"What the fuck?"

Selene stood frozen, her jaw slack, eyes wide in horror. The basket of food she had spent all morning preparing slipped from her fingers, hitting the floor with a thud. Glass shattered. Liquid seeped into the expensive carpet. But she barely noticed.

Because right in front of her, sprawled naked over her husband's desk, was Vivian—her best friend. And between her legs, with his shirt unbuttoned, was Ethan Calloway—h

er husband.

The man she had sacrificed everything for.

Selene's breath hitched, her stomach twisting into tight, suffocating knots. The anniversary dinner she had planned, the last six months of him being cold and distant, his late nights at the office—it all clicked into place.

"Oh my God."

How did she not see it? How did she miss it? She had simply chalked it up as work. He had to be busy, right? That was the only reason why he would forget her birthday. The only reason why he would forget their dates. The only reason why he would forget that today was their mating anniversary.

Selene trembled, her heart pounding in her chest. This cannot be happening. It can't be happening. Not with Vivian…

Vivian, whom she had called several times, complaining over Ethan's unavailability. The same Vivian who she had taken as her sister.

"Oh goddess."

Vivian quickly draped her gown over her body then rushed towards Selene, shaking her head. "Selene, I—"

"How dare you, Vivian? How could you do this to me?" Selene spat out.

Vivian opened her mouth to reply, but Ethan cut her off before she could. "Vivian did nothing wrong. She didn't betray you," he said as he stepped from behind the desk, slowly buttoning his shirt. Not a single ounce of guilt in his eyes.

"What?" Selena croaked out, his words echoing in her ears. Was this a joke? A prank?

Vivian grabbed Selene's hand. "I'm sorry, Selene. I tried to hold myself. I promise I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't…I- I love Ethan. I couldn't deny myself what my heart wants anymore. I'm in love with him."

Selene blinked before jerking her hand off Vivian's grasp. A sharp gasp left Vivian's lips as she staggered backward, almost falling. Ethan was at her side immediately, holding her shoulder to steady her.

Vivian burst into tears.

Ethan snapped his gaze at Selene. "She could've gotten injured from how hard you pushed her, Selene. What do you think you're doing?" He snapped.

Selene was taken aback, her jaw slack. "Are you—?" She trailed off.

Ethan sighed as if the conversation exhausted him. "Listen, I know all of this must be shocking to you, but even you can't deny that we just don't have any chemistry between us anymore! We are incompatible. Besides, you weren't even supposed to be here, so what are you doing here?"

Incompatible.

Selene felt like the ground had been ripped from beneath her feet.

This man—her husband, her mate—was standing half-naked in front of her, defending the woman he had just betrayed her with. Telling her they had no chemistry while still reeking of sex.

A bitter laugh left her lips. "It's our third anniversary today, Ethan. I hope that answers why I am here."

Vivian sobbed even louder at this, "Oh, Selene. I'm so sorry." She shrieked. Ethan wrapped his arms around her then glared hard at Selene.

"Why did you have to say that? Now she's crying again," he gritted out.

Selene clenched her fists, nails digging into her palm as she tried to hold herself together.

Three years. Three goddamn years.

She had been there through it all. She had stood by his side through every failure, every success. She had given him everything she had.

Vivian clutched Ethan's arm, pressing her body against him, her lower lip trembling. "Ethan, please—go easy on her. She's hurting."

Selene's eyes snapped to her. The audacity.

Ethan exhaled heavily. "I'll make this easier for you, Selene." He reached into his desk, pulling out a manila envelope and tossing it onto the floor between them.

The papers spilled out.

Her stomach lurched.

Divorce papers.

"You're better off without me," Ethan said casually, adjusting his cufflinks. "And frankly? I'm better off without you too. You're pulling me down, and I'm way above your level.

Selene's breath caught in her throat.

He didn't even hesitate.

A sharp, suffocating pain slammed into her chest, so raw it almost felt like a physical wound.

Ethan Calloway wasn't just breaking their bond. He was erasing her.

Selene forced herself to breathe. To swallow the scream rising up her throat. To not break in front of them.

Instead, she straightened, lifted her chin, and let the fire in her take over.

Her voice was calm when she spoke. "You're right, Ethan."

Selene bent down, picked up the divorce papers, and ran her fingers over the edges. Then, without looking away from Ethan's eyes, she grabbed a pen and signed it. "I am way better without you."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Selene—"

She turned to Vivian. "You? You can have him." Her lips curled. "I hope he ruins you the way he ruined me."

Then, without another word, Selene walked away.