Chapter 1

The affair photos hit the trending page forty minutes ago, and my in-laws are already begging me to save the man who ruined my life.

My husband's steamy pictures with his assistant leaked online while they were on a "business trip." His devoted-CEO image? Shattered overnight. The company stock tanked.

His family showed up one by one to guilt-trip me.

[Think about the big picture, Melissa. Do the right thing.]

So I did what they asked.

I clicked the button and posted seven clarification statements:

"There is no so-called mistress in my marriage to Mr. Francis. The rumors about him and his assistant Ms. Amy Turner maintaining a love nest at Moristero Manor are simply that — rumors."

"My three miscarriages over five years were pure bad luck. They were absolutely NOT the result of a bet Mr. Francis lost to Ms. Turner."

"Mr. Francis traveling to Japan with his assistant on our wedding anniversary was strictly for business purposes."

"The monthly Porsches and Hermès bags purchased for Ms. Turner were standard corporate gifts. Nothing more."

"My family's heirloom being given to Ms. Turner was entirely my idea. I volunteered."

"As for the viral intimate photos online — they were personally photoshoped by me."

"I owe Ms. Turner a sincere apology."

Three minutes after I posted the video, my phone buzzed.

Corey — radio silent for days — finally decided to show up. In my Message.

[Melissa. Take it down. NOW!]

[Do it before I get back, or you know what happens.]

I laughed softly and typed back: [Then I won't wait for you to come back.]

...

I barely set my phone down before a voice beside me spoke.

"Ms. Wood, your reinstatement request has been approved. Given the nature of the position, we'll need confirmation that you are currently unmarried and not pregnant before departure."

I nodded. "Understood. Thank you."

After the officer left, I sat alone in the empty walk-in closet.

An open suitcase lay in front of me — a few changes of clothes and an old photo album. That was it.

Outside the window, the sky was fading to dark.

But my phone screen kept lighting up.

That "clarification" video had been live for forty minutes, and the comments had already blown past a million.

Seven of the top ten trending topics were about my statement.

#CoreyFrancis_AmyTurner_MoristeroManor

#A_Bet_Caused_Miscarriages

#MelissaWood_Apologizes_AmyTurner

#CoreyFrancis

Every single one — top viral.

I scrolled through the comments. My fingers barely had the strength to swipe.

[wasnt Corey Francis supposed to be the most devoted husband in the city? what the hell happened?]

[Monthly Porsches and Hermès bags as standard corporate gifts? is the Francis Global a company or a charity?]

[Francis Global doesn't even have an office in Osaka. What kind of business trip was this exactly?]

[lol someone in reddit dug up the hot spring resort they went to — it's a couples-only spot with some VERY adult packages. 'Business trip' my ass.]

[volunteered to give away my family heirloom? Melissa, blink twice if someone's holding a gun to your head.]

[I've been a paparazzi for 10+ years and this is the first time I've seen someone write 'my husband is trash' in a PR statement and disguise it as an apology. Melissa — are you asking for help?]

I stared at the screen for a moment, then let out a quiet laugh.

They were right.

I was asking for help.

Just not from them.

Every single line in that statement — the public wouldn't catch the full meaning. But Corey would.

The moment I posted it, there was no going back. Not for him. Not for us.

My phone buzzed again.

A message without a profile picture.

[Ms. Wood — the marriage certificate held by you and Mr. Corey Francis has been verified as a fake document.]

I froze.

I thought I'd already made peace with it — back when I first found the clues myself.

But hearing it confirmed out loud, my eyes still stung.