Chapter 1

When I was eighteen, I had one reckless night with my childhood sweetheart in a cheap motel.

He told me, "Liv, you're the only woman I'll ever love in this life."

In the sixth year of our marriage, after he'd made it big, I caught him cheating again.

Inside the bedroom, a girl's spoiled voice rang out:

"You spaced out again. Were you thinking about my sister? You're not allowed to think about her right now."

Lucas sounded tired.

"Liv, I promised your sister I'd come back to my family. I've already given you so much behind her back. What else do you want from me?"

I didn't cry or make a scene. I just turned around and walked away.

That night, I took out the divorce agreement from the drawer, the one I'd made him sign before.

Then I signed my own name on it, stroke by stroke.

After that, I put the papers back where they belonged.

If one round of forgiveness still couldn't save my love or my family, then I didn't want either anymore.

On our wedding anniversary, I wanted to surprise Lucas, so I came home early.

Instead, I saw him pinning down a girl in a white dress, tangled up with her.

In the heat of it, he called out, "Liv."

The flushed girl froze at once and asked, "Which Liv were you calling for?"

My nickname is Liv, and my sister—the one currently in my marital bed—has always claimed the exact same nickname.

I clamped a hand over my mouth so tightly that not a single sound escaped.

Inside the room, Emily got worked up. Her eyes reddened as she asked, word by word,

"Lucas Bennett, who the hell were you just calling?"

Lucas's fingers curled tight, and irritation flashed across his face.

The next second, he shoved the woman off him. His voice was thick with restrained anger and exhaustion.

"Emily Reed, I've already hidden everything from Olivia and given it all to you. What more do you want?"

"I promised her I'd come back to this family, but I still let you fool around with me on our bed. Isn't that enough?"

My lashes trembled as I clenched the gift box in my hand.

This wasn't the first time I'd caught them together.

Three months ago, Lucas had knelt in front of me and sworn he'd never do it again.

I thought he'd come to his senses, but what was in front of me right now only proved how pathetic I'd been.

Seeing him get angry, Emily panicked and quickly wrapped both arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry, Lucas... I just love you too much. That's why I'm so insecure..."

"I don't want anything else. I just don't want you to leave me again..."

Emily's voice started to choke up.

Lucas let out a soft sigh and let her lips wander all over him.

Before long, their ragged breathing filled the room again.

Again and again, desperate and wild.

I stood by the door and listened to it all afternoon.

Only after night fell did those intimate sounds finally die down.

Lucas checked the time and started sending her away.

"All right. Olivia should be back from work soon. You need to go."

Emily got dressed and left, clearly unwilling.

I hid around the corner and heard her whining that she wanted the ruby necklace from my vanity.

I also heard her say that whatever I had, she should get double, and no one was allowed to shortchange her.

It was the middle of summer, yet my whole body felt cold.