Chapter 1

Kayden's POV

The second I stepped out of the hospital, a message from my wife, Sienna Waller, popped up.

"Pick up a few boxes of pastries on the south side of the city. Ivan's coming over for dinner. He likes braised ribs. Make sure it's the center cut. Oh, and he doesn't eat celery or eggplant."

Exhausted after days of endless blood work, I leaned against the wall for support.

My friend, Caleb Gray, tossed an arm over my shoulder. When he caught a glimpse of my phone screen, he blew a fuse. "Is Sienna out of her damn mind? She remembers another guy's dislikes, but what about yours?"

"Last week she made you ravioli and forgot you're allergic to mushrooms. You went into full-blown anaphylactic shock! If I hadn't been right there, you'd be dead!"

A sharp pang shot through my chest, and my eyes burned.

When we first started dating, Sienna had been adorably inexperienced, but she'd log my birthday, my favorite things, and every single food allergy right into her notes.

She always knew when I was feeling down and would bring out homemade sweets to cheer me up. Every holiday came with the perfect, most thoughtful gift.

Now, she didn't bother with anniversaries, nor did she care to plan surprises anymore. She didn't even remember I was allergic to mushrooms.

I had to face it. The passionate vows she once swore had begun to rot nine years later. Every single word had turned into a thorn, leaving my heart torn and bleeding.

After a long moment, I tucked my phone away and looked at Caleb. "Find me a lawyer. I'm getting a divorce."

…

I dragged my exhausted body home.

The instant I opened the door, a cloud of cold, stinging rubbing alcohol blasted right into my face.

Covering his nose, Ivan Stout raised an eyebrow and waved the spray bottle. "Professor Waller said filthy things aren't allowed inside. You're not mad, are you?"

Fighting through the burning pain, I forced my eyes open and took him in.

He was wearing the matching tee Sienna and I had. I'd ordered them just last week and even hand-stitched the design onto the cuffs myself. It hung loose on him, looking completely out of place.

I let out a cold laugh. "Since when does Sienna take on such ill-mannered students?"

Ivan's face drained of color, and his eyes darted to Sienna for help.

She stepped in front of him protectively, her expression cold as she snapped at me. "Kayden Richmond, watch your tongue. Ivan was just joking."

Just joking?

I wanted to ask her if sharing the same drink was just a joke, too.

Was him wearing my clothes another joke? How many more line-crossing jokes were there between them?

But when I saw her instinctively defend him, the questions died in my throat.

I shut the door, changed into my slippers, and pulled out a chair at the dining table. "Sienna, I have something to tell you."