Chapter 1Flew home for our anniversary—walked straight into his Truth or Dare party.
My bestie Sarah's turn: "You've been faking broke with Vivian just to be with me, right?"
"Hell yeah."
"Lied about being sterile? We literally have two kids."
"She didn't deserve my babies."
"You had her leg destroyed to defend me?"
"Damn right. Bitch embarrassed you, had it coming."
They're making out under a banner: SARAH & WESTON'S BABY #2 PARTY!
I dumped my divorce papers in the trash.
What they don't know?
The surprise I brought isn't what they're expecting.
---
Weston's eyes locked on me. Guy looked like he'd seen a ghost.
He rushed over and got right up in my space, voice dropped to a whisper: "What the hell? You just showed up?"
"Couldn't text first?"
Someone behind us called out: "Wes, c'mon man, we're starting!"
He grabbed my arm and steered me toward the door, tone sharp: "Look, just go wait somewhere, okay?"
"I've got important stuff to handle. I'll find you after."
He shut the door in my face without another word.
My phone buzzed. Text from Mom:
"Just leave. Don't make a scene in front of everyone."
I stared at the screen and let out a bitter laugh.
I turned to go and ran straight into security rushing up the stairs.
"Ma'am, you need to come with us. Mr. Harrington called about a trespasser."
"Trespasser?"
Took forever explaining myself. Had to flash my marriage certificate before they'd back off.
I ended up standing outside my own apartment for god knows how long. The hallway lights kept cycling on and off while their laughter bled through the door.
My phone lit up again. My assistant:
"Ms. Reed, everything's ready. When are we moving headquarters back home?"
Seven years ago, Weston's company tanked and buried him in debt. I gave him everything I had. Still wasn't enough.
We went from living large to scraping by overnight.
To bail him out, I ditched my own dreams and flew overseas with a friend to work my ass off.
Seven years of hell. Up at dawn, home past midnight, no breaks. Ate one meal a day to save money.
Finally scraped together enough and rode the AI wave. My startup blew up and became the biggest name in the game.
Today, I was supposed to come home and drop the news like a bomb.
Guess there's no point now.
"Cancel the move."
I hit send, then opened Luna's chat.
Chapter 2
"Need a favor. Draft me a divorce agreement."
Luna replied instantly:
"???"
"Wait, what? You got married again?"
I stood there confused when another message popped up:
"Let's meet up. Usual spot?"
In the cab, I leaned back and stared out the window.
Then I started seeing them everywhere.
Every billboard we passed had the same photo. Weston and Sarah together.
Big letters underneath:
"Congratulations to Harrington Corp CEO Weston Harrington and Sarah Mitchell on their second baby's one-month party!"
I read it out loud without thinking.
The driver heard me and laughed: "Those two are like the perfect couple in this city! Seven years ago when Weston asked Sarah to marry him, he set off fireworks all night."
"Seven years ago?"
"Yeah, July 29th. I remember."
My stomach dropped.
July 29th. That was the day I gave Weston all my money and left the country.
"Oh, and five years back on New Year's Eve when their first kid was born? Weston had people giving out cash on the streets. Said he wanted everyone to share the happiness."
Five years ago. New Year's Eve.
I'd sent Weston every penny I had as a gift. He disappeared all night.
Called me the next morning, voice all shaky: "Vivian, I'm so sorry... doctor said I can't have kids..."
The driver kept talking: "We see these billboards all the time now. But a couple this perfect? Never seen anything like it."
I didn't say anything. Just gave him a fake smile.
Perfect. Right.
When I walked into the bar, Luna was already there.
I grabbed the drink in front of me and chugged it. Then grabbed another one.
Luna yanked the glass away: "What's wrong with you?"
"You've been divorced before. Why are you acting like this? When you and Weston broke up, I called you. You seemed totally fine."
I squeezed my fists tight: "Broke up with Weston?"
"First I'm hearing about it."
Luna's face got serious: "What?"
She pulled out her phone and showed me the screen: "Look. Seven years ago, Weston posted that you two split up. Said you had nothing to do with each other."
I stared at the profile picture. Didn't recognize it.
Pulled out my phone and opened Weston's profile.
Completely different accounts.
Luna leaned over, eyes going wide: "Wait... he's got two accounts?"
I took her phone and scrolled through.
His cover photo made me feel sick. Family of five.
My mom was in it, holding a baby, smiling bigger than everyone else.
Chapter 3
My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I scrolled.
Post after post of him and Sarah.
Beach sunset pics. Wrapped up together, full-on making out.
Mountain shots. Hand in hand the whole way up, glued to each other at the peak.
Some random field. Running around like idiots, eye-fucking each other under the stars.
Meanwhile I was halfway across the world breaking my back for them.
Luna stared at me: "So what're you gonna do?"
I slammed my drink: "Destroy them."
The second I hit the street, my phone rang. Weston.
"Where'd you go?"
"Get back here. Party's over."
Old me? Would've sprinted home.
Now? I hung up and turned to Luna: "Gotta run. Let me know when those papers are ready."
I walked into the apartment. Weston was sprawled on the couch grinning at his phone like a teenager.
Heard the door. Jumped up, fake smile on: "Long flight, huh? Made you hot water. Go shower."
I didn't say anything.
His jaw clenched: "Look, I'm beat. Not tonight."
"You just walked in and you're already pissed? Seriously?"
"And you're drinking again? How many times do I gotta tell you I hate that? Do you even give a shit about what I want?"
His phone buzzed.
Right in front of me, he grabbed it and started typing like crazy.
Caught me watching. Shoved it behind his back, eyes hard: "What? You gonna stare at me all night?"
"Jesus, should've just stayed overseas."
"Whatever. I'm going to bed."
No sorry. No explanation. Just pure venom.
Before? I would've apologized for nothing. Begged him to forgive me.
Not tonight.
I walked straight to the study without looking back.
Opened my laptop. Started collecting evidence.
When I finished, I got up for water. Walked past the balcony.
Weston was out there on his phone.
Trying to keep it down, but it was dead quiet. I heard every word.
"Mom, I swear, couldn't have pulled this off without you. You're the reason Sarah and I got married. We gotta keep Vivian in the dark. If she finds out... Christ, I'm scared what she might do to Sarah..."
