Chapter 3

3

I had to promise Summer a dozen times that I was okay before she let me go back to my hotel.

I knew this marriage was a mistake from the jump.

Years ago, Quentin and Skylar had a massive blowout, and she moved to Europe in a fit of rage.

I was the one who stayed by his side while he drank himself into a stupor. One night, I confessed my feelings again.

He gave me a kiss that felt deep and real.

The next morning, we started dating as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

At our wedding, he gripped my hand and vowed, "Lyra, I'll spend my whole life protecting you."

I believed him with every fiber of my being.

But then Skylar came back right before our first anniversary, and everything changed.

My phone buzzed.

It was a text from Quentin: "Why did you cancel your birthday dinner? Did you not like the gift?"

I was actually surprised. I didn't think he'd think of his 'wife in name only' while he was with her.

When I didn't reply immediately, he sent another one.

"I thought yellow sapphires were your favorite."

I stared at the screen, laughing at the absurdity of it.

The very first gift he ever gave me was a yellow sapphire necklace. He told me then:

"The color is so bold and rich. It suits you."

I actually hated yellow. But because it was from him, I cherished it. I even went into jewelry design because of it.

It wasn't until later that I found out Skylar majored in jewelry design. Yellow sapphires were her favorite.

I started typing a response.

"You gave the gift to the wrong person. I've always hated yellow."

I hesitated, deleted it, and sent something else.

"Have fun with Skylar."

He didn't reply.

I laughed at myself for even caring.