Chapter 1

1

This was the nineteenth time Caleb Harrison had walked out on me for his childhood friend.

I found two movie tickets tucked away in his dresser drawer.

He gave me a cold, dismissive look as he explained.

"It was supposed to be a surprise, but since you found them, meet me at the theater tonight."

That night, I sat through the entire movie alone, from the opening credits until the lights came up. Caleb never showed.

On my way home, I happened to scroll past Melody Banks's latest post on social media.

"Someone didn't take me to the movies, but since he planned this beautiful firework show for me, I guess I can forgive him this once."

I looked up and saw the brilliant fireworks lighting up the Seattle skyline in the distance. For the first time in my life, I felt the last bit of my love for him drain away.

......

I pushed the front door open, feeling exhausted. To my annoyance, I saw a pair of expensive leather shoes kicked messily onto the floor.

I kicked them aside with a scowl. It was pathetic that I had to steal someone else's happiness just to get a movie ticket.

For years, I had lived like a clown in Melody Banks's shadow.

Caleb was sitting on the sofa as if nothing had happened. He reached out his hand toward me, naturally expecting me to serve him.

"Water," he muttered.

"Don't you have hands? Get it yourself," I snapped back.

If this were yesterday, I would have rushed to serve him, massaging his shoulders and doing anything to win his favor.

But now, I finally understood that you can't force someone to love you.

Caleb seemed surprised by my tone. For once, his voice softened slightly.

"Something urgent came up at the office tonight. I forgot about our date. We can go to the movies another day."

Then his face darkened again. "But you need to fix that attitude of yours. Looking like that, you'd only embarrass me at the theater anyway."

My anger flared instantly.

He was out on a date with another woman behind his wife's back, yet he had the nerve to criticize me.

All the years of resentment I had suppressed finally exploded.

"I'm the embarrassment? You're the one sneaking around with Melody. Do you have no shame? Does it feel good to be with a homewrecker?"

I had clearly hit a nerve. Caleb's temper flared.

"Rhea Barrett, watch your mouth! Melody and I aren't like that. Don't project your filthy thoughts onto us."

"A jealous woman like you isn't even fit to be compared to her."

Hearing my own husband mock me with such cold, cruel words didn't even hurt anymore.

I was numb.

I had survived ten years of this. Why should a few more insults matter?

I marched over to the wall, grabbed our wedding photo, and slammed it onto the ground. Then, I ground my heel into the shattered glass.

Caleb looked at me in disbelief. He stepped forward and shoved me aside.

"Are you crazy, Rhea? I knew you were spiteful, but you've actually lost your mind!"

The shove caught me off guard. I fell onto the floor, and a shard of glass sliced deep into my wrist.

Blood began to soak into the rug, but I didn't care about the pain. I sat there and started laughing.

"Since I'm so terrible in your eyes, then let's get a divorce! You can finally be with your precious Melody out in the open. Maybe the two of you will actually make it."

Caleb rubbed his temples, looking frustrated. "Fine! A divorce! You said it, Rhea. Just don't come crawling back when you regret it."