Chapter 1The Better Person

At dinner, my husband suddenly asked me:

"What would you do if I met someone... better than you?"

I was silent for a moment.

"Then you should be with her. We can get a divorce."

What he didn't know was...

I had already seen him. Earlier today. I watched him frantically try to comfort that girl, her eyes red from crying.

I heard him say, "Don't cry. I'll give you a future."

* * *

He put his chopsticks down. His face went pale, then twisted into a difficult smile.

"Claire, I was just kidding."

It wasn't a joke.

I knew.

I knew what his love felt like. Which is how I knew, without a doubt, that what he felt for that girl was real.

Earlier today, at the hospital, the doctor's bored expression softened when he read my chart.

He lowered his voice. "Don't be scared. It's not late-stage. If you start treatment, this is manageable."

I was walking out with the diagnosis in my hand when I saw them.

Mark's arm was injured.

The girl was looking at it, her eyes filling with tears.

"Why did I meet you so late?" she whispered. "I don't even have the right to take care of you."

Mark looked frantic.

"Summer, don't cry," he said, reaching for her. Blood seeped through his new bandage.

"I'll give you a future."

The words hung in the air. He froze, as if he'd surprised himself.

But the girl believed him.

She looked up, her nose red. "Really?"

Mark just frowned, and said nothing.

I didn't stay to watch the rest. I know Mark. As long as we were married, he wouldn't physically cheat.

But his heart?

I can't control his heart.