Five years after we married, Reuben Slade wants to send me to his superior's bed.

The first time, he says, "Lissy, I'll get the project once you have a few drinks with him."

The second time, he says, "Sleep with him just once, Lissy. I'll be free of debt once you do."

He guarantees it won't happen again, but he goes back on his word.

"Maybe you should give him a child, Lissy. He'll promote me to general manager once you do."

The day Reuben is promoted to general manager, I divorce him and marry his superior.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the red wine cling to the inside of my glass. It felt like a waste for such a fine drink.

The city buzzed with traffic outside, but inside, all I felt was cold.

"Lissy."

Reuben Slade's voice came from behind me, hesitant.

Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. I'd made sure to book this fancy restaurant, and even wore the dress he loved most. And yet, he was an hour late. He didn't even bother to explain when he finally showed up.

"Mr. Joplin is heading to Arelton tomorrow for a business trip. He needs someone to drink for him," Reuben said, his voice dropping. "He mentioned it'd be good if you could go…"

My hand jerked, and red wine splashed onto the white carpet. The stain looked exactly like the glint of light reflecting off the diamond ring he had slipped onto my finger at our wedding years ago.

"Drinking for him? Do you even hear yourself right now?"

I turned and stared straight into his eyes. Those same eyes that had made me fall for him at first sight now flickered away, unable to hold my gaze.

"Lissy, listen," Reuben said, closing the distance between us like he was going to grab my hand. "Just this once. If you go with him, that project's mine. You know how long I've been waiting for this."

I stepped back, dodging his touch.

That year, he waited two hours outside my dorm in the pouring rain just to bring me a hot bowl of carrot ginger soup. He swore he'd always protect me and shield me from even the tiniest hardship.

"You're seriously asking me to go drinking with another man?" My voice wavered. "Reuben, I'm your wife."

"I know!" he snapped, then caught himself. His tone softened. "But I need this, Lissy. You know I haven't moved up from team lead in five years."

I looked at him, and suddenly it was like I didn't even know him anymore. What happened to that vibrant, full-of-life guy I used to know?

"You've always talked about going to the seaside," Reuben said, insistent. "Once this project's done, we'll go to Mavellea, just us."

I closed my eyes and felt a tear trail down my cheek.

The vows he'd said at our wedding played in my mind. "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love and cherish you always."

"Alright." I heard myself say. "I'll go."

He let out a relieved breath and turned to get his coat.

I stayed where I was, staring at the dark red stain on the carpet.

Then, it came back to me—how I'd specifically chosen to wear that perfume he bought me before leaving the house this morning. Now, its sickly sweet scent was making me nauseous.

I stood before the mirror, fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the last button of the lacy blouse.

The face looking back at me was perfectly made up, but no amount of makeup could hide the exhaustion in my eyes.

Reuben had picked this outfit deliberately. The neckline plunged too low, and the skirt barely skimmed my thighs.

"Lissy, you're gorgeous."

His arms circled my waist from behind, his chin settling on my shoulder. The familiar scent of his cologne drifted over me—the same one I'd given him for our anniversary.

I eased out of his grip and reached for my blazer.

The woman in the mirror now looked crisp and composed, as if the temptress from seconds before had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

"I'm leaving."

I grabbed my bag and strode out of the bedroom before Reuben could react.

He rushed after me, grabbing the suitcase from my grip. "I'll drive you to the airport."

Trailing behind him, I watched his cheerful, bouncing steps, each like a stone sinking deeper into my chest.

Was he seriously this thrilled to ship me off with another man? Of course not. His excitement was for the project he was close to landing.

As Spencer Joplin's executive secretary, I'd gone with him to a business dinner to lock down a project. Reuben hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since.

I didn't look back, but I could feel his gaze on me all the way through security.

I drew a deep breath and walked into the airport terminal, my heels clicking against the floor. I turned the corner and spotted Spencer heading my way with two coffee cups in hand.

His eyes lingered just a second too long, his lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile. "Ms. Thorne, you look… different today."

Instinctively, I tugged at the hem of my blazer and forced a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Joplin."

Spencer nodded slightly and held out one of the coffees to me. However, his attention remained on my open collar, as if he could see the revealing neckline beneath.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and covered my collar. When I glanced back up, he'd turned away, a handkerchief now in his hand.

Relieved, I picked up my pace, wheeling my suitcase behind me as I closed the distance between us.

The plane took off and landed in Arelton, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Reuben had said—how he'd asked me to drink for Spencer.

"Ms. Thorne."

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Spencer, who was already holding my suitcase, his other hand offering me an ID card.

"We're at the hotel," he said, tilting toward me. "Go check in."

The trip was so last-minute that I'd only managed to book Spencer's room beforehand. Now I had to handle his check-in and get a room for myself.

"Sorry, ma'am, but we're completely booked," the receptionist told me.

I turned to Spencer, ready to say I'd find a different hotel, when he murmured, "You could just stay with me."

I stared at him, completely stunned. That was the last thing I ever expected him to say.

Sure, Spencer had dropped hints about wanting something more between us. Yet, once he learned I was married to Reuben, he backed off and kept things respectful, let alone making inappropriate demands.

So, when Reuben claimed Spencer had specifically asked me to join him on this trip and drink for him, I didn't believe it for a second.

Spencer wasn't the type to throw his weight around like that, especially not with women.

"The suite has two bedrooms," he added, keeping his tone casual even though his ears were turning slightly pink.

My face burned, but I nodded anyway.

I followed Spencer into the elevator. The confined space carried a faint trace of his cedarwood scent.

Instinct pulled me toward the corner, but then I heard him laugh under his breath. "Relax, Ms. Thorne. You don't have to stand so stiffly."

I ignored the comment and kept my distance. As soon as we got in, I made a beeline for my room to unpack.

When I came back out, Spencer was already on the couch, two files in hand. He passed me the first one. "Ms. Thorne, this trip is mainly about securing a new project."

After a pause, he added, "The other thing… I did some digging on Reuben. He isn't good enough for you."

I snapped my head up and held his gaze, my voice firm. "Reuben and I have a strong relationship, Mr. Joplin."

"Oh really?" He sank deeper into the couch, his face unreadable. "How about we make a bet?"

My fingers dug into the papers I was holding.

"I bet," Spencer said, dragging out the words. "Reuben will send you to my bed himself."

I bit my lip, saying nothing, but a sick dread settled in my chest.

For those two weeks on the trip, Spencer kept a careful distance. We shared a suite, but he never stepped out of line, not even by accident.

He held doors open for me, fended off pushy drink offers at dinners, and the second a client talked down to me? He dropped them without hesitation.

…

On the flight home, I was slumped in my airplane seat when Spencer handed me a cup of water.

"You must be exhausted," he said.

I took it and saw a text from Reuben on my phone. "How was the trip, honey? I reserved a table at the restaurant where we celebrated our anniversary to welcome you home."

I thought he might still care about me.

I went directly to the restaurant from the airport, only to find out he'd already gone. A wave of confusion washed over me. My mind started racing.

Had something happened? Was he sick? Or had work pulled him away?

My heart lodged in my throat, but I swallowed hard and steadied myself. I pulled up the family tracker and saw him at some bar.

When I walked in, Reuben was face-down on the table, barely conscious. "Sweetheart?"

I hauled him upright and patted his cheek gently.

His eyes cracked open, glassy and slow, and the second they landed on me, he threw his arms around me. "Lissy, I'm finished!"

Every slurred word that followed felt like another weight dragging me under.

Reuben didn't bother with background checks for his project and immediately sent the 30% deposit straight through. Next thing he knew, five million dollars had vanished.

The sum might as well have been a billion for all it mattered to us. With the house and car loans still unpaid, liquidating everything we had wouldn't scrape together two million dollars.

"We need to call the police," I said.

"No!" He gripped my shoulders, his voice raw with panic. "I'm ruined if the police get involved—my career, my name, all of it! Lissy, please, you're the only one who can fix this."

His bloodshot eyes were so full of desperation that it gave me chills.

"Mr. Joplin will definitely help me with the money if you spend the night with him."

I slapped him, hard enough to be heard over the noise in the bar. My hand was shaking as I lowered it, and I looked at Reuben like I didn't even recognize him.

"Reuben, have you lost your damn mind?" My voice wavered. "I'm your wife!"

He sank to his knees and clutched my legs. "Lissy, please. I'm begging you. Just this once."

I closed my eyes, tears spilling down my cheeks.

Then, Spencer's voice came back to me. "I bet Reuben will send you to my bed himself."

I pushed Reuben's hands off, but he seized my legs again, tears streaking his face. His voice came out in a frantic, breathless rush. "It's only once, Lissy. Mr. Joplin swore he wouldn't do anything to you. Please."

I took a moment to steady myself, my head still spinning from the rush of emotions.

I drew a deep breath and reminded myself that Reuben was just shaken by everything that had happened. Once he sobered up, he'd stop being irrational, and we could work things out.

Even though my heart had gone cold, I still chose to fool myself.

I forced my voice to stay even, speaking slower than usual. "Reuben, I can't do this. I'm not some bargaining chip for you to play with. Think about what you're saying."

Then, I pried his hands off me and stood up.

Reuben just sat there, staring blankly, mumbling something under his breath. I ignored him and headed for the door.

I was about to leave the bar when he caught up and took my hand, guilt written all over his face.

"Honey, I was way out of line back there. I wasn't thinking straight. We haven't been to a bar together since the wedding. Why don't we just stay and unwind a little?"

He looked at me with eyes full of pleading, like a sad puppy.

I stood still, silently looking at him.

Reuben quickly added, "I won't bring up you entertaining Mr. Joplin again, I promise."

The weight in my chest eased at his words. The fact that he figured it out on his own was the best outcome.

I walked back with him to our seats and took his hand. "I'm glad you changed your mind. Tomorrow morning, we'll go straight to the police. Then, we'll play it by ear with the company. Worst case scenario, we walk away and start something of our own."

"Okay, honey, I'll follow your lead. Here, try this cocktail. It tastes amazing—sweet with a little tang, just how you like."

I didn't hesitate before taking the glass and sipping. "Thanks, sweetheart."

But the second it touched my tongue, I could tell something was off. It tasted sweet and sour, but with a faint bitter edge.

I barely even moved when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me.