Chapter 1
On our third wedding anniversary, Ethan Gregory went public with Cherry Lewis on Instagram, posting a photo of them skiing in Alveria.
And I was the only one he blocked from seeing it.
Wearing an expensive dress, I stood in the middle of the crowd, awkwardly making excuses for him.
A laugh came from the corner.
Someone sneered, "Come on, everyone knows Mr. Gregory went skiing with Ms. Lewis. Mrs. Gregory, you didn't check Instagram?"
I froze, my smile stiffening.
Five minutes earlier, I'd gotten a photo from Cherry.
It was two naked bodies tangled together, so explicit that it made my blood boil.
Cherry also sent a sickly sweet voice message, teasing me, "Vivian, if you have any pride at all, leave Ethan. He loves me. So let him go if you don't love him."
In the background, I could hear Ethan breathing hard. "Baby, focus."
I bit my lip and held back the shame.
It was fine. If Cherry loved picking up my leftovers that much, she could go ahead. She could be Mrs. Gregory. I didn't want it anyway.
*****
A week later, I was feeding the day lilies one morning when Ethan and Cherry showed up at the villa.
Cherry's face was slightly flushed, and she wrinkled her nose. "What the hell is this? It stinks."
I calmly explained, "It's worm castings. Really good fertilizer."
The next second, Cherry shrieked and jumped up, clinging to Ethan. "Ethan, worms freak me out."
Ethan scooped her up. "Don't worry, Cherry. I've got you."
My stomach turned. I almost threw up, but managed to hold it in.
Ethan frowned, looking annoyed and disgusted. "Look at you, covered in dirt. You don't look like a Mrs. Gregory at all."
I didn't say anything, poured the rest of the fertilizer into the hole and covered it with soil.
"Dig them up." He watched me with an amused, mocking smile.
"What?" I couldn't believe what he said.
These day lilies were the ones Ethan and I had prayed for together three years ago. We'd climbed a thousand steps to an old church on the hill, bowing every step, to get them.
He'd said that I could plant whatever I wanted in this garden.
I'd spent three years taking care of them, from tiny sprouts to their first flowers. They were supposed to be my last gift to Ethan's mother, Eleanor Gregory.
The gardener standing behind me saw how protective I was and hesitated.
"Didn't you hear me? I said dig them up." Ethan repeated, his voice full of anger.
"Right away, sir." The gardener stepped around me, going to work.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down.
I was leaving soon anyway. As the saying went, patience was a virtue.
They were for his mother. No big deal if they were gone.
Ethan looked down at me. "This is Cherry. She has trouble sleeping, so you'll move to the second floor. Don't bother her."
"Okay," I replied quietly.
Ethan paused, surprised I agreed so fast. He went on, "Cherry lost her parents when she was a kid. No money, no love. Poor thing's had a rough life."
"Sure." I nodded.
Seeing that I didn't care, Ethan snorted and carried Cherry away.
As they passed me, Cherry raised eyebrows, looking like she'd already won.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt. I did love him once.
I had to make it to Eleanor's birthday party the day after tomorrow, and then I'd be free.
At eight that night, I'd just finished packing when Ethan came home with Cherry.
They were all over each other, like I wasn't even in the room.
I dragged my suitcase toward the storage room on the first floor. I was moving out soon anyway. No point in making a big deal.
Ethan glanced up, then paused. "Are you mad?"
I kept moving. He let go of Cherry. "Don't be like that. I brought you a gift from Alveria."
Following his gaze, I saw a fancy jewelry box on the table.
"Not your thing? I'll get you a few limited-edition bags in a couple of days," he said, his voice all sweet again.
I looked up, confused. Did he seriously forget our marriage deal would end in three days?
Cherry whined, "Ethan, I haven't eaten yet. I'm so hungry."
Ethan immediately turned to her, smiling as he tapped her nose.
"What do you want, you little foodie? I'll have Tessa make it for you."
"You said Vivian's got magic hands, and her Crab Stuffed Artichoke Hearts are amazing. Could Vivian make some for me to try?" Cherry said.
"Of course. Whatever Cherry wants, she gets." Ethan looked at me. "Go make it."