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Chapter 3

Author: Woody Tara
When I returned to the apartment, I threw my filthy wedding dress into the trash and began to pack.

Mark had always insisted that keeping our relationship secret meant leaving no trace of me anywhere, not even in the home we shared.

For eight years, we had slept in separate rooms. Mine was a converted storage room tucked out of sight. Even my clothes had to be plain and gender-neutral.

Once, on our anniversary, I had put on a beautiful dress just for him.

He had accused me of jeopardizing everything he had worked so hard to protect, then stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

After that, we never celebrated another anniversary.

With a bitter laugh, I stripped every last black, white, and gray outfit from the closet and tossed them into the trash, packing only the essentials.

After eight rootless years, everything I owned fit inside a suitcase.

Just as I was about to head out the door, I ran straight into Mark coming in with Katrina.

When he saw my packed suitcase, he stopped short.

A look of approval appeared on his face.

“You’ve finally learned to be sensible.”

I stared at him. “What do you mean?”

Katrina stepped out from behind him and offered a breezy explanation.

“Our coworkers got a little carried away. They insisted on coming here for an after-party and said they wouldn’t leave until Mark and I headed to the bedroom for our wedding night.

“But don’t worry, Emily. Mark and I are just buddies. I’m only spending one night at your place. Nothing inappropriate will happen.”

The indulgent look on Mark’s face made my throat go dry.

He thought I was dutifully making myself scarce for the night so that he and Katrina could keep playing newlyweds.

All in the name of keeping our relationship secret, I was apparently expected to surrender even my own wedding night. What a joke.

I scoffed under my breath and nodded indifferently.

“Okay. I’ll stay somewhere else.”

Mark seemed surprised by how easily I agreed and stared at me for a moment.

Then, he let out a relieved sigh and gently brushed his hand against my cheek.

“That’s my girl. You only have to bear with it for one night. Once everyone at work buys the story, you can move back in. We can even have another wedding later, with just us…”

I stepped back and cut him off.

“You misunderstood. I’m moving out for good. Mark, I’m breaking up with you.”

His expression tightened. He opened his mouth to respond.

However, the mocking voices of our coworkers outside came faster than his words.

“Breaking up? Is she seriously pretending she was ever Mr. Perrette’s girlfriend?”

“This is hilarious. Did nobody tell her Kat and Mr. Perrette already made it official at the courthouse?”

The moment I heard that, I turned to Mark in disbelief.

His eyes darted away, but he offered no explanation.

That was all the confirmation I needed.

My fists tightened until my knuckles turned white. A broken laugh escaped me as tears filled my eyes.

“You married her? Just to keep our relationship hidden, you took this charade with Katrina all the way to the courthouse?”

Every eye in the room turned to Mark.

Uncertain murmurs began to ripple through our coworkers.

“Why does Emily sound like she’s telling the truth? Was Katrina the other woman all along?”

Mark swallowed hard. But when he saw the color drain from Katrina’s face, he turned on me.

“What charade? Katrina and I are legally married. If you keep spreading lies, I’ll report you for harassment and sue you for defamation. I’ll overlook the trespassing, but you need to leave. Now.”

The coldness in Mark’s eyes cut deeper than any blade.

In that instant, the last of my love for him disappeared.

I wiped away my tears. Then, I pulled the engagement ring from the chain hidden beneath my clothes and threw it at his chest.

“Fine. I’m leaving.”

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