Chapter 1

My husband’s first love, Vivian, moved back to town and insisted on treating us to dinner.

The meal lasted two hours. They talked for the entire two hours.

For half an hour of that, she discussed my outfits, my career, and my income with my husband.

"Didn't you used to like the artsy, free-spirited type? You sure changed your taste."

Vivian smiled and glanced at me.

My husband, Lucas, peeled a shrimp and placed it onto her plate.

Then, he chuckled.

"Dating and marriage are two completely different things."

He turned to look at me. "Right, Chloe?"

That was the very first time he had spoken to me throughout the entire dinner.

I set down my fork and met his gaze.

"Right. Which is why, if I were dating for passion, I wouldn't have picked someone like you either."

Lucas froze, his fork hovering in midair.

He clearly never expected me to say that.

"Marrying you was just practical. It had nothing to do with deep love."

I looked right into his eyes.

Lucas’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His face shifted from pale to bright red.

Vivian was the first to let out an awkward laugh.

"Well, look at that. Marriage is all about practical terms, of course. I get it."

She took a sip of her wine, her eyes gliding over my face.

I ignored her completely, turning directly to Lucas. "Are you full? If you're done, let's go."

He looked at Vivian, then back at me.

"Chloe, what are you trying to pull?"

"Exactly what it sounded like."

I picked up my purse.

Vivian stood up.

"Are you jealous?"

She tilted her head.

"If you mind, I won't see Lucas anymore. After all, you two are married. I totally understand."

As she spoke, she reached out and touched my husband’s sleeve.

I let out an outright laugh.

"I don't mind at all. Please, don't overthink it."

"I have plenty of people I could go out with too. If he were strictly disciplined, I'd actually feel guilty seeing others. Wouldn't you agree?"

Lucas jumped to his feet, nearly knocking his chair over.

"Chloe! What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!"

"You heard me loud and clear."

I slung my purse over my shoulder.

The corners of Vivian's mouth twitched downward before she quickly composed herself.

"You really misunderstood. Lucas and I are just old friends catching up. Talking with such passive-aggressive hostility will only ruin relationships."

"Oh, catching up."

I nodded.

"Then keep catching up. I'm leaving."

Lucas grabbed my wrist tightly.

"Sit down. The meal isn't even over. Where do you think you're going?"

I glanced down at his hand, then up at his face.

"Let go."

His grip instinctively loosened, and I pulled my hand free.

"It's late, and it's not safe for her to go back alone. I have to drive her home."

"Take the subway yourself. Text me when you get home."

"Sure, go ahead and drive her."

I had already taken out my phone.

"Conveniently, I have a friend nearby. He can give me a ride."

Lucas's expression darkened.

"What friend? In the middle of the night? Guy or girl?"

"None of your business."

Without looking up, I sent a message to my coworker, Ethan:

*Are you nearby? If it's convenient, could you pick me up at the restaurant row on Fifth?*

He replied instantly: *Five minutes away.*

Lucas took a step forward, trying to peek at my screen.

"Chloe, make it clear. Who the hell did you call?"

I gave him a calm smile.

"If you can drive your first love home, why can't someone give me a ride?"

"Aren't you two just old friends catching up? Then meeting up with an old friend of mine is completely normal, right?"

Vivian stood nearby, her sweet facade starting to crack.

"Lucas, is your wife just acting out to spite me?"

"I'm not spiting you."

I answered before he could.

Lucas looked furious.

I put on my coat, walked past the two of them, and headed for the door.

"My ride is here. I'm out."

Lucas chased after me for two steps. "Chloe! Clear things up before you walk away!"

I glanced back over my shoulder.

"Clear things up? I've been speaking plain English the whole time. You're just choosing not to understand."

Pushing open the heavy glass doors, the cold night air rushed over me, instantly refreshing my senses.

A silver-gray sedan pulled up to the curb. The window rolled down, revealing Ethan’s face.

"Chloe, over here."

I opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

As the car pulled away, I caught a glimpse of Lucas and Vivian standing outside the restaurant through the side mirror.

Ethan glanced at me, asking no unnecessary questions.

"Thanks for picking me up."

"Don't mention it. I was just grabbing a bite around here anyway."

The car fell quiet for a moment.

I leaned back against the headrest, random thoughts drifting into my mind.

Lucas and I met through an introduction.

Because our families were pressuring us to settle down, we dated for six months and got married.

Married life was peaceful, bordering on mundane.

He worked long hours, and I had my own demanding career.

I never nagged him about it.

Mainly because I wasn't deeply emotionally invested either.

I thought this kind of practical marriage could quietly last forever.

Until tonight.

Until his first love sat across from me, evaluating my clothes, my job, and my paycheck.

Until he peeled a shrimp and placed it into her dish.

Until he uttered that line: *Dating and marriage are two completely different things.*

Leaning my forehead against the cool window, I suddenly found it laughable.

First loves? Who didn't have one?

The only difference was, I never dug through the trash I threw out.