Chapter 1[Do people seriously fuck their best friend's husband?]
I scrolled past this post and my stomach dropped.
The top comment? Some bitch bragging about it.
[Been screwing my bestie's man for three years. Best thrill of my life.]
People ripped into her—calling her trash, saying any woman's cursed as hell to have a friend like that.
This bitch didn't even flinch. Just kept going:
[He's MY soulmate, not hers. She should be THANKING me for not taking her place.]
[Their wedding night? She slept alone 'cause I told him I didn't want him touching her.]
[Car wreck? He skipped the hospital to take MY DOG to the vet.]
[Her mom literally DIED and he ditched the funeral to fly me to Miami.]
[Oh, and today's their anniversary. Got him to drug her drink. Gonna fuck him in their bed tonight lol.]
My finger stopped mid-scroll.
Today IS my anniversary. With Jaxon Reid.
And right then—like he'd been waiting for his cue—Jaxon walked in holding a glass of milk.
"Harper, you've been sleeping like shit lately. Drink this, babe."
I stared at that glass.
At the post still glowing on my screen.
At Jaxon standing there with that concerned look I used to love.
Was I paranoid?
---
I stare at that glass.
That post's replaying in my head on loop.
Jaxon looks genuinely worried though. Am I being paranoid?
Probably.
Still—I shake my head. "Nah, I'm good."
He frowns, about to push it.
That's when my best friend Sienna basically skips over, all sunshine and smiles, taking the glass from him.
"Harper, quit being such a brat. Only Jaxon puts up with this attitude, you know that?"
"He's just trying to help. Come on, drink it."
Before I can say shit, she shoves the glass right up against my lips.
I catch this little smirk tugging at her mouth.
My hand shoots up and knocks the glass away.
It hits the floor—crash—glass everywhere.
A piece slices my leg open. Blood's pooling fast.
Sienna gasps like she's in a horror movie.
"Harper! Sienna's trying to be nice and you're throwing a tantrum?!"
Jaxon lunges forward—but not toward me.
He scoops up Sienna, sets her on the couch, hands all over her leg.
Her face goes bright red, playing shy: "Oh my god, I'm fine—"
Jaxon grips her leg, voice dropping to butter: "Don't move. Lemme see."
Spots this tiny scratch on her leg and his whole face floods with concern—doesn't even glance at me bleeding on the floor.
I just stare at him.
"Jaxon... I'm hurt too—"
He doesn't even look. Just cuts me off, voice cold as ice:
"Enough. I'm cleaning up YOUR mess. Getting jealous right now? Really?"
Sienna bites her lip, eyes getting all watery.
"Harper, I'm sorry... I thought surprising you guys would be fun..."
Her voice drops to almost a whisper, like she's talking to herself but making sure we both hear:
"Guess I should've known better. I always mess things up."
Doesn't move. Just stands there looking fragile as hell, waiting for Jaxon to tell her to stay.
Sure enough, Jaxon pushes her back down.
His eyes finally land on me. Just... staring.
For half a second I think maybe he'll notice I'm actually hurt. Ask if I'm okay.
Reality slaps me in the face.
"Harper. Come on."
His voice has that edge—like I'm being unreasonable.
"Sienna spent all day putting this together for you. I don't know what's gotten into you, but you don't get to take it out on her. She didn't do anything."
"What's your problem? Seriously."
The irritation dripping from his voice is nothing like how gentle he just sounded with Sienna.
Feels like someone's jabbing needles straight into my chest. Constant, sharp pain.
Today was supposed to be about US. Just us.
But Sienna showed up all excited to "celebrate with us" and suddenly I'm the third wheel in my own anniversary.
They worked together in the kitchen like they've done this a million times. I just stood there.
At dinner they're laughing, talking, inside jokes—I can't get a word in.
For a minute I legit felt like I'M the outsider here.
Then it hits me—when has this NOT been the case?
Whenever Sienna needs something, Jaxon drops everything.
Rainstorm, her car dies? He literally made me get out of our car so he could go get her.
Never remembers my period. But shows up at Sienna's with ginger tea when she's cramping.
I asked him to grab me something when we went to London last year—too much hassle.
Sienna mentions she likes some random thing? He'll cross the whole damn city to buy it.
And me? His actual wife?
The second I show even a hint of being upset, I'm "dramatic" and "exhausting."
Every single time I told myself it's just 'cause Sienna's my best friend. That he loves ME.
Can't lie to myself anymore.
I'm standing there shaking, can't even get words out.
Jaxon picks up Sienna and brushes right past me.
"I'm taking Sienna home. Figure your shit out."
I watch them leave, nails digging into my palms till I break skin.
That night I open the post again. New update.
[Idiot knocked over the drink and fucked up my plan.]
[Whatever. Still got her man in my bed on their special day.]
[He couldn't even wait till we got to my place—took me in the car lmao.]
Photo attached—car window reflecting two bodies tangled together.
I'd know that man's side profile anywhere. Even if he was burnt to ashes.
Right then, Jaxon calls, voice all raspy.
"Work emergency came up. Not coming home tonight."
I can hear a woman moaning in the background.
Before I can speak—he hangs up.
I grip my phone so tight it might crack.
Then bolt to the bathroom and puke my guts out.
Don't sleep all night.
Chapter 2
When Jaxon comes home, he sees how pale I look and actually seems caught off guard.
"Harper, what's wrong?"
He reaches out like he's gonna check my forehead. I turn my head away.
His hand hangs there mid-air. Looks confused.
"Nothing. Didn't sleep."
My voice is flat. Meeting his eyes.
He picks up on the coldness, tries to sweet-talk me—first time in forever.
"You mad? Look, that's on me. I shouldn't have snapped last night."
"But Sienna's your best friend, right? You can be... kinda difficult sometimes. She puts up with a lot. I just didn't want you pushing her away. Got heated, that's all."
"Come on, don't be mad anymore. Please?"
Sounds so genuine. Like he actually gives a shit.
Every time we fight over Sienna, this is his excuse.
Makes me wanna throw up now.
When I don't respond, he pulls out this little box.
"Anniversary gift. Accidentally left it at the office yesterday. Here—better late than never. You like it?"
I glance at the bracelet—brand Sienna's obsessed with.
He moves closer, about to put it on me.
That's when I see it. Hickey on his neck. And he reeks of jasmine—Sienna's signature perfume.
I cover my mouth, shove him away hard.
"Get the fuck away from me."
Then run to the bathroom and dry heave.
Jaxon's face goes dark. After all that sweet talk, he finally loses it.
"Harper! What the HELL is your problem?! You want me on my knees begging?!"
"Why can't you be more like Sienna?! She's sweet, easygoing—not throwing tantrums 24/7!"
I wash my face, come back out. Meet his pissed-off glare.
"If Sienna's so perfect, go be with her then."
He points at me, rips his tie off, whips it at the floor.
"You're fucking impossible!"
Slams the door so hard I swear the frame cracks.
I'm alone in the living room. That jasmine smell won't fade.
Staring at the door, my eyes burning.
Just then, my phone buzzes.
Sienna—account I follow—just posted.
Read it and my heart feels like it's being fed through a shredder.
[Look what a certain someone gave me today~]
[Just said I liked this brand and he bought out the whole new collection. Says it's to make up for me watching him celebrate his anniversary with someone else.]
[This bracelet's kinda basic though lol. Was gonna toss it but figured the idiot's throwing a fit. Might as well let him use my trash to shut her up. Not like she deserves my leftovers anyway.]
Two pics attached.
One: her living room buried in designer boxes.
The other: that exact bracelet Jaxon just "gave me," sitting in her trash can.
My fingers go numb.
Chills creeping from my hands up through my whole body. Even my jaw's shaking.
Back in college, Jaxon was broke as hell. But for my birthday he worked three jobs for months, spent every last dollar on a Tiffany ring.
When I saw his hands covered in cuts and frostbite, I cried.
Told him he didn't need to go that hard.
He smiled at me like I was his whole world, eyes shining:
"How could I half-ass it? Harper deserves the best."
"Just wait—once I make it, I'm giving you everything. The whole world."
I cried happy tears. Said okay.
Waited and waited. He finally made it.
But those promises? Gone.
Now I'm only worth his girlfriend's garbage.
I used to think "where the money goes, that's where the love is" sounded harsh.
Turns out it's just facts.
I stood by him from broke college kid to big-shot CEO.
He's still hot. I'm still into him.
Until now, he grinds my heart into dust till it stops beating.
Jaxon Reid, we're done.
Chapter 3
Jaxon doesn't come home for days.
I contact a lawyer. Start drafting divorce papers.
During that time, Sienna calls.
I pick up. Before I can say anything—
Wet, sloppy sounds come through.
Some shuffling. Then Sienna's voice, breathy and smug as hell:
"Harper, don't get the wrong idea—Jaxon's drunk. Thinks I'm you."
"He's been crashing at my place for days. Once he cools off he'll come home. Don't worry."
Can practically hear her gloating.
I feel... nothing. Just hang up.
This kinda thing? Happened all the time over the years.
Jaxon and I—high school sweethearts to married couple. Everyone's goals.
Sienna was my ride-or-die since forever, always had my back.
Thought they were the two most important people in my life.
Turns out I never saw what was right in front of me. They played me like a fucking fool.
I start packing my stuff. Getting ready to move out.
That night, Jaxon comes home. With Sienna.
Soon as they walk in, he helps her out of her coat.
Then kneels down, puts slippers on her feet.
Like he's done it a thousand times. Smooth as butter.
When his eyes meet mine, he pauses.
"Harper, it's your birthday. Brought Sienna to celebrate."
"You've had time to cool off by now, right?"
Sienna steps forward, grabs my hand with this sugary smile.
"Harper, happy birthday!"
"Made you a cake myself."
I look at the cake, remember her post from this morning:
[Made the idiot a cake. Added crushed peanuts—she's allergic lol. Haven't seen her face all swollen in forever. Kinda miss it.]
Her smile right now? Fake as hell. Makes me sick.
I yank my hand away, voice ice cold.
"Get out. You're not welcome here."
Sienna's eyes instantly water up. Looks all helpless.
Jaxon grabs my arm, drags me aside. Voice sharp as knives:
"What's your problem? If you wanna end this just say it—don't take it out on her!"
I look him dead in the eye.
"Fine. Let's get divorced then."
He freezes. "...What?"
