Chapter 1

Chris Harper and I had been married for five years, and in that time, he had dated at least ten girlfriends.

So when Lily Parker showed up at his side, my friends all told me:

“Chris is just having fun. Don’t take it seriously.”

But I knew better. Chris was serious this time.

More serious than anyone realized.

"Hey, I heard it’s your wedding anniversary with Chris today."

"How about we make a bet? Let’s see who can keep Chris. Whoever loses will gracefully step aside."

That popped up in my text messages.

It was a challenge from Lily Parker, Chris’s new girlfriend.

I thought it was childish, so I didn’t respond. Instead, I smiled and returned to the Grand Ballroom at The Waldorf Astoria, where all eyes were on the star of the night.

Chris noticed me immediately and smiled as he walked over, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"What’s wrong?" he asked. "You don’t look well."

Our friends nearby cheered us on, saying how Chris and I were still as in love as ever, how our marriage had withstood the test of time. Some joked, urging Chris to treat me well and not regret anything later.

Chris navigated the crowd effortlessly, like a fish in water. I stayed by his side, the perfect accessory, putting on the appropriate smile.

Halfway through the night, the host grabbed the microphone and invited Chris to come up and say a few words.

Chris nodded and turned to me. "I have a gift for you," he said.

I smiled back. "Great."

The next second, his phone rang.

The ringtone was jarring. Chris paused, hesitant, but after a moment, he continued toward the stage, picked up the microphone, and finished his greetings to the crowd. His eyes then locked onto mine.

"Today is our fifth wedding anniversary."

"You once mentioned liking an island."

"I bought it for you as an anniversary gift."

His assistant handed him a contract, but as soon as it was in his hands, the phone rang again. The ringtone cut through the atmosphere like a knife, and I saw a flash of panic in Chris’s eyes.

I turned to look behind me, and my heart skipped a beat.

Standing on the outskirts of the crowd was the girl from the profile picture—the one I’d seen in the text message.

She stood there, holding her phone, silently mouthing, "Answer it."

Her eyes were bright, but there was a faint mist over them. She mouthed the words again, "Answer the call."

Against my better judgment, I turned back toward Chris.

The contract slipped from Chris’s hands as he answered the call. The girl’s voice, strained with emotion, echoed through the ballroom.

"Chris."

"I’m breaking up with you."

There was a pause, then she dropped the bomb.

"And I’m getting rid of this baby."

"Chris," she continued in a soft, broken voice. "I don’t want you anymore."

And then, she hung up.

The whole room went silent.

No one noticed the girl in the simple white dress turning to leave after delivering her message.

But Chris did.

Not only did he notice, but without hesitation, he threw down the microphone and rushed out of the ballroom.

The girl’s earlier challenge echoed in my mind: How about we make a bet? Let’s see who can keep Chris.

Suddenly panicked, I lost all sense of decorum. Lifting the hem of my dress, I ran after him.

I grabbed his hand, pleading, "Don’t go."

"Chris."

"Please, don’t leave."

I had always been composed, always the graceful Mrs. Harper.

I was the girl Chris picked out of all the others in the foster care home, the one he chose to be the wife of the Harper family.

I was the one who stayed by his side, even though I knew that our relationship was based more on years of growing up together than on passion. Yet, despite it all, I had fallen hopelessly in love with him.

"Chris."

Tears streamed down my face.

My voice broke. "Please, don’t leave."