Chapter 9

With so many guests filming, the wedding scandal spread fast online.

The video was blurred, but anyone in our social circle knew exactly who it was.

Benjamin, though his own boss, faced constant whispers and sideways glances from employees.

Mutual friends took digs at him.

In our circle, he was toast.

The gossip wore him down. He lost all motivation.

He hid at home, drowning himself in booze.

Benjamin's business partner called me one night.

"Elaine, I know you owe him nothing. But he's self-destructing. Three clients pulled out this week. He hasn't showered in days."

"That's his problem."

"I know. But you're the only person he listens to."

"He didn't listen to me when I needed him to be faithful."

Silence. Then: "Fair enough. Sorry to bother you."

I hung up and stared at the ceiling.

Part of me—the stupid, loyal, eight-years-of-love part—wanted to go check on him.

The rest of me remembered Chloe in my wedding gown.

I didn't go.

Weeks passed. I threw myself into work. Got a promotion. Started therapy. Adopted a cat named Mochi who judged everyone equally.

Lisa set me up on a blind date with a marine biologist named Daniel. He was kind, funny, and had never once worn a wedding band while visiting someone else's bed.

We went for coffee. Then dinner. Then a museum.

I didn't feel fireworks. But I felt safe. And after Benjamin, safe was priceless.

One evening, Daniel and I were walking past the waterfront when I spotted a familiar figure on a bench.

Benjamin. Thinner. Unshaven. Staring at the water with empty eyes.

He saw me. Then Daniel. Then our linked arms.

Something shattered behind his expression.

I tightened my grip on Daniel's arm and kept walking.