Chapter 1

My wife was exceptional in every way. Everyone thought I was lucky to have her.

She had only one weakness, and I was the only one who knew about it—she was easily frightened.

She needed me by her side just to use the bathroom at night, and on a night like Halloween, she couldn't stand being alone for even a moment.

This time she'd sent me away on business, and I worked around the clock to get back before Halloween.

On Halloween, I finally made it home. As I stepped out of the airport, I saw my wife waiting for me.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I hadn't told her I was coming back.

Could she somehow sense that I was coming home?

Then I saw Merlin Lawrence walking toward her, and I realized I'd gotten the wrong idea.

I didn't like Merlin. He was her classmate and closest male friend, so I hurried to hide in the crowd.

I waited until the two of them drove off, then flagged a cab and rushed straight home.

The longer I waited, the more uneasy I became.

At ten that night, her car finally pulled in.

Merlin got out too. The moment they stepped out, they were all over each other, kissing like they couldn't wait another second.

Merlin swept her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

I stood frozen in place, not knowing whether to go or stay.

……

I was her husband. She was cheating on me.

I should have marched over there and confronted them, demanded to know what the hell was going on.

But my body had gone rigid, and a pain sharp enough to pierce my chest made it hard to breathe.

I clenched my fists, wanting to charge in.

What would be the point?

Catching them in the act wouldn't only shame them. It would humiliate me too.

So I stayed hidden on the balcony, and memories of the past few years came flooding back.

I owed her. When my mother was gravely ill, I was still in school, and she was the one who stepped in and saved my mother when she was on the brink of death.

After graduation, I became what people called the lucky son-in-law who'd married an older, wealthy woman and struck it rich.

After we married, we always got along.

I was so wrapped up in our happiness that I would have done anything to protect it.

If I hadn't seen her kissing Merlin today, I never would have believed she was capable of this.

Right before I came home, we'd even been on the phone.

She'd been so tender, asking about every little thing in my life.

And the woman I'd thought was perfect had just shattered everything.

I hid on the balcony, but I couldn't escape the sounds of them together inside.

So it turned out she had a wild side too.

I fought down the urge to rush in and demand answers. My mother had always taught me that kindness should be repaid.

Not confronting her in person was the last shred of dignity I could preserve for both of us.

I waited.

Waited for them to finish, for them to rest.

Waited for the moment I could slip away unseen.

I knew it. This marriage was over.

The sounds inside finally died away. My phone lit up. A message from her.

【Honey, I miss you.】

I crouched down, pressing a hand to my chest, my whole body trembling from the pain.

She scared easily, yet she kept sending me away on business.

She said she didn't trust anyone else to keep an eye on those projects.

Messages like this, coming in the small hours of the morning, weren't unusual.

It was impossible not to wonder what was really going on.

【Are you scared, all by yourself?】

My hands trembled as I typed the line, and sent it to her.

【I'm with Mom and Dad, not scared.】

【Answering this fast so late at night. Working overtime again.】

【Don't push yourself so hard. We don't need the money, and it breaks my heart to see you wear yourself out.】

【Go to sleep now, you hear me? If you don't listen I'm going to get mad. Your loving wife.】

Reading her messages, my eyes stung.

【Okay. Going to sleep now.】

The night grew late. There was no more sound from the room, and I slipped away, careful and quiet.

Outside the house, I wiped away tears from my face.

I hated myself for crying. I hated feeling this weak.

On my way out, I saw her clothes scattered across the floor, leading all the way to the bedroom.