Chapter 1

Seven years of marriage, and this was the one hundredth time my husband, Andrew Carter, had canceled our honeymoon.

The first time, I had planned the trip six months in advance.

I waited at the airport until our flight was canceled, only to scroll through my phone and see him riding a carousel at an amusement park with Vivian Lane, who had just gone through a bad breakup.

The second time, as we were about to board the plane, Vivian called, sobbing that she'd cut her finger while chopping ingredients. He turned around and left to take care of her without a second thought.

After that, no matter the occasion, Vivian always seemed to have some crisis that required his attention.

When he canceled yet again, using the familiar excuse that "she has no one else, it's too pitiful," something inside me finally broke. I was done.

That same day, I packed my bags and placed the divorce papers in front of him.

This marked Andrew's one hundredth cancellation of our honeymoon.

Then, he disappeared for a month.

Then Vivian Lane sent me a friend request.

The past month, they had been traveling, following the exact honeymoon itinerary I had spent countless sleepless nights meticulously planning.

My hands trembled as I opened the latest photo from their social media.

There was Vivian, her head tilted against Andrew's shoulder, eyes curved into happy crescents.

Andrew looked down at her, his smile tender and fond.

She sent me several more photos privately.

The message she sent read: [Anna, thanks for the guide. We tried out quite a few positions in all the hotels you picked.]

I sank to the floor, a cold numbness spreading through me. My phone slipped from my grip and hit the hardwood with a sharp crack.

*****

I didn't know how long I sat there before I heard the front door lock click.

Andrew walked in, his skin slightly tanned from his travels, his expression still relaxed and content.

He paused, seeing me on the floor, then frowned. "What are you doing sitting on the floor in the middle of the night?"

His tone made it sound like I was the one at fault.

I looked at him, my mouth opening, but no words came out.

For a whole month, I had searched for him like a madwoman, terrified something terrible had happened, letting myself fall apart. And all he had been doing was vacationing.

When I stayed silent, Andrew stepped past me to pour himself a glass of water.

As if remembering something, he offered an offhand explanation, "There was a last-minute project for the company. I had to check it out. The phone reception was terrible the whole time."

"Is that so?" My voice was ragged.

I pushed myself up slowly, using the sofa for support. "A business trip to Purisa?"

Andrew froze, the glass halfway to his lips, then looked at me. "What are you getting at?"

A cold laugh escaped me. I picked up my shattered phone from the floor, pulled up Vivian's social media, and thrust the screen toward him.

I said, locking eyes with him, enunciating each word, "Andrew, so this is your so-called 'urgent project'?

"You took Vivian and followed my honeymoon itinerary from start to finish, hooking up in every hotel bed I booked?"

He set the glass down with a heavy sigh, giving me a look of pure exasperation. "It's not what you think..."

His voice held the weary patience of someone dealing with a childish tantrum.

I drew a sharp, shaky breath, my chest tight with a pain that threatened to split me open. "What else could it possibly be? She spelled it out for me.

"A month ago, she lured you away by pretending to be sick. The moment I canceled my flight, the two of you were already on a plane heading overseas.

"What other explanation could there possibly be?"

My vision blurred with unshed tears.

But his eyes held only impatience. "Vivian has depression. We grew up together. I can't just abandon her.

"And those photos are just photos. We didn't go all the way..."

They were all naked, and he expected me to believe they didn't go all the way? Who would buy that?

"Those places were just a coincidence..." he added.

A perfect, point-by-point coincidence. I almost laughed, but it came out as a choked, bitter sound.

Looking at the man I'd loved for seven years, I felt my heart slowly tear into pieces.

"Fine. I accept your excuse," I said, my voice cold and empty, like I'd finally given up.

Seven years of marriage, and our honeymoon remained perpetually out of reach. Perhaps he never truly intended to have one with me in the first place.

Andrew's expression softened slightly; he thought he had placated me.

I pulled out the divorce papers I'd already prepared and set them right in front of him.

So, I also accepted the fact that he simply did not love me.

"Let's get a divorce," I said.

The living room fell into a silence so deep one could hear a pin drop.

His face darkened momentarily before settling into a calm mask. "We've been married for seven years. You'd really end it over something so trivial?

"Anna Hughes, you're almost thirty. Don't be so immature.

"Fine. What do you want to get to this point? A luxury car? A penthouse? Help with your career? Name it. I'll give you anything, just drop this divorce nonsense."

My voice was quiet but steady. "I don't want anything. I'll leave with nothing."

Frankly, Andrew's assets meant nothing to me.

Just then, Vivian sent me a voice message—she was crying as she spoke.

She was crying, "Andy, what do I do? My mom is hysterical again, demanding I get married. Where am I supposed to find someone now?

"I'm so scared. Can you come over right now? Mom, stop hitting me!"

Andrew's demeanor shifted instantly to one of urgent concern.

"Don't be afraid, I'm on my way!" he spoke into his phone.

I immediately held out the divorce agreement. "Sign it. Then your Vivian won't get beaten for being unmarried."

Andrew's face was stormy, but he snatched the pen and signed. Perhaps driven by a pang of guilt, he carefully fastened a necklace around my neck himself.

"Sweetheart, this is only temporary. I know I let you down about the honeymoon. Next time, I'll handle it myself. Just stay home and be sensible, okay?" he added, as if reassuring a child.

I nodded numbly.

Soon, I finished packing all my belongings, ready to leave this place for good. By the time I was done, it was deep into the night.