Chapter 1
Three years into our marriage, my wife, Charlotte Reed, never missed a chance to stick with me in bed.
All my buddies joked that the wild girl who used to have a thing for male hustlers had finally let go of her party life for me.
I believed we really loved each other, so when she got up to her wild tricks in bed, I just gritted my teeth and took it.
But then, one day, I scrolled across a question on my feed.
[What's the craziest bet you've ever made?]
The top comment said: [I once tried to win over a genius guy. He always shot me down, said I was way too much of a flirt, and even made a wild bet with me.
[The bet is if I could stay married for three whole years and not mess around with anyone but my husband, he'd say yes to me.]
I'd seen that profile pic before—it was Charlotte.
Even the school she listed, and the way she always showed off that same red mole on her wrist in her posts—every single thing matched up.
Turned out, the girl, who made me think I was her whole world, was loyal to me only because of a bet.
Swallowing back my tears, I finished drafting the divorce papers and made the call to my mentor, William Carter.
*****
I clenched my phone, as she was still energetically sharing with everyone online.
Just by reading her words, anyone could tell how deeply she was into the man she was talking about.
[When he comes back to the country this time, I'm totally telling him I won the bet. I'm going to win over this proud man.]
Some folks in the comments were totally cheering her on, while others dragged Charlotte for flirting behind her husband's back.
[I envy you. Seriously, don't you ever get sick of being with just one guy? Aren't you even a little curious about what it'd be like with the man you are targeting?]
She replied right away, [Well, I'm a bit too much for my hubby sometimes—he can barely handle me. No way I'd let my crush handle this.]
Charlotte thought I'd never see her secret account on social media, so she just ran her mouth with zero restraint.
Every time she went too far in bed with me, I couldn't help but doubt that it was not what a person was supposed to do when they really loved someone.
Now I finally got it. I was just her sex toy.
With my gaze low, I quickly texted one of Charlotte's old classmates. [Is the man Charlotte once had a crush on coming back from overseas?]
I tried to keep my message calm, but the pale tips of my fingers betrayed the sour ache in my heart.
The person was still typing, and I added another message. [I see.]
Only then did she finally reply, and that single word hit me like a punch to the gut. [Yes.]
The profile picture of Charlotte, that red mole on her wrist, and her old crush. Every piece fell into place.
Even though I'd suspected all along that the comment was from Charlotte, hearing it confirmed still made my chest tighten.
I dug my nails into my palm, letting out a bitter smile. I had lost all my hope.
My gaze fell on the picture frame sitting on the table—our wedding photo.
Charlotte was smiling so tenderly, nestled up against my shoulder.
Even though that photo hadn't changed, the way I looked at it now was completely different.
That smile was nothing but mockery now, ridiculing just how foolish I'd been.
I closed my eyes, letting memories from the past flicker through my mind.
Charlotte, at twenty-three, radiant in her wedding dress, reached out to me with that enchanting grace.
"Hey, James, I promise I'll always be good to you."
Her voice, her smile—all of it was still so vivid before my eyes, and I could swear her burning warmth still lingered in my palm.
Deep feelings could be nothing but an act, but when someone hid their true heart, it was the hardest thing in the world to see through.
I drew in a shaky breath and dialed that long-forgotten number.
"Professor Carter, I'm willing to go overseas with you and do research."
He was silent for a moment, didn't press for details—just told me to meet him at the airport in three days.
I looked at the calendar—three days from now was our wedding anniversary.
So, I would leave right when we were supposed to be at our happiest and let Charlotte never be able to find me again.