Chapter 1

My husband, Brandon Caldwell, was a star lawyer, while I knew next to nothing about the law.

People in his circle always said I didn't deserve him, but he was always there for me, standing behind me no matter what.

Brandon said, "If it weren't for Iris, I wouldn't be who I am today. She's always been my dream girl."

Then, a young and pretty assistant, Jayda Larsen, started working with him.

He stopped telling me funny stories from work and instead praised her for being talented and having a fresh perspective.

Everything changed on that stormy night.

I rushed over to pick him up after work, only to see him holding his umbrella over Jayda, keeping her close in his arms.

I knew right then our relationship was done for.

*****

I stood across the street, watching as he held Jayda close, ensuring she got into the car safely.

He held the umbrella over her, shielding her from the storm.

Meanwhile, his car sent a spray of muddy water all over me, the cold wind flipped my umbrella inside out, and the rain came down in sheets.

When I finally got home, soaked and miserable, I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't stop the tears.

I kept calling him over and over.

Finally, on the eighth try, someone picked up.

"Hi, Iris. Mr. Caldwell's in the shower right now. I'll have him call you back later," Jayda said softly.

Hearing her sweet, gentle voice, I gripped my phone so tightly that my knuckles went white, trying hard not to lose it.

"Please don't read too much into it, Iris. It was pouring, and Mr. Caldwell insisted on driving me home. He was so focused on keeping me dry with the umbrella that he got soaked himself. I was just worried he'd catch a cold, so I asked him to take a hot shower before heading out," Jayda explained.

After hanging up, I pulled the blanket tighter around myself and stared out at the thunderstorm raging outside.

He knew I'd been afraid of thunder ever since I was little. Whenever there was a storm like this, he'd always come home early to stay with me.

But not only was he not there with me, he wouldn't even answer my calls anymore.

After another hour, Brandon finally called back.

There was a hint of guilt in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Iris. The rain came out of nowhere, and Jayda didn't have an umbrella. I was worried about her getting home safely, so I drove her back," he said.

His words cut me deep, stabbing right into my heart.

I was terrified by the storm, and all he cared about was another woman.

I was just about to call him out when a sudden thud came through the line.

"What happened, Jayda? Are you alright?" Brandon's voice was filled with concern.

He dropped the phone, and I could hear their voices in the background, urgent and hurried.

"Are you alright? Does it hurt? Let me carry you to the hospital so a doctor can take a look," Brandon said, worry all over his voice.

"How did you get so careless? I should get you a non-slip mat for your bathroom," he added, half-scolding, half-concerned.

"Oh, it's nothing, really. Please don't make such a big deal out of it. I just slipped a little," Jayda said, brushing it off.

"How can you say it's nothing? You're always so scatterbrained. What would you do without me?" Brandon replied, half-scolding, half-concerned.

My heart sank as I listened to Brandon fuss over her, mixing worry and blame.

He used to spoil me the same way, always calling me his little dummy.

It took him a long time to make sure Jayda was okay before he finally remembered me.

"Sorry, Iris. Jayda slipped and fell. I need to go, I'll be home soon," he said, sounding rushed and distant.

Before I could even get a word out, he hung up on me.

Listening to the mechanical beep, I couldn't help but think of all those nights when we'd argue over who would hang up first, so we could keep talking for another hour.

But because of Jayda, he couldn't even wait for me to say a single word.

I knew right then that our relationship was done for.

Brandon and I were classmates in college.

The first time I met him, it was pouring. He was standing by the campus lake, looking lost and alone.

I walked over with my umbrella, shielding him from the rain.

Back then, he'd been accused of cheating on an exam and had almost not been able to graduate. If that kind of mark stayed on his record, he'd never have a shot at being a lawyer.

I stuck with him, going to talk to professors and the dean, until we finally set the record straight.

When he finally confessed his feelings, he told me, "Iris, you're the sunshine in my life. You light up my world and help me find my way."

After graduation, we spent years living in obscurity, just flying under the radar.

Then, when the internet started booming, he jumped on the trend and began making legal explainer videos. Thanks to his looks and professional skills, he made a name for himself in the legal scene almost overnight.

After he got famous, people would always say I wasn't good enough for him.

But he'd hold my hand tight in front of everyone, showing me off with pride and never hesitating to let the world know how much he loved me.

He'd say, "If it weren't for Iris, I wouldn't be who I am today.

"She's always been my dream girl."

I remembered that on our wedding day, he shared a post online. [Holding your hand, I can't tell you how much I love you.]

Back then, I really thought we'd be together forever, until Jayda showed up and everything changed.

Jayda was young, beautiful, and a star student at law school. Brandon was always gushing about her, never missing a chance to sing her praises.