Chapter 1After we remarried, Sawyer Hayes tried SO HARD to prove his innocence. Like I didn't walk in on him balls-deep in my own student.
The strawberry hand cream in his car? His sister's.
Came home thirty minutes late? Traffic.
Those "I miss you" texts on his phone? Spam.
Today was our remarriage anniversary. We'd planned a movie date. Like regular couples.
His phone lit up eighteen times. He ignored every single one.
Kept glancing at me. Saw I was still into the movie. He relaxed.
Credits rolled. We got up. He grabbed his phone like a lifeline.
"Work thing came up. Can we do anniversary dinner tomorrow?"
I nodded. Then asked him.
"Sawyer. Did the couple in the movie end up together?"
He blinked. "Yeah? I think so?"
"Funny. 'Cause there was no male lead in that film."
I grabbed my bag. Turned to go. Then looked back.
"Go see her. Tell the girl if she's knocked up, she needs to drop out. Not safe. You know. With the baby."
First divorce, I was young and dumb.
Left with nothing just to prove a point.
Biggest mistake of my life.
This time? I'm bleeding him dry.
And your knocked-up girlfriend? Hope she likes broke guys.
---
"Remi, do we really gotta do this?"
Sawyer let out this long sigh. Looked exhausted.
"It really is just work stuff."
"You don't believe me? I'll call my assistant right now. He'll tell you."
Started pulling out his phone like he was about to prove something.
I stopped him.
"Don't bother."
Since we got back together, this same crap happens every few days.
Strawberry lotion in his car? His sister left it.
Called her at 1 AM to back him up.
That weird $52,000 transfer? Money for his parents.
Had them come over to "explain."
Every single time, everyone takes his side.
"Remi, let it go already. Look what you're doing to Sawyer."
"You wanna push him till he snaps?"
Just like today.
I hadn't even said anything yet.
But he already shut me down.
People leaving the theater kept turning around.
Staring at me like I was some psycho wife driving her poor husband crazy.
I pulled my hand away.
"I'm not mad."
"Then why'd you say Bellamy's pregnant?"
I never said her name.
But he knew exactly who I meant.
What surprised me? Bellamy didn't tell him she was pregnant.
'Cause earlier that day, she shoved open my office door.
Pointed at the flowers Sawyer sent me. Covered her nose.
"Mr. Hayes is so thoughtful. Different flowers for different women."
"Used to send me pink rosebuds. Now he sends you... boring carnations."
I didn't even look at her.
She bit her lip. Rubbed her stomach.
"Too bad I can't handle flower smells right now."
"This little one's real picky. Nothing like his daddy!"
That smug look on her face? Still made my blood boil.
But before I could say anything, Sawyer's phone rang.
That sugary voice came through the speaker.
"Mr. Hayes, did you like the movie?"
"Better get here soon or I'm taking back your surprise!"
He killed the call fast.
Saw I wasn't reacting. Relaxed a bit.
"Good. You're not mad."
"Gotta head back to the office. We'll talk tonight."
Right before he left, he turned around.
"Forget what you just said, okay?"
"Stop testing me. I'm tired."
Watching him rush off, I almost laughed.
Almost.
Then the tears came first.
That night, I went home alone.
Flipped on the light. Saw that nail sticking out of the wall.
Used to hold our wedding photo.
I ripped it down and smashed it.
Last spring after graduation, I invited some students over to celebrate.
Pushed open the door. Brain went blank.
My husband—the guy I'd been with since college—was on the couch.
Bellamy—the girl I'd been treating like a little sister—half-naked underneath him.
He said it was all his fault. Begged me not to blame her.
I lost it that day. In front of my students.
Didn't care about my dignity. Walked away with nothing just to get the divorce.
But later, when Bellamy started flashing new designer bags in my face, I regretted it.
So when Sawyer showed up at my door that night, begging to get back together?
I said yes.
Next divorce? I'm getting what's mine.
Chapter 2
Just like I thought.
Sawyer didn't come home that night.
Good thing I didn't sit up waiting like an idiot.
Morning came. He walked in.
Dark circles under his eyes. Looked like he didn't sleep.
The hickey on his neck stood out like crazy.
"Remi, we need to talk."
He sat down across from me.
Had that same look he gets when he's closing a deal.
"Sure."
I grabbed a napkin. Wiped my mouth. Pulled out the divorce papers I'd drafted last night.
Slid them across the table.
"Bellamy told me you know about the baby."
Straight to the point. Threw me off for a second.
"Yeah. I know."
"That's it? You're just... fine with it?"
Sawyer's jaw tightened. Voice got hard.
"I'M keeping this kid."
"Gonna have Bellamy defer grad school."
"After she has the baby, she can go back."
I cut him off.
"Don't need to hear your whole plan."
Shoved the papers closer.
"Your life. Not my problem."
He shot up. Grabbed the papers.
Ripped them to shreds without even looking.
"Remi, stop threatening me with divorce already!"
"Same damn thing twice. You not tired of this?"
I crossed my arms. Just stared at him.
Pissed him off even more.
"You've been acting like this since we got back together. What's your problem?"
"You know you can't have kids. Bellamy's doing it for you. What more do you want?"
I jumped up. Voice cracked.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Kids?
He had the nerve to bring up kids?
A year ago, I got pregnant. Started bleeding.
On the way to the hospital, Sawyer got a call.
Said it was work. An emergency.
Dumped me on the highway. Told me to get an Uber.
By the time someone finally got me to the ER, it was too late.
Six months along. Baby was gone.
And me? Can't have kids anymore. Ever.
Found out later it wasn't even work.
Bellamy twisted her ankle. Cried for him to come.
Sawyer's face went white.
He reached for me. "Remi, that's not what I meant. Let me explain—"
I slapped his hand away. Hit him across the face.
His glasses flew off. Shattered on the floor.
He touched his cheek. Smiled.
"Honestly? I like this version of you way better."
"That whole 'I don't give a shit' act? Boring."
He grabbed his jacket. Stepped right on the ripped-up divorce papers.
"Once the baby's born, she goes under your name."
I grabbed my phone. Started pulling up my lawyer.
"Keep dreaming."
Sawyer's voice went ice cold. "Your sister's still in Paris for grad school, yeah?"
My finger froze over the call button.
He snatched my phone. Deleted my lawyer's contact.
"Got some business partners in the Parisian suburbs."
"Not safe there."
"Shit happens."
Chapter 3
I don't get why Sawyer won't just sign the papers.
But I know him. He'll do it.
I texted my sister right away. Told her to check in every morning and night.
She didn't get it. But she did it anyway.
I went back to school that day. Felt like a zombie.
A coworker saw my face. Handed me a cookie.
"You okay? Low blood sugar?"
I shook my head. Tried to smile.
Another teacher nudged her chin toward me. "Bet it's husband stuff."
Everyone saw what happened that day.
Word spread fast.
Whole school knew my student stole my man.
I bit the inside of my cheek till I tasted blood.
Right in front of me? This year's grad school apps.
Top of the pile? Bellamy's.
Had a note stuck to it. Strawberry stationery. So cutesy it made me wanna gag.
[Professor Hayes, I've been thinking—I really look up to you the most. Mr. Hayes thinks so too!]
[Let's help each other out from now on?]
I snapped my pen in half.
Red ink splattered everywhere.
Took a breath. Grabbed another pen.
[REJECTED.]
She skips class all the time. Barely passes her major courses.
How the hell did she even make the list?
But that same afternoon, the dean called me in.
I walked into his office.
Sawyer was sitting on the couch.
Bellamy snuggled up beside him, checking out her fresh manicure.
The dean had just handed Sawyer a cup of coffee. Playing nice.
Saw me come in. His face got serious.
"Professor Hayes, there an issue with Bellamy's application?"
"She's one of our top students. Why the rejection?"
My hands started shaking.
Forced myself to sound professional.
"Dean, her grades don't meet the requirements."
"Professor Hayes, come on. Grades aren't everything."
I stared at my old mentor. The guy who used to be famous for being strict.
Couldn't believe what I was hearing.
He gave me this look. Like, you know how it is.
"Mr. Hayes is donating two new buildings this year."
"Professor Hayes, leave your personal life at the door. This is work."
I turned to Sawyer.
He was sipping his coffee. Blew on it. Held the cup up to Bellamy's lips.
Gave the dean a satisfied nod.
I lost it.
"I don't teach homewreckers!"
Slammed the door on my way out.
Heard Sawyer's voice drift after me. "This is on you, Remi. You pushed me to this."
That afternoon, middle of class, two security guards burst into my classroom.
Grabbed both my arms in front of all my students.
"Professor Hayes, the dean says you abused your authority and violated student rights."
"You need to come with us."
They dragged me off the platform.
I fought back. Looked over my shoulder before they pulled me out.
Bellamy sat in the front row. Smiling at me.
"Deserve it."
They suspended me.
I spent the whole afternoon getting grilled.
Same damn questions over and over.
"Personal feelings had nothing to do with it. Bellamy's grades aren't good enough."
"This is messed up. I'm calling the cops."
Didn't matter.
When I finally got out, I checked my phone.
My sister—who's supposed to check in twice a day—was MIA.
