Chapter 1

My husband's sweetheart was throwing another tantrum again.

This time, the way he chose to calm her down was by handing me a divorce agreement. "It's for show. Sign it."

I reached out to take the papers, but he frowned and added, "I have plenty more copies. Tearing this one up won't change a thing."

I froze for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing. I couldn't blame him for being suspicious.

After I found out about his affair, I cried, I screamed, and I threatened to take my own life, yet none of it could make him come back to me.

All those years, he'd always spoken to me impatiently. "Are you done causing trouble yet?"

When I nodded quietly and signed without a word, he exhaled in relief and pulled me into a hug happily, "You're finally being reasonable."

I let out a sigh of relief, too.

My boyfriend had told me he refused to be the lover. Now, I could finally give him the answer he deserved.

*****

Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. The atmosphere in the private room was in full swing when Wesley Cole suddenly said he wanted a divorce.

The air instantly turned icy. His buddies started joking around.

"Come on, everyone knows Abigail can't live without Wesley. If you bring up divorce, that's like a death sentence for her."

Wesley stretched out lazily, sinking into the couch. "Dahlia's been binge-watching those female-led dramas lately, and now she's making a fuss, saying she won't be the mistress anymore and wants to run away. I have to keep her happy, you know?

"Besides, it's a fake divorce. Abigail's not like she used to be. She's finally being reasonable."

One of his buddies cracked up. "Wesley, you're the man. You got to share your secrets. My wife's been raising hell lately."

"Sure, but about this month's drinks?" Wesley smiled.

"Drinks are on me, for sure," the man promised.

Outside the private room, I stared at my phone. The 99th call had been hung up on me. I sighed. My boyfriend was in a mood, too.

I was going to wait until after the anniversary to talk about divorce, but Wesley beat me to it.

Maybe that was for the best. I didn't have to stress about how to start that conversation anymore.

*****

After everyone left, Wesley frowned, clearly displeased to see me poring over the divorce papers. "Why are you scrutinizing it like that? Even if this is an act, I'm not going to shortchange you. Relax. You'll get eighty percent of the assets.

"Besides, Dahlia's into me, not my bank account."

I cut him off. "Let's split it fifty-fifty. That way you won't end up regretting it."

Wesley looked me up and down. After a few seconds, he laughed suddenly. "What? Switching up your tactics again? Dahlia said you were acting all cool and aloof.

"Honestly, it suits you. But no matter how you act, you'll always be my dearest, Abigail."

I curled my lips into a smile and stayed silent.

He seemed to be in an unusually good mood today, talking on and on without waiting for my response. "Give it two months. Once Dahlia's temper cools off, we'll tie the knot again.

"And when that day comes, I'll make sure you get the grandest proposal anyone's ever seen. What kind of proposal do you want? You can tell me now."

He planted his hands on either side of me, locking his gaze with mine.

In that moment, it felt like I was the only person in his world.

For a moment, it felt like he was still that guy from our youth, always chasing after me and saying I was the only one he ever wanted.

Old memories hit me suddenly. A tiny, sharp pain pricked at my heart.

I took a deep breath and decided to lay it all out for him. "Honestly, I've got someone else now. Let's sign the papers and get it over with."

Just then, his phone started ringing with that special, upbeat ringtone. He glanced at the screen, and his whole face lit up.

He shot to his feet and gave my hair a gentle tousle. "Something urgent came up. I have to run. Get some rest. See you at the courthouse tomorrow, right on time."

As soon as he left, my phone buzzed with a new message.

I opened it. It was a screenshot of the divorce agreement I'd signed, along with a chat log between Wesley and Dahlia. [I always keep my word. Have you put on the sexy outfit yet? Be ready and squeaky clean for me.]