Chapter 1

My husband gives me ninety-nine photos of himself cheating on me as a gift for our second wedding anniversary.

The one on top shows him having sex with my best friend, Serena Wells, in our kitchen.

Preston Vale watches my face turn pale, then gives me a cold, mocking smile.

“I finally get why men cheat,” he says. “It’s exciting as hell.”

I don’t say a word, just stare at him.

The silence becomes awkward.

Then he suddenly picks up his phone and calls someone.

“Serena, I lost,” he says. “She saw the photos, and she didn’t cry.”

He hangs up, stands, and slides a stack of divorce papers across the table.

“Serena and I made a bet. We wanted to see if you’d cry when you found out we were cheating,” he says. “If I lost, I’d have to stay married to her for three years.”

“Chloe, let’s get divorced for now. Give each other three years. You can learn to be more forgiving, and I can learn to settle down.”

I sign without hesitation.

That same night, I board a flight to Los Angeles.

Two years later, I come back to New York.

Preston hears the news and shows up at the airport, looking just as cocky and laid-back as ever.

“Three years aren’t even up yet,” he says. “You’re that desperate to remarry me?”

I take a step back and laugh in his face.

“Remarry you? I’m already on husband number two.”

…

And I’m already carrying his baby.

I gently place my hand over my lower belly.

“What did you say?” Preston asks.

He puts out the cigarette between his fingers, his mouth curving into that careless smile I know all too well.

“Chloe, it’s been two years, and you still have that temper.”

“Besides me, what man could possibly put up with you?”

“But the three-year deal isn’t over yet. Technically, Serena is still my wife, so you’ll have to deal with it for now.”

I frown.

“Preston Vale, do you think you’re the last man on earth? When did I ever say I wanted you back?”

He freezes for half a second. Then he laughs.

He thinks I’m throwing a tantrum.

Like always, he reaches out and ruffles my hair, as if he still has the right.

“Mad again?”

“Fine. I’ll just divorce Serena in a few days.”

“To be honest, after two years, I kind of miss being with you.”

I slap his hand away, ready to curse him out.

Suddenly, the headlights of a parked car flash in my eyes.

“Get in,” he says. “It’s hot out.”

I don’t refuse.

I need to talk to him anyway.

Serena is sitting in the passenger seat, holding a half-eaten piece of cake.

“Sorry, Chloe,” she says sweetly. “I couldn’t even get out of the car to say hi. Blame Preston. He kept me up way too late last night.”

“If he hadn’t finally let me sleep, I probably wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed.”

Preston smiles and strokes her cheek.

Then he picks a crumb off the corner of her mouth.

I turn away and look out the window.

Back then, he never let me eat in his car.

Not even when my blood sugar dropped and I only wanted one piece of candy.

He’d grab my wrist and snap, “That smell is too strong. It’s gross.”

So he does make exceptions.

Just not for me.

I look away and ignore their flirting.

They take me to a restaurant.

Serena acts like she owns the place and pushes the menu toward me.

“Don’t be shy,” she says. “Order whatever you want.”

Preston immediately cuts in.

“Bring us one of every seafood dish on the menu.”

I used to love seafood.

But now…

“No,” I say. “I can’t have seafood right now.”

Preston looks confused.

“What do you mean? You loved this stuff.”

Under their shocked stares, I explain calmly.

“I’m pregnant.”