Chapter 1My Husband Begged Me to Cheat on Him

Seven years into our marriage, I caught Alaric cheating three times.

The first time, he knelt in the pouring rain, begging for my forgiveness.

The second time, he roped my parents into a dramatic scene, trying to stop me from divorcing him.

The third time, he just gave up, a dismissive smile playing on his lips. "Go find your own fun, then. Happy now?"

Happy, absolutely thrilled.

It wasn't until I actually tried it that I finally understood him. The taste of youth and freshness was truly intoxicating.

But then, Alaric regretted it.

* * *

My twenty-ninth birthday. The spacious house felt empty, just me. Alaric, who’d promised to rush back and celebrate with me, sent a text two minutes ago:

Got held up, can’t make it. Will make it up to you tomorrow.

Almost immediately, his secretary, Bethany, posted something on her social media feed, clearly meant for my eyes.

A luxury hotel, hundreds of floors up, overlooking the entire city. In the bathtub by the floor-to-ceiling window, two hands, slick with foamy suds, were intertwined. The intimate scene spoke volumes.

The faint mark where his wedding band used to be hadn’t quite faded. I recognized Alaric’s hand instantly. The pathetic irony was, I felt nothing. This wasn't his first time, after all.

The post vanished quickly. Bethany added another update:

Oops, posted the wrong thing. Boss is going to kill me!

I switched off my phone. My heart was numb, but my body felt chillingly cold, urging me to find some warmth.

I drove to my parents’ house.

Standing at their front door, I raised my hand to knock, but it felt tethered by an invisible rope, unable to move. So I stood there for a few minutes, rooted to the spot.

Inside, I heard hushed voices. My younger brother, Finn.

"Mom, Dad, isn't it Willow’s birthday today?"

My mother paused, thinking. "Tomorrow's your birthday, so… oh, yes, today must be hers."

"Should we call her?"

She scoffed. "Call her for what? We'll just celebrate hers with yours tomorrow. We always do it that way, she’s used to it."

My father chimed in. "Alaric’s probably with her."

My mother’s voice suddenly sharpened. "With her for what? Alaric's on a business trip, I bet it’s just an excuse not to come home to her. She always has that long face, like someone owes her a million bucks. Whose fault is it if she can’t keep a man’s heart? Besides, Alaric is a big shot now. What big shot doesn't fool around? She’s making a big deal out of nothing. He hasn't abandoned his devoted wife, he promised she'd always be the lady of the house, that’s more than enough. Just turn a blind eye, can't she? All her bickering with Alaric, who can stand it?"

My father and brother mumbled their agreement, then the topic shifted, and the family started laughing and chatting again.

Only I grew colder, my teeth chattering uncontrollably.