Chapter 1

When I found out my husband was seeing another woman, he was holding me in his arms, thanking me for staying by his side for the past five years.

The phone on the coffee table buzzed. I glanced over his shoulder and caught the text popping up on the screen.

“Nine o'clock, our usual spot. Don't forget my necklace. Kisses.”

Tucked behind the sofa cushion was the anniversary gift I’d prepared for him—a medical report showing I was six weeks pregnant.

“Happy fifth anniversary, Jo,” Mark murmured, kissing the side of my neck.

I stared at the text, completely unable to respond.

“What’s wrong?”

The kitchen timer chimed.

“The oven,” I said softly.

He released me and went to the kitchen. I immediately crammed the report back into my bag.

“Try the cake,” he said, coming back and handing me a fork. “I made sure to go light on the sugar.”

It was Earl Grey—my favorite flavor. He’d even taken the time to pick off the mint leaves used for decoration.

I swallowed a bite, my throat tightening.

How could he remember every little detail of my preferences while agreeing to buy a necklace for another woman at the same time?

“How is it?”

“It’s great.”

He raised his wine glass, and I clinked mine against it with my glass of lemon water.

Eight thirty.

Thirty minutes until his date.

“Want to watch a movie tonight?” I asked.

“Of course.”

Yet the moment I picked up the remote, he looked down to reply to a message.

“Who is it?”

“Just a client.”

At eight forty, he stood up.

“I’m so sorry, Jo. Something came up at the office.”

“It’s our anniversary.”

“I know,” he said, holding my hand. “An hour tops.”

I looked into his eyes, foolishly hoping he’d change his mind and stay.

“Go ahead.”

He visibly relaxed.

I fetched his coat and straightened his collar. As usual, he lowered his head, letting my fingers brush over the fabric.

“Don’t wait up for me. Get some sleep early.”

When the door closed, I realized I was still clutching the sleeve of his jacket, my fingertips retaining the texture of the cloth.

I picked up my phone, on the verge of calling him to tell him about the baby.

But did I really want to use a baby just to force him to come back?

I opened location sharing.

His car wasn't heading toward his office.

The location pin stopped at a high-end restaurant.

Last year for my birthday, I’d wanted to go there, but he said he couldn't get a reservation. Two weeks ago, I brought it up again, and he said cooking a meal together at home was much more meaningful.

I had hugged him tightly back then, touched by his words.

My phone buzzed.

“Made it to the office. Love you.”

Looking at those words, I let out a bitter laugh and hailed a ride.

I wanted to see for myself who was sitting tonight in the spot he could never manage to book for me.