Mia toward the door.
Paused for half a second.
"Mia's not a threat to your position as Mrs. Blackwood. Stop going after her."
"Tomorrow, I'm sending you to the estate to learn your lessons."
"And at the family dinner in a few days? You better behave."
Chapter 3
The next morning, they sent me back to the Blackwood estate.
Asher instructed the butler.
"Have her kneel in the main hall and reflect on what she's done."
With the Blackwood family rules in my hands, I knelt there until nightfall.
The butler finally showed up.
"Ma'am, outsiders don't stay at the estate. I'll take you to a hotel."
I was about to stand when Asher walked in with Mia.
Mia strolled around the hall like she owned the place.
"Asher, is my old room still here?"
"What about Mochi? The cat I kept here?"
Asher's eyes followed her the whole time.
"Everything's still there. Someone cleans it every day."
He told the staff to bring the cat over.
I looked at the Ragdoll in the cage. My body went stiff.
A year ago, I came to the estate for his grandmother's birthday.
That cat suddenly lunged at me and knocked me down the stairs while I was pregnant.
The baby bled out beneath me.
Crying and devastated, I begged Asher to punish this cat.
He held me and promised he would give me justice.
I never imagined the cat would not only survive, but be cared for all this time.
I clenched my fists, ready to demand an explanation.
Mia rushed to the cage. Eyes instantly red.
"Why is Mochi locked up?! Did you hurt him while I was gone?!"
Asher finally looked at me.
"A year ago, it hurt Jade and caused her miscarriage."
"We locked it up so it wouldn't hurt anyone else."
Mia shook her head hard, tears streaming.
"Mochi would never attack anyone! Why would he hurt Jade for no reason?!"
She pulled the cat out of the cage and held it close.
"Poor Mochi. You lost a whole year of freedom because of this!"
Asher couldn't stand seeing her cry.
Without hesitation, he gave the order.
"Jade Winters. You violated family rules. Lied to frame an innocent animal. One hundred strikes to the palms."
A cat lost its freedom.
I lost my child.
And somehow I WAS the liar.
The butler came over with the wooden paddle.
I bit down hard and refused to hold out my hands.
Asher stared at me coldly.
"Ryan just sent an update on your mom. She still hasn't woken up."
I bit down harder, knowing exactly what he was doing.
Crack.
The thick wood slammed down.
After a hundred strikes, my palms were shredded. Blood dripped from my fingertips.
Mia walked over and handed me a tissue.
"Jade, don't blame Asher. He just values rules. Just don't lie anymore, okay?"
Before I could respond, the butler stepped forward.
"Sir, the matriarch is awake. She's invited you for dinner."
Asher took Mia's hand and started to leave.
Mia turned back to me, looking every inch the lady of the house.
"Should Jade join us?"
Asher glanced at me.
"Eat first. Then leave."
Before entering Grandma's courtyard, the staff stopped me.
Searched me head to toe, sprayed me with alcohol like I was contaminated, then finally let me in.
Mia had already walked straight through with Asher.
At the table, Grandma warmly held Mia's hand and fussed over her.
When she looked at me? Barely a glance. Disgusted.
I hadn't eaten all day. My stomach was killing me.
Ignoring the agony in my palms, I picked up a spoon to serve myself some soup.
Mia reached at the same time.
Our spoons touched.
Mia gasped and pulled back her hand.
Asher tensed immediately.
"What happened?"
Mia's eyes went red as she covered the back of her hand.
"It's fine. I just... Miss Winters accidentally burned me."
Asher shot me a furious look.
"Jade. Did you not hear a word I said?!"
"You're not going to a hotel tonight. You're not eating either."
"Lock her in the punishment basement."
Then he hurriedly pulled out his phone. Didn't even try to hide his identity.
Called the hospital director as Blackwood Corp's CEO.
"Send your best dermatologist to the Blackwood estate. Now."
