Chapter 2

I'd just packed the last of my clothes when my phone rang.

It was my friend Luke Carter.

"Ethan, you won't believe what I just saw. Your wife is hanging all over some guy. They're way too close. Damn it, I can't explain this over the phone. Get to the Black Rose. We'll catch them together!"

I knew the man had to be Daniel, but Luke hung up before I could explain.

After a moment, I decided to go.

I'd already made up my mind to leave Wistmere.

Three days earlier, I'd asked to transfer back to my family's corporate headquarters overseas. Tonight, I'd planned to tell Sophie I was moving to Farrowick permanently.

Until today, I'd been trying to work out how to persuade her to come with me.

That was no longer a problem.

I'd explain things to Luke and say goodbye.

Once I left, I probably wouldn't be coming back.

Half an hour later, I opened the door to the bar's private lounge. Every face turned toward me.

Luke and a few of our friends stood beside a table. Sophie was on the other side, keeping Daniel firmly behind her.

Luke pointed at him, furious.

"That's him! He's been all over your wife. The bastard has no shame!"

Before I could speak, Sophie's expression turned icy.

"Ethan, I knew you got jealous, but I thought you could at least be reasonable. Sending your friends to humiliate Daniel? I guess I was wrong about you."

Luke exploded.

"You're the one who got caught! How dare you blame Ethan? Is it because you know he won't fight back? We've all seen how well he's treated you for years. After everything he's done, don't you feel even a little guilty?"

Sophie was breathing so hard the top button of her blouse strained.

"So this is your plan, Ethan? You know Daniel has a heart condition. You know he can't handle stress. And you let these people come after him? Are you trying to kill him?"

Daniel gave a small cough. He tugged at her sleeve, looking pale and fragile.

"Sophie, just explain it to him. Don't fight because of me."

He pressed a hand to his chest and swayed.

"I'll be fine. I don't have much time left anyway. I can take a little humiliation. Your happiness matters more."

"Daniel, don't."

Sophie turned back to Luke and the others. Her voice went utterly cold.

"Didn't Ethan tell you? He's the other man. Daniel and I are the ones who are actually married."

My ears rang.

For a moment, I couldn't believe I'd heard her correctly.

Then she produced the marriage certificate, and there was no escaping what she'd done.

In front of everyone, Sophie had called me the other man.

To protect Daniel, she'd dragged me through the mud herself.

Luke stared at the certificate.

"Ethan... what the hell is going on?"

The others began whispering in shock.

They'd been at our wedding. They knew how I'd doted on her for the past five years.

Once, during our busiest stretch at work, the entire team was up late in an emergency meeting. Sophie called to say she'd skipped dinner and her stomach hurt.

I left work and hurried home through the rain with food for her.

If I was out with friends and she'd bought too much to carry, I'd abandon my drink and go haul her shopping bags.

Later, she said she didn't like my friends. Little by little, I stopped seeing them.

I missed work. Broke plans. Lost my chances at promotion. Let my friendships drift away.

Looking back, I'd handed my life over to her, piece by piece.

Something in my face must have unsettled her. A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes.

Then it was gone.

"Ethan, if you hadn't kept pushing me, I wouldn't have had to do this.

"Daniel's about to have surgery. He just wanted one last wish.

"Why can't you be understanding? Will you only be satisfied when you've driven him to his death?"

Luke turned to me, frantic.

"Say something! This is insane. How could you be the other man? You and Sophie have been—"

"It's true."

The words scraped their way out, one at a time.

"They're married. I'm the other man."

The room fell silent.

Sophie jerked her head up and stared at me.