Chapter 1Same guy. Seven weddings. Seven divorces. Every time SHE showed up? I was out.
First wedding, he swore: "Only you. Forever."
Yeah, right.
The second her plane landed, I didn't exist anymore.
"Stop being dramatic. You're making her look bad."
Divorce one? I lost it. Cut my wrists trying to make him stay.
Ambulance took me to the ER. He never showed.
Divorce two? I applied to be his assistant. Just to see his face.
By the sixth time? I stopped feeling anything.
Pack my stuff. Find a couch. Don't even cry.
All that begging. All the times I bent over backwards.
Same bullshit cycle—
He'd remarry me. She'd come back. He'd leave.
This time? Done.
Heard she was flying in. I signed the papers myself.
Like clockwork, he set the date for our wedding number eight.
Same day I booked my flight.
His loop? Broken.
---
"She's back. Let's divorce."
I slid the papers across the table.
Ryan Mitchell looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
Then signed. Didn't hesitate.
Must be muscle memory by now.
First time I'd ever brought it up.
Like always: "We'll remarry when she leaves. One month."
Old me would've made him swear on something.
This time? Felt nothing.
"Hey. I'm talking to you."
Ryan was frowning. Annoyed.
"Yeah. Okay."
I kept folding clothes. Shoving them in my suitcase.
He just stood there.
Since Ryan said we'd remarry, he'd keep his word.
That was the one thing—business people trusted his handshake.
Honestly? We weren't really married. More like contract employees with messy paperwork.
Marriage license. Divorce decree. Repeat.
Twice a year. Six years. Twelve signatures.
I still remembered our first wedding. "I won't mess around while we're married."
Technically? He never did.
Whenever he wanted her, he just divorced me first.
Trade-off was I became a joke. Desperate ex who couldn't take a hint.
My calm today was messing with his head.
He remembered how I'd acted before. Screaming. Breaking things. Hurting myself.
Watching me pack faster than last time. Something felt off.
He spoke first. "I could move out instead—"
I snapped the suitcase shut. Cut him off.
"Already talked to Jess. Staying at her place."
His face darkened.
"Don't pull that stunt again. Showing up at my office playing assistant.
"Just get a hobby. It's pathetic."
I knew what he meant. Didn't want me cockblocking his time with Sofia Ross.
She was only in town two weeks. Obviously wanted her glued to his side.
After divorce two, I'd gotten hired as his assistant.
One morning walked into his office with his coffee.
Found him making out with Sofia. Girl was on his lap.
I lost it. Slapped her.
Ryan slapped me back. Harder. I hit the ground.
People crowded the doorway. Staring.
They thought we were still married. Started looking at Sofia like trash.
To protect her, Ryan grabbed my purse. Dumped it out in front of everyone.
I was crying. Begging him not to.
Divorce papers fell out. Everyone saw.
After that, Ryan posted our divorce certificates online every time.
Soon everyone knew Sofia was his real girlfriend. I was the psycho ex.
But this time? His worries were pointless.
I grabbed my suitcase.
"Relax. Won't bother you and Sofia anymore."
He watched me. Didn't buy it.
Halfway out the door, he spoke again. Voice had this weird urgency.
"We're remarrying the 13th of next month. Don't forget."
I froze for half a second.
Funny.
That was the day I was leaving the country.
Chapter 2
After Sofia got back, Ryan didn't reach out once.
Shocking.
Past me would've been stalking him. Showing up at his gym. His bar. Completely unhinged.
Not this time.
This time I was out living. Pizza and beer with Jess. Burgers and wings at night.
Twenty days till my flight.
That's when I ran into them.
Jess and I were waiting for food. Ryan walked in. Arm around Sofia's waist. Laughing.
"Claire?"
His eyes locked on me.
Sofia looped her arms around his neck. All smiles.
"Oh hey, Claire. Small world."
She caught me looking. Ryan stepped in front of her. Human shield mode.
Knew what he was thinking. Afraid I'd lose it and hit her again.
I stayed calm. Even stopped Jess when she started to stand.
Just smiled a little.
"Yeah. Surprise."
Sensing I wasn't going to freak out, Sofia got bolder.
"Sorry, Claire. Ryan booked the whole place. You'll probably need to leave."
Then shook his arm. All cutesy. "Right, babe? Say something."
Ryan met my blank stare. Hesitated. Then nodded.
Didn't say a word. His silence said everything.
Jess was rolling up her sleeves. I gently stopped her.
"It's fine. We'll leave."
Go somewhere without Ryan.
Flight coming up. I wasn't wasting another second arguing with my ex.
After all, exes should be dead to you.
Restaurant manager rushed over. Kissing up to Ryan and Sofia.
"You two are adorable. Relationship goals."
Ryan glanced at me. Face did this complicated thing.
To his surprise, I just took Jess's hand. Walked out.
Like I hadn't heard any of it.
He couldn't stop staring at my back. Lost in thought.
Sofia had to call his name three times. Getting more annoyed.
He finally looked away.
Chapter 3
Figured that restaurant thing would be last time seeing Ryan.
But same day I quit as his assistant, he video-called that night.
Weird. He never called.
Fighting every instinct to decline, I answered. Audio only.
He sounded pissed. "Why audio only?"
"Not wearing makeup."
Second it came out, I regretted it. Made it sound like I still cared.
Sure enough, he laughed. Mood lifted.
"We've been married forever. I've seen you looking way worse."
Almost sounded flirty. Just annoyed me more.
"What do you want?"
He caught the ice in my voice. Sat up straighter.
"HR said you quit."
I didn't explain. "Yep."
Silence.
Then he kept going: "Probably better anyway. You're my wife—why were you working as an assistant? Like you wanted to torture yourself."
"Honestly, you sucked at it. Barely showed up. Still had to pay you. Everyone knew you only got the job because of me."
I cut him off. "Don't you need to be with Sofia?"
He said it without thinking. "Why? She's nobody."
Then went quiet. Like it hit him—I was just his ex-wife.
Sounded guilty suddenly.
"I'm sorry about all the divorces. I know it's been unfair.
"Just... didn't want people talking bad about Sofia."
I said nothing.
So worried about Sofia's reputation. Never gave a damn I became the joke.
My voice went cold. "That it? I'm hanging up."
"Wait!"
His voice got urgent.
"The 12th is our anniversary. Adele's doing a concert. I know you've always wanted to go. Let's go together."
For a second, I almost told him the truth. That I wouldn't be here.
But before I could speak, Sofia's voice floated in from background. "Babe, forgot my towel. Can you bring it?"
Instead of answering, Ryan went quiet.
Staring at my name on screen. Like he was torn.
"Go," I said. No expression.
He stood up. Didn't hang up though.
"Wait for me, Claire. Be right back."
Then I heard him walk toward the bathroom.
Not long after? Soft sounds of kissing. Muffled groan from him. Then bathroom door slammed shut.
I hung up. Mocking smile on my face.
Just then, Jess burst in. All excited. "Let's hit the pub!"
Didn't think twice. Put phone down. Stood up. Linked my arm with hers.
What a fool I'd been.
Losing sleep over someone so worthless. When life had so much more to offer.
But that was over.
I'd turned the page.
He was nothing but a memory now.
