You Bet on My Love and Lost Everything

On our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband, Nick Mercer, threw me a lavish party.

At the party, he played Truth or Dare with his friends.

He lost.

He walked up to me, kissed my forehead, and said with a smile, "Ella, I lost. The punishment is divorce, so let's get divorced."

I didn't say a word. The friends around us tried to talk him out of it.

"Nick, it's just a game..."

"Stop messing around, Nick. We were only joking. Why are you taking it seriously..."

Nick looked at me gravely, a hint of reproach in his voice. "Ella, it's only a game. I lost, so I have to take the punishment. Don't embarrass me in front of my friends."

Then he shoved another man toward me. "We won't stay divorced for long. If you get lonely, he can keep you company. As long as you're happy, I won't mind."

I stared at Nick in disbelief, my mind blank except for the ringing in my ears.

It took me a long moment to blink back the tears. "I need to use the restroom."

As I pulled the door shut, I heard them already talking inside.

"Nick, are you insane? Handing Ella another man? Aren't you afraid she'll hook up with him?"

"Ella is obsessive about fidelity. She'd never touch anyone but me." Nick's certainty cut deep. Then one of his friends said something that made it worse.

"You really want to divorce Ella? What if Selena still won't have you? What's your exit plan?"

"I'm taking a gamble. Back then, Selena turned me down and left the country. I married Ella in a fit of spite. All these years, I've blamed myself for being so impulsive. Now that Selena's back, I want one more shot. If she truly doesn't feel anything for me, I'll remarry Ella. If she does, then the man I gave Ella can be her consolation prize."

"Aren't you afraid Ella will find out this whole thing is staged?"

"I won't let her find out. So all of you keep your mouths shut. If Ella finds out about this, don't blame me for cutting ties."

I didn't stay to hear the rest.

I ran all the way to the restroom. When I saw my tear-streaked face in the mirror, it hit me: my five-year marriage to Nick had been nothing but a farce.

Five years ago, I met Nick at a bar. I was nearly assaulted by a group of drunk men, and he stepped in to save me.

After that, he pursued me relentlessly.

Back then, Nick was gentle, thoughtful, romantic...

Inevitably, I fell in love with him.

We started dating and married soon after.

For five years, we'd been happy. I'd always believed we would grow old together.

Until just now.

If these five years of marriage were a mistake, then I would be the one to end it.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and walked back to the private room as if nothing had happened.

The man Nick had brought was still there. I walked up and took his arm, then turned to Nick, who was smoking off to the side. "Nine o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll meet you at the county courthouse."

With that, I tugged the man toward the door.

My composure must have caught Nick off guard. He looked a little flustered. "Where are you going?"

I smiled. "On a date with my new boyfriend."