Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the seventh year of my marriage to Bennett, his first love returned.

The famous actress stood drenched on our front porch in the pouring rain, tears streaming down her face.

"Bennett, I had a fight with Chase… I have nowhere else to go."

My husband, usually the gentlest man alive, slammed his coffee mug onto the counter, shattering it.

"I am going to make him pay for this!"

Even my seven-year-old son, Wyatt, threw his toys aside and rushed over to her.

"Don't cry, Raina! When I grow up, I'll marry you!"

While the two of them scrambled over each other to comfort her, I was stranded outside the grocery store in a torrential downpour.

My phone calls to Bennett went straight to voicemail.

A yellow cab pulled up to the curb in front of me, splashing puddles across the pavement.

"Need a ride, ma'am?" the driver asked, rolling down the window.

I looked down at the plastic bags in my hands and checked my bank balance on my phone.

"How far can five hundred dollars get me?"

The driver turned around and stared at me in disbelief.

"Five hundred bucks? That could take you all the way out of state."

He paused, studying my face.

"Are you trying to head to Riverdale?"

I nodded.

To be honest, anywhere was fine with me.

The driver glanced at my plain clothes and the grocery bags, where three tubs of chocolate ice cream were peeking out from the top.

"Riverdale is only about three hundred. Do you have any luggage I can help you load?"

I cut him off immediately.

"No, this is all I have. Let's just go."

He didn't pry any further.

I climbed into the back seat, and he pulled out into the rainy traffic.

"It's about a five-hour drive to Riverdale, so get comfortable."

I gave a soft hum in response, staring down at the bags on my lap.

The icy tubs pressed against my bare legs through the plastic, sending a sharp shiver through my body.

Maybe I was being impulsive.

Since last night, Wyatt had been whining non-stop for brand-name chocolate ice cream.

Before I left the house this afternoon, Bennett had even specifically reminded me.

"Raina wants some too, so I'll share a tub with her. Buy four tubs so you don't feel left out, and you can share with Wyatt."

When I rushed to the store, the clerk told me there were only three tubs left.

Three tubs for four people.

There was no way to divide them without leaving someone out.

So running away felt like the easiest solution.

My stomach let out a loud rumble of protest.

I pulled out the only tub of ice cream, peeled off the lid, and scooped up a spoonful.

"You know you can't eat ice cream on an empty stomach. Did you forget again?"

Bennett's gentle voice flashed in my mind, his eyes filled with that familiar, helpless sigh.

My hand trembled, nearly dropping the spoon onto the floor mat.

A sudden wave of stubbornness washed over me, and I shoved a huge spoonful into my mouth.

"Trouble with your husband? Heading back to your parents' place?" the driver asked through the rearview mirror, trying to make small talk.

Bennett had always been mild-mannered.

For seven years of marriage, we had treated each other with polite, distant respect.

I shook my head.

"We're not having a fight. I'm getting a divorce."

Curiosity got the better of the driver.

"What happened? Did he find someone on the side?"

I froze.

What really happened?

My mind began to trace back through the recent days.

Was it because Bennett acted as Raina's personal bodyguard at the airport two weeks ago?

Was it because Wyatt gave her the handmade bracelet he spent days crafting for me?

Or was it because of these three tubs of ice cream that put me in an impossible spot?

None of the above.

I stared out at the blurry city lights rushing past the rain-streaked window.

"It was because of a bowl of noodles."

"This morning, my bowl of noodles was suddenly so salty that it made me realize how meaningless this entire life has been."

The driver looked bewildered.

"Just because of that?"

I nodded gently.

"Just because of that."