Chapter 1
My bestie was obsessed with those get-the-guy-back romance novels.
When she found out her husband was cheating, she didn't rush to divorce. Instead, she started counting down the days until she could.
The homewrecker kept messing with her. But not only did she take all that abuse, she dragged me into it too.
I told her to cut her losses while she could. She just said, "The more they hurt me now, the more it'll kill him when he regrets it later. You're my BFF, so you gotta suffer through this with me."
But when she was all glammed up, ready to jump into the second lead's arms, he didn't want her.
*****
When my bestie Sadie Evans called, I bolted to her place. The whole way over, I mentally rehearsed a hundred ways to slap her husband, Ryan Lewis.
How dare that jerk cheat and even bring his side chick home? Did he think Sadie had no one to back her up?
But when I arrived, I saw Sadie waiting on a guy and a woman lounging in the living room's main couch, like she was their maid.
The guy was Ryan, and the flirty chick next to him had to be Mandy Wilson, the homewrecker.
The scene made my blood boil. I stormed over, hand raised to smack Ryan, only for Sadie to block me at the last second.
"Sadie, why do you stop me?" I stared at her in shock.
Sadie wasn't the crying mess I'd heard on the phone. Now her face was totally blank.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you get justice today," I said, thinking she was too hurt to fight back.
But she replied flatly, "It's not necessary, Chloe."
"Not necessary?" I frowned, scanning her up and down. Once I confirmed she wasn't hurt, I relaxed. "That bastard Ryan threatened you?"
"Don't throw around accusations, Chloe. I didn't threaten her," Ryan said with a cocky grin, his arm wrapped around Mandy.
"Ryan, I can't believe you're such a scumbag. I never should've let Sadie marry you," I spat, my teeth clenched in anger.
Ryan just shrugged. "It's not too late to regret it."
That left me speechless.
Just as I was about to tell Sadie to divorce him, he stood up and leaned his whole body on Mandy.
"Mandy, let's get out of here and go back to the office. These two have totally ruined the vibe," he said.
With that, he took Mandy's hand and walked toward the door.
As they passed Sadie, Mandy deliberately stopped and said, "Sadie, that sandalwood in your bedroom is so not my thing. Maybe try something citrusy?"
God, this homewrecker had zero shame.
My fist already itched to go for Mandy's face. But Sadie jumped in, locking down my arms so I couldn't move an inch.
Ryan was shocked at first. But when he saw that Sadie was holding me back, he raised an eyebrow.
"Mandy's right. Sandalwood is so dull. Orange is way better, bright and fresh, just like Mandy. From now on, let's use an orange-scented air freshener at home," he said.
"Ryan, you shameless jerk! I swear I'll knock your lights out." I was so mad I nearly passed out from rage.
But Sadie nodded coolly at them. "Sure, I'll switch it today."
Her reaction threw the two for a loop, especially Mandy. She scoffed, "Your wife is such a snooze, Ryan."
"Told you," Ryan said, rolling his eyes. "Ever since she got hooked on those stupid romance novels, she's been this lifeless mess. Total buzzkill."
The two kept chatting as they strolled out, totally ignoring Sadie, the lady of the house.
I thought Sadie was gonna take it, but she called out, "Hold up, Ryan. I've got a few documents here that need your signature."
Ryan turned around with a puzzled look. "What documents?"
Sadie didn't answer. She just let go of me, walked over to a cabinet, pulled out a thick stack of papers, and handed them to Ryan.