Chapter 1

On our seventh wedding anniversary, Carter gave me a very special gift.

A divorce agreement, and a stack of printed Snapchat messages showing me "cheating."

In the photos, I was chatting flirtatiously with a college boy named Zev.

Carter stood in the living room, looking down at me with utter disgust.

"Since you're so desperate for a man, sign this and walk away penniless. I'm doing you a favor by letting you be with your hot college kid."

Looking at those explicit chat logs, I didn't defend myself.

I just picked up the pen and signed my name.

As I dragged my suitcase toward the door, I heard Carter on the balcony, making a phone call.

His tone was light, dripping with the smugness of someone who had just won a grand prize.

"You were right, Sam. Telling me to create an alt account to bait her was a genius move. That old hag hooked right onto a few sweet words."

"Now she's leaving with absolutely nothing. I'll marry you tomorrow."

The winter wind outside was freezing, but I didn't look back.

Honestly, I had known Zev was Carter from the very beginning.

In the scenic photos he sent me, the reflection in the glass clearly showed the expensive watch I had gifted him.

I just didn't call him out. I played along with his little cyber-love game every single day.

Why? Because after being diagnosed with severe heart failure, I didn't even have the energy to argue anymore.

Through the fake "Zev," I felt like I was seeing the Carter from seven years ago again—the boy whose eyes used to be filled only with me.

Now that the papers were signed, it was time to wake up from the dream.

For the rest of my numbered days, I just wanted to die in peace, alone.