My phone lit up. The contact name—Hubby—felt like a cruel joke.
I stared at it, finding the irony unbearable. I didn't answer. One tap. Blocked. Then I blocked him on every platform we shared.
Now he knows how to be anxious? What was he doing five minutes ago?
As the car moved through the city, my mind spiraled back. When did Rhys start looking at Emily like that?
Was it the day she moved in? She'd knocked on our door to borrow tools. Rhys had stared at her face, completely entranced, only snapping out of it when I nudged him. He'd smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.
Was it the mornings he took out the trash? I realized now he'd started taking Emily's too.
Or when he cooked dinner? He would "coincidentally" run into Emily coming home and insist on bringing her a portion.
Or perhaps it was the way he constantly whispered in my ear that Emily had a hard life, praising her for being so strong and independent...
Looking back, I'd been so stupid.
His little betrayals had happened right under my nose. I'd mistaken his lust for Emily as the same neighborly kindness he showed everyone.
But why?
We were each other's first love. Dated for five years, married for three. For eight years, Rhys had always put me first. He handed over his entire salary. He cooked. He cleaned.
He always said he felt guilty he couldn't afford a proper ring or a wedding house. He claimed he wanted to spend his life making it up to me, treating me like a queen.
The year before last, when my grandpa fell ill, Rhys took a month of leave to care for him day and night, staying by his side until he passed peacefully.
Even my parents and three protective older brothers, who'd fiercely opposed our marriage, had eventually softened. They finally admitted I'd married a good man.
How did the man who loved me that much change after Emily moved in for just two months?
I couldn't figure it out. And I didn't want to waste another second trying.
I wiped the tears from my face and hardened my heart. I opened the family group chat and tagged Miles, the senior partner at a top law firm.
[Scarlett: Miles, I can't accept Rhys's betrayal. I want a divorce. Help me.]
Miles replied instantly.
[Miles: Done. The papers are already drafted.]
A second later, he sent a photo of an airport departure gate.
[Miles: I booked the next flight. Wait for me. I'm coming.]