Chapter 1
On my husband Ryan Willard's birthday, I pulled an all-nighter to get back from another city.
However, it was Betsy Mond, his secretary, opening the door in my pajamas.
"Sherry, I just came to report to Mr. Willard. I got caught in the rain, so I took a shower and borrowed your pajamas. Please don't misunderstand," Betsy said.
"There's no need to explain," Ryan said coldly.
Also wearing pajamas just like Betsy, he walked out of the bedroom with a look of pure contempt, his eyes full of disgust as he glanced at me.
"Weren't you supposed to be on a business trip? What are you doing back?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
I paused for a moment, then shook my head with a light laugh. "It's nothing. I just came back to pick up some documents," I replied.
With barely a glance, I tossed the carefully chosen birthday gift straight into the trash, then sent a message to my lawyer.
[Prepare a divorce agreement for me.]
*****
They were all over each other, acting like I wasn't even there.
With a blank face, I walked into the study. When I came out with the documents, they were tangled up together on the couch, hugging tight, and Ryan's hand was already sneaking under Betsy's pajamas.
When they finally noticed me, Ryan slowly pulled his hand out, and then casually brought it up to his nose for a sniff, like it was nothing.
Betsy, her face flushed, quickly blurted out, "Sorry, Sherry. I just took a shower and I was a little cold, so I asked Mr. Willard to help me warm up. Please don't get the wrong idea."
What a lame excuse.
Before I could even get a word out, Ryan shot me an impatient glare.
"Weren't you here for the documents? You've got them, so why are you still standing there? Do I have to kick you out myself?" he snapped.
I felt my breath catch in my throat.
Since when did he become so cold?
I remembered when we first got married, even if I was just leaving for a short trip, he'd worry about me, remind me a hundred times, and see me off at the airport, acting like he couldn't stand to be apart from me.
But now, just coming home to grab some documents, he acted like I was wasting his time.
"Alright, I'm leaving," I said, my tone curt.
I turned to go, ready to walk out, but Betsy couldn't resist taking a jab.
"Sherry, make sure you close the door behind you. Wouldn't want us getting too noisy and disturbing the neighbors," she said.
I frowned, turning to fix her with an icy, unflinching stare.
After a long pause, I just laughed.
"Go easy, you two. This couch cost a fortune," I said.
I threw the first jab, but as soon as the words left my mouth, she put on her best pitiful face.
"Sherry, you've got it all wrong. Mr. Willard and I were just about to hit the gym together, so..." Betsy stammered.
Ryan was fuming too.
"Sherry, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" he snapped.
"Chill out, it's just a joke," I said, letting out a half-hearted laugh.
Outwardly, I joked around, but inside, the pain was overwhelming.
Ryan gave me a cold, dismissive look.
"If you've got a problem, take it up with me. Why are you always giving Betsy a hard time? What does that even prove?" he snapped.
Betsy hurriedly stood up. "I'm sorry, Mr. Willard. Please don't argue because of me. It's all my fault, I'll just go."
"No need!" Ryan cut her off, pulling her into his arms.
He then turned to me with a cold, hard stare.
"Can you stop with the drama for once?" Ryan snapped.
"Even grabbing some files, you gotta make trouble. Aren't you sick of it?" he added.
I gave him a deadpan look, then turned and walked away without a word.
The moment the door slammed shut behind me, my chest tightened with a dull, crushing pain. I doubled over, struggling to catch my breath.
Five years.
In just five years, the bond between me and Ryan had gone from inseparable to completely shattered.
Was marriage really just where love went goes to die?
After a long moment, I finally pulled myself together, ignoring the soft whimpers coming from inside, and strode away without looking back.
When I got to the airport, Ryan texted me.
[Look at yourself. Is this how you want to be?]
[Betsy came all the way here in the rain just to report to me. What's wrong with me showing her a little concern? Why are you being so jealous and childish? Can't you be a little more generous?]
I stared at my phone in disbelief, barely having time to react before his impatient call came through.
"Are you blind? Didn't you see my messages?
"Apologize to Betsy, you've ruined her mood completely!"
On the other end, Betsy let out a theatrical sigh. "Sorry, Sherry. I'm really hurt by what you said..."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"Enjoy yourselves," I said, my voice flat and cold.
This wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
Ever since Betsy joined the company, specially recruited by Ryan as his secretary, he'd started favoring her unconditionally, always siding with this girl barely in her twenties.