Chapter 1

While I was walking my dog, Butterscotch, he confidently trotted to the 22nd floor of the next building and wagged his tail at Unit 2201. I was surprised.

The door opened, and a beautiful girl in slippers came out.

She happily rubbed Butterscotch's head and said to me, "You're the courier, right? Tell Alfie I'll take good care of his dog. Come on, Butter, Mommy will take you for venison salad today."

Alfonso Clements was my husband, and Butterscotch was the dog we'd had for three years.

It turned out that during my six-month business trip, Alfonso found a new mom for Butterscotch.

*****

After I came back from a six-month business trip overseas, still groggy from jet lag, Butterscotch dragged me out the door.

Butterscotch was a three-year-old golden retriever. He was as sweet as could be, but shockingly strong.

He was way more excited than usual, practically hauling me along as he confidently headed into the next building.

I was a bit surprised.

We lived in Building 11, but Butterscotch was pulling me straight toward the elevator in Building 12.

The elevator took us up to the 22nd floor, and Butterscotch made a beeline for Unit 2201 at the end of the hallway, his front paws up on the door, his tail spinning like a propeller.

My mind went blank, and the leash in my hand was nearly yanked free.

'What the heck is going on?' I thought. 'Why does Butterscotch act as if he knows here so well?'

As I was thinking, the door clicked open, and a beautiful girl showed up at the door.

"Butter, did you miss me?" She crouched down, rubbing Butterscotch's fluffy head like he was her own, acting like I wasn't there.

Butterscotch licked her cheek with wild enthusiasm, letting out happy little noises. He was more affectionate with the girl than with me, his actual owner.

I felt my heart sink, bit by bit.

The girl finally stood up, her eyes landing on me, and said in the most natural tone in the world, "You're the courier, right? Thanks."

She pointed at Butterscotch. "Let Alfie know I'll take good care of his dog. And he already paid you, right? Come on, Butter, Mommy's taking you for venison salad today."

'Alfie?' I thought.

Alfonso Clements was my husband.

My mind went blank, numb all over. But I kept it together, wanting to make sure it was not a misunderstanding. "Who is Alfie?"

"My boyfriend. Didn't he ask you to bring Butter over?" she replied.

When she saw me standing there, her smile faded a bit, and she sounded a little impatient. "What's wrong? Didn't you hear me? Hand the leash over."

She tried to take the leash from my hand, but I was holding it tight.

Turned out that while I was busting my ass overseas for our future, Alfonso not only cheated, but he also found Butterscotch a new mom.

How ridiculous.

His mistress even thought I was the courier Alfonso sent to drop off the dog.

I watched Butterscotch wagging his tail at her, and after the sting, a cold numbness settled in.

I didn't yell or ask questions desperately. I slowly forced a smile and let go of the leash. "Okay. Mr. Clements told me to make sure the dog got to you."

The girl took the leash with a satisfied look and shut the door behind her.

As the door closed, I heard her say to Butterscotch, "Good boy. Mommy's going to make you something delicious right now."

I stood in front of Unit 2201 for a long time.

It wasn't until the elevator doors opened and closed several times that I finally turned around and went back to my own place.

The house was spotless, with Alfonso's neatly ironed shirts still hanging on the balcony. Everything looked as tidy as it did when I left six months ago.

But there was this faint, almost elusive whiff of perfume in the air, something unfamiliar.

But it was the same scent the girl had.

If I hadn't randomly decided to fly halfway across the world and check in, I never would've uncovered this secret.

At seven o'clock sharp, Alfonso walked through the door.

He swapped his shoes at the entryway like always, but when he spotted me, he froze, clearly caught off guard and a bit rattled.

He pulled himself together fast, flashing me a smile.

"Honey, why didn't you let me know you were coming back? I would've picked you up at the airport," he said, arms wide for a big hug.