Chapter One

Zoe’s POV

I stared at the envelope he had just slammed on the table, confusion clouding my face as I slowly dropped my mascara onto the dressing table.

“What’s this all about?”

“Open it and see for yourself,” he said, anger clearly written all over his face. I didn’t need anyone to tell me he was furious.

I looked at him through the mirror in front of me, silently hoping he’d say something more. He had worn that same expression for weeks. I’d asked him countless times what was wrong, but it was always in vain.

My hand reached for the envelope, opening it quickly while keeping eye contact with him through the mirror.

“Divorce agreement.” Those were the first two words I saw, and my heart sank. This had to be a joke. Maybe he was pulling some cruel prank?

I dropped the envelope immediately, refusing to read the rest.

“I need you to sign it right now,” he said flatly, holding out a pen.

My mind struggled to keep up with everything that was happening. Divorce? Just like that?

I rose slowly from the chair, pushing it under the drawer, trying to make sense of what was going on.

Today was our anniversary. I had expected something beautiful—not this.

“I’m not signing anything until you give me a reason. We’re married, Ethan. Communication matters. What part of ‘explanation’ don’t you understand?” My voice rose with every word.

“You want to know what you did?” He stepped closer. My heart raced as I desperately searched my mind for anything I could’ve done wrong.

“Yes. Tell me,” I said, this time much quieter.

“You cheated on me, you fool!” he snapped, stepping back and running his hands over his face in frustration. He paced before returning to stand in front of me. “You’ve been sleeping around behind my back, and now you act like you know nothing about it? Huh?!”

I stared at him, stunned. Cheated?

“I don’t know who told you that nonsense, but you need to come back to your senses. Why would I cheat on you? Do you even have evidence?” I shouted.

“You’re getting on my nerves with these accusations,” I added more calmly, though my hands trembled and tears brimmed in my eyes. My fingers dug into my palms, trying to ground myself.

Was this why he had been distant for weeks? He’d rather believe something he saw or heard than come to me?

He pulled out his phone from his pocket. I watched as he scrolled through the gallery, then turned the screen toward me.

“Wait, what?” I snatched the phone and stared at the photo. It was me... and the man I worked with. His hand was over my head, and our lips looked dangerously close to touching.

My lips quivered. That moment.

The tears I had been holding back finally streamed down my cheeks.

“So what do you have to say? I never expected this from you. You really messed up, and you should be ashamed.” He clicked his tongue and snatched his phone back.

“I still stand by what I said—I didn’t cheat on you. Where were you when I tried to explain what happened that night? You were busy—”

“I knew you’d try to blame me. That’s what cheaters do. Now sign the contract if you’ve got nothing else to say,” he cut me off and started to leave.

I bit my lower lip hard. The urge to tell him the truth about what happened that night overwhelmed me.

I had been assaulted—violated—while trying to pitch an idea to someone. I had called Ethan right after, but he didn’t pick up. I kept trying for days, but he never made himself available.

Now he was acting on a picture? A picture of me struggling in a moment of vulnerability?

He slammed the door behind him, leaving me in shock.

No. This couldn’t be how our relationship ended.

I ran after him, as fast as my legs could carry me.

“Ethan!” I called out as I reached the stairs. He turned to look at me.

His eyes were red—he had been crying.

“If you go through with this, you’ll regret it,” I said as I approached him.

I wasn’t lying. I knew I was innocent.

“Okay. Thanks for the warning. You can keep meeting up with that NBA guy. Let’s see how you’ll survive without my money.”

“Have you ever thought about who sent those pictures?” I asked, my voice firmer now. Only one person came to mind: Stacy.

She had introduced me to the man, said he needed someone to collaborate with. I shouldn’t have trusted her, but I was desperate.

Stacy had been Ethan’s childhood friend. She’d been in love with him for as long as I could remember. Even now, I wasn’t entirely sure she had moved on. Sometimes, she’d pick fights with me for no reason, which only confirmed my suspicions.

“This marriage was already draining me. Cheating or not, let’s just separate,” he muttered, shaking his head. As he turned away, I grabbed his arm.

“I don’t think I’ll ever love you again. I lost feelings a long time ago.”

He flinched and shoved me off like I meant nothing.

My foot missed a step.

I slipped and tumbled down the stairs.

Pain tore through me as my vision blurred. He vanished from view. He had finally gotten the chance he needed to walk away—and he took it.

Everything started to fade.

---

My eyes fluttered open. The sharp smell of antiseptic hit me instantly. I was in a hospital.

How did I get here?

Flashes of the fall came back. The way Ethan walked past me without even looking at my body sprawled on the floor.

“You’re awake.”

That voice...

I turned slowly and saw Levi standing by the door.

What was he doing here?

“I came to see my brother. That’s when I found you lying on the floor, unconscious,” he said.

I let out a shaky sigh. I haven't seen Levi in a long time, and seeing him again was quite surprising.

“Thank goodness I came early. Your baby would’ve died,” he added.

What?

I stared at him. Was he serious?

“No way! I can’t be pregnant. That’s impossible. Check again. You’re wrong,” I said, laughing nervously. “What are you saying? Pregnant?”

I couldn’t be pregnant. Not now. Not like this.

“The doctor told me. He confirmed it.”

“No! Tell him to test again.” Tears streamed down my cheeks. I reached for the drip attached to my arm, trying to pull it out, but Levi rushed over and stopped me. “Then I need to get an abortion.”

He held my wrist gently, pulling me into his arms.

His hand rested on my shoulder, offering a comfort I didn’t know I needed.

“You’ve got people who want to help you, no matter what you’re going through,” he said softly.

“Your brother left me. I have no one now,” I cried, my voice cracking from the pain.

I sobbed into his chest, completely lost.

“Marry me,” he said quietly, snapping me out of my thoughts.