Chapter 2

The boutique's glass door chimed softly as we entered, releasing a wave of perfumed air. I clutched Nate's arm, trying to ignore the tremor in my hands—both from excitement and the persistent ache in my joints. After seven years of marriage, we were finally having our dream wedding. Or at least, that's what I told myself.

"Welcome to Elegance Bridal," a poised saleswoman greeted us, her practiced smile widening as she approached. Her gaze shifted between us before settling on me with a flash of recognition. "Mrs. Mills! How lovely to see you again."

I blinked, confused. "I'm sorry, have we met?"

"Oh!" Her perfectly manicured hand flew to her mouth. "You must not remember. I'm Amelia. I helped with your wedding dress last year—the one Mr. Mills ordered. Such a beautiful custom piece."

The world tilted slightly beneath my feet. "Last year?"

Nate's arm stiffened under my grip. I turned to look at him, finding his face drained of color.

"There must be some mistake," I said, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears. "We've been married for seven years."

Amelia's smile faltered. "I'm sorry, I thought—" She glanced at Nate, whose expression had hardened into something unreadable. "The dress was ordered by Mr. Mills here. A rush order. Ivory silk with pearl beading?"

"That wasn't for my wife," Nate interrupted, his voice tight. "You're confusing clients."

But Amelia was already tapping at her tablet. "No, I remember specifically because it was such a unique design. Here—" She turned the screen toward us, displaying an elegant gown with a sweetheart neckline. "This was commissioned last February for a Miss Rachel Winters."

Rachel.

The name hung in the air between us like a physical presence. I felt the blood drain from my face as pieces clicked into terrible place—his late nights at the office, the mysterious business trips, the emotional distance that had grown between us. All while I'd been silently battling my illness, believing we were just going through a rough patch.

"I think we should go," I whispered, already backing toward the door.

"Claire, wait—" Nate reached for me, but I shook my head, unable to bear his touch.

"Not here," I managed, pushing through the door and into the bright afternoon sunlight that suddenly seemed too harsh, too revealing.

The ride home passed in suffocating silence. Every attempt Nate made to explain was met with my raised hand—a plea for time I desperately needed to process this revelation.

Back in our apartment, I moved mechanically to the bedroom, sinking onto the edge of our bed—the same bed we'd shared for seven years while he dreamed of another woman.

My phone buzzed with a text from Sophia: *What happened with you and Nate? Are you okay?*

Confused, I typed back: *What do you mean?*

Her response came quickly: *His post. Can't you see it?*

I opened my social media app, searching for Nate's profile. Nothing appeared. With trembling fingers, I tried again, then realized with a sickening lurch—he had blocked me.

"Sophia," I whispered into the phone when she answered my call. "I can't see Nate's social media. What's going on?"

"Oh, honey," her voice softened with concern. "Let me send you screenshots."

Moments later, my phone pinged. There it was—Nate's post from yesterday: *Don't let youth end in regret. Tell me one word, and I'll come.*

My stomach twisted as I scrolled through the comments, following the trail of Nate's recent activity to Rachel's profile. Her engagement announcement glowed on the screen, the diamond on her finger catching the light in the professionally staged photo.

And beneath it, Nate's comment: *If I could start over, I'd still choose you.*

The phone slipped from my numb fingers as seven years of marriage collapsed around me like a house of cards—revealing the truth I'd been too blind, too hopeful to see.

My husband had never stopped loving another woman.