Chapter 1

The day after we signed our marriage license at City Hall, I was waiting at the airport terminal for my newlywed wife, Chloe, holding two first-class boarding passes.

She arrived, but right behind her was her childhood best friend, Julian.

"Babe, Julian just went through a terrible breakup. I’m bringing him along so he can clear his head," Chloe explained, her tone overly cautious.

Julian was wearing the exact same designer T-shirt as me, flashing a sheepish, apologetic grin.

"Hey Ethan, hope I’m not intruding. I just wanted to soak up some of your wedding bliss."

I looked down at the third ticket Chloe was clutching.

She had booked Julian’s seat right between ours.

Standing there, pure rage surged from the soles of my feet straight to my skull.

I grabbed Chloe’s arm, pulled her aside, and dropped my voice.

"Send him home, or I’m walking."

Chloe looked utterly conflicted and let out an exasperated sigh. "Babe, could you not act so immature?"

"Julian told me he’s terrified of being alone in his apartment right now. He just wants to be around people."

"Besides, we’ve known each other since diapers. What’s the big deal if he tags along...?"

I cut her off cold.

"If he doesn’t leave right now, we’re heading straight back to City Hall for an annulment."

Chloe reached out to grab my hand, but I sidestepped her.

"Don't throw a tantrum over something so petty, okay?"

Her tone softened into her usual coaxing routine.

I didn't utter a word. I just glared at her, my eyes dead.

Unable to hold my gaze, she exhaled loudly.

"Fine! I'll tell him. I'll make him leave."

She raised both hands in mock surrender.

"Hubby comes first. Happy now?"

With that, she spun around, walked over to Julian, and whispered something in a low voice.

Instantly, Julian’s shoulders slumped.

He looked up, tears welling in his doe-like eyes.

"Chloe, does Ethan hate me?"

"Did I do something wrong? I'm just hurting from my breakup... I only wanted to celebrate you guys."

He gave me a pitiful, wounded glance before turning back to Chloe, grabbing her forearm.

"Chloe, I know Ethan has the wrong idea about us."

"Even after you explained everything, he still doesn't trust you?"

That exact face.

Those exact manipulative, guilt-tripping words.

My brain buzzed with rage.

Two months ago, when Julian showed up at our newly purchased apartment dragging two massive suitcases, he had put on that exact same pathetic face.

Back then, Chloe had wrapped her arms around me, looking at him with utter sympathy.

"Babe, Julian just broke up with his girlfriend, and his landlord kicked him out. He’s all alone in this city, it’s heartbreaking."

"Let him crash in our guest room for a few weeks. As soon as he lands a job and finds a lease, he’ll move out immediately."

And what happened? The second his bags hit the floor, he never mentioned moving out again.

Then, two weeks before our wedding, at our engagement bash.

In front of all our friends, he stared at Chloe with rimmed-red eyes.

"I’m so jealous of Ethan. He gets to marry someone as incredible as Chloe."

"My ex didn't treat me with even half the care Chloe gives me."

The crowd started cheering, daring them to lock arms and do a wedding shot together.

Chloe hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Julian, however, tugged her arm eagerly.

"Come on, Chloe! Think of it as an early wedding toast!"

She gave in with a bashful smile and drank with him.

Later, when we took group photos, Julian literally elbowed me aside, pressing his cheek right against Chloe’s.

That night, we had the nastiest screaming match of our relationship.

"Chloe, do you have any concept of boundaries?!"

"Babe, you’re overthinking! We were just goofing off! We’ve acted like that our whole lives!"

I had trembled with fury.

We gave each other the cold shoulder for an entire week.

I had already packed my bags, ready to call the whole wedding off.

It was only the night before our courthouse appointment that she clung to me, sobbing and apologizing.

"Babe, I was wrong. I promise I’ll keep my distance from him."

"I swear, this was the absolute last time."

Looking at her bloodshot eyes, I had actually believed her.

Yet here we were at the airport terminal, and her promise was nothing but a sickening joke.

The way she looked at Julian was overflowing with heartache.

A tenderness that was never reserved for me.

She walked back to me, wearing an exhausted, exasperated expression.

"Babe, look at how devastated he is. Maybe we could just—"

I didn't wait for her to finish. I turned on my heel and walked toward the exit.

"Then I’m leaving. Enjoy your honeymoon together."