Chapter 3

His expression was a masterpiece of pure horror, shock, and mounting dread.

"Chloe?"

His voice shook violently as he stammered my name.

"Why... why are you back so early?"

I stared at him coldly, a mocking smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

"What's the matter? Did I mess up your tight schedule?"

David’s face went pasty white.

He lunged forward, trying to grab my hands.

"Babe, listen to me, it's not what you think. I was just... we were just—"

I shoved his hands away with all my strength.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the flash drive and hurled it straight into his chest.

"Explain? Explain what?"

"Explain what these dozens of photos are?"

"Explain what you two were doing in my bed?"

"Or explain how you’re heading to Champs-Élysées at noon to meet her parents?"

The flash drive hit the hardwood floor with a sharp, hollow click.

David collapsed to his knees in a panic, scrambling to scoop it up.

By now, the woman had recovered from her initial shock.

She smoothed her hair back and crossed her arms, glaring down at me with pure disdain.

"Well, since you already know, that saves us the trouble."

"Stop playing the pitiful victim. Just hurry up and sign the divorce papers."

"Stop clinging to David like a leech and getting in the way of our happiness."

"He stopped loving you a long time ago. You're the one who refused to let go."

Looking at this shameless woman, I let out a sharp, incredulous laugh.

"He stopped loving me? Then why didn't he ever bring up a divorce?"

"And as for you—if you're so desperate to get married, why did you settle for a married man?"

"Does being a homewrecker make you feel accomplished?"

Her face flushed bright red.

She whipped around to glare at David, her voice shrill with betrayal.

"David! Did you tell her or not?"

"You told me you asked for a divorce months ago and she was the one refusing to sign!"

Sweat poured down David’s forehead. His eyes darted everywhere except at her.

"I... I..."

He sputtered, unable to string a single coherent sentence together.

The woman wasn't completely stupid.

Seeing his cowardly stammer, the truth hit her like a slap in the face.

"David! You played me?!"

"You never asked her for a divorce, did you?!"

"You lied to me this whole damn time!"

David panicked, shoving the woman toward the front door.

"Enough! Just leave!"

"I’ll handle this."

"Go home first, stop making a scene!"

The woman dug her heels in, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"You promised you’d meet my parents today!"

"You swore you’d give me an answer!"

David snapped, his guilt turning into vicious rage.

"I said I’ll take care of it! Go home and wait!"

"Get the hell out! Don't make me say it twice!"

He practically shoved her through the door and slammed it shut in her face.

BAM!

The woman pounded on the outside of the door, screaming profanities.

David ignored her completely.

He turned around to face me, forcing a sickeningly sweet, pleading smile onto his face.

"Chloe, honey, listen to me."

"She was just a distraction, I swear. It meant nothing."

"You know how it is... guys make stupid mistakes sometimes."

"But in my heart, you're the only one. I love you."

"Think about our three years together. Can you forgive me just this once?"

"Look, I’ll block her and delete her right in front of you right now."

"I swear to God I'll cut all contact. I’ll never speak to her again."

With trembling hands, he whipped out his phone.

Right before my eyes, he blocked and deleted the woman on Snapchat.

Then he thrust the screen in front of my face.

"See? Gone. Totally erased."

"Babe, can we just put this behind us? Please?"

Watching him grovel like a whipped dog made my stomach churn with disgust.

"David, don't you feel pathetic?"

"Now that you're caught, you want to bring up our marriage?"

"There is no 'us' anymore."

I stood up, refusing to look at his repulsive face for another second.

"I want a divorce. Right now."

"Pack your things. We're going to the courthouse the moment it opens."