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.]]

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b(/bb0/bb) /b