Chapter 1

“Bri? It’s Ethan. He’s cheated again.” Her friend’s voice came through.

This wasn’t the first time it was happening.

Brielle sat still on the couch, surrounded by silence and loneliness, and her only source of light was the candles on the table.

“It’s all over the news this time around, Bri. Are you sure you still want to be with him? With a man that humiliates and disrespects you every damn time?” The frustration in her friend’s voice was evident.

With trembling hands, Brielle took her phone away from her ear to stare at the breaking news, and just as Luna had mentioned, the headlines were all about her husband.

“BILLIONAIRE CEO KISSES YOUNG MODEL ON BROOKLYN STREET- LOVE IS IN THE AIR BETWEEN ETHAN RAYNE AND REINA FALLON.”

The picture was vivid..too vivid. Her husband, whom she had been married to for two years, was locked in a heated kiss with a younger woman whom she had never seen before, at least not before now.

Their pictures were on every page, and they were even named the couple of the year.

Ethan’s smile was bright and mischievous. His six foot two self was dressed in a designer tuxedo as if he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Ethan was the kind of man whose presence could silence a room, and it didn’t help that he had the looks of a Greek God mixed with a model.

With his tousled hair and sharp jawline that made women adore him and beg for his attention. He had a reputation for parading different women, as none of them ever lasted by his side for a week.

If only they knew he had a wife…

Brielle ended the call and stared at the pictures one more time before releasing a long sigh.

She didn’t cry.

She only turned to the elegant table she had spent all day setting and stared in silence- the burning candles, the food untouched, the bouquet of roses she had carefully arranged.

All for their wedding anniversary.

She wondered how her marriage had gotten here. Sure, he didn’t love her as much as she loved him. The least she expected him to do was show no disrespect while they were still married.

She had spent the entire two years of her marriage being woken up to news like this about her husband, and over time, she had grown a thick skin.

But, for how long was she going to remain like this?

For how long was she going to sit and wait while he slept with every woman he found out there?

A sudden knock cut through the silence, returning her from her daze.

Brielle rose and walked carefully to the door. She opened it and was immediately met by the pungent stench of perfume and alcohol.

The woman from the photo, Reina Fallon, stood before her, her hair disheveled, her lipstick smeared and her cheeks reddened. Her dress was a little too tight for Brielle, but she shut her mouth.

Behind her was her husband, Ethan, who could barely stand straight. His hair was just as disheveled as the woman’s, and his shirt was missing some buttons.

“You must be the wife,” Reina said smugly, mockery evident.

“Sorry to bother you this late.” She said with an exaggerated sweetness. “Ethan drank too much at my house, so, I figured I should bring him home…to his wife.” She said the last three words with a smirk dancing on her lips.

“I couldn’t just leave him at my place even though I know it would be what he wants. I felt it would be best for him to spend the night with his wife.” She said, widening her smile at Brielle and feigning innocence.

Brielle didn’t flick at her words. This wasn’t the first time she had witnessed such a scene. The only thing that was new this time around was the woman.

If only she knew that she was just one of Ethan’s playthings.

Brielle felt bad for her- she really did. She was bragging shamelessly about a man who wasn’t hers and would leave her the second he found someone more interesting.

But Brielle was in no place to judge. Not when she was the biggest fool for waiting every single time.

Now, she wasn’t shaken by his affairs, just disappointed.

“You must be tired,” Brielle said a little too calmly for the woman. “Thank you for bringing my husband back home. I’ll have a driver leave with you to make up for the stress.” She added and turned to her husband, her face void of any expression.

As soon as they were about to step in, Ethan staggered forward and collapsed into Brielle’s arm, almost knocking her off her feet with his body weight.

His breath reeked of whisky; it made her gag.

“Sorry, darling. I just cheated on you again,” he mumbled into her neck with a charming smile that women would kill for.

“It’s alright, Ethan. I don’t mind.” Brielle answered in a calm voice.

“I know you are the best.” Ethan nuzzled her neck, and Reina’s eyes widened.

Reina blinked, clearly caught off guard by her reaction. That wasn’t the normal reaction women gave when they found their husbands with another woman.

She was expecting some tears, maybe yelling, screaming, or even a fight, but…this was definitely not what she expected.

“Thank you once again. I’ll take it from here.” She finished and threw Ethan one final look, making him walk sluggishly towards the front door.

The moment the doors closed, Ethan didn’t look drunk at all. He stood up straight, his eyes scanning the dining table. “What is all this for?” He asked in a scoff.

Brielle took a deep breath, finally meeting his gaze with determination.

“I want a divorce.”