Chapter 1Summer break. My lawyer husband finally said yes to a family trip.
But right before we're supposed to board, he and our son are MIA. Just got a text.
[That big-shot legal expert, Marcus Sterling, is at our firm talking deals.]
[Taking our son to sit in. You go ahead without us.]
Then a voice message from my son:
[Mom! He's like, my idol! I really wanna go!]
Seeing how genuine they both sounded, I just texted back "fine".
Then I called my best friend to come get me.
The second I saw my best friend Marcus Sterling, I smiled.
"Marcus, shouldn't you be in some partnership meeting with my husband right now?"
...
He looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
I shook my head, pulled open the car door, and slid into the passenger seat.
"Need you to draft me a divorce agreement. But first—
"We're catching my husband red-handed. He's cheating."
Marcus immediately slammed on the gas. Headed straight to my husband Garrett's law firm.
The office was locked up tight. Nobody inside.
A girl from the convenience store next door poked her head out:
"Looking for someone? It's Attorney Chase's anniversary today.
"He rented out the whole Grand Oak Estate. Everyone from the firm's there celebrating."
Marcus glanced at me, eyebrow raised.
"Maybe you got it wrong. Garrett's probably planning some big surprise for you."
Seeing his teasing look, I couldn't smile.
"Today's not our anniversary."
His face went stiff.
My fists clenched. "Drive. Grand Oak Estate."
We pulled up outside the estate.
I shoved open the car door and made it two steps before security blocked us.
I stared at the packed ballroom ahead, fists getting tighter.
"I need to find someone."
One guard scoffed.
"Got an invitation? No? Then bounce!
"Today's Attorney Garrett Chase and Miss Vivian Monroe from Apex Holdings' anniversary! Don't start shit."
"Apex Holdings?"
Marcus turned to me, "Wait, isn't that—"
Monroe? That name kept ringing bells.
Wasn't that the "guy friend" Garrett always mentioned?
I wasn't about to waste time.
Grabbed my Grand Oak Estate membership card from the car.
The guards saw the card and immediately stepped back, watching as we walked into the ballroom.
I pushed open the doors. Total chaos inside.
Spotted Vivian right away, hands on a table.
Garrett behind her, holding a balloon.
People around them banging tables, hollering.
"Didn't Attorney Chase just say his favorite with Miss Monroe is from behind?
"So for this dare, let's have him pop that balloon by thrusting between them!"
Garrett's always been so uptight.
All our years married, we barely had sex.
Every time I brought it up, he'd say I was being inappropriate.
Just when I thought he'd snap, he actually bent Vivian forward himself.
She stuck the balloon between them.
Garrett pressed his whole body against her from behind, balloon squishing flat.
The cheering got louder. Whistles. Phones recording.
Fuck! I couldn't take this anymore!
I shoved through the crowd and kicked Vivian hard.
She hit the floor screaming.
Garrett didn't even check who'd shown up—just rushed to help Vivian, face full of fury as he looked up.
But when he saw me, he froze.
"How are you back?"
My son Austin, who'd been playing with other kids, quietly hid behind Vivian.
I stared at Garrett's hand on Vivian and laughed bitterly.
"Anniversary with your side piece? Garrett, what the hell am I to you?"
Chapter 2
Dead silence.
Everyone who'd been cheering looked around at each other.
Someone muttered, "Wait, who's the actual side piece here?"
"Does Attorney Chase really play it that dirty?"
Hearing the whispers, Garrett's face went red, then white.
Vivian looked at Garrett like she'd been kicked. Her eyes all watery.
"Garrett..."
Garrett seemed to make up his mind. He looked straight at me.
"You done? I TOLD you we're over. Stop stalking me!"
I froze.
"When did we end things?"
"Stop playing dumb!"
Garrett's voice shot up.
"YOU said you couldn't do this anymore. YOU wanted out. Now I'm married. Got a wife, got a kid. Why won't you leave me alone?"
What?!
I pointed at Vivian, then at myself. So angry I laughed.
"Garrett. Look at me and tell me—who am I? Who's Austin's mother?"
Marcus stepped forward, pissed.
"That's bullshit! You and Cassidy are still—"
"Who the hell are you? Stay out of this!"
Garrett cut him off.
"This is between me and Cassidy. None of your business!"
He turned back to me, impatient.
"Cassidy, I'm telling you to leave. Stop embarrassing yourself.
"My WIFE studied under Marcus Sterling himself. Plus she's an Apex Holdings heiress. You can't touch her!"
Now Marcus looked completely lost.
I stared at him confused. He looked back and shook his head.
The whispers got louder. People giving me looks. Disgusted.
"So she's here stalking her ex..."
"Looks normal enough. Zero class though."
"Poor Attorney Chase. Having to deal with someone like this..."
Vivian stepped up right on cue.
Wrapped her arm around Garrett's shoulder.
Protective stance toward me.
"Miss, Garrett already said he's done with you."
She looked around, voice all pitiful.
"The past is past. Garrett and I have a child. A family. Please stop interfering."
I stared at these two cheating assholes. Rage burning through me.
That's it. I'm done.
I stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face!
The crack echoed through the ballroom. Everyone froze.
Vivian covered her cheek, looking at Garrett all wounded. "Garrett!"
Garrett's face went dark. "Someone! Hold her down!"
Two security guards in black rushed over, grabbed my arms, and shoved me to the floor.
My knees slammed into the hard ground. Pain shot through them.
"Are you out of your mind?"
I struggled, yelling.
"I'm your WIFE! You're doing this for HER?"
Garrett didn't answer.
Eyes bloodshot, he turned and grabbed a wooden chair from a nearby table. Raised it high.
Then slammed it down on my back!
I groaned. Pain exploded through my spine.
But he wasn't done. He came closer.
His leather shoe kicked hard into my waist. Again. And again.
Marcus tried to pull him off but another guard pinned him down.
All he could do was stand there shouting,
"Garrett! STOP! She's your WIFE!"
Garrett acted like he couldn't hear. Kicked harder.
I coughed up blood. Then I saw my son Austin running over.
"Don't you hurt my mom!"
Chapter 3
Oh thank god.
I tried to tell him to stay back, stay safe—
Austin ran straight to Vivian.
His little hand grabbed her skirt.
When he looked up at me, his eyes were cold. Rejecting.
"Don't hurt MY mom!"
His voice small, tearful. But not for me.
"Vivian buys me cool stuff. Takes me places. You NEVER did!"
I froze.
The pain in my back faded. All I felt was my chest caving in.
Before I could process it, Austin lifted his foot. Kicked my knee with his little shoe.
My knee already bloody and raw. This made it worse.
"Go AWAY! Stop bullying Dad and Mom!"
He kept kicking. Yelling. His little face twisted into something cruel.
"Dad said you're bad! You just make him mad! I don't want you!"
Seeing Austin defend her, Vivian crouched down fast. Pulled him into her arms.
"Austin, baby, don't be scared. Mommy's okay.
"Don't cry over trash like her. You won't look handsome if you cry."
She looked up at me. Eyes fake-sympathetic.
"Miss Bennett, whatever's between you and Garrett... Austin doesn't deserve this. He's a child. Can't you think about what this does to him?"
"I get it. You're upset. Garrett chose me. But stalking him only hurts him more.
If you're that mad, hit me. Yell at me. Whatever.
Just leave Garrett and Austin alone. They're innocent."
Garrett's eyes went red. His voice softened toward her.
"Vivian, this is my fault. I'm sorry."
Vivian turned to me. Voice pleading but eyes mocking.
"Miss Bennett, please. Just leave. We can talk later. Don't scare Austin anymore, okay?"
Everyone's disgust intensified. Started cursing me out loud.
I struggled to stand. Tried to pull up our marriage certificate photo on my phone.
Garrett suddenly grabbed a wine bottle from the table.
Smashed the bottom against the back of my head.
A dull thud.
Wine mixed with blood ran down my face.
My vision went blurry.
"Cassidy!"
Marcus's eyes went red. He broke free from the guard and lunged toward me.
Before he could reach me, two more guards tackled him. Beat him.
Marcus doubled over, grunting.
"Garrett! This is bigamy AND assault!"
Garrett laughed coldly. Walked over.
Grabbed Marcus by the hair. Slammed his head against the table edge.
"I AM a lawyer! Who's gonna say I broke the law?!
"Today, you two either crawl out of here or get carried out!"
Blood seeped from Marcus's forehead, dripping down his face.
But he still tried his best to shield me.
Garrett lost patience. Yelled at the guards,
"What are you waiting for? Beat them!!"
The guards went all in. Fists raining down on me and Marcus.
I lay there. Felt like my organs shifted. Blood still flowing from my head. Vision darkening.
Years of marriage. Motherhood.
In their eyes, worth less than garbage.
Marcus pinned to the ground, blood streaming down his face.
But he still lifted his head through gritted teeth.
"Garrett! Vivian! I AM Marcus Sterling! I don't know shit about having a student like you!
"And Cassidy is the actual Apex Holdings—"
