Chapter 1

At our seventh anniversary dinner, my husband said just one thing.

"Babe, pass the lemon juice."

My best friend instantly rose and passed it to him.

I stared, stunned. Chloe quickly explained.

"Habit,"she said. "We're always passing things at family dinners. Do you need some lemon, Valerie?"

"No, thank you."

I kept my smile perfectly in place. My fork clattered to the floor.

Bending to pick it up, I saw it: my husband's leg and Chloe's, tangled under the table, snapping apart.

After the party, I told Mark calmly.

"Let's get a divorce."

Mark was shocked.

"What the fuck?! Because she passed me the lemon juice?!"

Mark turned on me, furious.

"Your leg was tangled with hers under the table," I stated, my voice cold.

Mark scoffed. "You're imagining things. I stretched. My leg brushed hers. That's it. What, am I not allowed long legs now?"

He wouldn't admit a thing, so I pressed harder.

"You also cut her favorite salmon for her, poured her favorite orange juice. Since when do you know Chloe's favorites?"

Mark's face darkened.

"Valerie, have you lost your mind? I was being hospitable. Since when is that a crime?"

I didn't stop.

"No wonder she's stayed single. Tell me, Mark. When did it start with you two?"

Mark fell silent, then stormed out, slamming the door.

I sank into a chair, overwhelmed, staring at the messy table.

We met in college. I came from money but never held his humble start against him. For two years, I was the one who paid the bills.

He had always been gentle with me.

And yet he cheated. With my best friend.

At 11 PM, he still wasn't home. I went straight to Chloe's bar.

Before I even pushed open the door, I heard Mark's complaining voice from inside.

"You guys know I'm being bullied by my crazy wife, and you're laughing? Don't you have any sympathy?"

The room was packed, mostly with our mutual friends.

Chloe toyed with a glass, leaning against Mark.

"Whose fault is it for being so careless, calling me 'babe' right in Valerie's house?"

"I thought she wouldn't be so sensitive. Guess I was wrong, she still figured it out."

She set down her glass and lit a cigarette with the limited-edition lighter I'd given her for her birthday last year.

But as she took a drag, Mark casually took the cigarette from her.

"You're pregnant, you can't smoke!"

"Fine, fine. Whatever you say. No smoking. After all, you're the father of my baby, so you're the boss."

She stroked her still-flat stomach, resting her head on Mark's shoulder, a smile playing on her lips.

All the blood in my veins turned to ice in that instant.

Chloe and Mark weren't just having an affair; they were having a baby!