The mping site is way outside the city.[]

    The early autumn mountain breeze feels cool and refreshing.]

    Next to the white tents, a group of guys and girls are whooping it up.[]

    Kai finds me a spot on the edge of the campsite with a chair.]

    Across the artificialke, I watch a bunch of men surround Ivy in the middle.[]

    She is in a tank top and hot pants puts on a blindfold and gropes aroundb, /bthen pounces straight into Dax’s arms with perfect

    uracy.

    Everyone cheers: “Dax loses! Truth! Truth!“]

    “Tell the truth–do you have feelings for Ivy?“]

    Ivy hooks her arm around Dax’s neck,ughing as she scolds them.]

    “God, you guys are so annoying!“]

    Someone enthusiastically eggs them on: “Come on, it’s totally obvious!“]

    “How about a dare instead? Ivy bit Dax’s ass before–let’s see her do it again!“]]

    Through theughter, Ivy gives Dax this sultry side–eye:]

    “I’m down for that!“]]

    Before anyone can react, she actually reaches for Dax’s belt.]

    “Hey! Cut it out!”

    Daxughs while dodging, but his movements aren’t exactly… determined.[]

    Suddenly Ivy slips, and Dax immediately reaches out to catch her. They both tumble onto the soft grass together.[]

    In the chaos, Ivy’s skirt gets hiked up to her waist.[]

    Dax has one arm tight around her waist, his other big hand possessively covering her exposed thigh.[]

    Their eyes lock, the tension thick enough to cut.[]

    Neither of them lets go.]]

    The deafening chants bfeel /blike knives stabbing into my heart, shredding it to pieces.[]

    Right now I’m like some creepy stalker watching other people’s happiness.[]

    Chapter b3 /b

    Lurking in the shadows while my husband gets all cozy with another woman.[]

    Kai beside me is already furious, his face dark with anger.[]

    Before he can storm over there, I hold him back.]

    I pull out my phone, hands shaking as I dial Dax’s number.[]

    Through my blurry vision, I see him pull out his phone, clearly annoyed by the sudden interruption.[]

    Onceb, /btwice, three times…]

    He stares at “Wifey” shing on his screen, never picking up.]

    Ivyzily drapes herself across Dax’s chest, making this contemptuous little “hmm” sound.[]

    “Mommy’s checking up on you again?“[]

    She quickly hits the decline button and taps his nose.[]

    “Don’t be pussy–whipped, or we won’t be bros anymore.“[]

    “No way!” Dax pulls her closer, grinning. “Brose way before wives!“]

    He smoothly powers off his phone, tosses it aside, and rolls around in the grass with Ivy some more.[]

    Right.

    Brose way before wives.]]

    What else is there to understand?]

    The cold wind has me shivering all over. I point at thatughing, flirting pair.]

    “Kai, are there security cameras over there?“]]

    Kai gets it immediately: “I’ll have someone save the footage right now.“[]

    My heart feels like it has this gaping hole, just bleeding out.]

    Dax, if you’ve already made your choice…]

    Then there’s only one oue: you’re going down in mes.]

    The group finishes their little wrestling match and gathers around the barbecue for drinks.[]

    bA /bfew drinks in, and tongues start wagging.]

    Ivy raises her bottle like she’s getting sentimentalb: /b“You know what I just remembered? bDax’s /bwedding day. I was so heartbroken, I went to the river to drink alone and posted about it.“[]

    “Guess what happened? He showed up in his groom’s tux! We sat by that river like a couple of idiots, watching stars all night.“[]

    81 4%

    My throat tightens.]

    I remember our wedding night–Dax said he had some “emergency” and I waited in our bed all night long.b[/bb] /b

    “That’s not even the best part! Later I told him I didn’t want to get married I wanted kids. Guess what this dummy said?“]]

    Ivy pauses for dramatic effect, enjoying everyone hanging on her words, then cracks up:[]

    “He got all serious and was like, ‘Okay, I’ll be your sperm donor. If you’re having a baby, it’s gonna be mine!“]

    Everyone’s going “What a loyal bro!” while she shoves Dax yfully.[]

    “Hey! You’re so ride–or–die for me, what about Ember?b“/b]

    Dax looks down, his tone casual as anything.

    “I’ve

    been slipping her birth control this whole time. I never nned on having kids with her anyway.“]]

    “Holy shit!” Kai explodes next to me: “And you put up with THAT?“||

    I don’t know how to respond to him, I just find itughable.]

    But as Iugh, tears start falling.]]

    ? (0)

    b(/bb0/bb) /b