Chapter 1

My best friend was coerced by her wealthy in-laws into signing away her daughter’s custody. She cried until she was severely dehydrated in the hospital.

I flew back overnight, rented an apartment for her, and helped her land a job.

Every day, I cooked gourmet meals for her and kept her company, wanting nothing more than to see her get back on her feet.

But my dedication only made my husband, Ethan Carter, increasingly impatient. He publicly criticized me for helping her, complaining that I spent my nights comforting her from nightmares, feeding her, and spending all my weekends keeping her company.

He even yelled at me for "neglecting our own child."

He sneered at my best friend, saying, "A woman who can't even keep her own kid isn't worth ruining our lives over."

I slammed my fork onto the table, my eyes red as I shot back.

"When my dad went bankrupt and everyone in the world avoided me like the plague, she was the only one who gave me her entire life savings!"

"For my sake, Ethan, shut the hell up."

Later, I was sent to London for a three-month business project. I called her every day.

Hearing her voice grow brighter and happier made my heart swell with relief.

But when the project ended and I came home unexpected...

I saw my best friend sitting at my dining table, and Ethan was leaning over, gently tying the apron strings around her waist.

The look in their eyes as they stared at each other held a tenderness and chemistry I had never seen before.

In an instant, my marriage and the friendship I cherished most crumbled to dust.

***

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