Chapter 1 The Paperwork

“Marriage isn’t a happy ending. It’s a prologue written in bad luck.”

I found myself outside my husband, Dave’s office, the folder in my hand feeling heavier than it should’ve. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to knock on the door.

“Come in,” Dave’s voice came booming through. It used to set my heart racing, but now it just made me uneasy.

I entered, putting on my professional façade like it was armor. He was slouched behind his desk, rubbing his temples amid the chaos of his frantic morning from Slideland. He didn’t even look up. He seemed either exhausted or just tired of seeing me.

“Are you busy?” I kept my tone flat and neutral. “Sign these. They’re urgent.”

I dropped the stack in front of him. He didn’t bother checking the titles or flipping through the pages. Just grabbed his pen and scribbled his name at the bottom of the pile.

The Belmont Signature. It used to mean everything to me. Now, it was my escape route.

“Thanks,” I said, quickly taking the papers back. “Dinner tonight?”

“I have plans. Don’t wait up,” he muttered, already back to his emails.

“Alright. I’m leaving.”

I turned to head out, my heels clicking a sharp rhythm against the floor. I was halfway to the exit when I heard a dull thud from the lounge next door.

I paused. The door was slightly open. On the coffee table, there were snack wrappers and a half-finished glass of milk. On the rug, a single pink high heel lay there, abandoned like a trophy.

The hallway felt like It was tilting. I didn’t need to see the woman to know what was happening. I recognized the silhouette of betrayal all too well.

I didn’t scream or cry. I just went back to my office, locked the door, and pulled out the bottom sheet from the folder.

Divorce Settlement. His signature was right there and for some reason, my heart felt heavier. To him, it was just another task. For me, it marked the end of a lie that had lasted three years.

My phone buzzed. I snapped a photo of the signature and sent it to my mother-in-law, Autumn.

[He signed it.]

A week ago, she’d made me an offer: keep the divorce quiet to protect the family stock and walk away with $100 million. A million for every scar.

A knock at the door jolted me. I quickly shoved the papers into a drawer.

“Come in.”

Roland, Dave’s assistant, walked in holding a green velvet box. He seemed like he wanted to bolt. “Mrs. Belmont. Mr. Belmont asked me to give this to you.”

I opened it. A diamond necklace, flawless and blinding.

But I didn’t see jewelry. I saw the girl from the hotel photos—the one in the bathrobe with hickeys like bruised roses. She was wearing that exact necklace in the mirror selfie she posted on her private story.

“Mr. Belmont picked it out himself,” Roland stammered. “One of a kind.”

“How romantic,” I whispered, the words tasting bitter. “He’s so swept up in things, but he still finds time to shop.”

Roland went pale. He knew what was happening.

“I’m leaving,” I said.

As I walked to the parking lot, the gray sky felt like it was closing in around me. Across the lot, Dave’s black sedan was idling. In the back seat, he was leaning in close to a woman with short hair.

Our eyes met through the glass for just a second. He didn’t look guilty at all. Just looked away.