The Favorite's Game

During a family dinner, I, Ingrid Sutherland, bring up divorce.

My husband, Samuel Ziegler, lets out a cold laugh in exasperation. "Are you mad just because I peeled a banana for Whitney two days ago? I can't believe you're still throwing a tantrum over that now! She's my sister-in-law. What's wrong if I show her a little bit more care?"

He did the same thing in my past life. Ever since his older brother, Charles Ziegler, got seriously hurt, Samuel always put me last and prioritized taking care of the supposedly weaker Whitney Lovette.

Whenever I voiced my dissatisfaction, he would criticize me while standing on an irrefutable moral high ground.

He would say, "Why can't you be more understanding and cut Whitney some slack?"

When it was Whitney's birthday, she proposed going on a skiing trip. But then, an avalanche hit us. Samuel protected her the whole time and led her down the mountain. However, he left me to die in the avalanche.

It was then I realized that Whitney was not just his sister-in-law, but also the one he loved.

When I remain silent, Samuel chuckles derisively. "You'd better not regret it."

It's like he's sure I'm just throwing a tantrum. In one fluid movement, he glides a pen across the bottom of the page, confident and composed.

But this time, I'm really giving up on him for good.

Ingrid's First-Person Point of View

"I will never regret it," I said in an unwavering voice.

The family dinner fell into a sudden, heavy silence. Samuel Ziegler's hand, which was still gripping his fork, trembled as he stared at me.

I maintained a calm, composed expression.

Then, without warning, he threw the fork aside and snatched up the divorce papers. He signed his name on it without hesitation and hurled both the papers and the pen at me.

The sharp edge of the papers sliced a thin line across my left cheek, and ink splattered across my white dress.

No one had imagined a simple dinner would take such a sour turn.

Samuel spat angrily, "See you at the courthouse tomorrow. If you don't show up, I'll have someone drag you there. Let's see if you'll really follow through with this."

He stormed out without looking back.

His sister-in-law, Whitney Lovette, instinctively moved to chase after him, but Samuel's mother, Jenna Till, slammed her palm to the table.

"Sit down," she commanded authoritatively.

Whitney argued, "But Jenna, Samuel's upset. He needs someone to comfort—"

"Even if he needs comfort, you're not the one who should be giving it!" Jenna retorted sharply, glaring at Whitney with disgust.

Whitney had grown up in the Ziegler household. Her mother had been their maid for almost 30 years. Out of respect for the woman, Jenna paid for Whitney's education and made sure she never lacked anything the Ziegler siblings had.

However, Whitney crossed a line.

When she reached the age of 18, she secretly drugged Samuel's older brother, Charles Ziegler, and slept with him.

Worried about her reputation being ruined at such a young age, Charles had no choice but to marry her. Because of that scandal, he willingly gave up his position as the family's heir and enlisted in the military.

Five years later, he returned with both legs permanently damaged. The golden child destined for greatness had found himself deep in the mud.

If Whitney had remained loyal, perhaps Jenna's opinion of her would have changed. But then she chose to set her sights on Samuel instead. Because of that, Jenna had hated her for years. She just never said it aloud in public.

Tonight was the first time Jenna dropped the act.

She said bluntly, "Whitney, Samuel may not have realized your intentions, but don't think for a second that I haven't. Even if Ingrid and Samuel divorce, don't fool yourself into thinking that you stand a chance with him."

Whitney's hands clenched into fists. Her face paled as she bit down on her lip. She shot a hostile glare at me.

I looked up and gave her a small smile. Then, I set the divorce papers aside and picked up my fork to continue eating.

I refused to have anything to do with Samuel and her little love play.

After a long moment, Whitney took a deep breath and softened her tone. "Jenna, I only care about Sammy the way a sister-in-law cares for a younger brother. There's nothing more to it. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my room."

Jenna scoffed and didn't bother responding.

Whitney walked away from the table.

When dinner finally ended, I picked up the divorce papers and headed toward the door.

Jenna suddenly called out, "Ingrid."

Though I stopped, I didn't turn around.

She said, "I can tell you're serious. As Samuel's mother, maybe I should try to talk you out of it. After all, married couples usually fight and make up. But… I won't this time."

I was taken aback when I heard that. I turned around and met her gaze.

The Ziegler family was the most powerful family in Darniva. After Anthony Ziegler died, the extended family circled like wolves, waiting to take control. But Jenna held her ground alone. She was decisive, ruthless, and always put the family's interests first.

I thought she would be the first person to oppose the divorce. But to my surprise, she supported it.

She asked quietly, "What do you plan to do after you divorce Samuel?"

I thought about it seriously. The moment I came back to life, all I had wanted was to go back to the city where I grew up in, Grisdale. I wanted to leave Darniva for good and never return.