Chapter 1

The day I found out I was pregnant, Shane was helping his childhood sweetheart, Rose, pick out a cat.

The day I lost the baby, Shane was with her again—this time at the vet, taking care of her sick cat.

Later, Rose posted on social media, showing off their closeness for the world to see:

"Fifteen years and counting. So lucky to have you by my side."

The photo? Shane holding her cat at the vet, smiling softly at her like she was the center of his universe.

Meanwhile, I was lying in a cold hospital bed, empty and broken. I couldn’t reach Shane; his phone kept going to voicemail. After my tenth attempt, I gave up.

I laughed bitterly, opened Rose’s post, and left a comment below her picture:

"I hope you two stay together forever and don't go around grossing others out."

The moment I lost the baby, I knew my marriage to Shane was over.

Three years of marriage, and Rose had always been between us. Shane’s childhood friend, his precious Rose—so precious, in fact, that whenever she called, Shane would drop everything to be by her side.

It didn’t matter what the reason was. If Rose needed him, he’d leave me without a second thought.

I used to tell myself that having a child would fix things, that it would bring us closer. But even a pregnancy couldn’t keep Shane from running to her.

If that was the case, why should I fight for this marriage anymore?

As I scrolled through Rose’s post again from my hospital bed, I saw the photo of Shane holding her cat, his smile soft and warm.

Her caption read: "Fifteen years and counting. So lucky to have you by my side."

I stared at my phone, bitterness curling in my chest.

Then I left my comment:

"I hope you two stay together forever and don't go around grossing others out.

A second later, my phone rang.

It was Shane.

I answered, and before I could say anything, his angry voice cut through the line.

“Claire, what the hell is wrong with you?!”

“What’s wrong with me?” I repeated, my tone icy.

“What were you thinking, leaving a comment like that on Rose’s post? Do you know how bad that makes her look? People are already misunderstanding her because of you!”

In the background, I heard Rose sniffle dramatically.

“Shane, don’t blame Claire,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “It’s my fault. She probably called you earlier, and you didn’t pick up because you were busy with the cat. She must’ve misunderstood…”

Shane’s frustration spiked. “Claire, I’m ordering you to delete that comment and apologize to Rose right now!”

I listened to his rant in silence, my hand tightening around the phone.

Then, without a word, I hung up.

I got out of bed, discharged myself from the hospital, and went home to the apartment Shane and I shared.

The first thing I did when I got there was call a lawyer. I had the divorce papers drafted immediately.

Afterward, I went to the bedroom, packed a suitcase, and was about to leave when Shane walked in, his hair disheveled and his face flushed from rushing back.

He froze when he saw my suitcase, then his lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Running away from home? Really, Claire? How childish can you get?”

I looked at him, my expression calm. “It’s not running away.”

“I’m leaving you.”

I pulled my suitcase toward the door, but his voice stopped me.

“Claire, how long are you planning to keep up this tantrum? Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused Rose? People are calling her a homewrecker because of you!”

He took a step closer, his tone dripping with condescension.

“You knew I’d come back to talk this out, didn’t you? That’s why you’re pulling this dramatic little stunt—to guilt me into staying.”

“Claire, you know I don’t have the patience for this.”

His words were so certain, so full of himself, as if he knew I’d eventually back down.

And I did.

I stopped, turned around, and walked back toward him.

For a moment, a smug look crossed his face, like he thought he’d won.

But then I raised my hand and slapped him.

Hard.

The sound echoed through the room.

“That,” I said, my voice steady, “was for everything you put me through.”

“Shane, you are so disgusting, you make me want to throw up.”

Before he could respond, a gasp came from the doorway.

There stood Rose, her hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

“Claire, if you’re angry, blame me!” she cried, rushing over to Shane, her tears falling as if on cue. “I’m the one who asked him to come with me to the vet. It’s not his fault!”

She touched his cheek gently, her fingers brushing over the red mark I’d left.

“How could you hit him?” she demanded, glaring at me. “Don’t you know how much men value their pride?!”

Then she turned back to Shane, her voice soft and full of concern. “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Shane’s expression softened immediately. He reached out to comfort her, his voice low and reassuring. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

When he turned back to me, though, his gaze was cold.

“Claire, stop this nonsense. You’re ruining Rose’s reputation. Do you even care what kind of damage you’re doing?”

“She’s an unmarried woman. Do you know how hard it’ll be for her to move on if people keep thinking she’s a homewrecker?”

He took a step closer, his voice sharp.

“Delete your comment. Post an apology. Now.”

“And if I don’t?” I asked, my tone mocking.

Shane’s jaw tightened. “If you walk out that door without fixing this, don’t expect me to come after you.”