t's get a

the nightstand beside him. The morning sun cut through the large wi

dy dressed in a sharp suit, his focus entirely

he asked, his voice

ce steady. "I think it's for the be

slowly lifted his head. His eyes, usually unreadable, now held a

ridiculo

ignored the topic. He treated my words like a fly to be swat

ake. This was the man I had married for

nt, the smell of turpentine a permanent part of my existence. I ate instant noodles most days and dreamed of a canvas la

ng different. He was staring at a painting with a look of profound loneliness. I learned later that he had just been publicly dumped

an heartbroken and publicly humiliated is a m

art. Our courtship was a transaction. I studied Chloe Miller. I learned her preferences, her style, her favorite

ed me. He just gave

here I saw Chloe for the first time in person. Her engagement had apparently

hampagne fountain, her s

d down. She noted my dress, which was a style she had

" I replied, my own

inal. Let's make a little bet, shall we?" She took off a delicate diamond bracele

s worth more than I had m

d nostalgia, reminding Liam of some shared memory from their past. She "accidentally" spilled wine

en at me. For a moment

ncharacteristically firm. "I'm with my wife," he sa

rned and fled. As she passed me, her eyes filled with hate, I re

is is mine,"

less with rage, before s

ust led me out, a silent protector. In the car, I wondered what he was thinking. Was he protecting me, or was he pr

bbies, even her taste in bland, minimalist furniture. Each time, Liam would indulge me witho

oe used to love. It's twenty thousand dol

e style of that hotel in Paris Chloe adored. The estimate is two

breathing memory of Chloe by his side, one that he could control with his checkbook. I was amassing a small

of Chloe with a very specific, very unflattering short haircut. I went

oorway. He just stared at me. I braced myself for his an

cted. His face softened, and a look of

hand gently touching the e

voice quiet. "This style doesn't suit your

nned into

the imitation. He

hings you don't like. You always order black coffee, but I know you prefer lattes. Y

inted tomorrow. Pick any color you want. No

moved from the kitchen and replaced with every flavor of latte imaginable. It was a small gesture,

ugh my chest. I quickly pushed it down. This was

opment, I decided on o

g of starting a small investment portfoli

sk how much. I expe

eatureless credit card from h

" he said simply. "Buy whatever you want. Inve

ey to a kingdom. He had given me unlimited financia

my best friend,

ld her about the card. "You have enough to leave

aid. But for the first time, a sliver of hesitation entered my hea