The Heiress He Thought Would Stay

My husband believed jealousy proved love, so every wedding anniversary, he let his childhood friend take my place as his wife and waited to see how long it took me to demand that she leave. He called it a game that would keep our marriage exciting and make us love each other even more. On the seventh day of this year’s game, he sent me a message. [Come home tonight. I ordered your favorite cake.] I was sitting in an airport lounge with my passport and boarding pass beside me. For seven years, I had believed Callum Ashford when he said I was the only woman he loved. During those anniversary games, his childhood friend wore my clothes, slept in my bedroom, and sat beside him at family dinners while his friends bet on how quickly I would get jealous. When I finally broke down, he called it proof of my love. Then he held me, apologized, and promised it was the last time. This year, he gave Sienna a key to our home and told her she could be Mrs. Ashford for seven days. I left without arguing. He gave her my place at the family table. I returned the family ring. He let her take credit for the company I had helped him build. I resigned. Still, he thought I was waiting for an apology. At home, his friends were preparing to record my return. Callum had another divorce agreement ready, certain I would refuse to sign it and beg him to end the game. Then my boarding announcement began. I turned off my phone. He was waiting for his wife to come through the door. The real divorce agreement was on its way instead.