Chapter 2

It was 3:30 AM when the blare of a car horn woke me up.

Today was our college reunion. I had to stay home because our son, Milo, had a fever, so my husband, Zeke, went alone.

I never thought he’d be out this late.

Zeke stumbled in, making a racket.

I soothed Milo, who was stirring in his sleep, and stepped out of his room. Zeke's clothes were scattered all over the living room floor.

I sighed, bending over to pick them up for the laundry, but I couldn't find his underwear anywhere.

"Where are your underwear?" I called toward the bathroom.

"What underwear?" Zeke’s voice was muffled by the sound of the shower.

"The ones you were wearing today."

"I threw them out!" he snapped impatiently. "Can you stop bothering me with this petty shit?!"

I was about to fire back when my phone buzzed. A social media notification.

I glanced at the screen. It was a new post from Zeke’s old flame, Jenna.

The caption was short, just one line under a picture.

"Reunited and it feels so good. Time to set off some fireworks."

In the photo, Jenna was wrapped in a bathrobe, a smug little smile on her face as she made a peace sign for the camera.

Behind her, a man’s back was facing the lens.

He was drying his hair, a towel wrapped around his hips, showing off his broad back muscles.

My eyes locked onto the back of his neck. There it was. A cross tattoo.

It was identical to the one on Zeke. He’d gotten it for me years ago because I went through a phase of loving the design. He called it a symbol of our love.

The comments were already rolling in. "Things getting hot and heavy?" one person teased.

Jenna replied with a winking emoji and a simple, devastating sentence: "Just like old times."

My fingers felt numb as I tapped the 'like' button on her reply.

I put down my phone, picked up the cold hangover tea from the coffee table, and poured it down the sink.

The shower finally stopped.

Zeke walked out, a towel around his waist. He saw me standing there and asked casually, "Where's my tea?"

"Oh, I forgot to make it," I said, my face a blank mask, before turning and walking back into my son’s room.

As the door clicked shut, I heard Zeke mutter behind me, "Can't even do one simple thing right..."

Milo shifted in his sleep, his chubby little hand brushing against his cheek as he mumbled, "Mommy."

I sighed, gently patting his back and tucking him in.

Then I unlocked my phone and texted a friend, asking if she knew a good divorce lawyer.

My marriage to Zeke was basically a merger between our two families. There were business ties and a lot of shared assets.

After seven years of marriage, divorce wasn't going to be simple.

Maybe it was guilt.

The next morning, for the first time in forever, Zeke actually suggested taking our son to the amusement park.

It took us three years to have Milo, and when he was born, he was diagnosed with a mild developmental delay.

Zeke had always been distant because of it, rarely showing him any affection. I was the one who handled everything for Milo, day in and day out.

"Mommy! We're going to the amusement park!" Milo's face lit up when he saw me.

Seeing his innocent smile, some of my anger melted away. Fine. I’ll do it for my son.

I took Milo's hand and we went downstairs.

But leaning against Zeke's car, talking on her phone, was Jenna. She was dressed in a chic, tailored blazer set.

She hung up and shot me a brilliant smile.

I stared at her, my expression flat. "What are you doing here?"

Zeke walked over, his tone casual. "Jenna just got back from overseas. She had some free time today, so I said she could join us."

"Yeah, long time no see, Kira," Jenna said, wrapping her arm possessively around Zeke’s.

Her hand drifted up and down his arm, a deliberate, stroking motion.

Jenna then pulled a beautifully wrapped gift box from her pocket and held it out to me.

"This is for you. Just a little something. Hope you like it."

"No, thank you. I haven't done anything to deserve a gift," I said coldly.

Zeke snatched the box and shoved it into my hands. "She's giving it to you, so just take it. Don't be so ungrateful."

I let out a bitter laugh and ripped open the box right in front of them.

Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a dark green silk scarf. The brand was understated but luxurious. Expensive.

I held it up, my eyes fixed on Jenna. "What is this supposed to mean?"

Jenna’s smile didn't falter. Her voice was syrupy sweet. "Oh, nothing. I just thought this scarf would look lovely on you. After all..."

She paused, her gaze flicking between me and Zeke. "Green is such a great color on you."

My fists clenched. Milo must have sensed my anger.

He gripped my hand tightly and whispered, "Mommy..."

Looking into my son's innocent eyes, I forced myself to calm down. I couldn't lose it in front of him.

"Stop wasting time, let's just get in the car," Zeke urged, already impatient.

Jenna slid into the passenger seat without a second thought.