My dress was burning in the fire.

“Daniel?! What are you doing?” I screamed, trying to pull it from the flames.

But he shoved me away roughly.

“Don’t bother saving it, Sophie,” he said cruelly. “That’s exactly what you are anyway. Trash.”

“Why would you burn my dress? How am I supposed to go with you now?” I asked tearfully.

Daniel stared at me with complete contempt.

“That’s exactly why I burned it. So you wouldn’t come. Look at yourself. You smell like onions, your hands are ruined, and you look like a servant. I’m a vice president now. Tonight I’ll be around wealthy people and influential families. You embarrass me. You don’t belong beside me anymore.”

He called me “A disgrace.” but when the grand ballroom doors swung open, I arrived in a way he never saw coming… and before the night was over, his entire world had fallen apart.

I had been married to Ethan for seven years.

For all seven of those years, I was the one carrying his dreams on my back.

I worked two jobs, sold anything I could spare, and sacrificed every comfort so he could finish college, pass his licensing exams, and land a position at Sterling Global, one of the most influential corporations in the country.

That evening was supposed to be special.

The company was hosting a gala to celebrate Ethan’s promotion to Vice President of Operations.

I had saved for months to buy a modest but elegant navy-blue gown because I wanted to stand beside him proudly and celebrate everything we had fought for together.

But an hour before we were meant to leave, I smelled smoke drifting in from the backyard.

My chest tightened instantly.

I hurried through the kitchen and ran outside.

And then I saw it.

Ethan was already dressed in an expensive black tuxedo.

He stood beside the old grill holding a bottle of lighter fluid.

And there, burning in the flames, was my blue dress.

“Ethan?! What are you doing?” I cried, rushing toward it.

He shoved me backward before I could reach the fire.

“Don’t bother trying to save it, Ava,” he said coldly. “Honestly, it suits you. Garbage belongs in flames.”

“W-why would you do this? How am I supposed to go with you now?” I asked through tears, unable to understand what I was seeing.

Ethan looked me over with open disgust.

“That’s the point. You’re not going. Look at yourself, Ava. You smell like cooking oil, your hands are rough, and you look like hired help. I’m a vice president now. Tonight I’ll be surrounded by executives, investors, and powerful families. You embarrass me. You don’t belong in my life anymore.”

“Ethan… I’m the one who helped you get there! I stayed beside you when you couldn’t even afford groceries!” I shouted, my voice shaking.

He smirked.

“And? I give you money every month, don’t I? Consider us even.”

Then he adjusted the luxury watch on his wrist and stared at me arrogantly.

“Stay home. I already invited someone else to the gala—Madeline, one of the board member’s daughters. She actually fits into my world. And don’t even think about showing up tonight, Ava. Security will throw you out before you even make it through the doors.”