Poof! Wife Status, ERASED

Chapter 1: It Takes Two to Tango

"Sophia, are you really going through with this identity erasure? Once it's done, you'll be gone—your career, everything you've worked for, wiped out," Olivia said, panic in her voice.

In the back of the luxury car, the striking woman calmly lowered her gaze to the contract in her hands. With a steady hand, she signed "Sophia Roberts" before passing it to her distraught assistant.

"I'm not abandoning my career," Sophia corrected her. "I'll be starting fresh in Hollywood with a new identity."

Olivia's eyes welled up as she scanned the identity erasure documents.

"This isn't right! You were the one who supported us from the start. How could Isabella manipulate Mr. Vanderbilt like this?" Olivia's voice cracked with frustration.

Sophia said nothing.

Her eyes wandered to the Vanderbilt Corporation building outside the window, where a giant screen flashed footage from three years ago—the day Ethan Vanderbilt had gotten down on one knee, his hands shaking as he held the microphone, pouring out his heart.

"Sophia, I'll love only you for the rest of my life. You'll never shake me off. For us, there's no parting—only death."

After their wedding, Ethan made sure everyone in Oceanview City knew he had married the woman he'd loved for twenty years.

When had things started to unravel? Sophia couldn't even pinpoint the moment.

She shook her head. "It takes two to tango. We can't blame just Isabella."

But Olivia wasn't having it.

"How can we not? Mr. Vanderbilt adored you! You two grew up together—he chased you for twenty years. When you wanted to pursue acting, he founded Lianyao Group and invested a billion just to produce your debut film!"

"And when that accident left you scarred, he couldn't bear to see you suffer. He even went under the knife himself, grafting his own skin onto yours. He said you were his heart—that watching you in pain was worse than death. Isabella must've tricked him—"

Sophia felt her heart tighten.

Yes, the same Ethan who had loved her so fiercely had promoted the scholarship student she'd sponsored to his personal assistant position—then got tangled up with her day and night.

"Enough." Sophia gently patted Olivia's head, cutting her off. "Wait for me in the car."

Before she even stepped into the Vanderbilt building, a line of sharply dressed bodyguards rushed out, standing at attention.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Vanderbilt!" they said in unison.

And that wasn't all.

As she walked through the lobby, female employees approached her with lavish bouquets until she reached the private elevator reserved exclusively for her.

The first lesson in Vanderbilt employee training? Know the CEO's wife—memorize her preferences. Rumor had it that one candidate, despite being unqualified, had secured the job simply by showering Sophia with praise during the interview.

Ethan had done countless extravagant things for her. His childhood friends called him a hopeless romantic, joking that if Sophia ever died, he'd follow her straight into the grave.

Even the private elevator was filled with the season's latest luxury items. At the top floor, the second assistant warmly took her bag. "Mrs. Vanderbilt, the CEO will be with you shortly."

Sophia hadn't even finished counting to three before Ethan came rushing out of his office.

The usually composed man scooped her up in a princess carry, spinning her around before setting her down and presenting a velvet box.

Inside was a necklace that Sophia recognized—the Heart of Ocean, which he had secretly flown overseas to bid on just a week ago.

Gently fastening it around her neck, Ethan pulled her close, murmuring, "Today marks 1,999 days since we fell in love. Thank you for loving me, Sophia."

She smiled faintly, scanning the room before casually asking, "Where's Isabella? Not in today?"

Ethan froze for just a second before recovering. "Not sure. Maybe she's in the restroom."

Really?

Or was she still lying in that oversized bed in the CEO's private suite, too exhausted to move?

Sophia reached up to adjust his tie, pretending not to notice the vivid love bite peeking from beneath his silk shirt.

Ethan caught her hand, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Sophia, the new Ferris wheel is almost finished. Come see it with me?"

In the most exclusive district of Oceanview stood twenty-three extravagant Ferris wheels, each one a testament to their shared history—from childhood to the present.

Ethan, who was terrified of heights, had personally designed and overseen the construction of them.

The wheels were studded with countless gemstones, even the wiring was plated in gold—symbolizing their "love, stronger than gold."

"Look," he said eagerly. "In two weeks, it'll be twenty-four years since we met. I've gathered every pearl in Oceanview for this one. Just picture how stunning you'll look, riding it in your gown."

When Sophia remained silent, Ethan panicked, pulling her into an embrace and nuzzling her neck like an anxious puppy.

"What's wrong? Didn't you like this morning's bento? I'll make it better next time, okay? Just talk to me—"

After a long pause, Sophia finally patted his back.

"It's fine. The bento was perfect. Walk with me?"

With childlike enthusiasm, Ethan lifted her into the Ferris wheel's cabin.

Just as he was about to join her, Sophia stopped him. "You're scared of heights. Wait for me below."

As the wheel ascended, Ethan, standing below, pulled out his phone.

Sophia's buzzed at the same time.

[You're so clever, Sophia—keeping him here while I'm left alone in his bed~ But don't worry… I have my own tricks~]

Attached was a photo of Isabella in sheer stockings, biting a pen with a dazed expression.

[Professor Vanderbilt, I forgot how to solve this problem again~ If you don't come soon, I'll have to ask someone else~]

Ethan's reply was brief: [Don't you dare.]

A second later, his call came through.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry—a major client just arrived. I have to go. I'll send the driver for you, okay?"

Sophia looked down. Ethan had wedged his phone between his ear and shoulder, blowing her an exaggerated kiss.

"Okay," she replied, her heart turning to ash.

"Thank you, baby!"

"Wait. Every year, you're the one giving me gifts at the Ferris wheel's unveiling. This time, let me give you something. Alright?"

"Of course!" Ethan beamed up at her. "I love you so much, baby!"

When the ride ended, Sophia stepped out—leaving behind a single item inside the cabin.

A signed divorce agreement.

"Ethan, my first gift to you is freedom."