Evelyn Dawson and Adrian Carter's twisted fate began in childhood. At a family gathering, five-year-old Evelyn pushed six-year-old Adrian into a fountain. That moment sealed their rivalry. Twenty years later, their names were the last remaining on the list of arranged marriages between elite families. "I'd rather jump into the ocean than marry Adrian Carter!" Evelyn smashed her champagne flute at the cocktail party. Adrian swirled his wine glass, lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "Then I must marry you. Feel free to jump now." At the wedding, Evelyn released ninety-nine ducks onto the scene. Guests gaped as the groom in his tailored suit scooped up one of the quacking birds. "My wife is adorable," Adrian said calmly before pressing a kiss to the duck's beak. Evelyn's face darkened instantly. "You'll regret this," she hissed in his ear. Three years later, Adrian pushed open the hotel room door for the ninety-ninth time. Amid the disarray, Evelyn lounged in the arms of a stranger. Her fingers toyed with the man's tie—the same one Adrian had worn that morning. "Much better knot than yours," she taunted, lifting her gaze. A sharp pain twisted in Adrian's gut. For the first time, he didn't erupt in anger. "Get dressed. We need to talk." "Talk about what?" Evelyn scoffed. "How you still refuse to divorce me?" "Actually, that's exactly what we're discussing." Evelyn set a personal record for getting dressed. By the time she stormed into the study, Adrian had the documents ready. "Signing away everything?" She eyed the agreement suspiciously. "What's your game now?" Adrian pressed a hand to his stomach. "Just sign." The scratch of pen against paper was unnervingly loud. As Evelyn slammed the pen down, Adrian caught a glint in her eyes. "To the civil affairs office. Now." She grabbed her purse. "Not a second more of this thirty-day cooling-off period." When the clerk gave the standard reconciliation speech, Evelyn laughed. "Regret? Maybe in another lifetime." Outside, she rolled down her car window. "Let me set you up." She flicked a business card at him. "This woman loves taking in discarded men." Adrian caught it smoothly. "Thanks. I'll call her." Evelyn's smile froze. She didn't know. Those thirty days weren't just a mandatory waiting period for divorce. They were the final countdown of Adrian's life.